By Jessica Schultz
Life has returned to a semblance of normal and things are coming back for everyone to enjoy. But we should always remember what has come before, what lead us here and what made us who we are. Celebrating your heritage is a time-honored tradition and one that the Seneca-Iroquois Nation handles with great pride. The Villager had a chance to speak with museum manager Hayden Haynes about this year’s Heritage Day event, taking place at the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center in Salamanca, NY (located at 82 W. Hetzel Street) on June 11th from 10-5pm.
The Villager (V): The Heritage Day is back for 2022; what’s new this year?
Hayden (H): “The most popular event is always the smoke dance competitions. This year the age group have been extended; it was previously limited to ages 0-18. This year it is open to all ages. If visitors haven’t been here since last summer, we have 3 new exhibitions up. One is on Seneca sovereignty and protests through time. Another is called “Story Sticks”, and that is from local lacrosse stick maker, Rodney Haring. He created several lacrosse sticks that are more art than traditional, and speak to the game as it traditionally related to medicine. Lastly, we have an exhibit on the Thomas Indian School, the Native American residential boarding school that operated on the Seneca-Cattaraugus Territory up until 1957.”
V: Could you let us know the types of vendors, some of the specific ones and what they will be offering?
H: “Samantha Spruce will be here with her clothing that she designs and is inspired by Haudenosaunee culture. She has everything from hoodies, to shorts, to leggings and more. Tahatie Montour will be here from Mohawk country. He specializes in horn rattles, feathered caps and more. Edie and Jerome Waterman will be travelling in with their wampum jewelry, antler carvings, quillwork, beadwork and more. Those are just a few craftspeople coming in, other selections include, basketry, drawing and painting, jewelry, beadwork and more… There are many great artisans that will have their works featured at the event!”
V: Native American food gets great representation at Heritage Day, what are some of the top favorite dishes?
H: “Corn soup and strawberry drink are the favorites this time of the year. But Frybread is a favorite as well.”
V: Could you give us a few more details on the Smoke Dance Competition? Any other events upcoming at the Cultural Center?
H: “Smoke dancing is a dance featuring a fast tempo provided by a singer that plays either a hand drum or water drum. The singer will play several different songs with different tempos in order to challenge the participants. Dancers do not know the songs they will dance to prior; they have to quickly identify the song from memory as it starts and then quickly adapt to the required movements. Dancers must swiftly move their feet to match the sound of the drum while maintaining grace and exhibiting fluid upper body movements. The competitions sometimes require a 2-person dance off due to a tie. This is when it can get real exciting. Dancers dress in traditional regalia and often different objects are carried as they dance with such as handkerchiefs, war clubs feathered fans. etc.
We are working on some new events and projects that aren’t yet confirmed but you can keep updated by following us on our Facebook or by visiting senecamuseum.org for updated info.”
V: Anything else to add?
H: “If you haven’t seen the Red Jacket Peace Medal or the Cornplanter Pipe Tomahawk, they will be on display during the day. As always, the museum store has plenty of handcrafted items, in-house designed apparel, books jewelry and more. Come and visit us at the cultural center which in 2021 was named “Tribal Destination of the Year” by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. We have a longhouse replica being built in the back of the cultural center, come and see this amazing structure in progress. The longhouse is slated to be fully complete and open in year 2022. The event IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.”
Thank you, Hayden, for taking the time to speak with us about this great opportunity not only to share in all the fun but for all the knowledge you are passing along through the Heritage Day Event. And a huge thank you to the whole museum staff and all of the vendors for making this event possible. Make sure you stop by and pay them a visit!!