Reposted from Ashley Shenandoah | June 20, 2026
On June 20, 2026, the Six Nations Agricultural Society officially changed the name of the Indian Village at the NYS Fair. Thank you everyone that came out to share this historical event with us: Fair Director Julie LaFave, Congressman Mannion, Channel NBC3, CBS5, CW6, WSYR Channel 9, WRVO 89.9., representatives from the Latino and Asian Village, the wonderful staff at the NYS Fair and our Six Nations AG members. After operating for almost 100 years as the Indian Village, we will now forever be known as the Haudenosaunee Village.
[The following is an excerpt from along with a photo from WRVO Article: Name change for State Fair icon is an invitation to connect | By Dave Bullard | Published June 22, 2026]
“It’s important to identify that it’s the Six Nations within New York state, not necessarily any other tribes but the Haudenosaunee people,” said Ashley Shenandoah, superintendent of the village.
Many areas of the Fair have had name changes over the years, but this is different. The Six Nations have a deep and complicated history with the United States. They take their sovereignty seriously and know that most of us don’t really know what it means. They hope the name change encourages a focus on the stories, culture and history of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk and Tuscarora people to better understand the wider history of the region.
“I think it contributes to the conversation by opening the door up and letting people know we are here,” Shenandoah said. “You can come and have a conversation and experience and see and maybe leave with some understanding about who we are.”
