Grandmother Moon in Seneca Culture
In Seneca culture, Grandmother Moon is a revered celestial being, a benevolent guardian who guides Earth’s inhabitants through the seasons and influences natural rhythms. Her consistent presence in the night sky serves as a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness of all living things and the enduring wisdom of generations past. Learn more about the myths and realities of Grandmother Moon with Ja:no’s (Janine) Bowen, a member of the Beaver Clan of the Seneca Nation.
Ja:no’s (pronounced “John-notes”) 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.
Ja:no’s Bowen observed a significant gap in understanding among her K-8 students while teaching Seneca language and culture. She noted, “Teaching Seneca language and culture to K-8 students, I quickly realized they had little understanding of the lunar cycle and the profound role the moon plays in our culture.” This realization prompted her to make a dedicated effort to track the Seneca moons and deepen her own comprehension of the lunar cycle.
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