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Niagara Falls students present Haudenosaunee heritage to board; district pledges continued flag display
Summary
Students from Niagara Falls High School gave an elementary-oriented presentation on Haudenosaunee culture and the Hiawatha Belt and delivered flags to elementary schools; the superintendent praised the message of harmony and said the district will continue to fly the Haudenosaunee flag in November.
Four students from the Niagara Falls High School Native American club and their adviser addressed the board during public comments to present on Native American Heritage Month and Haudenosaunee culture.
"Native American Heritage Month...we honor traditions, languages, and contributions of the Native American and Alaskan Natives across the United States," one student said during the elementary-focused presentation, which included demonstrations and explanations of sweetgrass, beadwork, lacrosse and the Hiawatha Belt.
Adviser Jessica Frigette told the board the group had previously raised the Haudenosaunee flag at the high school in 2024 with the superintendents approval and worked to bring the flag and an adapted presentation to elementary schools. Students described the Hiawatha Belt as a symbol of peace and unity and explained the historical role of nations named on the belt.
Superintendent Mark Lohrey praised the students and said their emphasis on "harmony, equality, peace, unity and togetherness" resonated with the district. He said the district will "fly that flag proudly" each November at its schools.
The presentation also invited participation in a multimedia contest to consider reopening a local cultural gathering place known as the Turtle (Native American Center for Living Arts) as a community resource.
