The Native American Dance & Music Festival is Ganondagan's annual summer event that features a wide range of Native American traditional dancers, musicians, storytellers, and artists sharing their cultural heritage, crafts and arts with festival goers.

This event also features the ever popular children and adult workshops such as cornhusk doll making, native foods such as fry-bread, interpreted programs in the Visitor's Center and Bark Longhouse, guided trail walks, and the family drum jam.

Ganondagan's Native American Dance & Music Festival is the only event of its kind in Western New York and over 4,000 people attend each year from 37 countries and 20 states.

2009 Program (PDF, 1.8MB)

2009 Schedule (PDF, 68KB)

Arvel Bird

World music violinist Arvel Bird is the ultimate fusion artist, integrating his Native American and Scottish heritage with a variety of musical styles to deliver an accomplished sound that spans nearly every genre, including classical, folk, Celtic, country, fusion jazz and bluegrass. A Native American sensibility informs Arvel's fiddling, storytelling and dance performing but doesn't overwhelm it. It's his charismatic, endearing personality that delights his audiences as he offers Native American wisdom, history and tradition, and most of all, a deeply-felt musicianship that will amaze and inspire.

This award-winning world violinist has released 14 CDs and one DVD. Six of his CDs have received numerous nominations at the Native American Music Awards (NAMA), Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA), Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, and Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards (CAMA), New Age Reporter and others. In 2006, Arvel received the NAMA Best Instrumental for his LIVE! CD and the ISMA for his Animal Totems 2 CD.

By 2007, Arvel earned the unparalleled respect of his peers and massive support of music fans to receive the coveted 9th Annual NAMA "Artist of the Year" title for Animal Totems 2 and the 2007 CAMA Best Instrumental Album award for his re-release of Animal Totems 1. His enthusiasm for the tradition of Native American fiddling and Native American spirituality radiates from each note and spoken word.

As a sought-after collaborator, Arvel has recorded with Joseph Firecrow, Jeff Ball, and Irene Bedard and Deni, "Ananeah" with Grammy nominees William Eaton, Mary Redhouse and Will Clipman and multi-Grammy nominee New Age Pianist, Peter Kater on the critically-acclaimed, Winds of the East CD.

As a popular entertainer, Arvel also has been featured at a multitude of top cultural events across the United States, Canada, Scotland and many others. He continues to be one of the most in-demand cultural performers on tour today.

He tours full-time in his private coach with his wife, Kimberly, and two "spoiled rotten Shih Tzus", Coco and Candy. In his off-time, he enjoys golfing, riding his bike and working with animal rescue organizations.

David Wolfman

Chef David Wolfman is a culinary arts professor at George Brown College in Toronto and is Host, Writer, and Executive Producer of the nationally televised Cooking with the Wolfman program on The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).

David discovered his love for cooking at a young age and has devoted himself to the preservation and promotion of traditional Aboriginal foods and cooking methods. A descendant of the Xaxli'p Band of Lillooet, BC, David takes everyday North American food products to a higher level described as "Aboriginal Fusion: traditional Aboriginal foods with a modern twist."

A former caterer, Chef Wolfman shares his hard won success stories with audiences young and old, at student career fairs, diabetes conferences, outdoor exhibitions, pow wows, and other cultural events.

David sees food as the source of life and strives to inspire others to find their life's passion. For David, each day is a treasure to behold and his motto is, "one day at a time." Whether asked how to cook a moose, a bush rabbit or Gateau St. Honoré, the answer is always the same, "very carefully."

Cercle Celtique

The award-winning 'Cercle Celtique,' was founded in Rennes, France in 1932 to preserve and promote traditional Breton dance and music. Starting in the 1950s, the Cercle Celtique began to travel throughout the Celtic regions and countries and later, throughout all of Europe to perform in cultural festivals.

In 2007, the dancers and musicians of the Cercle Celtique performed in Rennes' Japanese sister city, Sendai. Most recently, they were special guests of the City Hall of Brno in the Czech Republic, which is also a sister city of Rennes. Rochester, NY is also a sister city of Rennes.

The dancers and musicians wear traditional Breton attire. Round dancing, square dancing, line dancing and the gavotte are all part of their repertoire and are traditionally performed during a Fest Nzo event. The music is performed with authentic instruments, such as the biniou and bombarde.

This Celtic ethnic group located in northwest France, trace their heritage to first Celtic indigenous peoples from southwestern Great Britain.

Family Drum Jam

Ganondagan is always proud to present the exceedingly popular Family Drum Jam featuring some of Rochester's premiere percussionists and one energized emcee, Steve Appleton from Generation Cool, who bring LOADS of percussive instruments from varied cultures plus djembe's and other 3-foot high drums - for EVERYONE to play!

Not only will the audience hear the magnetic and pulse-pounding tunes from Ghana, all over the Caribbean Islands, African and even Latino riffs - but families and individuals get to join in - on authentic drums from these cultures!

Ganondagan's Spirit Dancers

This urban Native American youth/adult dance group was formed in 1995 as a way to teach youth about their culture and traditions. The Spirit Dancers have become ambassadors for Ganondagan. They have performed traditional Iroquois social dances for schools and festivals throughout the area, and have traveled to New Mexico and California sharing their culture through performance.

In 1998, the Young Spirit Dancers (now called 'Spirit Dancers') had the privilege of performing for former First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton and in 2002 for the National Museum of the American Indian's Children's Festival in New York City.

Buffalo Creek Dancers

The Buffalo Creek Dance Group began in 1988 as a way to provide an opportunity for Native American youth to learn, participate, and become proficient in their traditional Iroquois Social Dances. In addition, members of this group have learned the dances of the Nations to the West (Pow Wow Style). Many of the youth/adults in this group have won dance competitions for their particular categories at Pow Wow's across the country.

Respected by Natives and non-Natives, the Buffalo Creek Dancers perform at many schools, colleges, festivals, and Pow Wows throughout the United States and Canada.

William (Bill) Loran - Traditional Gustoweh

William (Bill) Loran, (Akwesasne Mohawk-Wolf Clan), a fluent Mohawk speaker, has made his home at the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation for most of his life. He developed an interest in the traditional arts more than 50 years ago as he began learning from the skilled elders around him. He watched, listened, and even conducted his own training sessions by taking apart and rebuilding many traditional art objects. As his skill for making traditional dance regalia developed so did his list of clients. Many can be seen at local Pow Wows. Besides dance regalia, Bill also is a wood carver. Many museums and Native American gift shops in Canada and the United States have purchased his art. One of Bill's cradleboards may be seen in Ganondagan's 17thC Seneca Bark Longhouse. He is actively sought after as a traditional teacher.

Bill Loran will demonstrate making the traditional Iroquois men's headdress, the Gustoweh. Bill was taught by Ray Fadden, Mohawk elder and now teaches many other Native Americans the skills he learned.

Marilyn Isaacs - Fingerweaving

Marilyn Isaacs, (Tuscarora, Bear Clan) When Marilyn was a young dancer she was interested in learning how to make her dance regalia; but she could not find finger weavers to teach her how to make the traditional sashes. She decided to teach herself by reading a book on the traditional art of finger weaving during a summer job she had at the Turtle Building in Niagara Falls over 20 years ago. Since then Marilyn has become well known across Iroquois country as a highly skilled and acclaimed finger weaver and has helped preserve this unique Native technique for weaving - an art with ancient origins. Originally, finger weaving was done with natural materials, such as basswood cordage, and was widely practiced. With European contact and the availability of yarns, more intricate designs were created. These sashes of yarn were valued as examples of fine work and became valuable trade items with non-Natives. With time, the sashes became shorter and were worn at ceremonial dances by both Native men and women. Although woven sashes are still highly valued and sought after by traditional dancers and culture bearers, finger weaving today is a skill few people know, because of the time and skill required to create the intricate designs. Marilyn has taught classes for the Native American Community Services in Buffalo, Tuscarora Indian School, Fort Erie Friendship Center, and Ganondagan State Historic Site.

