Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at Niagara Power Vista

New York Power Authority Press Release

The New York Power Authority and local groups will commemorate Native American Heritage Month with daylong celebration at the Niagara Power Vista this Saturday, Nov. 8, starting at 10 a.m.

The weekend event features cultural demonstrations, crafts, historical and interactive activities that explores the past and current traditions of the region’s Indigenous community. Jordan Smith and the Dancers of the Haudenosaunee from the Tuscarora Nation will open the dance portion of the program with performances at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Smith, head of Native education at Old Fort Niagara, regularly provides historical education about the Tuscarora Nation and their important role in local history.

Later that afternoon, at 2:30 p.m., the Gaeniyo’s Singers and Dancers group of the Seneca Nation, Cattaraugus Territory, will perform. The group was founded by Martin Jimerson Jr. more than 15 years ago with a goal of preserving, presenting and celebrating traditional songs and dances of the Seneca people.

Day of community education & exploration

Other activities include a beaded bee kit to education on the Indigenous culture and importance of bee colonies to its food chain, an art workshop, face painting and information on the history of the region’s Indigenous nations and its role at Old Fort Niagara with Smith, a fort educator, through a display of artifacts and other cultural items.

All activities will be held in the Niagara Power Vista’s Community Room. There is no cost for admission or parking.

Visitors can also enjoy the many exciting, interactive exhibits inside the Niagara Power Vista designed for inquisitive minds of all ages.

•Understand electricity through the eyes of pioneers Nikolai Tesla and Thomas Edison as well as modern-day scientists.

•Take a virtual roller coaster ride in the “Power Up!” 4-D simulator.

•See what it takes to operate a power plant. A simulated challenge provides the chance to operate a plant and control the state’s transmission network. 

•Watch a hair-raising experience during scheduled demonstrations of the Van de Graaff generator.

For more information on this and other free community events, call 716-286-6661, email npvista@nypa.gov or visit the website at www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.

The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Parking is free and will be available in the Power Vista parking lot and adjacent lots at Niagara University.