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Six Nations Day at the NYS Fair Aims to Reach more Fairgoers

John Smith / WAER News

Indian Day at the 2015 State Fair will have an expanded visual presence to tell more of the history of the Iroquois nations. The day has been renamed Six Nations Day and is scheduled on the second Friday of the Fair.  Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sid Hill says it will allow them to educate the public about their people.

“We’re still here. We still have our languages. We still have our culture. And we reach out into the world to educate people about our concerns... and a lot of those concerns are all the environmental issues that continue to be an issue.”

The long-time Nation Faith Keeper Oren Lyons thinks the Fair will be also a time to explain their seven generations and for people to think of their own relationship to the earth and future generations ahead.  He finds the many conflicts across the globe, troubling.

 “We’re pleading with the leaders to put their guns down and embrace peace.”

Credit John Smith / WAER News
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John Smith / WAER News
Oren Lyons (Left) explains the symbolism of the Haudenosaunee Flag as Tadodaho Sid Hill lifts the flag.

Lyons adds that peace and friendship is also the foundation of the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship that will be held shortly after the Fair next September.  For the first time in the fair’s 175 year history, Acting Director Troy Waffner says the Haudenosaunee flag will officially be raised.

“The idea is this puts it front and center, with an opening ceremony where we raise the flag. It puts it front and center with a 2PM concert with the fabulous Ripchords.”

Credit John Smith / WAER News
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John Smith / WAER News
The Ripcords.

Six Nations Day will be held on Friday, September 4th, 2015 at the State Fair.  Members of any Indian tribe will get in for free. 

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.