Heritage Day 2023
Heritage Day 2023
A Festival of Culture and Creativity Returns to the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center
Photos Courtesy of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum
What are you doing on June 10th from 10:00am-5:00pm? You could be heading down to 82 West Hetzel Street in Salamanca, NY to visit the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center for their Annual Heritage Day Festival. This FREE event blends the experience of Hodinöhsö:ni’ culture and traditional celebrations with modern conveniences and entertainment.
A little backstory… Called the Iroquois Confederacy by the French and the League of Five Nations by the English, the confederacy is properly called the Haudenosaunee Confederacy - meaning People of the Long House. As of the publishing of this article, their brand new living longhouse replica will be open to the public on the museum grounds. This was a traditional dwelling that could house multi-generations of families and were typically built over 20-feet long. Visitors can stop by the longhouse when they come out to enjoy the festival this year.
Also new this year is the Carson Waterman exhibit. (Covered in detail in the Publisher’s Pick article this week, page 03.) A celebration of distinguished the Seneca artist and “National Treasure of the Seneca Nation”, the exhibit will be a career-spanning retrospective of Waterman’s life and work.
Heritage Day is also all about people coming together. It’s a family-friendly event featuring artists and food vendors and demonstrators. Demonstrations can include traditional arts like basket weaving and straw doll making. (You’ll have to visit the center on Heritage Day to see all of the great demonstrations live.) Or maybe you’d like to participate in some of the traditional events?
Acting Museum Director Hayden Haynes let us know there will be a Jack Sticks tournament at 12:00pm on Heritage Day. Jack sticks (alternatively known as double ball or poor man’s lacrosse) is an old Iroquois style game that is still played to this day. It was played mostly by women and children due to it being a safer version of traditional lacrosse and it mimics the same principles. Using sticks to carry the ball to the designated goal posts, teams of 5 are required (you can have up to 8 for subs) and the first team to 5 goals wins. Prizes are awarded to participating teams . The Clubhouse will be open for refreshments throughout the day and will host a luncheon around 3:00pm at Seneca Connections. Deadline for team entries is June 8th for ages 13-17. There’s still time to sign up; just reach out to Hilton Johnny-John at 716-801-1907 or Seneca Connections at 716-945-1790 ext. 3521.
If sports aren’t your thing, perhaps you like to dance? The Smoke Dance Competition is one of the highlights of Heritage Day. Smoke dancing was originally a war dance performed by Hodinöhsö:ni’ men before they went off to battle. The smoke dance is a faster tempo that women and children may also participate in. The dance is dependent on different drumbeats, chants and specific foot movements, and though it may seem effortless while you watch the talented performers, it’s actually very complex. There are multiple classes for the competition from tiny tots to age 55+, with the best dancers in each being awarded for their participation.
You’ll love browsing the artisan market. From woodworked tools, jewelry and decor to handcrafted instruments, there is a wide variety of options for beautiful gifts. (Or grab some things just for yourself, no judgement here.) Each artisan is unique and highly skilled in their craft. (I think there is nothing quite like a pair of hand beaded earrings.) And of course, the museum itself does have a gift shop with apparel, salves, tinctures and more.
When you get hungry, you can indulge in a selection of traditional Hodinöhsö:ni’ cuisine. Frybread, corn soup, salt pork… so many tasty treats abound. If you want to make any of the delicious items you try at the festival, grab a copy of The Standing Pot in the museum gift shop! And again, the Seneca Connections will be open for refreshments throughout the day as well.
What a great way to spend a day! Come visit the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center for Heritage Day with the whole family and learn about a beautiful culture while enjoying great demonstrations and performances. You can also visit the museum Monday through Friday from 10:00am-4:30pm. (They are closed Saturday and Sunday.) For more information on upcoming events and classes, call 716-945-1760 or visit senecamuseum.org.
