My name is Bradley Jimerson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. A member of the Seneca Nation, heron clan. I grew up at the Pinewoods and Irving areas. I have earned my degree in 1989 from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Visual Communications program in the field of commercial arts. I also use it to showcase my ongoing portfolio of design work that I have created over the years. I have held vast in-house positions from entry level to an advance graphic designer position, in a wide range of industries such as public relations, paper industries, academic field, advertising, web development and search engine marketing. I have taught paintings and drawing classes with students at The Sully’s Heritage Center, Irving, NY for the Endowment of the Arts program through the Seneca Nation. As a freelancer, I have been honing my skills as a graphic designer, illustrator, web application developments and search engine marketing within Western New York area. I am happy to serve with other members of the Board of Trustees for the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center.

Kristine Tome, Co-Chairman

Samantha Jacobs is a Seneca artist of the Turtle clan from the Cattaraugus Territory. She has served as a board member for both the Pinewoods Community association and the Seneca Library Board of Trustees. Samantha is a diverse artist practicing beadwork, quillwork, moose embroidery & caribou hair tufting. She is a member of the Nest and the Native Roots Artists Guilds. Samantha works on her home territory where she shares her knowledge as a teaching artist through classes hosted at the Stanley “Sully” Huff Heritage Center and various community organizations. Samantha has been a recipient of several grants and residencies, CRNY and the NYFA Folk/Traditional Arts fellowship. Her work can be found in both private and institution collections including the New York State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum.

Bernadette Scott, Onödowa'ga:' (Seneca), deer clan resides on the Cattaraugus Territory is a current Board of Trustees member at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum (SINM) and traditional artist. Life-long learning has always been a way for her to conceptualize and share Haudenosaunee history, art, and personal cultural experiences. She received a M.A. in American Studies from the University at Buffalo, B.S. in Audio/Radio Production with a minor in American Indian Studies from the State University of New York at Fredonia, A.A.S. in Travel and Tourism from Paul Smith’s College, Artist in Residency (2022-23) participant, and a featured artist (2017) at the SINM. For over 20 years, Bernadette has been demonstrating and conducting workshops making traditional Seneca (no-face) cornhusk dolls, flowers, braided cornhusk moccasins, and baskets throughout Turtle Island with various libraries, schools, colleges/universities, organizations, and groups of all ages. She incorporates her knowledge of the Three Sisters, significance of corn, and brief history of Haudenosaunee communities as a vital component to preserve traditions for future generations.

“I continue to share and teach traditional Seneca (no-face) cornhusk dolls and flowers to anyone willing to learn especially the young and elders because I feel it’s my responsibility to carry on what I’ve been taught especially from my (late) Grandma Lillian. I am thankful I can continue to carry on my family’s tradition.” Nya:weh

Caleb G. Abrams is an award winning Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca) filmmaker, public media producer, and multimedia artist based out of present-day Brantford, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. Raised on the Onöndowa'ga:' territory of Ohi:yo', much of his work pushes back against settler-colonial narratives of place and power, while creating space for Indigenous stories of truth, community, and connectedness. Abrams explores these themes through a shifting lens of documentary, magical realism, and surrealist video art. In addition to writing, directing, and producing his own short films, Abrams has also created work in collaboration with SHOWTIME Networks, the American Museum of Natural History, Vision Maker Media, Toward Castle Films, Skipping Stone Pictures, Buffalo Toronto Public Media, City Lore, the Aunties Dandelion Collective, Odawi Law PLLC, the Seneca Nation of Indians, and the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum. His honors include a 2023 Princess Grace Awards Honoria Award; the 2020 Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center Residency; and a 2018 Silver Telly Award. Abrams' forthcoming film, The Burning of My Coldspring Home, is scheduled for completion in early 2025.

Ja:nos—Janine Bowen is a member of the Beaver clan of the Seneca Nation. She has centered her career on Seneca language revitalization efforts. In 2002, she began teaching Seneca language and culture to elementary and junior high school students on the Allegany Territory of the Seneca Nation. In 2007, at the request of the Allegany Education Director, Ja:no’s became a Seneca language Instructor for Buffalo State College. In 2015, the Seneca Nation Chief of Staff encouraged her to take on the role of Allegany Language Director. Ja:no’s received an Ed.M. from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, as well as an M.P.P. from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. In 2020, Ja:no’s started her path back to the field of education when she began coursework for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. It is her goal to merge her talents to support indigenous students in their journey to become successful individuals, capable of overcoming the unique challenges Native peoples face as they learn to walk in two worlds.

Holly John is a member of the Seneca Nation, Snipe clan. She is a lifelong resident of the Cattaraugus Territory. She, along with her husband have been entrepreneurs for approximately 38 years. Together, they raised a family of 5 children while establishing and overseeing successful businesses ranging from a Construction Co, Convenience stores and a Hotel, just to name a few.

Holly is an experienced Black Ash Basket maker. Her passion for the art of basketmaking has opened opportunities for demonstrating and sharing of the same traditional knowledge that was taught to her. Basketmaking has provided opportunities to travel, to meet and be amongst other Indigenous artists far and wide. She also a member of the Native Roots Artist Guild, sits on the Seneca Diabetes Foundation and is a willing community volunteer when needed.

My name is Mary Jacobs. I reside on the Cattaraugus Territory and am a member of the Seneca Nation-Turtle clan. My family originates from both Cattaraugus-my mom, and Allegany- my dad. Recently I retired nursing from the Cattaraugus Health Center. I have been active in my community for many years teaching beadwork and other crafts. I travel to and participate in many art festivals and exhibits. I participate annually at the New York state fair Indian village in Syracuse, Seneca Nation Fall Festival art show, and the Woodlands culture center art show in Brantford, Ontario. I have attended trainings on collections care and have visited several museum collections to enhance my knowledge of museum protocols. I have served on the OOC board for over 10 years. It has been a pleasure to be on the OOC board during the planning, and building stages of our new museum.

Xanthe John, First Descendant Seneca Nation, Bear Clan, currently works as the Social Media Manager for the Seneca Nation. She is an avid admirer of the arts and has previously worked for the Buffalo Albright-Knox Gundlach Art Museum in Buffalo, New York. There, she worked as a Shop AK associate before moving into the Advancement Department as Government and Foundations Relations Assistant. She also worked for the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the Buffalo Zoo. Her time spent in these different cultural institutions gives her a varied perspective that will help inform her role as a member of the Board of Trustees. She holds a BA in Communications, Public Relations from Buffalo State University.

Seneca Nation of Indians Council Liaison.