NACS TO HOLD 8TH ANNUAL GALA - "GIVING THANKS - HONORING THE PLANTS" submitted by Michael Martin, Executive Director ou are cordially invited to program begins at 6:30 pm online through the following Y join Native American with a welcome and tradition- site: Community Services of Erie al Thanksgiving Address. www.brownpapertickets.com/ and Niagara Counties, Inc. Dinner will be served by 6:45 event/3057372 (NACS) at our 8th Annual Gala pm. The event will also in- as we celebrate 42 years in a clude the presentation of our It is also not too late to be a 'Tradition of Caring'. "Bundled Arrows Awards" sponsor, buy a program Ad or which will recognize individu- donate an item for the large The Gala will be held at the als or organizations who help basket raffle or special raffle new DoubleTree Hotel by Hil- to strengthen our community. items. Individuals or business- ton in Niagara Falls, NY on es interested in becoming a Thursday, October 5, 2017. NACS Executive Director, sponsor or purchasing an Ad Michael Martin, said “The in the program book can call To honor our Native American Gala not only serves as our our main office at culture, each year our Annual largest fundraiser of the year 716.874.4460 to receive a Gala theme follows the verses which allows us to make criti- sponsorship form or to get of the traditional Haudeno- cal investments in meeting more information. saunee Thanksgiving Address, the short and long-term so this year the theme is needs of the lives we touch, As Martin states, “We hope the "Giving Thanks - Honoring The but it also offers an oppor- community will come out and Plants." tunity to give thanks and help us give thanks and cele- honor some of the wonderful brate the work of our organiza- Our guest, celebrity MC for the contributors that impact the tion and our community, while evening is former Buffalo Sa- community and help NACS also providing us assistance in bre, Cody McCormick. A vet- in meeting its mission.” moving important initiatives eran of 405 NHL games, forward. We appreciate every- McCormick is from Chippewa Tickets for the 2017 Gala are one’s support, whether they of the Thames First Nation, $100 per person, but please buy a ticket, become a spon- located in Southwestern, On- note that ticket prices will in- sor, purchase an Ad, or make tario, near London, . crease to $125 on Septem- a donation. It should be a fab- ber 26th! In addition to the ulous night and it means a lot Our night begins at 5:30 pm price increase, there will only to us to see so many people with a reception with basket be a limited number of tickets come out and enjoy it with us!” raffles and silent auction items available after this date. available to bid on. Our formal Tickets can be purchased NATIVE AMERICAN Former Buffalo Sabre Cody McCormick COMMUNITY SERVICES

Board of Directors: to be this year’s Celebrity Gala President: Diane Maracle Master of Ceremonies!!! Vice-President: Belinda Patterson grinder and energy Treasurer: player, who added Lisa Marie Anselmi toughness to each Secretary: Carrie Rittenhouse game he played, while Members: recording 65 points Amy Sheridan and 550 Timothy Ecklund minutes in his career. John Drescher McCormick is married Melanie Pietrowski Tyler Thompson with two daughters Owen Herne and a son and they Kevin Blair reside in Clarence Administrative Staff: Center, New York. His Executive Director: Michael Martin, ACS is excited to announce wife is Alyssa Paiement, the daugh- Program Assistant: N that our celebrity Emcee for ter of former NHLer and Sabre Wilf Cheryl Caulder, this year's Gala is former NHL for- Paiement. Financial Director: ward Cody McCormick. Jeffrey Kramer, McCormick also participated in an Deputy Director Norine Borkowski McCormick is from Chippewa of the event coordinated by the “I Love Thames First Nation, located in First Peoples” Foundation along Component Directors: Southwestern, Ontario, near Lon- with the , The Gord Economic Self - don, Ontario. Before the NHL, Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Sufficiency Services McCormick played Junior hockey in and NACS held at the North Park Colleen Casali the (OHL) Theater to present Secret Path, an Health & Wellness Star Wheeler where he was a left winger for the animated short film released by All Our Relations Project Belleville, Ontario based team for Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Pete Hill all four years of his junior career, Downie. Secret Path told the story Family Services from 1999-2003. During McCor- of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Barbara Clawson-Cole mick's four-year stint as a Bull, he Native boy who ran away from his Community & Cultural Services accumulated a total of 56 goals, residential school in 1966 and died Unfilled at this time. where 36 of them came from his six days later on the side of the rail-

Newsletter Editor: 2002-2003 season. That season road tracks as he was trying to fol- George T. Ghosen, Sr. led to him being drafted by the Col- low them home. Cody talked about orado Avalanche in the 5th Round, his own path in life and to the NHL 144th overall, of the 2001 NHL and some of the challenges he MOVING/CHANGE Draft. McCormick went on to play faced. The event raised awareness OF ADDRESS? 405 NHL games with the Colorado of the intergenerational impact of If you are planning on Avalanche, and residential/boarding schools in Na- moving or changing your Buffalo Sabres before retiring in tive communities. address, please contact 2016. McCormick had missed NACS so we may update more than a full season of action With the hockey season starting, our mailing list. Call due to blood clots that spread to his we’re honored that Cody took time (716) 874-2797, ext. 378 lungs, and the Buffalo Sabres wing- away from his busy schedule to join or send an email to: er has decided to call it a career. us and be part of making this year’s [email protected] McCormick, 34, played a role as a Gala a wonderful event.

Page 2 NACS announces 2017 “Bundled Arrows” Award Winners!

