Our catch phrase is on its way.

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

I had a nice breakfast at my hotel (the Holiday Inn Express and Suites), where I will be staying for the remainder of my time in Salamanca, New York. “G” picked me up at about 8:30 and drove me to her school for the “little ones”, the name she has given to the 2-,3-,4-, and 5- year-old children who attend it. I watched as "G" and her team of 5 helpers did their best to bring the Seneca language önödowa’ga’ (See Installment 137.) back to life.

From time to time I actually participated (as a student) in some of the activities. Only one of the half dozen teachers there was a man. About 30 years of age, his name is Nö'jahëh. I was impressed as I watched Nö'jahëh working hard both as a teacher of both önödowa’ga’ and of Seneca culture -- while at the same time acting as a male role model for the little boys in his class. The children were adorable! One of them, a little boy, leaned his head on my shoulder as I sat cross-legged on the floor next to him. Near the end of the morning’s activities all of us (including me) lined up and danced as Nö'jahëh beat some drums and sang. “G” took me to a nice Seneca cultural center not far from my hotel. We had lunch at the center. Then, after lunch, in the vacant breakfast dining area at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, “G” and I worked for a solid three hours on developing our “Gaënö’“ (“Jingles”) for önödowa’ga’. We made plans to meet again tomorrow. The rest of the day I was busy trying to organize all of the data I had collected this morning as well as following up on the tough three-hour session “G” and I had just completed.

Steve Walker, Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.