By Jessica Miller
The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum (SINM), also known as the Ohnöhsagwë:de Cultural Center (82 W Hertzel St, Salamanca) celebrates its people’s history and educates its guests all year round. However, this Saturday, June 10 will feature an especially lively occasion for the public during the annual Heritage Day. Heritage Day activities commence from 10am-5pm with free admission. The celebration is sure to entertain family members of all ages. Some highlights include:
- Carson Waterman’s works throughout his celebrated career are on display in “Carson Waterman: A Retrospective”. The nationally recognized artist and instructor’s work as a US Army combat artist in Vietnam as well as more recent portrayals of everyday Haudenosaunee life are shown in the gallery.
- A recreated longhouse on museum grounds will show visitors an example of the living spaces past generations of Haudenosaunee families occupied for homes and community life. Longhouses housed multiple generations of a family and as such were built to accommodate new members as they married into a clan or were born.
- A Jack Sticks tournament begins at noon for old and new fans to cheer on their friends as they play. Jack sticks is similar to lacrosse, but the safer gameplay made the game a popular option for women and children to enjoy. Teams of 5-8 players use sticks to carry a ball to the goal, and the winning team is the first to obtain five goals. Teams of players aged 13-17 can register up to June 8 by calling Seneca Connections (716-945-1790 x3521) or Hilton Johnny-John (716-801-1907).
- A smoke dance competition with age categories from tiny tots to 55+ will give the most agile dancers a chance to shine in this traditional Haudenosaunee dance style. Smoke dances were originally done by men before entering combat, but its current incarnation includes women and children as a performance style. One of the distinctive features of smoke dancing is the challenge each dancer accepts to keep steps in time to the quick percussion (the beat is double time for women) and make the dancer’s steps perfectly meet the final drum beats and the singer’s words.
- Demonstrations of classic Haudenosaunee arts and crafts will show how they made their everyday toys and household objects in the past and present with accessible materials. Some demonstrations may even give the audience a chance to participate and gain firsthand experience creating their own piece of traditional history.
- Vendors, vendors, vendors! Attendees who are in the mood for anything from fry bread to necklaces will be in the right place. Artisans who make jewelry, home goods, clothing, native cuisine, and other must-haves will have their wares for sale in the museum and outdoor festival grounds, so come prepared to support these skilled craftspeople as they fill your belly and/or bags.
Regardless of whether or not attendees have Seneca heritage, all are welcome to spend the day at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum on Heritage Day to enjoy and learn about Ohnösagwë:de culture. The day is packed with so much to do and see for all ages!