Iroquois Art & Culture at the Lewiston Art Festival

One of the highlights of the Lewiston Art Festival each year is the Iroquois Art & Culture event. Hennepin Park, where the Gazebo and Fountain are located, is where you can see performances and the Iroquois Market.

Hennepin Park is always an oasis for people to sit and enjoy the gardens in Lewiston, NY. The park is filled with an enchanted crowd watching the presentations by original Iroquois Artists from all over New York State with demonstrations of traditional Iroquois dancing by the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers. The photographs on this page are from the 2019 Festival.

Naquaqua, an Artist from the ‘Long Haus of Lone’
Naquaqua, an Artist from the ‘Long Haus of Lone’ showcasing their amazing art
at the Lewiston Art Festival, August 2019

Naquaqua and her mother, Faye Lone, who produces most of the art at the ‘Long Haus Of Lone,’ are accomplished artists. Mother and daughter were chosen to display their fabric art at the Smithsonian Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). To enquire about handmade artistry at Long Haus of Lone, in Basom, NY 14013-9703, email: info at longhausoflone.com

The Niagara River Iroquois Dancers

A group of Niagara River Iroquois Dancers of all ages at the Gazebo
getting ready to start their dance performances.

Presentations by the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers were spectacular. Along with the dances were several colorful explanations of Iroquois Culture and the meaning of the dances. I hope you will enjoy the following photographs as much as I enjoyed the performances.

The clothing worn by the dancers was the original dress similar to that worn by their ancestors, not costumes. There were many outstanding details and beautiful hand-stitched artful elements. In some cases, traditional items were added that jingled or made sounds as the dancers performed to the music. One interesting comment given was that, in most cases, the beautiful hand-stitched collars or other clothing items are lovingly and painstakingly made for the wearers by their elders. As such, the clothing in and of themselves is infused with their elders’ spirit. In most cases, the artful clothing made by an ancestor is passed down in the family. Treasured artifacts, for sure!

Another interesting fact about the Iroquois tradition is that women are considered to be the keepers of Culture. Their role has been expansive compared to other traditional societies in that they are intimately involved with their communities’ political, economic, and social aspects. They are also the teachers and leaders of the spiritual well-being of the tribe. Iroquois society is matrilineal, meaning that genealogical descent is traced through the mother rather than the father.

Niagara River Iroquois Dancer, Jill Clause.

The Iroquois dances portray themes through gesture, movement, and expression.

Everyone is included, from elders to babes in arms… I wish you could hear the music in these photographs; although caught at the moment, they only portray the dance; next time, a video would be fun.

If I remember correctly, hearing explanations over the loudspeakers’, the Iroquois Confederacy was composed of several different Native American Tribes. They would meet and dance the Friendship Dance. The feathers in the headdresses differed for each tribe, so they could all recognize which tribe a person was from by the number and positions of the feathers.

The Iroquois Constitution was a forerunner to the American Constitution through its model of democratic principles. The Colonists embraced many such traditions, including the first Thanksgiving. The Iroquois Confederacy had operated using these principles since the 16th century. Chief Oren Lyons, an Onondaga and an Associate Professor of American studies at the State University at Buffalo, has mentioned that ‘some of the main ideas for the American Constitution were adopted from the Iroquois Confederacy.’ Individual rights and freedoms within the Confederacy were considered integral to the harmony and welfare of the whole.

Niagara River Iroquois Dancers in a line at the beginning of one of the dances.

The Niagara River Iroquois Dancers invited members of the audience to participate in several dances, and children were some of the first to join in. However, seeing them having so much fun it was not long until many more joined in, including me.

Children in the audience are being led in Native American Dance.
As you can see, they enjoyed the whole thing!

Many of the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers are children themselves!

The leggings in women’s and girls’ clothing had a very practical purpose back in the day. They were to protect the legs from being scratched by brambles in the woods.

It was common in the former days for community members to compete to show their dance proficiency and interpretation. Competitions are still held today, and some of the dancers shown here are prize-winning dancers. I believe, again, if my memory serves me correctly, that at one time, only the boys could dance particular dances. Some dances were only for girls and women, while others were for boys and men. As the story goes, a young girl who wanted to show her skills dressed up as a boy and won a competition. Since then, both boys and girls can compete in all.

Near the end of the presentations, new dance leaders, or ‘callers,’ led the Friendship Dance.

Getting ready to lead the final dance that ended with greetings to the audience.
Dancing in unison.
It was a lot of fun for everyone there to learn more
about traditional Iroquois Arts, and Culture
and both see firsthand and participate in the dances.

Joining Hands With Culture Enriches Us All

The Niagara River Iroquois Dancers touched hands
as they went around the audience circle as part of the Friendship Dance.

Making Corn Husk Dolls

After the dances, the Iroquois artisans demonstrated some of their creations. One of these was a corn husk doll made by artist Jill Clause, who is also a dancer. Her doll creations are far from what you would ordinarily expect, as you can see from some of the dolls on display.

The detail is considerable, and the art includes a few modern elements, like the wrench in the ‘brave’s’ belt in the above photo on the right.

Artist and Dancer Jill Clause adjusting one of her corn husk dolls.

All in all, it was a delightful afternoon at the Lewiston Art Festival. There were almost 200 artists who had booths showcasing their art. Each one was unique and interesting. There were food stalls, musicians, Mr. Bubble Wand, bubble blowers, and so many more amazing presentations; it was impossible to see them all in one day. I can’t wait to go again next year!

More Iroquois Artist Displays

Artist Desiree Henson,
of ‘Dezigns by Dez’

Specializing in Native American Crafts and Moccasins.
dezignsbydez18 at gmail.com

Please note: The author of this post has received no financial remuneration
for mentions of creative people, books, products, places, or businesses mentioned in this post.

Click here to learn more about ‘Why Local Art and Culture are Important.’

You may also enjoy a write-up about The Secrets of The Ghosts of Marble Orchards also a presentation sponsored by The Lewiston Council on the Arts.

8 Comments

  1. Pingback: Lewiston Council On The Arts Awarded Prestigious Spark Award! - Astoria Magazine

  2. Pingback: Fun At Lewiston Art Festival - Astoria Magazine

  3. Pingback: Secrets Of The Ghosts Of Marble Orchard! - Astoria Magazine

  4. Pingback: Why Is Local Art And Culture Important? - Astoria Magazine

  5. Yes, it was a great weekend and I also hope the Native Market and beautiful presentations will be there for everyone to enjoy. Thanks for commenting, much appreciated.

  6. Beautiful festival weekend for all. Looking forward to next year and hopefully they keep the Native Market in this perfect location. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. Thanks!

  7. Thank you, it was a pleasure to see and attend. Many thanks for the work the Art Council does.

  8. Thank you, Astoria Magazine, for this thoughtfully written article and beautiful photos! The Iroquois Market at the Lewiston Art Festival was indeed a highlight of the festival!!!!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*