Members from the Allegany and Cattaraugus Six Nations Agriculture Society participated in the New York State Fair’s Indian Village from August 21 – September 2. Dozens of representatives from each Six Nations Territory in New York gather each year to showcase songs, social dances, fashion, culture, homemaking, agriculture and Haudenosaunee traditions. Social dances are held three times a day with demonstrations, storytelling, and cultural entertainment on stage aka the Turtle Mound.
Mary Jacobs served as the 2024 Cattaraugus Seneca Vice President. The 2024 Alternate Allegany Seneca Vice President was Darlene Miller.
Through the village, each territory is represented by a hut to sell crafts, wares, and home-made items from individual artists from their communities. The Cattaraugus Seneca booth included Kelly Edwards and her daughters. Their art included paintings, beadwork, and handmade sewn items. Michelle Jimerson sold beadwork, tomahawks, and bow and arrows from the other side of the booth. Darlene Miller represented the Allegany Seneca booth with handmade items and art from multiple artists from her community including Tami Watt, Gina Maybee, Debra Hoag and Penny Minner.
The Women’s Workhouse showcases the crafts and art made by Haudenosaunee women. Mary Jacobs and Sam Jacobs demonstrated beadwork and moccasin making. Bernadette Scott demonstrated hand crafted corn husk items.
JonAnne Cassappo (Cattaraugus) created and sold items out of the Six Nations building while demonstrating her beadwork art.
Social Dances are held three times a day on the Turtle Mound. Nicole Hill was the dance representative from the Cattaraugus Territory. Lydia Isaac was the dance representative for the Allegany Territory and won 2nd place in the Smoke Dance contest on Native American Day. Caye John won 1st place in the Junior Women’s Category. Caias John won 1st for the Teen Boys category. Lorenza Dowdy took first in the Teen Girls Category. Frank Wesaw belted out quick beats and trick songs for the competition. Lynn Jacobs was on hand for registration. Rachael Schindler and Darice Sampson provided an entertaining round of hoop dancing.
Patsy Brooks and Duane Ingersoll snagged multiple blue first prize ribbons in the agriculture department for the Allegany Territory. Addason Benson from Cattaraugus nabbed a blue ribbon for pickles.
Cattaraugus member Julie John won a first-place ribbon for the homemaking category with her hand sewn towels. Bernadette Scott won first-place for her six-piece weaved set.
Allegany Seneca youth nabbed ribbons for black ash baskets. Kortney Deboy, 2nd place, and Karolina Crouse, 3rd place, won ribbons for their basket submissions.
On August 30th Native American Day, the Seneca Nation AOA bus made its way to the state fair for the day. Darelyn Spruce hosted a comedy cooking hour. Her “sketti” sandwiches were ace and enjoyed by the crowd. The Iroquois Post #1587 American Legion honored all veterans in a saluting ceremony.
The Jeremy Keyes Band ended Native American Day with smooth harmonica blues melodies for all to enjoy.
