April 1 - December 31  
“NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS:
From Broadway to Hollywood

The Museum's celebration of Native American performers continues in 2010 with the opening on April 1 of “Native Americans in the Performing Arts: From Broadway to Hollywood”. Countless Native actors have contributed to the success of stage and screen productions for well over a century. The 2010 exhibit presents the histories of the early Wild West performers, the Silent Movie Stars, the talented character actors, and today’s hot new prospects.  Highlighted actors include, Jay Silverheels of “Tonto and the Lone Ranger” fame; Cherokee humorist Will Rogers; Oneida comedian Charlie Hill, and Elaine Miles who portrayed Marilyn on the popular television show “Northern Exposure”.

PHOTOS FROM THE OPENING RECEPTION OF OUR 2009 EXHIBITION. Award winning Oneida singer/songwriter - Joanne Shenandoah; Cherokee singer -  Michael Bucher; & Joanne's sister Diane, entertained partygoers with selections from their new album - "BITTER TEARS, SACRED GROUND"
 

Every Saturday at 2 P.M. -  Gallery Talks with Mohawk Educator Mike Tarbell 
Some time ago, Cecilia Tarbell told her son Mike that he was born three hundred years too late.  That is because his creative passions are focused on understanding his ancestors of long ago.  The basis of his understanding is an ongoing personal research project into the material culture of pre-contact Iroquois people, designed around careful replication of everyday tools such as bows, arrows, knives, warclubs, spears, and atlatls.  In replicating these tools, Mr. Tarbell also engages in speculative consideration about the thoughts of the makers of the original tools.  He draws on oral and written sources for this, as well as his own experience in making a specific item.  

Sat.,  Apr.10: 1st Annual Early Technology Day: from 10 to 4; & Spring Party: From 3 to 6
Join us for Flint Knapping Demonstrations, Atl-Atl Shoot, and Various Demonstrations of Early Technology. Flint knapping is the ancient art of making chipped stone tools. Are you a knapper? Please join us! Curious? Want to learn? Come and see or learn hands-on. Are you interested in archaeology? Have you ever found an artifact? Please bring it with you and we’ll try to identify it for you. This museum has one of the largest point-type collections on display, so you can compare your find to ours! This is a public event. This year we will demonstrate the process of flint knapping, using local and semi-local cherts and lithics. Iroquois “Madison” points are some of what we will make. There will be examples of points, replica tools, and local archaeological displays from our archaeology department. A variety of local stones will be provided, as well as some knapping kits, for those who wish to try replicating points. Knappers are welcome to bring their own stone and tools. We encourage demonstrations and teaching. Primitive fire making, atl-atl spear throwing, dogbane rope making demonstration, early archery and show-and-tell are also welcomed as part of this event. Archaeology: identification, displays, and primitive technology demonstrations all day, at varied times and demos, to be announced: Some of these scheduled events are simultaneous. Archery is welcomed: if you have equipment, you may shoot, after 2:30 pm, and that can be scheduled to happen between turns of spear throwing. Some spears and throwers are provided. The schedule is adjusted to fit the weather as well as attendance.

Early Technology Day schedule:

10:00 Introduction of knappers, archaeologists and displays.

10:15 knapping demos – using local materials, making various points
11:00 pressure flaking workshop (all ages)
11:00 percussion lessons – (age 14 and up, limited to # of goggles and instructors).
12:00 noon: lunch break
12:30 knapping demos – making various points.
1:00 pressure flaking workshop (age 14 and up)
1:30 percussion lessons (age 14 and up, limited to # of goggles and instructors).
2:00 Atl-atl spear throwing 

Sun.,  May 23 at 2 P.M.
Iroquois Stories in celebration of spring with local storyteller, writer and teaching artist, Susan Fantl Spivack. For thirty years Ms Spivack conducted The Community Library Story hour in Cobleskill, NY, and taught poetry writing in area schools.

Sat., July 10 - Iroquois Dance Saturday with the ONOTA'A:KA ONEIDA NATION DANCERS

Sat., July 31 -  Iroquois Dance Saturday (TBA)

Sat., Aug. 7  -   Iroquois Dance Saturday with the Allegany River Indian Dancers
Founded in 1979, the Allegany River Dancers have become one of the best known Native dance groups in the United State and Canada today. All members of the Seneca Nation from the Allegany Indian Reservation, the group has traveled throughout North America sharing traditional Iroquois social dances. The group is also well known for their repertoire of Intertribal "Pow wow" style dances. Their performance often features the hoop dance done by Bill Crouse. This dance involves 30 hoops used to make various formations or designs representing things from nature. Through group performances (which often include audience participation) and lecture presentations this group has taught large audiences about Seneca history and culture.

Sat. & Sun., Sept. 4 & 5 -  29^th Annual Iroquois Indian Festival

The goal of our annual festival’s is to foster a greater appreciation and deeper understanding of Iroquois culture through presentations of Iroquois music and social dance, traditional stories, artwork, games and food. The annual festival centers on the celebration of Iroquois creativity and self-expression by featuring an all Iroquois Indian Art Market open to Iroquois artists by special invitation only.  Both traditional and contemporary arts are showcased.

The Sky Dancers from Six Nations Reserve in Ontario will perform traditional Iroquois social dances, and may invite the public out onto the dance floor to participate, as well.  The Children’s Tent will feature arts & crafts activities including beadwork and cornhusk doll making.  Local wildlife rehabilitator Kelly Martin will be available to discuss wildlife conservation in our bioregion and will present a variety of wild animals including birds of prey along with a special presentation in the Museum’s outdoor amphitheater. Pamela Brown “Wolf Teacher” returns to promote understanding and awareness of wolves and the importance of their survival with a display of educational and informational materials and fundraising items. Other special features include displays and demonstrations on genealogy, archeology, and flintknapping led by talented and knowledgeable Iroquois Museum volunteers.  Food is an important part of any culture, and a full array of Native foods will be available for purchase provided by Frank and Pam Ramsey from Onondaga. Delicious traditional entrees include buffalo burgers, Indian tacos, venison sausage, roasted corn soup and frybread. 

Sun.,  October 24 at 2 P.M.
Iroquois Stories for Halloween with local storyteller, writer and teaching artist, Susan Fantl Spivack.  For thirty years Ms Spivack conducted The Community Library Story hour in Cobleskill, NY, and taught poetry writing in area schools.

Sat., Nov. 6: Fall Party

 *These events are made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional contributions come from members and friends of the Iroquois Indian Museum.