Arielle Leighton receives 2026 Historical Association of Lewiston scholarship

Historical Association of Lewiston press release & photo

The Historical Association of Lewiston announced Arielle Leighton, a member of the Tuscarora Nation's Bear Clan, was named the recipient of its 2026 scholarship. The award was presented on Indigenous Peoples Day - Monday, Oct. 12 – at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument in Lewiston.

Leighton is currently attending the University at Buffalo, where she is pursuing a degree in business administration with concentrations in science, leadership and human resources.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Leighton is the proud mother of three children: Yvonne and twins Brett and Benjamin. She also works as a banquet captain at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, balancing the demands of her career, family and education, while maintaining a strong commitment to her Tuscarora heritage.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved in the scholarship program and am so grateful for the help and assistance I have received along the way in my educational journey," Leighton said. "I appreciate all the opportunities that I have experienced and look forward to devoting my time and energies in the future to advancing our culture and the Tuscarora traditions.”

Village of Lewiston Mayor Dan Cota presented the scholarship check to Leighton during a ceremony at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument. Joining in the presentation were Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick and Village of Lewiston Trustee Leandra Collesano.

The location and occasion were especially meaningful. The Tuscarora Heroes Monument commemorates the courage and compassion of the Tuscarora Nation, whose members came to the rescue of Lewiston residents during the British attack on the village in December 1813.

During the ceremony, Tuscarora Council member Neil Patterson Jr. distributed orange beads that attendees wore as a solemn reminder of the darker chapters of Native American history. The beads called attention to the painful legacy of Native American boarding schools, where generations of Indigenous children were separated from their families and subjected to efforts to erase their languages, cultures and traditions. They also served as a reminder of the continuing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The gesture added a moment of reflection to the Indigenous Peoples Day observance, honoring both the resilience of Native peoples and the importance of remembering their history.

Following the presentation, attendees gathered for a fellowship breakfast at Syros Restaurant in Lewiston, providing an opportunity to celebrate Leighton's achievement and the enduring friendship between the Lewiston community and the Tuscarora Nation.

The Historical Association of Lewiston congratulates Leighton on her accomplishments and wishes her continued success in her educational pursuits and her commitment to preserving and advancing Tuscarora culture and traditions.