Celebrating Indigenous Peoples at NYS Parks
To acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day this month, we’re highlighting a handful of the projects, programs, and events that two of our keystone grant programs–Park and Trail Partnership Grants (PTPG) and Genesee Valley Trail Town Grants (GVTT)–have funded over the years!
The Friends groups and municipalities who work to steward and promote these special places understand the importance of telling the stories and sharing the culture of the original inhabitants of lands throughout New York State. Funds from these two competitive grant programs have brought many ideas to fruition, allowing the public to engage, learn, and experience the culture and people whose traditions and stories have been overlooked in the past.
HAUDENOSAUNEE VIDEO SERIES AT LETCHWORTH
The most recent round of grants awarded earlier this year is funding a project that will highlight the lives of some of the earliest residents of Western New York as told by their descendants.
The Friends of Letchworth State Park will produce a series of profesional videos portraying Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) life and culture written and produced by Haudenosaunee presenters. The videos will provide the non-profit organization with the capacity to reflect and share with park visitors a more comprehensive history of the lands that make up the current Letchworth State Park.
The video series will be produced in consultation with Perry Ground, an internationally recognized cultural educator and storyteller. The medium-form videos will be available for viewing onsite at the Letchworth Museum and at the year-round Nature Center as well as events like the annual Native American Heritage Day celebration. They will also be shown during elementary school field trips to the park and for special educational events geared toward home schoolers.
KNOX FARM “EACLIPSE” PERFORMANCE
Photo credit: Calvin Nemec
On April 8, 2024, New York State came to a near standstill for several moments to witness a rare phenomenon. Eclipse watchers traveled from far and wide, families planned vacations around the event, and some schools even closed for the day.
In 2023, the Friends of Knox Farm applied for a grant to fund a day-long Eclipse festival at the state historic site just outside of Buffalo–directly in the path of totality. The sold out event attracted over 3,000 visitors who learned about astronomical wonders through programming provided by NASA, engaged in dozens of hands-on activities, enjoyed live music, and indulged in local food and beverage.
To prepare participants for the main event of the day, members of the Haudenosaunee community took the stage to share traditional songs and teachings. The performance was an extremely meaningful offering from the Haudenosaunee community, as nearly eight centuries ago during a solar eclipse the Great Law of Peace was formed to create the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
CANEADEA SENECA FIELD DAYS
In 2023, the Town of Caneadea was awarded funds through the first round of our Genesee Valley Trail Town Grants to partner with the local Seneca Nation Council and develop a community heritage event.
Caneadea Seneca Field Days showcased the Seneca Nation, including historical demonstrations, cultural demonstrations and activities– like traditional hoop dance, lacrosse games, displays from the Seneca Nation and local artists. Most notable was a ceremonial walk by members of the Seneca Nation to the banks of the Genesee River, an invaluable resource of their daily and spiritual life. These were the first members of their nation to do so since their ancestors left the Caneada Reservation nearly two centuries ago.
GANONDAGON–Iroquois White Corn Heritage Food Experience
In 2017-2018, the Friends of Ganondagan showcased Iroquois White Corn as part of a Heritage Food Tourism initiative to boost attendance at Ganondagan State Historic Site. The project included various activities like planting, harvesting, cooking workshops, and traditional meals.
Native American chefs and Haudenosaunee educators shared knowledge about the corn's importance to the culture. The integration of indigenous foods exceeded expectations and attracted media attention, resulting in increased awareness and attendance at the Central New York historic site.
The programming saw a significant rise in participation, with events like the Native American Winter Games drawing double the attendees. The Canandaigua Treaty Commemoration brought together Native American and non-Native American cooks to create a celebratory meal. The initiative also engaged over 100 volunteers, some of whom became regular supporters. The project appealed to a new demographic, including college students, Native American youth, and food tourists interested in cultural experiences.
ATLANTIC MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), an environmental organization that partners with New York state parks and public lands in Long Island, provides programs and events to increase public awareness of how NYS Parks play an important role in preserving our local natural and cultural heritage.
Earlier this year, AMSEAS was awarded funding to facilitate the production of video recordings of presentations by Native American tribe representatives, marine biologists and naturalists to be used to supplement Visitor Center exhibits and promote future conservation and outreach events at Hallock State Park Preserve.
AMSEAS is uniquely positioned to facilitate this project due to a strong relationship built over the past several years with the Shinnecock Native American Tribe. This project will bring together AMSEAS whale conservation efforts, the Shinnecock Tribe’s cultural connection to whales, and HSPPs beautiful natural resources. A permanent outdoor exhibit featuring a model of a whale typical of one that washes up on Long Island shores will be installed, inviting visitors to take a closer look and read interpretative signage explaining the significance of whale strandings throughout history.