Indigenous Winter Games
& Maple Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 10 am to 4 pm
Event will take place with or without snow
During the long harsh winters in Western New York, the Seneca nestled in their bark longhouses to repair clothing, make tools and prepare for the spring. Despite the winter weather, Senecas remained active throughout the season. Many of the winter activities that traditionally occupied them outdoors are still in practice today.
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Join us for Ganondagan's Indigenous Winter Games & Maple Syrup Event as a way to celebrate and discover the Seneca ways of winter through traditional Native American activities! PLUS...Visit the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan as our guest. Enjoy complimentary admission to the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan!
Free and Open to the public
Suggested donation $5 Per Person / $10 per family
Activities & Schedule
Our Winter Games is the perfect day to enjoy the Seneca Art & Culture Center Gallery, view the Iroquois Creation Story film, and check out our gift shop.
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We will also have delicious winter comfort food available for purchase: 11:30 AM until 2:30 PM (or sold out)
Scroll down for activities and descriptions or use the PDF file to view as a single page.
Snow Snake Demonstrations
Snow snake (or gawasa in Seneca) is a traditional winter game played across the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
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Snooky Brooks of the Pinewoods Snow Snake Team from Cattaraugus Reservation is one of the leading figures in the sport. He has been playing snow snake for nearly three decades.​
Location: Outside behind Bark Longhouse | Classroom 1 if no snow
Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
Haudenosaunee Traditional Games & Social Dance Workshop
Join Bill Crouse (Seneca, Hawk Clan) as he shares traditional Haudenosaunee games and leads a social dance workshop. Crouse is a culture bearer, educator, singer and group leader for the Allegany River Dancers.
Location: Auditorium
Traditional Games: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM - 2 PM
Haudenosaunee Social Dance Workshop: 3 PM - 3:45 PM
Dog Sled Demonstrations – Kindred Moon Kennels
Jo Lynn Stresing, a recreational musher with 30 years of experience, will demonstrate dog sledding with her team of Siberian Huskies (given enough packed snow).
Location: Front Plaza
Time: 11:30 AM - 3 PM
Maple Syruping – Ganondagan Cultural Interpreters & Finger Lakes Environmental Educator
Happening throughout the day at the fire pit in front of the Seneca Art and Culture Center. Learn about traditional and contemporary maple syruping methods and the cultural, historical, and environmental importance of the maple tree.
Location: Front Plaza
Time: 11 AM - 3 PM
Wampum Exhibit & Interpretation
See a variety of wampum belts, learn their meanings, how they are made, and how they are still culturally significant today.
Location: Classroom 1
Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
Gift of the White Tail Deer Learning Center
Learn about how every part of the White Tail Deer was used, with many of the uses still being utilized today. Antlers, bones, sinew, hide, fur, see and learn about these parts and more were used to create tools, jewelry, clothing, hair ornaments, notions (buttons, needles, etc.) as well as provide a source of food.
Location: Lobby
Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
Children's Activities
Supervised children are welcome to join in a craft activity. Helpers will be available to explain crafts and give directions.
Location: Classroom 2
Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Sponsor
Thank you to the Rochester Area Community Foundation who helped make this event possible