Tonia Loran - Mocassin Making

Tonia Loran (Akewesasne Mohawk, Bear Clan) Tonia has worked at Ganondagan State Historic Site as an interpreter for over 11 years. She comes from a long line of traditional artists (basketmakers, leatherworkers, beadworkers) and is a well known Iroquois storyteller. Tonia is an accomplished leatherworker and beadworker with pieces shown in national art shows as well as adorning the Native clothing of her friends and family. She learned early on the steps to making ash splint baskets by her Grandmother on the Akwasasnee Reservation.

Artist Webpage: www.wanuken.com/index2.html

Rosemary Rickard-Hill - Raised Beadwork

Rosemary Rickard-Hill, (Tuscarora, Beaver Clan) Growing up in a family of beadworkers - Rosemary seemed to be destined to become internationally recognized for her skills as a fine beadworker. She began learning at the age of seven from her mother, Margaret Rickard beginning with the "jitterbug," the first beaded piece a Tuscarora child learns which teaches them to handle beads. Eventually her grandmother Hattie Williams, great-aunt Gertrude Chew, and sisters Penny Hudson and Marylou Printup (themselves all internationally known beadworkers) taught her more techniques and skills for producing some of the most exquisite and sought-after beadwork. Rosemary was sewing the raised and flat beadwork on Niagara Falls souvenirs by the age of twelve. Some of these souvenir items included picture frames, pincushions, horseshoes, and small purses.

In 2003 Rosemary completed a traditional beadwork wedding dress, commissioned by New York State Museum as part of the Governor's collection. She also has permanent exhibited pieces at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in New York and in Washington, D.C. (the Mall), The British Museum, The Royal Ontario Museum, and numerous others in the northeastern U.S.

Marcia Kane and Antoinette Scott - Cornhusk Dolls Workshops

Marcia Kane (Seneca) is the daughter and Antoinette Scott (Seneca) the granddaughter of Lillian Kane (Seneca) accomplished cornhusk doll maker and dressmaker of Native clothing, who learned from her grandmothers.

Corn was a very important crop for the Iroquois. All parts of the corn plant were used. Cornhusks were braided and woven to make masks, moccasins, sleeping mats, baskets, and cornhusk dolls. These dolls were originally made for the children by folding the husks together. The hair is made from animal hair or dyed vegetable fiber. The cornhusk doll is more than a toy, it is also a device used to teach children values.

Ronnie Reitter - Cornhusk Dolls Workshops

Ronnie Reitter, (Seneca, Wolf Clan) specializes in Haudenosaunee regalia and cornhusk work. Ronnie is known for her traditional Seneca cornhusk dolls. She brings her skills in sewing and designing regalia to the art of 'dressing' her cornhusk dolls. She originally started making the large soft sculptured dolls and dressing them in traditionally Seneca dress. She learned to make cornhusk dolls by observing Mattie Young and Lillian Kane, Seneca Elders and traditional artists who are revered for the quality of their cornhusk dolls. More recently, Ronnie has learned how to create other kinds of traditional Haudenosaunee cornhusk work, such as cornhusk mats, moccasins, salt bottles, tobacco baskets and containers.

She is also an accomplished storyteller learning from elders and other storytellers in Western New York. Ronnie grew up in a non-Native foster home in upstate New York. As an adult, she re-connected with the Haudenosaunee community, found members of her family who still live on the Cattaraugus Reservation in western New York, and became deeply involved with learning and teaching Haudenosaunee traditional art. In her journey to discover her roots, Ronnie learned that her grandfather, Adelbert Steeprock (Seneca), was a traditional artist who participated in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Indian Arts Project at the Tonawanda Reservation in the 1930s.

Ronnie works at Ganondagan State Historic Site, home of her ancestors, and is an administrative assistant and an interpreter in the Bark Longhouse and on the trails. As an employee of Ganondagan State Historic Site, she has been able to observe and learn from the many traditional artists who come to Ganondagan to give workshops. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of Ganondagan and serves on their Special Events, Education and Resource Development committees.

