July 23 & 24, 2022: 10 am - 5 pm

After a two-year hiatus Ganondagan's Indigenous Music & Arts Festival is returning Saturday and Sunday, July 23 - 24, 2022. For this year only, our Indigenous Music & Arts Festival will be FREE for everyone! The event showcases Haudenosaunee and Indigenous cultures through dance, music, storytelling, authentic craft demonstrations, a Native American Arts Market, a Family Discovery Tent, raffles, guided trail walks, gallery tours, food, and more. 

This summer's event headlines a return appearance of Indigenous blues performers Twice As Good, and Native American flute player, singer/songwriter Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne), joined by her husband dancer/drummer/storyteller, Fabian Fontenelle (Zuni/Omaha).  Crowd favorites, Allegany River Dancers will be demonstrating Iroquois Social Dancing, Ronnie Reitter (Seneca) and Perry Ground (Onondaga) will be storytelling on the main stage.

On Saturday, July 23 we'll be celebrating Dr. Peter Jemison Day to honor the illustrious career of Ganondagan's founding site manager. Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan) began his career at Ganondagan in 1988. During his tenure, Jemison was instrumental in ensuring that Ganondagan became recognized as an international site for Haudenosaunee history and culture. The site now spans 569 acres, features a full-size Seneca Bark Longhouse, 1700 square foot Seneca Art & Culture Center, and interpretive trails. Peter Jemison is a well-established, internationally recognized artist and will now be dedicating his efforts to his art career. To make a donation in honor of G Peter Jemison please visit the donation page.

This year's event is free but if you are able, please consider donating $5/ person, $10/family to help support the festival.

Nya:wëh (Thank you)!

ATM is located in SACC Lobby

Performing high energy blues, soul and rock & roll; the father-son duo Twice As Good aka 2XG feature Paul & Rich Steward who are members of the Pomo tribe who call Elem Indian Colony, on the shores of Clear Lake, north of San Francisco; home. Twice As Good blends the blues of B.B. King, and the soul of Al Green with Indigenous rhythms into a highly danceable style of music that’s all their own. Touring since 2003, Twice As Good are among the most decorated Native American musicians performing today. 

Popular Iroquois Social Dancing returns, performing twice daily this year. Bill Crouse (Seneca) leads the Allegany River Dancers in full regalia. You’ll also find our fascinating Native American Arts Market, traditional arts demonstrators, Indigenous foods, Iroquois storytelling as told by Ronnie Reitter (Seneca) and Perry Ground (Onondaga),"hands-on" fun in the Wegmans Family Discovery Tent, free admission to the Seneca Art & Culture Center, guided trail walks, bark longhouse tours, and much more. 

ASL Interpretation provided at the main stage, throughout performances

Sponsored by The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), a college of Rochester Institute of Technology

Free parking and shuttle service is available from 9:45 am - 6:15 pm at Fireman's Field. Shuttle service runs every 10 -15 minutes. 

Parking at the Seneca Art & Culture Center is for Accessible Parking with Permit only.

Directions to Victor Fireman's Field
Coming from Route 96 (Main St) turn onto Maple Ave/Rt 444, Fireman's Field is on the right across from St. Patrick's Church (turning after the Pedestrian Crossing sign)

Artist Demonstrations are supported through funding by Creatives Rebuild New York  

Our Indigenous Music and Arts Festival is not possible without volunteers like you!

If you have the time, please sign up to volunteer. Positions needed include greeters, parking attendants, raffle attendants, hospitality, staffing for family activities in the Family Discovery Tent, volunteer check-in, recycling sorters, and flexible people able to act as extra hands and pitch in wherever needed.

For questions regarding volunteering please contact: aimee@ganondagan.org

"New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature."