Seneca Early Childhood Learning Centers

The Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI) believes education is a life-long process that is multi-cultural, multi-generational, and integral to physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual wellness. While Seneca culture and values remain strong, the number of fluent Seneca language speakers is rapidly declining and the language is considered at-risk. As part of a larger effort to put programs in place that would help protect, preserve and develop a new generation of Seneca-language speakers, the SNI Tribal Council determined that two early childhood learning programs would be developed to address both the educational needs of this age group and the wider cultural imperative.

The facilities were both completed in 2016 and serve as centers for childhood development and education, health services, and cultivation of the Seneca traditions.

Cattaragus

New Construction / 64,000 sf / $38.5 million

SNI culture was seamlessly integrated into the schools’ designs, reflecting and celebrating the Nation’s rich history and enhancing learning opportunities for students. The school’s ‘Food is our Medicine’ project, a partnership between the SNI and the Seneca Diabetes Foundation influenced design of interior spaces. All landscape plantings are exclusively comprised of local indigenous species and a variety of sustainable design considerations have been incorporated. Entry into the Cattaraugus building is from the west (the Seneca became known as the ‘Keepers of the Western Door’) and leads into the ‘Cultural Commons’, a multi-functional community space. Exposed wood structure is a modern interpretation of longhouse construction. Arrayed around the courtyard are classroom clusters organized in groups of three, referential of the Three Sisters story. There are eight clusters each designated with an engraved sign bearing the symbol of one of the Seneca’s eight clans. Interior finishes are representative of the counterclockwise cycle of four seasons (the Seneca cosmological perspective of the rotation of seasons is opposite that of Western culture).

Arts & Learning

Adaptive Reuse / 61,000 sf / $10 million

This project transforms a former school building into a “multi-generational Seneca learning center.”

The building accommodates multiple programs – the Early Childhood Learning Center, the Nation’s Education Administration offices, a language and cultural center, museum collections and archives, and a Center for Business Growth. The building was designed to help the Nation to capitalize on the many benefits of having all of these services consolidated under one roof.