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The Friends Of Ganondagan

The Friends of Ganondagan, is a not for profit, 501c. (3) Corporation created in 1989 as a private educational partner to Ganondagan State Historic Site.

Located in Victor, New York, Ganondagan is the only New York State Historic Site dedicated to Native Americans, in particular the Seneca and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people, and the only Seneca town developed and interpreted in the United States. Ganondagan is the internationally recognized resource for Haudenosaunee history, culture, and living traditions that express universal ideals of peace, cooperation, and respect for each other, and the natural world.

Friends of Ganondagan provides cultural programming and community events to enrich the understanding of Seneca and Haudenosaunee values, culture, and contemporary life. In 2012, heirloom, Iroquois White Corn returned to Ganondagan in the form of the Iroquois White Corn Project, reflecting the persistence of the Haudenosaunee people, the complexity of their culture, and their enormous contributions to contemporary life. 

Vision & Mission Statement

The Friends of Ganondagan, (The Friends) is a not for profit, 501c. (3) Corporation created in 1989 as a private educational partner to the Ganondagan State Historic Site. Located in Victor, New York, it is the only New York State Historic Site dedicated to Native Americans (1987), and the only Seneca town developed and interpreted in the United States.

Vision Statement

Ganondagan State Historic Site is the internationally recognized resource for Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) history, culture and living traditions that express universal ideals of peace cooperation and respect for each other and the natural world.

Mission Statement

To honor and promote Haudenosaunee history and culture and to strengthen traditions through inspirational and transformational programming and other activities at Ganondagan with special emphasis on:

  • Encouraging respect and understanding between Native Americans and non-native Americans.
  • Collaborating with NYS, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and the local community to support and develop Ganondagan State Historic Site.
  • Extending values to the public that are alternatives to the popular culture.
  • Developing Native American youth and educating them in the wisdom of their elders.
  • Collaborating with other indigenous people of the world as well as with diverse religious and ethnic communities to promote the common values of peace, cooperation and respect for each other and the natural world.

Friends of Ganondagan Board of Trustees

Executive Board

  • Jeffrey Burnette (Onondaga descent), President
  • Judy Buckley (Tribal Citizen, Cherokee), Vice President
  • Lyndsey McGrath, Treasurer
  • Kae Woodruff Wilbert (Cherokee), Secretary

Board of Trustees

  • Christopher Bethmann (Mohawk and Oneida)
  • Patricia Corcoran (Tonawanda Seneca)
  • Richard David Hamell
  • Carl Hatch-Feir (Tyendinaga Mohawk)
  • Jamie Jacobs (Tonawanda Band/Seneca)
  • Lilyan Jones (Seneca, Bear Clan)
  • Dalton LaBarge/Rohsennase (Akwesasne Mohawk)
  • Mindy Magyar (Mi'Kmaq)
  • Judy Martin-Holland (Mohawk)
  • Laticia McNaughton (Mohawk)
  • Saul Schuster
  • Kendall Nasakoskaka Scott (Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma)
  • Rebekah Stormm-Reitter (Saponi)
  • Teah M. Terrance (Mohawk)

Friends of Ganondagan Staff

  • Meg Joseph, Executive Director
  • Jeanette Jemison (Mohawk), Program Director
  • Susanne Newland, Bookkeeper