Local Culture Bearers Scheduled to Present at the Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave, NY
2023 Calendar of Events
Repost from Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community Facebook Page
In a building inspired by an Iroquois longhouse, the Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave, NY is the ideal introduction to the Iroquois people today and in the past. The Museum’s exhibits, festivals, interactive Children’s Museum, and 45-acre Nature Park celebrate the cultural diversity, rich history, archaeology, and artistic expression of the Iroquois/Haudenosaunee—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. Additional educational opportunities are available through the Museum’s on-line “Learning Longhouse “and online collections. (www.iroquoismuseum.org).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2023
Saturday, July 22 – Haudenosaunee Stories with Mohawk illustrator and storyteller Arihonni David: Honni hails from Akwesasne. His stories are deeply rooted in Mohawk traditions, but Honni’s interpretations are also influenced by Star Wars, Science Fiction, Lord of the Rings, and Jurassic Park! Honni will share Who Will Win? his 2023 released children’s book, as well as some of his favorite stories. 2pm.
Saturday, July 29 – Social Dancers – NIAGARA RIVER IROQUOIS DANCERS: Hailing from Tuscarora Nation Territory, the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers troupe was established by Orville and Nina Greene in 1982. The Greene’s were taught by elders Huron Miller and Ron LaFrance and found that performing provided the opportunity to demonstrate a continued Haudenosaunee presence and to travel. Today the dancers are led by Nina and Orville’s son, Randy, and daughter Keeya. Their obligation to Orville and Nina’s teachings and influence is acknowledged in the pride the group brings to each performance, in the time consuming detail invested in their outfits, and in their commitment to dance as a method of cultural exchange.
Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6 – Artist Demonstration: Seneca splint basketry and cornhusk work with Penny Minner: A member of the Seneca Nation, Penny is one of a small number of individuals who have been working to restore the art of basketry in her community. She also carries on a family tradition of cornhusk work.
Saturday, August 12 – Social Dancers – Allegany River Indian Dancers: Founded in 1979, the Allegany River Indian Dancers have become one of the best-known Native dance groups in the United State and Canada today. The group has traveled throughout North America sharing traditional Iroquois social dances. The group is also well known for their repertoire of Intertribal “Pow wow” style dances. Their performances often feature the hoop dance done by Bill Crouse. This dance involves 30 hoops used to make various formations or designs representing things from nature. Through group performances (which often include audience participation) and lecture presentations this group has taught large audiences about Seneca history and culture. Dance times approximately: 11am & 2pm
Saturday, August 19 – Seneca Stories with Leeora White: Leeora is a Turtle Clan member of the Seneca Nation and resides at Allegany. She was inspired by her late Grandfather Duwayne “Duce” Bowen, a well-known Seneca Storyteller, to continue his legacy of storytelling. Leeora is an employed Artist through Creatives Rebuild New York Grant awarded to the Onöhsagwëde’ Cultural Center. She is using this opportunity to expand her experience as a performing Storyteller. This will be her first presentation at the Iroquois Museum. 2pm.
September 2 & 3 – 40th Annual Iroquois Arts Festival: This event centers on the celebration of Iroquois creativity and self-expression by featuring an all Iroquois Art Market open to Iroquois artists by invitation only. Both traditional and contemporary arts and fine crafts are showcased. The Sky Dancers from Six Nations Reserve in Ontario will perform traditional Iroquois social dances, and may invite the public out onto the dance floor to participate Onondaga storyteller Perry Ground will return with dramatic tales of daring feats and astounding adventures. Family activity area will feature participatory crafts. Local wildlife rehabilitator Kelly Martin will discuss wildlife conservation in our region and present a variety of native animals including birds of prey. The Museum’s archeology department will be available to help identify archeological finds and give demonstrations of flintknapping and other early technologies.
Saturday, October 7 – Ernie Smith and the WPA Project: Talk by scholar Scott Manning Stevens, PhD. Stevens is Akwesasne Mohawk and holds a position as Assistant Professor and Director of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program at Syracuse University. He serves on the advisory board of the Skä-noñh Great Law of Peace Center and the board of the Adirondack Experience. This engaging talk will focus on the impact of the Seneca Arts Project (1935 – 1941) and Smith’s work in the context of cultural revitalization. 2pm.
Saturday, October 14 from 10am to 4pm – Early Technology Day: Visitors can watch and participate in the process of flint knapping (the ancient art of making chipped stone tools), fire making, cordage making, atlatl spear throwing and early archery. There will be displays of projectile points, tools, and local archaeological finds from the Museum’s archaeology department. Think you’ve found an artifact? Please bring it with you and the Museum’s experts will be glad to try to identify it for you.
Sat & Sunday, October 21st & 22nd – Porcupine Quill Embroidery Workshop with Seneca artist Jamie Jacobs: When this master artisan demonstrated his award-winning quillwork in 2022 many of our visitors asked to learn this exquisite and rarely practiced art form. This is a two-day class and includes all materials. This is a very special opportunity with a limited number of participants so you’ll want to sign up early. Class size – minimum ten. Max 12. Cost: $75 members/$85 non members
Iroquois Museum is located at 324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, NY 12092
For more information: 518.296.8949 or info@iroquoismuseum.org.
