Friends of Ganondagan - Creatives Rebuild New York

An outdoor market stall features a variety of handmade goods displayed on a table, including small crafts and what appears to be wooden or bone items. A man seated behind the table interacts with a woman in a light blue summer dress and matching hat, who is closely examining one of the items on display. Surrounding them are several other women, some of whom are also browsing the market stall. A bright orange banner with a design of feathers hangs from the white canopy tent, and lush green trees provide a natural backdrop.

CRNY artist Dan Hill participating in an outdoor art gallery

Photo by Alex Hamer Photography

A wooden easel holds a chalkboard sign on a patch of green grass. The sign reads 'Dwa’shonih Outdoor Art Gallery' and lists several artists: Tsonias Galban, Ionawrienthanhan Sargent, Lauren Jimerson, and Cami Jones. In the background, additional easels display various colorful artworks.

Outdoor Art Gallery featuring Haudenosaunee artists

Photo by Alex Hamer Photography

A man and a woman engage in conversation at an outdoor market stall. The man, seated and wearing a short-sleeved shirt and glasses, is speaking with the woman. On the table between them are various items, possibly handmade crafts for sale, covered by a tablecloth labeled 'Northeastern Quillwork' featuring a geometric design. The woman, standing and holding a purple bag, listens attentively. She has short curly hair and wears a black t-shirt, camouflage shorts, and a crossbody bag.

CRNY artist Jamie Jacobs presenting quillwork at an outdoor art gallery

Photo by Alex Hamer Photography

A table draped with a white cloth and lined with a purple satin runner is set up outdoors, featuring various trays filled with seeds in different colors, including red, yellow, and white. An inviting chalkboard sign suggests: 'Make your own seed art, take a picture, then return the seeds to the plates.' Alongside the sign, a sheet of seed art is displayed, demonstrating creative possibilities. A decorative bowl with colorful patterns and a variety of dried corn cobs add to the display's natural theme.

CRNY artist Angela Ferguson’s seed art

Photo by Alex Hamer Photography

CRNY artist Lauren Jimerson

Photo courtesy of Lauren Jimerson

A woman stands on a stage speaking into a microphone, exuding confidence and joy. She wears a sleeveless white top adorned with intricate beadwork around the neckline and a fringed heart-shaped pendant on her chest.

CRNY artist Tonia Loran-Galban storytelling

Photo by Alex Hamer Photography

A group of people gathered around a large, oval conference table in a modern meeting room. The room features a distinct red accent at the top of the walls. Most participants are seated, attentively listening to a man standing near a wall-mounted television screen displaying a black and white image. A camera is set up to document or stream the meeting. Large windows with multiple panes allow natural light to fill the space. The table is equipped with papers, pens, and various electronic devices, suggesting an organized and professional atmosphere.

CRNY artist Jamie Jacobs

Photo by Alex Hamer Photography

The Collaboration

Artists and culture bearers Angela Ferguson, Douglas George-Kanentiio, Daniel C. Hill, Jamie Jacobs, Lauren Jimerson, Tonia Loran-Galban, Marissa Manitowabi, and Thomas Robert Porter worked with Friends of Ganondagan to elevate the way that knowledge is shared within Haudenosaunee communities. A variety of projects came from the collaboration: Douglas worked to establish the Akwesasronon Sonatateron (Akwesasne Survivors) which was designed to collect information regarding the Mohawk children taken to residential schools and the subsequent effects of that experience upon the Mohawk people. Jamie focused on restorative efforts to bring back language orthography and instruction to the Seneca communities, publishing an extensive Seneca orthography from the early 90s, providing future generations with a textbook for reference on the language. Lauren worked as a fine artist in the communal education concept Dwahšönih, providing opportunities to community members to engage in art making, demonstrating live painting, and creating outdoor art galleries.

The Organization

The Friends of Ganondagan is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation created in 1989 as a private educational partner to the Ganondagan State Historic Site. The mission is to honor and promote Haudenosaunee history, culture, and art and to strengthen traditions through inspirational and transformational programming and other activities at Ganondagan, with special emphasis on encouraging respect and understanding between Native Americans and non-native Americans.

During the past two years our Haudenosaunee artists visited almost all the traditional territories across New York State. They taught many in the communities but learned much themselves, as did we! Nya:weh for the opportunity. Jeanette Jemison

This collaboration allowed me to stabilize my mental and physical health after negative effects resulting from the pandemic. I was also able to fully reconnect with my own art practice and my community. Lauren Jimerson

I am always learning and my artistic endeavors are continuing to grow. The time spent working gives me time to dream and look for more inspiration. Daniel C. Hill

Being able to bring the arts and knowledge to the broader Haudenosaunee community promotes accessibility and exposes members to experiences that they may have never had.

Artists