Carol Fisher Linn
The celebrated month was initiated by Cattaraugus Reservation Seneca Indian, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, close relative of Red Jacket and Ely Parker, the Seneca who helped draft the surrender documents of the Civil War.
Native American Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of the culture, traditions, and achievements of the American Indian and Alaska Native people. It is celebrated annually in November and was first established in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.
The US Army blog mentioned: “The observance originated in the early 20th century when Native American advocate Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, urged the Boy Scouts of America to recognize a day for the “First Americans.” Later, in 1990, President George H.W. Bush declared November as National American Indian Heritage Month.”
Located next to the Cattaraugus Reservation and a short drive from the Allegany Reservation we have a close relationship with our native brothers and sisters. Our history is intertwined with native history from our founding in the early 1800’s. The natives came to Ellicottville to trade and to avail themselves of our court system. Ellicottville is in the center of the county and was our county seat for a time, until the railroads bypassed us and the seat moved to Little Valley.
Native Americans have suffered much at the hands of their home country, perhaps the biggest was having their lands taken from them and being forced to assimilate into white culture. Still, we have learned so much from our Indian friends and neighbors.
Take, for example, the practice of planting “Three Sisters” together. Corn, beans and squash have been planted for centuries by the native Americans, long before the descent of white people upon this country. The manner of planting is so logical and successful that the indigenous Americans helped shape everything we know about agriculture. Along with corn, 14 different beans, maple syrup, wild rice, pumpkin, potatoes, and avocado all started with Native American farmers. In fact, according to the USDA, 60% of the present world’s food supply comes from the American Indians’ agriculture, primarily consisting of corn and the so-called “Irish” potatoes.
Many of our Founders were very familiar with the confederacies of tribal nations, including the Iroquois. In drafting the U.S. Constitution, they adopted many policies from the governing models of the native tribes and confederacies, including separate military and civil leadership, democratic policies for referendums, vetoes and recalls, guarding personal freedoms, including freedom of religion. The fact is that many concepts in the United States Constitution can be traced back to the Iroquois Confederacy of 1142, the oldest living participatory democracy on earth. However, we fell short in modeling after them in one very significant way … most gave women a large role in government. We are still trying to catch up.
Native Americans were the very first explorers. In fact, Western New York is home to nearly 1000 years of Seneca Indian history. Reading the histories of the formation of our communities, one frequently reads that the only means of getting through the wilderness were through paths established by the Native Americans. These paths led to our first roads and railways. In fact, many of our roads and communities, particularly in our area, area given Indian names – Cheektowaga, Ohio, Buffalo, Tonawanda, Scajaquada, etc.
Natives taught us the art of fishing and hunting, canoeing and lacrosse. They gave use the blueprint for log homes, along with chewing gum, BBQ’s, kayaks, moccasins, tobacco and pipes; they taught us about growing a rich resource, cotton (which turned out as a negative because Europeans saw the value and created a slave trade to produce it), and they were the first known to create and use rubber.
Many of their teachings laid the groundwork for groups like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. Natives created a form of sign language and hand signals which helped to facilitate commerce and communications with other tribes. We learned about the healing properties of plants and tinctures made from them for medicinal and spiritual purposes.
Native Americans have influenced American art, with artists teaching us about ceramics and pottery, woodworking, beading and quillwork, glasswork, basketmaking, painting, metalwork, music, and fashion.
We in Western New York are very aware of the accomplishments and power of the Seneca Nation so it is easy for us to be unaware of the struggles many native American tribes across America are enduring. Like all Americans, Indians (even successful tribes) struggle with poverty, alcohol and drug addictions, mental illness, missing women, and unemployment. Unlike most Americans, they also deal with discrimination and racism. November is the month for all of us to consider how we can reconcile with our native brothers and sisters in a positive way and work towards a more positive and equitable future for everyone.