Sa:gwáyoˀ Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ / Cayuga People, We Returned

Sa:gwáyoˀ Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ/Cayuga People, We Returned is hosted by the Schweinfurth Art Center and the Cayuga Museum of History and Art from May 30–September 19, 2026, in Wahsgǫhǫ:, present-day Auburn, New York. Wahsgǫhǫ:, “Floating Bridge”, connected the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ to the greater Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih Confederacy. There a bridge provided passage to Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ ancestors over marsh land toward Council meetings at Onǫdagehó:nǫˀ. Today, Wahsgǫhǫ: is simultaneously known as Auburn, New York.

The exhibition Sa:gwáyoˀ Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ/Cayuga People, We Returned features artworks, audio, video, artifacts, and archival documents bridge the circumstances of Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ displacement, diaspora, and return with a deeper appreciation of Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ place, society, and politics, as well as historic and contemporary modes of cultural expression. Uniting the Confederacy, Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih artists and makers throughout all Six Nations contribute their voices to this pivotal dialogue on Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ homecoming, resiliency, and repair.

Located at Wasco, Sa:gwáyoˀ Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ/Cayuga People, We Returned is an exhibition curated by Jolene Rickard, Ph.D. (Skarù·ręʔ / Tuscarora) with co-curators Audrey Chan (Brazilian-German and Taiwanese), Noah Mapes (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe descent) and Nikki Dragone, Ph.D., J.D. (Irish/Sicilian/Hungarian/Dakota/Lakota & French Canadian heritage), allied Treaty and Haudenosaunee scholar and Schweinfurth Art Center Program Coordinator.

Special thanks to Hoya:neh Sam George and Stephen Henhawk (Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ / Cayuga) for their guidance.

Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih or Haudenosaunee and Onǫdagehó:nǫˀ or Onondaga are the way they are spelled in the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ / Cayuga language and new orthography.

Special Events

Artist's Talk: Alex Jacobs-Blum

12 to 1 pm Tuesday, Aug. 11

Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ/Cayuga Wolf Clan artist Alex Jacobs-Blum will give an Artist's Talk about her three pieces in the exhibition "Sa:gwáyoˀ Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ / Cayuga People, We Returned." Her video "Infinite Frequencies" documents her travels through Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ homelands. "White Roots" envisions the roots of a white pine tree overlayed with a transparent image of the Dish with One Spoon wampum. "Bridge Between Two Worlds" tells the Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih/Haudenosaunee origin story.

The event is free and open to the public.

Artist's Talk: Eric Gansworth

2 to 3 pm Saturday, Aug. 15

Onoñda’gegá’/Onǫdagehó:nǫˀ/Onondaga Eel Clan artist Eric Gansworth will give an Artist's Talk about "Trinity," his piece in the exhibition "Sa:gwáyoˀ Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ / Cayuga People, We Returned." Through cultural and political symbols, the artwork address attempts made to challenge and divide the Hodinǫhsǫ́:nih/Haudenosaunee people.

The event is free and open to the public.

Participating Artists

George Buck, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Hannah Claus, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Arihhonni David, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Elizabeth Doxtater, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Tsioianiio Galban, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Eric Gansworth, Onǫdagehó:nǫˀ/Onondaga
Tony Gonyea, Onǫdagehó:nǫˀ/Onondaga
David Greene, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Hayden Haynes
Stephen Henhawk, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Dan Hill, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Lorna Hill, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Nandel Hill, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Tom Huff, Seneca-Cayuga
Joseph Jacobs, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Alex Jacobs-Blum, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Marjorie Kaniehtonkie Skidders, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Sayo':kl^ Kindness-Williams, Onę́yotga:ˀ/Oneida
Arnie Longboat, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Chandra Maracle, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Edmund Morris
Shelley Niro, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Jolene Rickard, Dahsgaó:węˀ/Tuscarora
Diane Schenandoah, Onę́yotga:ˀ/Oneida
Wayyne Sky, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Natasha Smoke Santiago, Ganyę́gehó:nǫˀ/Mohawk
Raymond Sprague, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Jeff Thomas, Onǫdagehó:nǫˀ/Onondaga
Sam Thomas, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Jacob E. Thomas, Gayogohó:nǫˀ/Cayuga
Various artists from the collection of Grant Jonathan, Dahsgaó:węˀ/Tuscarora
Waylon Wilson, Dahsgaó:węˀ/Tuscarora