Seneca-Iroquois National Museum
August 22, 2025 | Repost from Seneca-Iroquois National Museum FB
The Seneca Nation Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center is happy to share that it has recently acquired 2 bags from renowned artist, G. Peter “Pete” Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan).
A multi-disciplinary artist, Jemison’s iconic bags are sought by museum’s and private collectors across the world.
Save Canawaugus, 2022
22.5″h X 7″w X 14″d
“The bag was a response to a plan to create a solar farm on the site of a Seneca Settlement called Canawaugus. This site is also known as Little Beards town, on the shore of the Genesee River in the Town of Avon. The Solar Farm was identified as Horseshoe. I believe the State is using a limited foot plan for the site of Canawaugus. I am certain there are remaining unmarked burials on site, and I did not want to see those disturbed.” – Pete Jemison
Seneca Lands Defend, 2022
19″h X 17.75″ w X 7.25″d
According to Jemison, the bag was a response to Governor Hochul freezing Seneca Nation accounts and seizing $564,000,000. dollars. In the artist’s opinion, her actions were unlawful and a further violation of the Gaming Compact between the Seneca Nation of Indians and NY State. References on the bag speak to the artist’s belief of possible collusion, since her husband was a Vice President of Delaware North, which operates food concessions at the Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium. Delaware North also operates in a gambling casino inside the Seneca Nation’s exclusivity zone. The money that was seized is being used to build a new Buffalo Bills stadium, in Orchard Park. “The bag is my way of using art to draw attention to an issue the media was slow to expose.” – Pete Jemison
You can see these bags currently on view in our new exhibit, “Highlights of the Collection”.
