Unique Holiday Gifts Go on Sale at Iroquois Museum

HOWES CAVE, N.Y. -- Starting on Friday, Nov. 28, and continuing through Nov. 30, the Iroquois Indian Museum has a wide variety of items on sale that are perfect for holiday giving.

Throughout these days, the public will receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases. Museum members receive 15 percent off their purchases. Items include pottery, handmade jewelry, artwork, posters, music, children’s gifts and more. (Discounts do not apply to books or consignment artwork.)

These are also the final three days to see the Museum’s current exhibit, standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014. Museum hours through Nov. 30 are Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving Day.)

The exhibit features over 30 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) artists and focuses upon contemporary concerns that warrant their attention and creative comment.  Exhibition works (artwork and poetry) include those that explore boundaries and borders, environment, hydro-fracking, economy, gaming, the digital/disposable age, sports mascots, the impact of national/international events and decisions, the role of tradition and community, and the state of the arts.

For more information about the sale, exhibition and admission, visit www.iroquoismuseum.org and like the Museum on Facebook.

Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014 is supported in part by grants from the New York Council for the Humanities and the generous donations of individuals.

October Storytelling Sundays at the Iroquois Museum

Storytelling Sundays take place October 12, 19, 26 in the Iroquois Indian Museum’s historic 1850s log cabin, with Mohawk story teller Amanda Tarbell.

The story sessions start at 1 p.m. and last about an hour. There are scary, funny, serious, and sorts of stories to be heard. Space is somewhat limited and reservations by groups are appreciated.

“It’s a perfect time of year to visit the Museum, enjoy the nature trail and to hear the stories,” said the Museum’s Executive Director Maria Vann.

The cost of Storytelling Sundays is included in Museum Admission. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Special events, including Storytelling Sundays, are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and friends and members of the Iroquois Indian Museum.

Social Dance, Basket Making at Iroquois Museum

HOWES CAVE, N.Y. -- Social Dance Saturday and Mohawk basket making are on the August calendar at the Iroquois Indian Museum.

On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Niagara River Dancers perform for Social Dance Saturday. The dance troupe from Tuscarora, is from one of the seven Iroquois Indian reservations in New York State. Social dances are group dances that encourage audience participation and are performed to the music created by voice and traditional Iroquois instruments.

On Saturday, Aug. 16, the “Catch the Basket” mentoring program features Mohawk basket makers Carrie Hill and Laura Mitchell. The artists continue a family tradition that extends generations. Hill creates fancy baskets of Sweetgrass and Black Ash. She is dedicated to passing on her knowledge and teaches Mohawk youth at the Akwesasne Cultural Center in Hogansburg.

Special Events are included with museum admission.

About the Museum

The Iroquois Indian Museum is an educational institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Iroquois culture using Iroquois art as a window to that culture.  The Museum is a venue for promoting Iroquois art and artists, and a meeting place for all peoples to celebrate Iroquois culture and diversity.  As an anthropological institution, it is informed by research on archaeology, history, and the common creative spirit of modern artists and craftspeople.

The Museum represents the world’s most comprehensive collection of modern Iroquois art work. This collection celebrates the ancient unity of the Iroquois still expressed in the creative spirit of today’s artists. A special interactive children’s area introduces young visitors to Iroquois traditions through a variety of crafts, games and technologies. A guide posted Nature Park of 45 acres is open year round for walks, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Carving Lacrosse Sticks 7/26 at Iroquois Museum

HOWES CAVE, NY -- Alf Jacques and Parker Booth will be at the Iroquois Indian Museum on Saturday, July 26, sharing the art of carving lacrosse sticks -- a “Catch the Basket” museum mentoring program.

Taught by his grandfather and father, Jacques (Onondaga) has carved lacrosse sticks and snow snakes for almost 40 years. Jacques, a retired machinist, is one of the very few Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) who maintain a mastery of the art form. Jacques has been both a lacrosse player and coach; and brings knowledge of the wood and of the game to his hand-crafted sticks. Commissioned to create sticks for the International World Cup Lacrosse games, he feels that an appreciation for his craft ends with the players, and does not extend to other members of his community. “I think here, it’s not out of the ordinary, it’s something we just take for granted. There is a misconception that it’s always been here, it always will be,“ says Jacques. Jacques has served as a demonstrating artist at Ganondagan Historic Site (Victor, NY), Otsiningo Powwow, and Saint Marie, among the Iroquois (Syracuse, NY), the Utica Children’s Museum and schools throughout the region.

Until recently, Jacques had no apprentice to whom to pass on his knowledge until Parker Booth. The lengthy time commitment and physical demands of the craft discouraged most members of his community. Even as a young boy admired Jacques’ work and knew he would one day learn the craft. In 2012 at age 33, Booth moved back to the reservation with his family and made the decision to work closely with Jacques. His deep cultural dedication to traditions will ensure the crafts’ continuation for another generation.

Catch the Basket and all events at the Museum are free with paid admission. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is closed Monday. Regular admission is $8 for adults, $6.50 for seniors/students and $5 for children ages 5-12. Children under five are free when accompanied by an adult. Special group rates are available by calling the Museum at 518-296-8949.

For more information, visit www.iroquoismuseum.org.

Local Young Lady Competes for Miss Pre-Teen Albany/Poughkeepsie Title

Ayiana Shaw of Howes Cave was recently selected to participate in the 2014 Miss Pre-Teen Albany/Poughkeepsie pageant competition that will take place on Sunday April 27, 2014. Ayiana learned of her acceptance into this year's competition when the pageant announced their selections following interviewing in the local Albany/Poughkeepsie area. Ayiana submitted an application and took part in an interview session that was conducted by this year's Albany/Poughkeepsie Pageant Coordinator. 

Ayiana will be competing, for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants. Ayiana will be competing in the Miss Pre-Teen division, one of four divisions that will have young ladies ages of 10-12 competing in modeling routines, which include casual wear and formal wear. Most important, Ayiana will display her personality and interviewing skills while interviewing with this year's Albany/Poughkeepsie judging panel. Personality is the number one aspect that each contestant is judged on during all phases of competition.

If Ayiana were to win the title of Miss Pre-Teen Albany/Poughkeepsie, she would represent Albany/Poughkeepsie and the surrounding communities at the National Competition that will take place in Orlando, Florida. Over $30,000.00 in prizes and awards will be presented at the National Competition while each winner enjoys this expense paid trip of five nights and six days in Orlando, Florida.

Community businesses, organizations, and private individuals will assist Ayiana in participating in this year's competition by becoming an official sponsor to her. Through sponsorship, each contestant receives all the necessary training, rehearsals, and financial support which will allow Ayiana to become a very confident and well-prepared contestant in this year's Albany/Poughkeepsie Pageant.

Any business, organization, or private individual who may be interested in becoming a sponsor to Ayiana may contact the Miss Pre-Teen Albany/Poughkeepsie pageant coordinator, at 1-877-403-6678.