Nicole Petranchuk
New Yea 2010
by Sophia
Wadeñ' nwa' aweñha'
December 21, 2010
Onondaga Nation- On December 21, there is a celebration that only comes once a year. It is the Winter Solstice New Yea celebration.
Students and teachers in grades Kindergarten through grade 3 participated in this event. Also they were joined by the 8th graders because this is their last year at ONS.
To start, all of the students break up into groups and do activities to celebrate the day. Some of the activities are: learning about the 7 dancers, decorating candy canes, playing make a snowman math game, counting down the days, making a pictograph about winter, and making snowmen signs.
Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Thornton said of the celebration, “We have this celebrati
on because it is a tradition on the Nation and now a tradition at school. It is a great way to welcome winter and the new year.”
on because it is a tradition on the Nation and now a tradition at school. It is a great way to welcome winter and the new year.”She also added as a great reason for the celebration, “I love COOKIES!”
After the activities, the students go through the whole school, room to room, shouting, “New Yea! New Yea!”
Mitchell from the 8th grade said, “It is a fun time to be with friends.”
His friend Stryker added, “It is fun shouting in the school. New Yea!”
New Yea is a great tradition on the Nation and at school. We can’t wait until next year’s celebration. Happy New Yea!
