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Come to Skóhare for the 2023 Waterfall Unity Festival.

Last summer, we hosted our first annual Waterfall Unity Concert. With the assistance of the funds raised from the concert, we purchased what is now Iotsi’tsisons (Skywoman’s) Forever Farm. This year, we’d like to extend an invitation for you to join us at the 2023 Waterfall Unity Festival, a benefit concert and celebration. From July 28th-30th, we will be celebrating, honoring and giving gratitude for the growth of our vision. Join us as we honor the Kanien’kehá:ka rematriation and return to ancestral homelands. 

 

To purchase tickets, visit our eventbrite. Tickets are not required to attend, though they are encouraged. All proceeds go directly toward our language immersion earth school and programs. As we continue to walk the path to sovereignty, returning to our language is crucial. Our language immersion earth school and programs will ensure that our language will be carried forward to future generations. Your presence and support will assist us in the creation of our manifestations for our people.

 

We look forward to seeing your beautiful spirits. Nia:wen.

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See registration and vendor information below.

2023 Waterfall Unity Festival Registration

Registration Form

To register for the festival, fill out our registration google form. Those aged 12 and under are not required to register. Camping is available onsite, though spots are limited. (Tickets purchases are not required to camp, though encouraged.) Additionally, there are designated campsites available to Haudenosaunee youth! (No ticket purchase necessary. In fact, we are telling you not to purchase tickets. These are your homelands.) Information related to volunteering, camping and attendance are included in the registration form. If you have any follow-up questions, send us an email.

Lodging local to and nearby Skóhare.

Though we cannot host everyone onsite, we have provided lodging information below. See links to nearby hotels, motels and b&b's. Additionally, links to local airbnb and campsite options. 

Hotels, motels, and B&B's.

Campsites local to Skóhare.

Airbnb's local to Skóhare.

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Vendor Registration

Additionally, we are calling out to food vendors, craft vendors, and small businesses to join us at the festival. Spots are limited and are confirmed on a first come, first serve basis. Onkwehonwe businesses will be prioritized. Additional information and registration can be found via our vendor registration google form. If you have any follow up questions, send us an email.

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Thank you to everyone who came to the Waterfall Community Celebration! It was a magical celebration of friends, family, and supporters – full of joy, music, ceremony, healing and making new relations.  Thank you to all the volunteers, artists, elders, historians and vendors who came together to create such a beautiful, authentic gathering of good souls. We will be posting videos and photos soon and there are plans for another gathering to celebrate the harvest and continue to build bridges of trust and friendship.  Thank you for giving so much positive energy and momentum to this project.  A waterfall of blessings on each and every person who contributed in ways large and small, and also to those who sent their prayers and well wishes from afar.  Niawen, from the bottom of our hearts! 

WATERFALL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

1160 BEAR LADDER ROAD • WEST FULTON, NY • 12194

  AUG 12-14, 2022  

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The Waterfall Community Celebration was a festival and fundraiser to buy a 60 acre Strawberry Farm in the Schoharie Valley as part of a community supported land-back effort for the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) people. We still need to raise $185K by Nov. 15 to purchase the farm, which will be the hub of a new community based on traditional life ways.

On the ANCESTRAL HOMELANDS

of the KANIEN’KEHÁ:KA PEOPLE

Community Supported Landback Effort

Seed Saving Project ~ Cannery

Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry & Lavender Farm

 Language Camp ~ Authentic Cultural Learning

Haudenosaunee Teaching & Stories - Haudenosaunee Crafts & Products -  Haudenosaunee Social Dancing  Community Kitchen & Potluck - Crystal Healing Workshops

Corn Husk Doll Making - Waterfalls & River Swimming - Wild Mustang Encounters - Campfires

and much more…

PERFORMERS | TEACHERS | ARTISTS

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CLARA SOARING HAWK

Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk (Deer Clan) is an honored elder and Ambassador for the Ramapough Lenape Nation. She defines herself as a “Spiritual Ecologist” and has facilitated ceremonies at spiritual gatherings around the world.  Grandma Clara’s life-purpose begins and ends with her family, both biological and spiritual. She has been called by her Creator to work with the youth of the planet. “In this time of Global turmoil we must all be open to a new level of consciousness. We stand for the Water.  We stand for the Land.  We stand for the People.
We are the Sweet Water Protectors! A’ho!” Kiiloona Lunaapeewak ~ We are all One People

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KAWENNIIOSTA JOCK

Kawenniiosta Jock, Kanien’kehá:ka, Wolf Clan.  She is an activist, land protector, master seamstress and artist. Kawenniiosta has helped develop traditional support, cultural teachings and language preservation within the tribe and is a traditional full-spectrum doula who uses indigenous methods and medicines. Kawenniiosta is an alumna of the Akwesasne Freedom School and is passionate about her people and culture. 

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KANERAHTIIO ROGER JOCK

Kanerahtiio Roger Jock (Bear Clan) is a Kanien’kehá:ka leader from the Akwesasne Reserve who carries a vision of return for his people to their ancestral lands in the Mohawk Valley of New York. Kanerahtiio has taught cultural awareness all over the U.S. for over 40 years as part of the White Roots of Peace Movement.

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SANDRA DEER-STANDUP

Sandra Owén:nakon Deer-Standup is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kahnawa:ke (By The Rapids).  She has been involved in land defense and political activism for sovereign rights for her people since she was 6 years old. A mother, wife, aunt, great-aunt and grandmother, Owén:nakon has taught elementary and early childhood education in the Kanien’keha language for over 20 years.  She has been an educational administrator, curriculum writer and consultant; has published several published academic papers; and is currently writing her doctoral dissertation in education at McGill University. 

