February’s “Celebrating Winter at Ganondagan” Expands Programming with Family-Friendly Activities,
Native American Winter Games & Sports, and Film
Six days of Celebrating Winter at Ganondagan
Feb. 21-26
Victor, NY—Next month, the hands-on, family-friendly Native American Winter Games & Sports recognizes its 14th anniversary as part of a new, dynamic, weeklong schedule of activities. “Celebrating Winter at Ganondagan” begins Tuesday, February 21 through Sunday, February 26, with Winter Games on Saturday, February 25. Seneca people of the area kept busy during the long winter with both indoor and outdoor activities, so all Ganondagan events will bring these traditional activities to life.
From February 21-24, it’s about fun and engaging learning for all. Featured programming includes participatory Iroquois Social Dancing, wampum belt demonstrations and display, a variety of Native hands-on art and craft activities, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people as the first recyclers, and much more. Cost for these daily events, which run from 10 am-4 pm, is free with admission to the Seneca Art & Culture Center.
On Saturday, February 25, Native American Winter Games & Sports sees a return of snowboat racing, due to popular demand. These 18” long solid wooden “boats” are raced down hills in channels made in the snow, one for each boat. The day also features snowsnake (a traditional winter game for all ages) storytelling in the Bark Longhouse, snowshoeing (free rentals), dog sled demonstrations, family crafts make-and-take in Seneca Art & Culture Center, traditional winter arts demonstrations, and Iroquois White Corn-inspired food for purchase. Winter Games—which includes admission to the Seneca Art & Culture Center exhibits—is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per family. Activities take place with or without snow.
Media sponsor is www.kidsoutandabout.com.
A film screening on Sunday, February 26 sponsored by Aperçu Coaching and Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm of “Neither Wolf Nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder” will be shown at 2:00 pm at the Seneca Art & Culture Center. This is a fundraiser for Standing Rock Water Protectors in North Dakota; tickets are $10. Al White (Cayuga), who has spent time at Standing Rock, will give a brief talk about his experiences. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2jttVC7.
“We will be celebrating winter in February 2017 like never before,” says Friends of Ganondagan Executive Director Meg Joseph. “Any opportunity for us to share the unique culture of the original people of this area brings visitors a greater understanding of the rich and vibrant Seneca and Haudenosaunee culture.”
Parking is available at the Seneca Art & Culture Center, 7000 County Road 41, Victor. The gift shop also will be open through the week. For more information, visit www.ganondagan.org.
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