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Peace Tree Ceremony

2019 Peace Tree Ceremony

Three men stand next to each other wearing traditional clothing from their tribes.
Citizens of Three Seneca Nations participated in the 2019 Peace Tree Ceremony (l-r): Christopher Chaney (Seneca Cayuga Nation), Blaine TallChief (Seneca Nation), and Jamie Jacobs (Tonawanda Seneca).

Sept. 26, 2019 Peace Tree Ceremony  & Public Lecture: moved to rain location, GLUCK THEATER, WVU Mountainlair

Jamie Jacobs peace tree 2019 Mr. Jamie Jacobs, Turtle Clan, Tonawanda Seneca, a descendant of historic Seneca leaders, serves his community as a ceremonial custodian, language instructor at Tonawanda Nation School, and cultural educator. In addition, he works for the Rochester (New York) Museum and Science Center, Rock Foundation. His numerous efforts support the preservation of Seneca culture, language, and traditions.

Mr. Jacobs will preside at the 2019 annual WVU Peace Tree Ceremony Thursday, Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m., telling the story of the coming of the Peacemaker, who brought about the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy.

The Peace Tree is located between Martin Hall & E. Moore Hall. Rain location: Gluck Theater, Mountainlair Student Union.

Mr. Jacobs’s public lecture, ”The Seneca and the Great Law of Peace" is at 7:00 p.m. in the Gluck Theater, Mountainlair Student Union. A welcome reception begins in the theater foyer at 6:30pm.

Both events are free and open to the public. 

Blaine Tallchief 2019 peace tree
Mr. Blaine Tallchief, Seneca Faithkeeper and member of both the Newtown and Coldspring Longhouse, will perform traditional Seneca music and offer an invocation as part of the Peace Tree ceremony and public lecture. Originally from the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, Mr. Tallchief and his family live on the Allegany reservation.

Canaan red tailed hawk
“Canaan,” a red-tailed hawk, will be presented courtesy of the the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia.