By Tami Watt, Editor
OHI:YO’, NY- The Six Nations Agriculture Society from Ohi:yo’ (Allegany) will be the host Nation of the New York State Fair from August 24th – September 5th, 2022. The Great New York State (NYS) Fair is held annually in Syracuse, NY where each of the Six Nations is represented and celebrates Hodinö:shöni culture, customs and traditions at the Indian Village, originally built in 1928.
The Indian Village is a combined effort of the 10,000+ Hodinö:shöni people within our original 87,000 acres of homelands across the state of New York. The Indian Village is designed to show the contribution of Hodinö:shöni farmers and homemakers. “From our farms, gardens, and woodlands on our eight reservations, we bring our exhibits to compete each year against each other, as our Indian Village is our combined annual fair, held at the State Fairgrounds in preference to holding several separate fairs at our reservations,” Six Nations Agriculture Society. There are categories for the various types of corn, squash, and vegetables traditionally grown by our female ancestors that were mainstays during the pre-colonial era. The homemaker divisions highlight our talented basket makers, beadwork artists, and needlework artists and craftmakers of wood, silver and various textiles.
Craft vendors, gardeners, artisans, singers, dancers, cooks, and sports enthusiasts all come together as a collective to showcase their Nation and/or Territory for 10 days. Agriculture, homemaker and artistic items from eight Hodinö:shöni Territories are brought to be judged in competition with each other in categories for adult and youth divisions. Dance shows are held multiple times throughout the day for fairgoers to experience Indigenous culture, customs and music. Each Hodinö:shöni Nation sends representatives to dance and sing at the renowned Turtle Mound that represents their specific style, language and songs. An annual Smoke Dance competition is held for all age groups and is one the highlights of the season.
“Competition is open to all Hodinö:shöni people and their families across New York for material grown or made by the exhibitor, properly tagged with name, reservation, and post office address and brought to the central reservation point for transfer by reservation committees listed above. The right to exhibit shall be determined by the Board of each reservation,” Six Nations Agriculture Society.
The Six Nations Agriculture Society – Ohi:yo’ will be the host Nation at the Indian Village this year and will be responsible for various duties during the 10 days of fun at the Great NYS Fair. Ohi:yo’ is set to choose the princess to represent the Seneca Nation, all Hodinö:shöni Nations and the Indian Village for the Great NYS Fair. Qualifications and information is located in the Clerk’s Office in Salamanca, NY. Please submit your letter of intent by May 20th, 2022 to the Clerk’s Office in Salamanca, NY by 4:30pm. A representative will be selected by the end of June 2022. We are looking for an enrolled Seneca female from the ages of 16-21 living on the Allegany Territory interested in representing our community through traditional knowledge and regalia.
Princess Wanted!
“Our group’s intention is to grow in membership to have a successful year in our competitions, exhibitions and representations. We are seeking support in organizing vendors, kitchen duties, archery and lacrosse exhibitions, fundraising, prepping the Princess to represent our community and also collecting items from Allegany community members for competitions,” says Darlene Miller, Vice President.
Upcoming Meetings
If you are an Allegany community member that would like to participate in any of these events or activities, please feel free to attend the Six Nations Agriculture Society – Ohi:yo’ meetings. The next few meetings will be held at the Allegany Community Center in the Multi-purpose room. Join us Wednesday, April 27th at 6pm and Sunday, May 15th at 3pm, as stated, both meetings will be held at the ACC-MPR.
Please contact Darlene Miller (716)490-5650 or Barbara Hill (716)713-4624 for more information. Sub-committees are forming for fundraising, agriculture, vendors, exhibitions and a panel to review the princess applicants and interviews.
To join the Six Nations Agriculture Society – Allegany, you must reside on Ohi:yo’ Territory, be an enrolled member of a Hodinö:shöni’ Nation and pay a yearly fee of $5. Please contact Barbara Hill or Darlene Miller to join.
