2026 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Festival
Saturday, October 10, 2026 10 to 5 pm
Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes (Where They Play Ball), Onondaga Nation Fieldhouse, Rt. 11A, Onondaga Nation
Free and open to the public!
Sign up to volunteer https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CAEA628A1F8CF8-66010255-volunteer#/
Please join us for this celebration of the culture and contributions of Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Onondaga Nation and Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The festival features Indigenous artisans, Haudenosaunee social dancing, artist demonstrations, music, food and community organizations. Enjoy children’s activities all day and our sensory/nursery room for a quiet space. We will have numerous food vendors this year- come hungry!- (card and cash accepted- ATM available at Firekeepers Diner on Rte 11). This event is ADA accessible for mobility devices; certified service animals welcome. KN95 masks for adults and children will be available at the greeters table. We strongly encourage carpooling (bring your friends)!
FULL SCHEDULE
10:00 am – Festival Opening Thanksgiving Address
10:20 am – Featured Artist: Jerome Waterman, wampum jewelry
11:00 am – Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers – participatory Haudenosaunee social dancing
12:00 noon – Update on Haudenosaunee Efforts to Protect Mother Earth
12:45 pm – Onondaga Youth Dance Group – Huggy (John) & Monique
1:30 pm – Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers – participatory Haudenosaunee social dancing
2:30 – Featured Artist: Oren Lyons, Onondaga Faithkeeper (Turtle Clan)
3:30 pm – Featured Artist: Tom Porter (Mohawk, Bear Clan)
4:55 pm – Closing Address
Menu: corn soup, hot scoons, scoon dogs, scoon burgers, pulled pork on hot scoons, french fries, corn bread, indian tacos, stew, 3 sisters rice, slushies, strawberry drink, herbal tea, coffee, champurrado, iced tea, lemonade, and strawberry shortcake and other desserts.
Fine art and crafts for sale: jewelry of all kinds, silverwork, beaded ornaments, beaded jewelry, beaded keychains,Akwesasne beadwork, hand-burned wood pieces, acrylic paintings, baskets, velvet birds, beaded purses, quill work, bone & glass choker necklaces, origianl art prints, stationary items, stickers, medallions, Native print clothing, purses, ribbon skirts and shirts, Native doll clothes, baby blankets, homemade lacrosse balls, leatherwork, sashes raised beadwork yokes, picture frames, beading supply kits, rattles, Southwestern blankets, herbal medicine, stonework, sculptures, pottery, designed clothing.
Organized by Onondaga Nation citizens, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation and We of Syracuse and Italian Heritage (WISH), with major funding provided by the Central New York Community Foundation.
Co-sponsors include American Indian Law Alliance, AGREE (Alliance for a Green Economy), Center for Global Indigenous Cultures and Environmental Justice, CNY Solidarity Coalition, EnergySmart CNY, Indigenous Values Initiative, Inc., InterFaith Works of CNY, Nuclear Information and Resource Service, Onondaga County Public Libraries, Onondaga Environmental Institute, Syracuse Cultural Workers, Syracuse DSA, Zen Center of Syracuse, Workers’ Center of Central New York, First Nations Employee Resource Group (National Grid).