By Heather Skinner
HOWES CAVE- On May 24th, Sherri Waterman-Hopper and the Haudenosaunee Singers & Dancers returned to the Iroquois Museum to uplift spirits and get to know one another through social dances. They performed dances allowed in public settings and keep ceremonial dances within their communities, sharing their tradition of learning song and dance through listening to elders and being invited to join in. All in attendance were encouraged to participate and, “Move like nobody’s watching!” Waterman-Hopper said that throughout time they have traded for items, materials, and have traded songs and dances with their own people. Adapting songs to incorporate influence from another Nation and trading songs and dances is still a practice for them in modern times when traveling and meeting new friends. She appreciated and praised those who participated saying, “Next time we see you, we’ll probably be using some of your moves in our Smoke Dance!”
Haudenosaunee translates closest in English to, “People of the Long House.” The six Nations represented within it today are Onondaga, Mohawk, Oneida, Seneca, Cayuga, and the last Nation to join was Tuscarora. The Haudenosaunee Singers & Dancers group originated within the Onondaga Nation over thirty years ago, which has nine clans: Beaver, Wolf, Bear, Eel, Turtle, Hawk, Deer, Blue Heron, and Snipe bird. The Haudenosaunee Dancers & Singers travel all over, sometimes with their families, and the Dancers performing on May 24th were singer Haogeyota’ John (Seneca Turtle clan), Monique Powless (Onondaga Eel clan), Azelyn Bucktooth (Mohawk Wolf clan ), Jada Hopper (Onondaga Beaver clan), Kenlyn Skye (Onondaga Eel clan), brothers Dodie & Elton Logan (Tonawanda Seneca Beaver clan), and leader Waterman-Hopper from the Onondaga Beaver clan.
The Stomp Dance was maneuvered in a single file line and follow-the-leader style, to which Waterman-Hopper mentioned, “if you can walk you can do this dance!” All the dances have history, tradition, and significance. During certain parts of the Fish Dance, dancers traded places with one another to represent fish swimming upstream in times they are spawning. Females were invited to the floor for the Woman’s Dance, done to give honor, acknowledgement, and respect to life givers; in Haudenosaunee culture, Nations and Clans are acquired through generations by who their mother is. Keeping feet close to the ground and shuffling movements during that dance represents the nurturing of the land their teachings remind them to take care of during the short time we are here for so life can keep continuing. Fittingly, that day through Memorial Day weekend, the Museum gave out free Pitch Pine trees as part of the 25 Million Trees by 2033 initiative to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate mitigation and community health. A Partner’s Dance the troupe acquired from a brother Clan in Florida, included times to swing the outer partner around to represent an alligator’s tail. It also offered a call and response participation opportunity with the singer that represented communication between alligators, where Waterman-Hopper told the crowd to raise their voices so they could be heard all the way in Cobleskill, and ended their performance by saying, “(Thank you) Nyaweñhah.”
If you didn’t get to make it to this Haudenosaunee Dancers & Singers performance, this was not their first visit to the Iroquois Museum, and it won’t be your last opportunity. The Museum’s Assistant to the Director, Heather Livengood, confirmed that they have five dance troupes they rotate events with throughout the year in support of everyone. Niagara River Dancers from Tuscarora Nation Territory will be at the Museum on Saturday, July 5th, at 11 AM and 2 PM.
In the meantime, there is always something exciting to see at the Iroquois Museum. Visit 14-year-old Museum cat, Little Boy, and see his turtle friends who are over 32 years old. Engage in games, crafts, fun and hands-on learning activities, and immerse in stories, books, and their Independent Exploration: search the Museum to find answers to the questions box! You can also explore their 45-acre nature park & hiking trails during your visit.
Each year the Museum offers new exhibits; April 3rd-November 30th you can walk through Once A Tree to learn about how wood holds memory and share your thoughts on paper leaves of what objects hold memory for you on a tree within that exhibit. This year’s other special exhibit is an eye-opening display about lasting effects of residential schools in the late 1800s that didn’t allow the Haudenosaunee children to practice their traditions called, Separated But Unbroken-The Haudenosaunee Boarding School Experience.
The Iroquois Museum is also now a part of the Schoharie County Eagle Trail. Through a scope in their entrance addition completed last Winter, you can view an eagle’s nest where parents and baby (unofficially called Junior by Museum staff) reside.
You can become a member of the Museum and sponsor a personalized tile in their outdoor amphitheater to include a photo of your choice and a name for you, your company, or in honor of a loved one. They are an independent nonprofit that depends entirely on admissions, memberships, shop sales, and charitable support. You visits help them serve the public and support Iroquois arts, culture, and community. Admission prices are: Adults $8, Senior Citizens (62+) & Youths $6.50, Children (5-12) $5, and kids under 5 get in for FREE. The Iroquois Museum is located at 324 Caverns Road, “In a modern building designed to evoke the great longhouse of the Iroquois/Haudenosaunee,” where, “visitors are introduced to another world view.” Seasonal hours, upcoming events, and workshops are listed on their Facebook page and website at www.iroquoismuseum.org and their phone number is 518-296-8949.
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