SUNY Potsdam students participate in Iroquois culture
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SUNY Potsdam Native students Amanda Tarbell, Reisha White, Amanda King, Mackenzie Papineau, Samantha Phillips, Amberdawn La France, Tewentahawihtha Cole, and Denise Homer.
On Nov. 19, Potsdam Association of Native Americans (PANA) hosted their annual Iroquois social at SUNY Potsdam.
“PANA is an official organization with SUNY Potsdam’s Student Government Association (SGA),” said Tewentahawihtha Cole, President of PANA, “We sponsor activities and events to promote Native Cultural Awareness.”
The annual Iroquois social dance was well attended with special guests from NCSTEP and Potsdam Akwesasne Talent Search (PATS) who brought middle and high school students to Potsdam to participate in the social and introduce them to the college environment.
“The students enjoy it,” said Sheila Marshall, PANA advisor, “and PANA members organize it, pick the date, room, location, get the word out on campus and let faculty know, and encourage students to come out and attend.”
Students take the lead during the alligator dance.
SUNY Potsdam has about 58 native students, a majority of whom are Iroquois eager to share their unique culture with others.
“I think PANA hosting this social is an educational opportunity for the whole campus to educate other students of the native community surrounding Potsdam and other native communities in general,” said Denise Homer, Treasurer of PANA.
Each year, PANA invites a different group to come and sing and share Iroquois culture and this year they invited the Akwesanse Women Singers. The ladies did an amazing job singing and getting everybody involved.
Last year, PANA participated in the annual Iroquois social dance, Akwesasne roadside cleanup, Potsdam’s Diversity Festival, SUNY Potsdam Earth celebration, and the Center for Diversity Senior Graduation Banquet.
Photos by Mary La France
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