Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

By: Ann Mitchell, Akwesasne Mohawk (Bear Clan)

This is the third year my mom and I have been venders in the New York State Fair’s Indian Village. It was by far the best year for me. The people here are talented, welcoming, and one of a kind.

We get to watch the dancers do their dances on the turtle mound while the traditional music plays proudly and powerfully. How lucky we are to hear and see this every day.

I can see a man watching the dancers. He grew up here and is now the superintendent of the Indian Village. I can practically see the memories he has of being up there dancing. The expression on his face and in his eyes just radiate how proud he is to see the new generation continuing on the traditions. It is a truly majestic moment to witness.

Our fellow venders in the Women’s Workhouse are witty and full of jokes. It feels like most of the other reservations must have the same kind of humor that we do. We work and laugh from 10am until 8pm. It is a home away from home and the people here are a family.

This year we were welcomed into a social. It was a celebration for a young girl’s birthday. We peeked in and saw the men in the middle, beating the drums and shaking their rattles along with the beat, singing the women’s song. A friendly woman named Marissa smiles and motions for us to come in and dance.

We both hesitate, feeling a little like outsiders looking in, but we are welcomed. I’m terrified. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself by messing up in front of the people I’ve only just come to know for a few years. I sit for a few minutes and watch the women’s feet intently. After studying the foot movements for a little while I decide to give it a try. I knew if I didn’t at least try, I would regret it and wonder how I would’ve done.

No one judges me. I even lose my tempo a few times at first and instead of stopping, I kept going. It felt like I’ve been dancing like that my whole life.

So I start getting really into it, feeling the music, watching the other women and girls move to the beat. They’re completely enjoying themselves and I’m a part of it. A sudden feeling of intense love just washed over me. Everything about that moment in time was powerful and meaningful to me. I had just danced to traditional music for the first time.

When the song finished and the women dispersed, I couldn’t help but become overwhelmed by the feeling of belonging. I had to leave the room because tears started streaming down my face.

My mom follows me and asks me what’s wrong. I tell her that I’ve always dreamt of that moment and never knew if it would ever happen. I have always wanted to be welcomed and to be a part of an event like this with my people. It was tears of joy.

The greatest accomplishment that this village has had, in my opinion, is bringing in non-natives and outside communities to show them that we are not like the Indians you see in the movies or on TV. You can come in and meet us, ask us questions and we are more than happy to answer. You can see what our Haudenosaunee clothing, music, language and dancing is like. We are proud of who we are and our culture is rich. This fair is huge and it’s a great thing to bring in so many people so they can see first hand that we’re not a stereotype.

We had the most remarkable experiences here at the Indian Village and I just want to say nia:wen kowa to the Creator for giving me this tremendous gift: this remarkable life I have and to the people in the Indian Village who work hard day and night to make everything here possible. I don’t think they know just how much it means to every individual person. From the crafters to the dancers, to the cooks, the maintenance men, to Superintendent Norman, and to the kids who come in, eyes wide with fascination. Last but definitely not least, nia:wen kowa to my mom Laura. I would not be able to have done anything without her. She has supported me and loved me unconditionally and helped me more than she could ever know.

This was an amazing learning and growing experience, one that I will cherish forever. It will always be for me, the place where I discovered who I am.