Opening March 25^th, 2023

From March 25th - September 16th, 2023, the Seneca Art & Culture Center will showcase the WAMPUM/OTGOÄ exhibition featuring 18 important objects from the museé du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, four wampum belts from the Rochester Museum and Science Center and feature five contemporary Hodinöhsö:ni’ artists in this exhibition. The objects from France come from a time before the United States was formed and represent the complicated legacy of diplomacy between Indigenous nations and the colonial French. 

Wampum yearns to be understood, and to deliver the meaningful messages it was assigned long ago. Here at Ganondagan, it will be given that opportunity once again. WAMPUM is enigmatic in its versatility, it heals, protects, beautifies, and confirms relationships. There was a time when everyone east of the Mississippi River understood the use and importance of WAMPUM. We invite all peoples to come to Ganondagan and learn from and about this ancient and yet very contemporary sacred semiotic. 

May- October Bark Longhouse is open for the season

Our full-size, Seneca Bark Longhouse (1998) is fully furnished to reflect a typical Seneca family from the late 1600’s, complete with reproductions of 17th century Seneca objects and colonial-era trade goods. Admission into the Bark Longhouse is included in our Summer admission fees.

Saturday, June 10th | 1 PM Katsitsionni Fox

Saturday, July 8th | 1 PM Jamie Jacobs

Saturday, August 12th | 1 PM Skawennati

Each month of the WAMPUM/OTGOÄ exhibition we will highlight a contemporary artist featured in the exhibit. Admission to the Artist Talks Series is included with admission to the Seneca Art & Culture Center. FREE for Friends of Ganondagan Members.

For full description visit our WAMPUM/OTGOÄ Exhibition Programming page

Saturday, June 3rd | 8 AM 

This trip has generated large species lists due to the many habitat types we will travel through. We will start from the parking lot to the longhouse and walk wide mown or packed dirt trails through the Meadowlark field and then head down through woods, shrub land, and wetland to an overlook in grassland. The round trip is 1.5 miles and includes some hills. After we reach the overlook, those who wish can continue for another 2 miles on the narrower Seneca Trail through fields and woods, across County Route 41, and along a wooded stream valley to the Bobolink field. Restroom facilities are available at the museum center at the end of the trip.

Leader Amy Kahn 585-310-2330 and co-leader Neal Reilly 518-256-9147

Meet at 8:00 a.m. in the main parking lot off County Road 41 Boughton Hill Road. The parking lot is situated below the new museum at 7000 County Road 41, Victor, NY 14564. (From Route 444 from Victor, turn right onto Boughton Hill Road and go down the hill. The main parking lot will be on your right at the bottom of the hill.)

• Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear.  Field trips go rain or shine.
• Trips run approximately 2 to 3 hours.
• Bring binoculars if you have them.
• Restroom facilities are available at the museum center at the end of the trip. 

Free and Open to the Public - Does not include admission to the Seneca Bark Longhouse or Seneca Art & Culture Center

June 17th* | 1 - 3 PM

Presented by Rohsennase Dalton LaBarge, M.D. (Akwesasne Mohawk, Bear Clan) 

"We are told that long ago Onekò:rha' (Wampum) were gifted to our people at a time of overwhelming social upheavals. What these Oronkwáhsa (strands of wampum) transmitted was a path forward out of loss; a blueprint for how we might find collective peace in a challenging world. "

This interactive session will explore wampum as a living practice; an intersection of material craft, storytelling, and a continuous revisiting of possible pathways to heal as individuals and communities. 

Location - SACC, Classroom 1

For more wampum programming visit our WAMPUM/OTGOÄ Exhibition Program page.

*Originally scheduled for 5/20

Free with Museum Admission, Free for Friends of Ganondagan Members

Saturday, June 24th | 10 AM - 2 PM

Make a 5-bead wide Wampum Mini Belt (or occasional bracelet) using "realistic looking" polymer beads. Please note that while the polymer beads look more realistic than glass beads, they will not hold up for wearing the bracelet as jewelry. All materials will be provided.

Please bring your lunch and your own beverage.

For more wampum programming visit our WAMPUM/OTGOÄ Exhibition Program page.

Registration required | $25 for General Public, $20 for Friend of Ganondagan Members

Register on Wampum Workshop Event Page

Saturday & Sunday, July 22^nd & 23^rd

Save the Date! Our Indigenous Music & Arts Festival returns this July with Native folk rock band, December Wind (Mohawk), hoop dance champions and performers, the Sinquah Family Dance Troupe (Hopi/Tewa/Choctaw), storytellers Ronnie Reitter (Seneca) & Tonia Galban (Mohawk), and Haudenosaunee social dancers, Indigenous Spirit Dancers. More details and schedule to come!

Biweekly Tuesdays - 

May 16 and May 30, June 13 and June 27 | 11 AM - 11:45 AM
 

Location - Meet on the patio/picnic area at the west end of the building and the class will proceed to the best location (weather consideration) for that day.
Please dress for the weather as classes will be held outdoors, participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes
Free - (Sliding scale, suggested donation $5 - $15 in support of Friends of Ganondagan)
 

The ancient practices of Tai Chi and Qi gong combine slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and breathing exercises bringing relaxation, peace and balance to mind, body and spirit and can also send that same energy out in all directions to all beings. Join us for a series of classes that introduces people to the first several movements of a Yang-style form.
Regular practice can develop inspiration, confidence and self-awareness, promote healthy breathing, improve vitality and cultivate harmony with Nature!
Instructor: Master Kathleen M. Gill, Ph.D. is a retired clinical psychologist with forty years of experience in stress management and health promotion. She was granted the title in 2014 by her Grandmaster William C. C. Chen. She tells her clients and students that the best method of relaxation is the one you practice every day - and taiji quan (Tai Chi) and qigong is that method for her.