Welcome to the Cultural World of The GSD Experience!
Discover the Gaëni:yo's Singers & Dancers, NPO
Located from the Keeper of the Western Door, Seneca Nation of Indians Cattaraugus Territory. Bring the GSD Experience to your next event! Gaëni:yo's is pronounced GUY - KNEE - YOS.
Our Cultural of The GSD Experience
Our Vision
At Gaëni:yo's Singers and Dancers, our vision is to be the leading provider of performing arts education and entertainment in the region.
Indigenous dance group from the Seneca Nation Cattaraugus Territory, representing the rich cultural heritage of the Hodinöhšyönih Confederacy. They are dedicated to sharing traditional songs, dances, media, and clothing of the Indigenous Peoples, keeping their vibrant traditions alive.
Hodinöhšyönih Regalia
Clothing for Indigenous people had one main purpose; to keep the body safe from danger within the environment. Animal hide was the main source for clothing. Therefore hunting is and has been an integral part of the lives and cultures of Indigenous peoples. In the early times for people, hunting was a matter of survival.
Today, we are still able to wear leather clothing toward modernizing to wearing the significants to represents our own personal reclamation. It represents reclaiming identity, and wearing that identity proudly. It is a cultural protection against assimilation and degradation. It is a reminder of our roles in our community as women and males as members. Your invited to see the full regalias of gorgeous beadwork from head to moccasins.
Example: Leggins and Apron Set
Ribbon Skirts
Ribbon Shirts
Fancy Shawl Regalia
Beaded Regalia Set
Moccasins
Leather Clothings
Sash
Beaded Jewelry
Gasdo:wä'
Water Drums, Rattles and Gasdo:wä’
This is the traditional instruments used by the Hodinöhšyönih for social and ceremonial music. We give thanks and reflect the surrounding living world. At Ceremonial songs are only performed in the longhouse and are not for public viewing. While social songs can be performed anywhere we want to be social and have lots of fun. We explained the significants about our musical instruments of water drums, various rattles, and the wearing of gasdo:wä' and full regalias.
A Gasdo:wä' is a frame or cap headpiece decorated with beads and most importantly feathers attached in a way that distinguished different nations.
For example the Seneca nation's gasdo:wä' contains one upright eagle feathers. Cayuga has one feather pointing down. Onondaga has one upright feather and one feather pointing down. Oneida has 2 upright feathers and one feather pointing down. Mohawk has 3 up right feathers. Tuscaroras has no upright feather nor a feather pointing down.
About Gaëni:yo's Singers and Dancers
Hodinöhšyönih Culture
The Seneca Nation has over 8,500 enrolled members and holds title to five territories in Western New York, specifically, the Allegany, Buffalo Creek, Cattaraugus, Niagara Falls, and Oil Spring territories. The Seneca Nation is one of the original Five Nations of the Hodinöhšyönih, or Iroquois Confederacy. This union was created to bring peace to the Hodinöhšyönih, also known as the “People of the Longhouse.” Comprised of Chiefs from the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk, it operated under a sophisticated oral tradition. This code of conduct is known as the Great Law of Peace. The union was later expanded to include the Tuscarora, becoming the Six Nations of the Hodinöhšyönih.
The seneca gasdo:wä' contains one upright eagle feathers. Cayuga has one feather pointing down. Onondaga has one upright feather and one feather pointing down. Oneida has 2 upright feathers and one feather pointing down. Mohawk has 3 up right feathers. Tuscaroras has no upright feather nor a feather pointing down.
Ha’degaënögeh Yointza’gehka’ (Earth Songs or Songs of the Earth)
Ga’dasyo:d - Stomp Dance
Ësgä:nye:’ gaënö:së’ - Women’s Dance(New)
Gëdzaënö - Fish Dance
Ga:yowahga:yöh - Old Moccasin Dance
Jähgowa:’ oë:nö’ - Pigeon Dance
Jo’ä:ga’ oë:nö’ - Raccoon Dance
Yöndadenya:dtgëe - Grab Your Partner (Cousins)
Gasgöëö:da’dö - Shake The Bush
Jöyaik oë:nö’ - Robin Dance
Dagä:ë oë:nö’ - Chicken Dance
So:wak oë:nö’ - Duck Dance
Youndadenyoa:’ - Canoe Dance
Yötwa:dase:s - Round Dance
Gwa’yö:’ oë:nö’ - Rabbit Dance
Dega’nö:dön oë:nö’ - Alligator Dance
Ganisdagä’ë:’ - Stick Dance
Dewatsihasaö’ - Garter Dance
A LIST OF DANCE PERFORMANCES BY GAËNI:YO'S SINGERS & DANCERS:
Over the years, the group has traveled & performed at, All 3 Seneca Casinos, M & T Bank Events, The Buffalo History Museum, BuffalosCanalside, Buffalo Bandits Lacrosse Organization, Buffalo Sabres Hockey, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Tewksbury Lodge, Living History Day Events, Darien Lake, NYS Fair Seneca Day, The Shriners, Seneca Nation’s Wellness Ctr’s Health Program, The Gowanda Hollywood Theater for the Gowanda School, Ganondagan, Dance Show in Philly (Stakeholders forum Conference), Cassadaga Job Corp, Juneteenth Parade, Evan’s town Hall Program and many more!
• All 3 Seneca Casinos:
(Seneca Niagara, Buffalo Creek, Seneca Allegany)
• Buffalo Sabres
• Buffalo Bandits
• Buffalo Bisons
• The Shriners
• Dance show in Philly (Stakeholder’s Forum)
• M & T Bank Events
• Ganondagan
• Cassadaga Job Corp
• Living History Day Events
• Buffalo’s Juneteenth Parade
• Buffalo’s Canalside
• Buffalo’s History Museum
• Darien Lake
• Evan’s Town hall
PUBLIC SCHOOLS/UNIVERSITIES :
• Buffalo International school 54
• Buffalo Magnet School
• Discovery School
• East Aurora
• Fredonia State,
• Frontier
• Hamburg
• Gowanda Central
• Lake Shore
• Silver Creek
• Southside
• University of Buffalo
• Williamsville and many more...
Gaëni:yo's Singers and Dancers: Creative Statements
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Gaëni:yo's Singers and Dancers is an indigenous dance group dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich culture heritage of Indigenous Peoples. Through dynamic presentations of traditional songs, dances, integrated media and authenic clothing. We aim to educate and inspire audiences, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciations of Indigenous cultures.
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Gaëni:yo's Singers and Dancers inspires all 7th generations of Hodinöhšyönih to utilizing our Seneca heritage through an innovative cultural traditions by means of educations, songs, integrated media and authentice clothing.