Perry Ground

Perry Ground (Onondaga, Turtle Clan), will present traditional Native American stories about the beliefs, customs, and history of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people. Perry brings his stories to life through vivid descriptions, his rhythmic voice, and energetic stage presence. He will also explain the tradition and history of storytelling itself. He has been telling stories for over 17 years as a means of educating people about his culture, beliefs and history. Perry learned most of the stories he shares from elders.

Professionally he has worked in several museums, taught at Syracuse and Cornell Universities, is an active cultural speaker (e.g. Onondaga Nation, National Museum of the American Indian, Buffalo State College, The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, The Saratoga Native American Festival, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Pennsylvania). He is the Director of the Rochester City School District's Native American Resource Center and President of the Friends of Ganondagan.

Barbara Bethmann-Mahooty

Barbara Bethmann-Mahooty (Akwesasne Mohawk, Snipe Clan). Barb began an interest in Iroquois legends when she had the opportunity to hear elder storytellers she brought in for the students as Director of the Native American Program at the Rush Henrietta School District, New York. She then did her own research, read lots of books, and took every opportunity to listen to other storytellers. She has been telling stories for over 27 years at schools, scouting events, and Native American Festivals/Pow Wows.

Active in the Rochester Native community she is an original coordinator of the annual Canandaigua Treaty Commemoration (active treaty between the U.S. and Iroquois Confederacy).

Native American Art Market

This unique shopping experience brings together some of the most gifted traditional and contemporary Native artists of the region, U.S., and Canada.

As part of each year's Festival, dozens of the most gifted traditional and contemporary Native Artists from across the U.S. and Canada will exhibit at the show. Among the artists participating this year, Ganondagan will welcome renowned artists Tammy Beauvais and Tammy Tarbell-Boehning.

Tammy Beauvais (Mohawk) of Tammy Beauvais Design, located in Kahnawake, Quebec, is a fourth generation artisan who began creating clothing influenced by her Iroquois heritage at the age of 13. Ms. Beauvais designs both traditional native garb as well as contemporary clothing for men and women, incorporating the rich symbolism of the Iroquois people into all of her pieces. She was commissioned by Aline Chrétien, wife of Canada's 20th Prime Minister, to design 34 cashmere shawls, given to the wives of 34 heads of state attending the 2001 Summit of the Americas in Québec City. Her work is on exhibit at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, the Pequot Aboriginal Museum in Mashantucket, Connecticut and at the McCord Museum of Canadian History in Montreal, Canada.

During her fine arts studies as Syracuse University, Tammy Tarbell-Boehning (Mohawk, Turtle Clan) was introduced to the works of Maria Martinez, one the most famous potters of the San Ildefanso Pueblo in New Mexico. Today, she incorporates old and new techniques and materials into her pottery, creating a fusion of contemporary and traditional design. Ms. Tarbell is also recognized for her pottery doll series that depicts the journey of the Native American woman. The poignant faces of her pottery figures reflect individual personalities full of strength, wisdom and courage.

Friends of Ganondagan's 20th Anniversary

The Friends of Ganondagan started in 1989 with a handful of people. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the Friends of Ganondagan organization. Look for special events, displays, and merchandise associated with this milestone through the festival. Come see how the organization has grown and where it is heading!

Native Food Vendors

The festival food vendors sell both traditional and contemporary foods that are not repeated at any other local event!

Be sure to look for Indian Tacos, fry-bread, venison sausage, corn soup, and more!

Ganondagan State Historic Site Programs

Throughout the entire festival the Visitor's Center will showcase various historical and cultural videos. These screenings are free.

Guided Trail Walks will be held throughout the festival. Experienced trail guides will share the beauty and history of the site with festival goers. These trail walks are free with festival admission.

17th Century Seneca Bark Longhouse Tours will be on-going throughout the entire festival. Site interpreters will share information on the history of the site and on Haudenosaunee culture. These tours are free with festival admission.

Artists' Tent & Gift Shop

The performers will be selling their CD's, tapes, books, etc. as well as providing greeting and signing opportunities.

The Friends of Ganondagan's gift shop will be open and featuring Native music, books, arts, and more throughout the festival.