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BETHANY YARROW

Bethany Yarrow sings music of power and praise. She is a song keeper, earth activist, and student of the spiritual traditions of the Americas. With a living prayer for unity at the heart of her music, she uses her voice to  help protect the land & water and build community and collaborative solutions to address the existential threats of our time.

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PETER YARROW

Peter Yarrow has harnessed music to unite hearts in common purpose, knowing that when music brings people together, it has a unique ability to catalyze and hasten positive change. From Peter, Paul & Mary to today - Yarrow has been committed to advocating for positive social change dedicating his time and talent over the years to equal rights, peace-building, education, preservation of the environment, and more. 

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SACHEM HAWKSTORM

Sachem HawkStorm, hereditary sachem (chief) of the Schaghticoke People, is a fierce advocate for the rights of his people as well as other indigenous peoples in the New York region and beyond.

His work focuses on cultural heritage, education, and tribal sovereignty. 

Sachem HawkStorm has participated in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, focusing on economic and social development, cultural preservation, water and food sovereignty, self-determination, human rights and environmental justice.

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ROBERTO MÚKARO BORRERO

Roberto Múkaro Borrero has a distinguished and diverse background in policy & program development, and human rights advocacy, including a specialization on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.  A published writer, an accomplished artist, and musician,  Borrero is a member of the Taíno Tribal Nation, an Indigenous Peoples whose traditional homelands extend through the Greater & Lesser Antilles to the Southern tip of Florida in the U.S. In 2012, he was traditionally sanctioned a kasike (chief) of the Guainía Taíno tribal community.  

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THE HEARTSTRINGS PROJECT

The Heartstrings Project is an indie folk & americana group from the woods of New York’s Hudson Valley. The band is comprised of Luke Wygodny, Marina Pires, Nyssa Grant and Samuel Quiggins. Through multiple instruments and voices the group balances careful craftsmanship to seamlessly move between harmonies, creating textural landscapes that range from etherial cinematic ballads to traditional foot stomping folk anthems. The result is an intentional performance capturing in-the-moment chemistry of longtime friends making music with the mission to carry on the tradition of truth telling.

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JON LEE RUCKER

Jon Lee Rucker offers songs about human beings relationship with the Earth, uniting as one to leave a bright future for the next generations. 

Currently building a family and a farm called Wild Beauty in Olivebridge NY, and continuing many years of community building.

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WIHSE

Taierakieh "Wihse" Benedict (Wolf Clan) is a Kaniekehaka Rotiskerakhete from the Akwesasne Mohawk territory who comes from a traditional family a two time champion smoke dancer and a ceremonial and social dance singer also a third generation iron worker who has work all over United States and Canada and promotes the knowledge of traditional teachings and the ceremonial structure of the long house people

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POPPY JONES
Greetings  I’m Poppy.
A life in nature has established a comforting relationship with creator‘s creations . Plant , mineral study has led to healing and nurturing work these past 15 years . I’m usually busy in the woods.   I love teaching and sharing this sacred knowledge to all kindred souls .
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KOR ELEMENT
Kor Element is a Hip Hop artist, poet, and activist who is here to assist in the ushering in of a new era with music and a mindset that moves you to do better, live better, and be better. He has performed and recorded with Grammy Award winning artists such as The Yin Yang Twins and Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix. With songs such as “Step Into Light” and “Self Control,” Kor Element champions self-development, the fight for the rights of the people, and caring for Mother Earth as the foundation of all human existence.
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JEFF  O'CONNOR

Grew up and attended college in Cobleskill, Jeff has had a long association with the Old Stone Fort Museum and Schoharie County Historical Society.serving 3 terms on the Society Board of trustees, including a period as president.  He has chaired the largest living history events at the museum, such as Stone Fort Days and History Fair, and presented his own programs, lectures and special events, and has written numerous articles in various publications.  

Today, Jeff and his wife are the creative team behind Turning Point 1777, which offers guided walking and driving tours in Schoharie County, historic flag reproductions, living history programs, and other events and services that promote the Indigenous, Colonial, and Revolutionary War history of Schoharie County, its surrounding region, and New York State.

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           ANTOINETTE AURELL
I am Antoinette Amoxtli Yari Yolotili, Protector of Jewel Heart, founder of Ouroboros Healing Arts. I am a medicine woman, mystic, Green Witch, shamanic practitioner, and crystal healing teacher. I am in service to Pachamama, our cosmic mother. You can find me wild crafting in the forest, weeding and planting in the garden, learning about the universe - especially sacred geometry & energy, singing and drumming, exploring and elevating consciousness. My passion is healing, my practice is awakening each day, transforming darkness to Light, mastering the stillness within, my religion is LOVE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THIS IS A DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE EVENT

FRI AUG 12 - SUN AUG 14

1160 Bear Ladder Road • West Fulton, NY • 12194

Camping Available (no RVs)

FRIDAY - AUG 12
12pm - community afternoon, set-up, swimming, help out;

6pm pot luck meal, singing and sharing, campfires

SATURDAY - AUGUST 13

6am - Sunrise Prayer

10am - workshops, crafts, songs, dances, teachings, swimming, mustang encounter, visit berry farm, community meals;

6pm - concert

SUNDAY - AUGUST 14

6am - Sunrise Prayer

10am - Mustang encounters, workshops, crafts, teachings, visit berry farm, community lunch, closing songs and thanksgiving

6pm - break down

SPONSORS + SUPPORT

Nia:wen to those who have generously offered food, land, goods and services for this event and for community supported land back efforts.

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MUSTANG VALLEY SANCTUARY

Thank you to Mary at Mustang Valley Sanctuary for allowing us to use her land for those camping for the event. Click the image above to visit her site to learn more about the important work she is doing to ensure sanctuary and refuge for endangered wild mustangs.

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