ITALIAN FEST: The world seems so much better after a meatball
sandwich smothered in homemade sauce (heavy on the cheese), some
cannoli – and maybe some fried dough. Throw in some music, dancing,
fun and fireworks, and watch the smiles multiply. To get in on the
fun, check out the Festa Italiana through Saturday on Festa
Way.

SPECIAL SYMBOL: Are you a turtle, bear, hawk or deer?

These are a few of the classes the Seneca Nation uses to
identify its families, separating them into clans and symbols.

There is a bird side and an animal side. On the animal side are
the turtle, wolf, bear and beaver; and on the bird side, hawk,
heron, snipe and deer. The deer is on the bird side because when
they run and bound through the woods, they look like they are
taking off in flight.

We learned all this at the Seneca museum in Salamanca, N.Y.
(That other place in Salamanca.)

“People of these clans have characteristics similar to their
clan symbol. People of the hawk clan have keen insight but are hard
to get close to. Heron clan people are patient and do not rush into
judgment,” according to a handout from the museum.

“People of the deer clan are shy and tend to form opinions
quickly. Snipe clan people are busy, positive and good at
conversations. People of the beaver clan are industrious and love
to help others.

“Wolf clan people may be aggressive but are honest and sometimes
argumentative. Bear clan people are bashful, sensitive to others
and fond of children and babies – they may forgive if angered, but
never forget.

“People of the turtle clan are consistent, determined and humbly
stubborn. They shy away from anything new.

“The clans are passed down through the mother, and each new baby
is given a name from their clan. To this day, the clan system is
still in effect. Senecas that were born into a clan have two names
– their English name and Seneca name.

“In marriage situations, a bird could never marry a bird, or a
turtle could never marry a turtle. A marriage partner was chosen by
opposite sides. For example, a heron can marry a turtle or a person
from the wolf clan can marry anyone from the bird side. Marrying
someone from the same side or same clan was considered marrying
your cousin.”