Upstate New York’s history is incomplete without the stories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, including the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca Nations. Indigenous communities have always remained deeply rooted in the Finger Lakes and throughout Western New York. Their presence and traditions have shaped the region’s past and continue to influence the present.
Some of the most vibrant expressions of Indigenous culture are dance, music and song. Numerous groups — including the Indigenous Spirit Dancers — perform regularly across the region to both celebrate and educate audiences on the artistry of their communities. Their performances aim to remind other communities that not only is the Seneca Nation still here — it’s thriving.
Founded more than a decade ago in the Cattaraugus Territory by Marty Jimerson Jr., a citizen of the Seneca Nation and member of the Beaver Clan, the Indigenous Spirit Dancers began as a small group with occasional performances. Jimerson, driven by a passion for music and dance, created the troupe initially as a form of creative expression, but quickly realized that the engaging performances were an opportunity to raise awareness of Haudenosaunee traditions.
Over time the group expanded, becoming a sought-after presence at schools, cultural festivals and even major sporting events featuring the Buffalo Bills and Sabres and Rochester Amerks. The dancers’ mission is educational as much as it is performative.
“Each show is a living lesson in Haudenosaunee culture,” said Jimerson Jr. “It’s a cultural awareness, cultural presentation, cultural pride. It’s a passion of ours to share and educate our audiences about who we are.”
The company’s programming often includes explanations of the songs, their meanings and the history embedded in the movement. This approach ensures audiences enjoy the dances, but also understand their cultural significance.
Within the Seneca Nation, dance and music are intertwined together, deeply integrated into social life, where traditional dances are performed frequently at social gatherings. The Indigenous Spirit Dancers are accompanied by musicians and traditional singers, with the songs usually performed by men positioned in the center of a circle or at one end of the performance space. Children begin learning the dances at a young age, frequently joining in during performances.
“The little guys steal the show,” Jimerson Jr. said. “They’re always watching, always listening. You’d be surprised how many are right on the beat right away.”
The performances range from solo to group choreography and include women’s, men’s and partnered dances. There is no formal recording of the routines; instead, they are passed down from generation to generation. Jimerson Jr. describes the movement as a natural embodiment of the music.
“Between dance and music, there’s a positive energy, a connection that comes from within,” he said. “Music soothes the soul. We call it medicine.”
Equally vital to the dances is the regalia worn by performers. Unlike costumes, the regalia is meaningful, personal and often handmade. Men in the Indigenous Spirit Dancers wear a headdress adorned with a single feather, symbolizing their identity as citizens of the Seneca Nation. Women wear beaded barrettes and intricate jewelry, with each piece contributing to their personal stories. The craftsmanship — from embroidery to beadwork — is an art form in its own right.
The Indigenous Spirit Dancers are often featured performers at Ganondagan’s Indigenous Music & Arts Festival, happening July 26-27, and will perform both days this year. Held at the Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, the two-day celebration is a dynamic expression of Indigenous art forms. The festival, which started in 1989 as a one-day event with a single tent and a few hundred visitors, has now grown into a major community gathering with over 3,000 attendees, more than 125 volunteers and roughly 30 Native vendors, food stands, art demonstrations and performances by both traditional and contemporary Indigenous artists.
“The festival highlights the diversity within Indigenous cultures, reinforcing that Native peoples are not a monolith,” said Jeanette Jemison, a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk, Snipe Clan, and the Friends of Ganondagan’s program director and founding executive director. “While many Indigenous cultures share common values, such as peace and stewardship of the earth, each has unique traditions, languages and artistic expressions.”
The large performance tent, where many of the dance performances take place, is a focal point of the festival. Some of the shows, such as those presented by the Indigenous Spirit Dancers, include an element of audience interaction, encouraging viewers to join in and experience the cultures directly.
Accessibility is also central to the festival’s mission. Admission is free, and American Sign Language interpretation is provided at all major performances, with interpreters even available to accompany guests. This year’s festival also includes the All Our Relations Tent, a space for cross-cultural exchange, and in addition to the Indigenous Spirit Dancers, there will be appearances by Cayuga actor and musician Gary Farmer (of “Reservation Dogs” fame) and award-winning Mohawk musician Derek Miller.
These performances and programs ensure Haudenosaunee traditions are not only preserved, but celebrated.
“It’s not just an event,” said Jemison. “It’s a summer tradition and a deeply meaningful celebration of culture, resilience and community.” ganondagan.org
Sydney Burrows is a contributor to CITY.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
