Akwe:kon Tailgate honors CALS alumnus & launches Cornell-Syracuse relationship

^{Daniel Jemison`56 (Seneca), receiving AIP gift from Akwe:kon RHD Ansley Jemison (Seneca)}

On April 10th at the the first annual Akwe:kon Tailgate the American Indian Program students, faculty and staff hosted the Syracuse University Haudenosaunee Promise Scholarship students, and Class of 1956 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate and former Cornell lacrosse great, Daniel Jemison (Seneca). We honored Jemison with a gift from the American Indian Program – a traditional Great Lakes style wooden lacrosse stick crafted by Onondaga traditional stick maker, Alfie Jacques. Food, fun and friendly competition was shared between both groups of Native students as the Akwe:kon "All of Us" perpetual plaque was introduced. The concept of the plaque is to promote on-going friendly competition between the two student organizations. Each year the group from the university that wins in Cornell-Syracuse lacrosse will be awarded the plaque, and with that "bragging rights" until the next competition. Fortunately, this year the Big Red prevailed, 12-6, and the plaque will be staying home. 

AIP Announces new Residence Hall Director

The American Indian Program at Cornell University is pleased to announce the appointment of Ansley Jemison, Seneca Nation Wolf Clan from the Seneca Allegany territories, as the new Residence Hall Director of Akwe:kon. Ansley was selected from a nation-wide pool of candidates. He will join our staff on March 5th. 

A graduate of Syracuse University, where he was a valuable member of the lacrosse team for four years, Ansley has extensive experience in mentoring students. He brings a global perspective on Indigenous issues with a commitment to renewable energy and sustainable choices for healthy living.  Ansley's Native American cultural expertise is based on experience as a Haudenosaunee cultural interpreter and data analysis at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, working with Pueblo communities in Taos, New Mexico and service teaching in São Jon>sé Dos Campos, São Paulo, Brasil.

He coaches collegiate men's lacrosse and serves as Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager of the Iroquois Nationals U19 team that will compete in the U19 World Championships in Turku, Finland in the summer of 2012. Additionally, Ansley's experience in national and international event coordination, based on his role as a coach and General Manager for the Iroquois Nationals Men's Field and Indoor teams, will enrich student activities at Akwe:kon.

Jolene Rickard, Ph.D.

Director, American Indian Program

Carol Kalafatic

Associate Director, American Indian Program