Salamanca, NY – “A celebration of Native American resiliency through art and culture” as the organizers, Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center and Visit Seneca Nation, describe it, the first annual Ohi:yo’ Art Market took place on May 3, 2025.
The market is at the Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino on the Allegany Indian Reservation, one of two reservations of the Seneca Nation of Indians. Ohi:yo’ is the Seneca name for the Allegheny River that runs through Salamanca.
Award Ceremony
The rains broke just in time for the artists’ reception for the first annual Ohi:yo’ Art Market, and a rainbow arched across the mountains. Indigenous artists from the United States and Canada competed for $30,000 in prizes, and David Martin (Pokagon Potawatomi) took the Best of Show award with his Family Hunt. The colorful work on stretched bison hide features otters swimming over an abstract floral background. Martin, a tattoo artist, painter, and powwow dancer from South Bend, Indiana, tattooed this intricate image into the hide.
“I’m so impressed with the quality,” says Hayden Haynes (Seneca Nation/Kiowa/Mvskoke), the director of Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center and Seneca-Iroquois National Museum and an artist himself. He appreciates “seeing categories like the quillwork get expanded. Just to see the different styles from different cultures across Indian Country is really exciting.”
“Our history and heritage are reflected in their artwork,” says Seneca Nation Councilor Tina Abrams (Seneca Nation). “The artists share our story, our resilience, strength, and our respect for Mother Earth.”
A Northeastern Market
Hayden Haynes saw the need for a Native market in the Northeast. He was inspired by the Cherokee Art Market, hosted by the Cherokee Nation in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Launching Ohi:yo’ Art Market at his tribe’s casino resort, he says, “The idea was to establish an all-Native art market in the Northeast. We’re trying to bring visitors here to experience all that this area has to offer.”
The resort rests at the foot of the Allegany State Park. The largest state park in New York is known for its scenic lakes and mountains.
The museum staff tested their concept last year with a smaller market and saw positive results. “We knew it was going to take time to grow,” says Haynes. “We’re keeping it somewhat small to start in terms of the amount of vendors,” Haynes explains. “Then the word will spread, and it’ll slowly grow over time.”
Award Winners
Click on thumbnail to enlarge.
Best of Show: David Martin (Pokagon Potawatomi), Family Hunt
Jurors’ Award: Christal Ratt (Mitchikanibikok Inik Algonquin), Honoring Katashobinatete
Division Winners
I. Basketry
1. Ronnie Leigh-Goeman (Onondaga), Gwesloeata – Two Row Wampum
2. Ronnie Leigh-Goeman and Stonehorse Goeman (both Onondaga), First Act of Compassion
3. Carrie Hill (Akwesasne Mohawk), Porcupine Cutie
II. Beadwork
1. Natasha Thompson (Akwesasne Mohawk), Ratinekwá:tare
2. Michael R.L. Begay (Diné), Evening Lights
3. Kowahonwá:wi Stacey (Kahnawake Mohawk), Ken’niiohontéhsa
III. Quillwork
1. Michael Galban (Mono Lake Paiute/Washoe), The Pen Is Mightier than the Sword
2. Kiera Pyke (Mohawk), Trump, Who’s Your Daddy
3. Michael R.L. Begay (Diné), Homecoming
IV. Cultural Items
1. Michael Galban (Mono Lake Paiute/Washoe), Gasha:a’
2. Frazer Sundown (Oneida/Seneca), Twined Kawyowas
3. Trevor O. Brant (Mohawk), Resilience
V. Drawings
1. Ron Mitchell (Cherokee Nation), Where Our World Spiraled Out of Control
2. Victoria Ransom (Akwesasne Mohawk), lakotatheronni
3. Ron Mitchell (Cherokee Nation), Re-Emergence
VI. Innovative Arts
1. Clifford Redeye III (Seneca Nation), Dancer
2. Carrie Hill (Akwesasne Mohawk), She Wears the Bone on Her Chest
3. Glen Hill Jr. (Akwesasne Mohawk), Oh Kwa Ho Kowa
VII. Jewelry
1. Chaslyn Crespin (Kewa Pueblo), Cleopatra
2. Chaslyn Crespin (Kewa Pueblo), Thunderbird
3. Janie Reano (Santo Domingo Pueblo), Ee-tsi-chin
VIII. Paintings
1. David Martin (Pokagon Potawatomi), Ojibwa Woman
2. Victoria Ransom (Akwesasne Mohawk), A Grandmother’s Embrace
3. Clifford Redeye III (Seneca Nation), Land O’ Takes
IX. Photography
1. Marjorie Kaniehtonkie Skidders (Akwesasne Mohawk), Ahtahwaon
2. Karby Brooks (Tonawanda Seneca direct descendant), Merlin Release
3. Maurice John Jr. (Oglala Lakota/Seneca), Old Bridge
X. Pottery
1. Natasha Smoke Santiago (Akwesasne Mohawk), Residential School Survivor
2. Peter B. Jones (Onondaga), Beginning
3. Peter B. Jones (Onondaga), Old Ways
XI. Sculpture
1. David Farmham (Grand River Onondaga), Mom, I’m Hungry
2. Leroy Henry (Cayuga), Dawa:noha’ (Our Mother)
3. Oronhiokewahton Watio Splicer (Kahnawake Mohawk), Ahtsihkwa
XII. Weavings and Textiles
1. Emma Shenadoah (Akwesasne Mohawk), She Spills Over the Town
2. Natasha Thompson (Akwesasne Mohawk), Onekwénhtara
3. Jillian Waterman (Saginaw Chippewa), Let Them Eat Corn
Links
- 1st Annual Ohi:yo’ Art Market, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino
- Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center, Seneca-Iroquois National Museum
- Seneca Veterans Powwow, July 19 & 20, at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino