This post is part of our #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth series
Source: Seneca Nation Archives
In July of 1982, a 6 ½ ton grinding stone was raised out of the Ohi:yo’ during construction of the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86) and installed in front of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum. The corn grinding stone dates back to about 1000 AD and believed to have been used as late as the 1650s. The grinding stone now sits next to the recently constructed Living Longhouse at the Onöhsagwë:de Cultural Center.
The Onöhsagwë:de Cultural Center Seneca-Iroquois National Museum is open year-round and welcomes you to explore its exhibits. Currently on view is “Carson Waterman: A Retrospective,” which spans the artist’s prolific and decades long career.
Additionally, “Here, Now, Always: Haudenosaunee Beadwork,” exploring beadwork from a century ago to contemporary applications. Check out their website for hours, admission, and more: senecamuseum.org.
Seneca Suffragettes
In May of 1964, a fifth and final referendum to decide the right of Seneca women to vote was finally approved by a vote of 169 to 99.
Pointing to the coming November election, President George Heron warned potential male candidates that the women “outnumber us and they intend to make their votes count.”
Martin Seneca, elected president in November of 1964, gave his first state of the nation address in January 1965 saying the new administration “owes its election in part to the women.”
It took five referendums for men to approve Seneca women’s suffrage (Nov. 6, 1951, Oct. 30, 1956, May 11, 1959, Oct. 27, 1962, May 23, 1964).
This post is part of our #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth series celebrating Seneca history and culture. #NAHM. Source: Seneca Nation Archives.
