-By Jessica Schultz-
What better way to spend a crisp fall evening than to sit around a roaring fire and spend the time toasting tasty s’mores and hearing old time spooky stories. The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum knows there is no better way to spend a fall night and they invite you to join them at 82 Hetzel Street in Salamanca, NY on Thursday, October 20th at 6pm to hear stories told by Leeora White. The Villager had the great privilege to speak with storyteller Leeora White about the event and all that it was offering.
The Villager (V): How did the idea of Scary Storytelling night come to be?
Leeora (L): “The idea of Scary Storytelling came to be last fall when I told the Seneca Iroquois-National Museum manager Hayden Haynes that I was interested is sharing stories my Grand-Dad Duwayne ‘Duce’ Bowen had written in his two books; One More Story and A Few More Stories. These stories were based on supernatural experiences here on the Allegany Reservation. I was just a young girl when my grandfather stepped off the earth, and I never got to hear the real eerie stories told first hand. So, I purchased his books to read and learned them in my own time. When I put his book in my hands and began reading his stories, it was as if I could hear his voice sharing them with me and I felt emotionally and spiritually connected to him again. It was in those moments of reading I knew I wanted to continue his legacy of telling these tales. The perfect opportunity to share these stories came and I shared them in October 2021 for the Cattaraugus Community Center Halloween Event. I truly enjoyed the experience of telling my grandfather’s stories and I wanted to continue sharing them for the community. I have been looking forward to hosting a Halloween Event of Scary Storytelling at the beautiful Onöhsagwë:dé Cultural Center this fall since my previous event last year.”
V: Is there a cost for the event? If yes, where can tickets be purchased?
L: “The Creatives Rebuild New York is an Artist Employment Program that is supporting 300 Artist and 115 Organizations across New York State. The Seneca National-Iroquois Museum is one of the organizations that received funding to support 10 collaborating Hödinohšo:ni – Seneca Artists. I am included as one of the artists for my inspiration to be a Storyteller from my beloved Grandfather Duce. I wish to carry on his legacy and my love for expressing my culture in other art forms such as beadwork and mixed media art. There is NO COST for the event.
V: This is an outdoor event, what should guests bring with them?
L: “Guests can expect to bring a jacket, blanket, anything that makes them warm and cozy on a fall evening.”
V: As you will be the story teller, could you give us a little biography on yourself?
L: “I am an enrolled Seneca of the Turtle Clan, from the Allegany Reservation and I was raised in Jimersontown, NY. I am a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 2014. I received an associate of business marketing and management from Jamestown Business College in 2017. I am the mother of two incredible children, William White, 6 and Marcella White, going on 2 and they inspire me every day. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be an employed artist who loves to create and is open to sharing stories that have been a part of the Iroquois or Hödinoh:šho:ni culture since the beginning of time.
V: Can we have a preview of some of the story content?
L: “In the Hödinoh:šhö:ni culture it is a tradition to orally share stories from one generation to the next generation. It is very important to share these stories to share the significance between our relationship with the land referred to as Mother Earth and all the animals and birds that were here before mankind. There are also important stories shared between mankind and the supernatural that grandparents or parents would tell to spread awareness of these supernatural sightings or experiences. In honor of my Granddad and ancestors, I am very inspired to share these stories with my children and the next generation. If you’d like a preview of the story content, you can find it in my Grandfathers books! These books can be purchased at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum.”
V: Anything else you would like to add?
L: “I truly appreciate you taking an interest in me and this event. This is such an incredible opportunity. I look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces at the Onöhsagwë:dé Cultural Center on October 20th at 6pm. Nya:wëh!”
Thank you Leeora for taking the time to share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Spooky Storytelling Night. More information on the event can always be found by visiting senecamuseum.org