On September 22 and 23, the Tutelo, Cayuga, and kindred Indian Nations will return to Ithaca to celebrate their history here and culture in a two-day festival and celebration.
Tutelo Homecoming Festival:
Welcoming Cayuga, Tutelo, Saponi and Kindred Indian Nations
Saturday, September 22, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Festival
Sunday, September 23, Noon
Ceremonial relighting of the Tutelo Council Fire
Both days' events take place at Tutelo Park, 151 Bostwick Road, off Route 13A in the Town of Ithaca.
Saturday's events feature:
Traditional flute by Dan Hill
Sherri Waterman Hopper and the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers
Storyteller Perry Ground
Flute music by David Little Eagle Rivera
Cornhusk doll making with Marcela Kane
Medicine plant walks with Mike De Munn
Demonstration of traditional tools of the hunt by Mike Tarbell
Teaching about the Three Sisters by Jane Mt. Pleasant
Traditional crafts and food
The festival will also feature displays by Cornell University American Indian Program, the Cayuga SHARE Farm, Three Sisters, Ithaca College archaeology program, and Cornell and Ithaca College's human resources departments.
Sunday's ceremonial relighting of the Tutelo Council Fire will celebrate the return of Native Tutelos to this geographic area. All are welcome to participate. The Tutelos were forced out of what is now the Town of Ithaca during the Sullivan/Clinton campaign in the late 18th century.
The Tutelo Homecoming Festival is sponsored by the Multicultural Resource Center, Cornell University, American Indian Program at Cornell, Ithaca College and Wells College, the Town of Ithaca, along with a Tompkins County Celebrations Grant. For information and rides to the festival, contact Brooke Hansen, associate professor of anthropology, kbhansen@ithaca.edu, 274-1735, cell 607-280-1147.