ACS is very happy to really needs no introduc- schools as well as carpentry N announce that our Bun- tion, but Thomas R. Porter at Kahnawake. The purpose dled Arrows honorees for (Sakokwenionkwas -“The of both schools is to teach this year's Gala are: One Who Wins”) has been all of the usual subject mat-  Sakokwenionkwas Tom the founder, spokesperson ter, but within a traditional Porter – Mohawk spiritu- and spiritual leader of the Mohawk worldview and with al leader Mohawk Community of emphasis on keeping the  Noreen Hill – Project Di- Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jo Mohawk language alive and rector of the Indian Edu- ha lay gay) located in the vital. It is said that with the cation Program for the Mohawk Valley near Fon- loss of language, there also Niagara Falls School Dis- da, New York since 1993. is the loss of at least 50% of trict He is a member of the a people’s culture and iden- Dr. Bruce Coles – Re- Bear Clan of the Mohawk tity. cently retired from New Nation at Akwesasne. He York State Department of is married to Alice Joe Mr. Porter worked as Secre- Health Porter who is Choctaw, tary for the Mohawk Nation and has six children. Council of Chiefs for 8 years The Bundled Arrows awards and as an interpreter for 11 are in recognition of their Mr. Porter has held the po- years. He is still called on to contributions and commit- sition of sub-chief for the help out as needed, when ment to the strengthening of Tehanakarine Chieftain- his schedule allows. Mr. our local Native American ship title, one of the nine Porter organized the “White community. Our awards are chief titles of the Mohawk Roots of Peace”, a traveling inspired by the Haudeno- Nation, for 21 years (1971- multi-media communications saunee Confederacy's Great 1992). Chiefs are consid- group designed to revitalize Law of Peace in which the ered to be spiritual as well Native traditions and beliefs Peacemaker on his journey as political leaders. Some in North America. He was to unite the confederacy of the duties of that posi- the main speaker and lec- gave the strongest warrior in tion were: officiating at tured for the group at vari- the village one arrow and marriage ceremonies, ous universities and colleg- told him to break it and the death ceremonies and nu- es all over the United States warrior easily did. He then merous other traditional and . bundled five arrows together ceremonies held through- to signify the original five na- out the year. Mr. Porter previously tions to accept the Great worked as the Native Ameri- Law and asked the same He was the director of can consultant for the New warrior to break it and he and, a teacher at the York State Penitentiary Sys- couldn't. This simple act Akwesasne Freedom tem and as Chaplain for all showed that we are stronger School and taught at the of the Native inmates in the working together then we Kahnawake Survival New York State Penal Sys- are separate. School. He taught Mo- tem, where he traveled all hawk language, philoso- over the state to meet with Mr. Porter is a man who phy and history at both Native inmates.

NACS News Page 3 ly our youth.” which is given to a youth Mr. Porter has authored who is already on a good various books and pam- Bruce Coles, DO, recent- path and has demonstrated phlets, all of which teach ly retired from a long dis- care and concern for the about Mohawk traditions tinguished career as a community. It’s the only and spirituality. As NACS Public Health Physician at award done through commu- Executive Director states, NYS Department of nity nomination and it’s not “Tom is one who truly emu- Health. He has made too late to nominate a de- lates the teachings of a many contributions to serving youth for considera- Good Mind. He is generous NACS’ work and on issues tion. For a nomination form in sharing his time, wisdom affecting Native people or more information, please and spirit with all. He has across the state. He contact Norine Borkowski at long been a champion of worked as the Medical Di- 716.874.4460, extension our people and our ways. rector for Office of Minority 304. As a gifted story (and joke) Health and Health Dispari- teller, Tom amuses, enlight- ties Prevention. In his NACS congratulates all hon- ens and inspires. He is role, he was critical to get- orees and looks forward to very deserving of any honor ting funds established for giving thanks and celebrat- and we are thankful and Native communities from ing their accomplishments happy to be able to recog- across NYS to gather and and achievements at the nize him for his lifetime of develop (or renew) more 2017 Gala! accomplishments and con- holistic models for Native tributions.” American health and well- Noreen Hill is Project Di- being. Mr. Martin states rector of the Indian Educa- “Dr. Coles contributions tion Program for the Niaga- were often behind the ra Falls School District. In scenes, almost a silent addition to being active in partner, but he is a man of local Native American is- vision and persistence sues, she also was a stal- when he sees needs that wart for Native rights and must be met. Although a involved with the Indian De- man of Jewish faith, we fense League of America have found a kindred spirit for many years. She also for our Native causes and had worked for NACS earli- a good friend of our people er in her career. Michael and a representation of Martin notes “Noreen has our Good Mind teachings. always been a defender of His support and dedication our people and holds the will have ripple effects for bar high whether externally generations to come.” or internally focused. She is dedicated and committed In addition to the above, to achieving the best repre- NACS will also honor a lo- sentation and results for our cal Native youth with our Native community, especial- “Elder In Training” award

Page 4 NACS News Page 5 YES, I’D LIKE TO HELP NACS TO CONTINUE IT’S TRADITION OF CARING!!

Please accept my contribution of:  $5  $10  $25  $50 Name  $100  Other: _

I’d like to volunteer my time. I can… Address

City / State / Zip Code

Phone  Please add me to your mailing list! Please detach and return to: Native American Community Services of Erie & Niagara Counties, Inc. 1005 Grant Street, Buffalo, New York 14207

FUNDED BY: Erie County Department of Social Services; New York State Office of Children & Family Services; New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services; NYS DOH/Family Health; NYS Education Dept.; NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities; Erie County Youth Bureau, Niagara County Department of Social Services, Niagara County Office of the Aging; US Department of Labor; W.K Kellogg Foundation; U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, ANA; as well as businesses, foundations and caring individuals.