On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the Onondaga Nation School (ONS) welcomed a visit by the New York State Commissioner of education, Dr. Betty Rosa.
Dr. Rosa has been the Commissioner of Education since 2021 and is working closely with all of the indigenous schools under her oversight.
“It was a pleasure to host Commissioner Rosa,” said ONS Simone Gonyea. “The Commissioner tried to come last June but our schedules didn’t coincide. I’m so happy it worked out this year!”
“I am grateful to New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa for coming to the Onondaga Nation School,” added LaFayette Superintendent Jeremy Belfield. “The Commissioner has been committed to elevating the voices of all students. Commissioner Rosa and the team from NYSED have taken the time to learn more about our school community, our students, and our needs. I am hopeful that NYSED and Commissioner Rosa will continue to advocate for the Onondaga Nation School.”
After meeting with Principal Gonyea and Superintend Belfield, Dr. Rosa and her delegation, which included senior leaders from the New York State Education Department, the Board of Regents, and the Onondaga BOCES Superintendent went to Gohahagehdih (Mrs. JoAnne Powless’) fifth grade science class.
Once inside, the Commissioner and her delegation got to work alongside the students; asking questions, and learning together.
“That kind of integrated hands on learning is so valuable,” commented Dr. Rosa about Gohahagehdeh’s water (ohneganos) conservation lesson. “Your students were engaged and able to use all of the information they have learned about the topic in multiple ways. That kind of instruction is something to be proud of.”
Before meeting with the Onondaga Council, the Commissioner had a tour of the school and also aided in the dismissal of the PreK and Kindergarten classrooms.
“The kids were so great with the Commissioner,” said Principal Gonyea. “Although the time she had with the students was limited, they all seemed to make a great memory together.”
After school, Dr. Rosa then met with the Onondaga Council. There she praised the school for its deep connection to the Onondaga language and culture as demonstrated by the extensive amount of Onondaga words throughout the building.
“It is observable how important the Onondaga language is in the school,” said Dr. Rosa. “The New York State Department of Education is proud to be able to support this important work through grant funding to facilitate the use and preservation of the Onondaga language at your school. We will be looking for additional ways to help our shared continued work in this area.”
Chief Shannon Booth then shared his concerns about the structural needs of the school that wouldn’t be acceptable in other schools. Dr. Rosa responded, “The Onondaga Nation School, as well as the other Indigenous schools, were a central part of my opening remarks at the New York State Legislature budget hearings last year. We are looking to expand the ‘tools’ we can use to help address these concerns which we both have but are grateful to the State Legislature that they did fund part of the work needed at the Onondaga and other Indigenous schools. We are also here to listen to your needs on this and other matters.”
Dr. Rosa and the delegation explained the creation of an Indigenous Education Council where leaders from the different indigenous communities throughout New York will be able to express their concerns directly to the New York State Education Department on an ongoing basis.
“We look forward to continuing to polish the Chain of Friendship,” stated David Frank, the Chief of Staff of the Office of Education Policy about the Indigenous Education Council.
“We have listened and heard your ideas and concerns,” stated Commissioner Rosa.
“I believe that our school left a positive mark on all of our guests,” stated Principal Gonyea. “We have extended an open invitation and many plan to return.”