Our St. Bonaventure community has long been guided by the values of compassion, wisdom and integrity, values informed by our cherished Franciscan tradition. These principles call us not only to reflect on our shared past but also to work actively toward a future built on understanding, reconciliation and mutual respect.
Last spring, we embarked on a new chapter in the ongoing relationship with our neighbors from the Seneca Nation of Indians, taking deliberate steps to “polish our chain of friendship” and strengthen the bonds between our university and the original stewards of the land upon which this university sits.
The formation last fall of a joint committee made up of members from the university community and the Seneca Nation marked an important milestone in this journey, building on efforts that began in 2021 with the creation of a minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies.
That addition to our academic portfolio was bolstered in 2023 with a $147,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant supports not only academic initiatives, but allows us to bring guest speakers and Native American cultural events to campus.
These programs have provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to study the rich cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples, while also promoting dialogue and collaboration with the Seneca Nation.
The most meaningful step we took this year was the unveiling of our Land Acknowledgment Statement before the start of the Bonnies game vs. George Washington on Feb. 9, a statement authored collaboratively by members of the university and Seneca communities.
As I stood alongside Seneca Nation President JC Seneca and First Lady Nicole Seneca, Fr. Stephen Mimnaugh, O.F.M., our vice president for Mission Integration, read 65 words that serve as a long overdue but meaningful gesture of respect and a commitment to our ongoing partnership:
With respect and contrition, we honor the Seneca Nation. Praised be You, our Creator, through our native friends.
For generations, the Great Hill People and Keepers of the Western Door of the historic Haudenosaunee Confederacy have been the stewards of the land where St. Bonaventure University now resides.
As we journey together, may we polish our covenant chain of friendship, in humility, reconciliation, and Peace.
The game also featured Layla Seneca’s beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, ticket discounts for Nation members, and children from Seneca youth organizations playing basketball at halftime.
More initiatives have already taken root or are in the planning stages, from Seneca flags and signage displayed on campus and at significant events like Commencement, to more intentional efforts to recruit and support Native American students. And in 2023, three Native American students, with the help of Sociology professor Dr. Kathy Zawicki, formed an Indigenous Student Confederacy.
These efforts are more than symbolic. They are tangible expressions of our commitment to acknowledge and honor the Senecas’ deep connection to this land and to our beloved university. By fostering an atmosphere of respect and collaboration, we strive to fulfill our mission as a university dedicated to social justice and the common good.
Why is this relationship so vital to us?
The Franciscan tradition emphasizes that true community can only be achieved when we listen to and learn from one another. For too long, Indigenous voices and histories have been marginalized. It is our responsibility, as educators and neighbors, to ensure that those voices are not only heard but celebrated.
As we look to the future, our work with the Seneca Nation will continue to grow. Whether through educational initiatives, cultural exchanges, or joint community projects, our partnership is a living testament to the values we hold dear.
Together, we want to build bridges that honor the past while paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Dr. Jeff Gingerich
University President
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