During Native American History Month, we’re spotlighting on a museum that honors the culture of an Indigenous group of people who can trace their heritage in New York for centuries.
The Iroquois Museum shares the history and customs of the Haudenosaunee people. The youngest visitors get hands-on learning.
Helping to share the rich culture of Iroquois Native Americans is the goal of the Iroquois Museum in Schoharie County.
“It’s a great tool for society to realize that there are Native American people still alive and well,” said Lloyd Elm.
Elm is a member of the Onondaga Nation. He says Iroquois prefer to be called by their proper name of Haudenosaunee.
“That’s our word for us,” Elm said. “It means people of the longhouse.”
The museum’s building is shaped like a longhouse.
Elm takes pride in teaching children who visit the museum about the Haudenosaunee’s history and customs.
“We catch them at a prime time in their life to maybe believe in something really spiritual,” he said.
“It’s important to expose children to all different cultures,” director Stephanie Shaultes said.
Shaultes says the museum highlights not just the past of the Haudenosaunee living in their traditional homeland of New York.
“You can trace habitation in our area back to 10,000 years ago,” she said.
But also shows how they’re living in the present through rotating exhibits and educational workshops.
“We want people to know that the heart and the Shawnee are still here, and they’re still a very creative culture,” Shaultes said.
Lloyd says he hopes visitors gain a new appreciation and understanding of the Haudenosaunee people.