Greetings, Friends!
After a long winter, spring brings sunshine and a blooming world back to us. With spring, we are delighted to announce the first program of our 2023 season.
QUAKER DAY: JUNE 10, 2023, 10:00-1:30
Farmington Friends Meetinghouse
187 County Road 8, Farmington, New York 14425
This is a program you do not want to miss!
10:00: Gathering and light refreshments
10:15: Special presentation of “CARRYING ON THE VISION” award
Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan) and Jeanette Jemison (Mohawk, Snipe Clan)
for their efforts, through the Seneca Art and Culture Center at Ganondagan and the Friends of Ganondagan, to explore, celebrate, and share the rich and ever evolving
Seneca and Haudenosaunee culture and history.
10:30: “CONNECTING CHILDREN TO THE NATURAL WORLD”
Jeanette Miller Jemison (Mohawk, Snipe Clan)
with Angel Jimerson (Seneca, Heron Clan)
Kalen Fontenelle (Seneca, Heron Clan)
An interactive program for children and adults of all ages.
Jeanette Jemison shares her experience about creating stories focused around, Angel, Kalen and the natural world. Angel Jimerson (Seneca/Heron Clan) and Kalen Fontenelle (Seneca/Heron Clan) will share their thoughts on the stories and how they felt about them. Attendees will create their own story using the 8-page Mini-Book format. All materials will be provided.
12:00: Honoring Owen Binder and Owen Woodhouse, Eagle Scouts, Farmington Troop 50
for installing benches and signs along our new nature trail.
1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse
Refreshments will be served.
12:30 Enjoy a walk along this trail to see new benches made by Owen Binder and
signposts installed by Owen Woodhouse.
CONNECTING CHILDREN TO THE NATURAL WORLD“
Background Information. “After years of having teenagers living in our household, we finally had some young children living with us. Angel and Kalen are the first Seneca children to grow up at Ganondagan since it was a thriving agricultural village in the late 17th century. I wanted to make it easy for the children to connect and care for the Earth. Through storytelling I wanted children to be friends with the four-leggeds, the birds, and the trees. I used storytelling to help children wash way any fears or disappointments of the day. Through stories, they could focus on friendlier, safer things like connecting and making friends with the animals, the birds and knowing the woods. This is how the book, “Angel, Kalen & Their Four-Legged Friends” came to be. Angel became so comfortable with the woods and Kalen would go with Angel, spending time outdoors at Ganondagan. It was a time to get them to relax and become comfortable with the outdoors, knowing they had friends there. I used this book with students from Nazareth college, encouraging them to create their own, contemporary stories. The professor I worked with, Doot Bokelman came up with the children’s book, Knotties of Ganondagan which combines elements of Haudenosaunee culture with contemporary ecological issues.”
Jeanette Jemison (Mohawk/Snipe Clan)Presenter Biographies. Jeanette Jemison is a member of the Snipe Clan of the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation. Her 20 years of experience as Personnel Manager and Retail General Office Manager for Sears proved to be an excellent foundation for her role as Friends of Ganondagan’s founding Executive Director. In this role for 25 years, Jeanette was additionally responsible for cultural programming, events and community collaborations. In July 2013, she stepped aside to a new Executive Director assuming the role of Program Director focusing on Haudenosaunee and Indigenous programming and select collaborations. For more than three decades, Jeanette has been instrumental in the development of innovative and transformational cultural programs for Ganondagan and profound community connections. Her leadership encompasses collaborating with Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous communities, local and regional organizations, and numerous volunteers in program implementation and community building. Additionally, Jeanette has been a powerful advocate for Haudenosaunee artists, culture bearers and youth.
Angel Jimerson (Seneca/Heron Clan) was the first Seneca child to grow up at Ganondagan (a thriving Seneca Village) in more than 300 years. Throughout his childhood, Angel was immersed in cultural teachings, traditions and values, living with both his uncle, Peter Jemison (Seneca/Heron Clan), Ganondagan State Historic Site Manager, Artist and Historian, and aunt, Jeanette Miller Jemison (Mohawk/Snipe Clan), Friends of Ganondagan Program Director. Throughout his youth and continuing today, Angel actively participates in ongoing Haudenosaunee cultural programming and events. Currently, Angel fills the role of Iroquois White Corn Project, Production Manager. His passion for minimalism, sustainability, and food sovereignty are a direct reflection of his Haudenosaunee values, culture and traditions.
Kalen Fontenelle (Seneca/Heron Clan) was one of the first Seneca children to grow up at Ganondagan (a thriving Seneca Village) in more than 300 years. Throughout his childhood, Kalen was immersed in cultural teachings, traditions and values, living with both his uncle, Peter Jemison (Seneca/Heron Clan), Ganondagan State Historic Site Manager, Artist and Historian, and aunt, Jeanette Miller Jemison (Mohawk/Snipe Clan), Friends of Ganondagan Program Director. Throughout his youth and continuing today, Kalen actively participates in ongoing Haudenosaunee cultural programming and events. Kalen is a Cultural Interpreter for Ganondagan State Historic Site, leading tours and school groups while sharing Seneca history, culture and contemporary life. Kalen is an avid photographer and weightlifter.
Interactive Project. Using the 8 page, mini-book format, attendees will create a personal story for a child in their life. The story can be about a personal memory, connection with nature or whatever the writer/illustrator chooses.
Jeanette Jemison will bring copies of her books to sell that day (cash or check only).
