Longtime Ganondagan manager retires

Listen to this article

Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan) has retired as site manager of Ganondagan, effective Feb. 1. He was the first site manager for the state historic site, starting in 1985.  

“Ganondagan gave me the opportunity to work with creative people in film, exhibit design, architecture, art and dance,” Jemison said. “These things have been very rewarding, more than I could have imagined. I want to express my thanks to the staff, the Friends of Ganondagan, and the New York State Office of Parks for giving me this opportunity to manage Ganondagan.” 

Jemison will be succeeded by two individuals in two positions: Ansley Jemison (Seneca, Wolf Clan) as cultural liaison and Michael Galban (Washoe/Northern Paiute) as site manager.  

In the newly created position of cultural liaison, Ansley Jemison will collaborate with the Friends of Ganondagan, Seneca Nations of Indians, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, and the Haudenosaunee communities, sharing cultural knowledge with various constituents.  

Ansley Jemison was residence hall director of Akwe:kon, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program House at Cornell University and former executive director of the Iroquois Nationals. 

Galban has worked in various positions at Ganondagan for over 30 years, most recently as curator. He has expert knowledge of Native American material culture and art, specializing in Eastern Woodland cultures.  

For over 20 years, Galban has been actively working with many Haudenosaunee communities to preserve ancient arts, often lecturing on the subject across the United States and Europe. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Museum Association of NY. 

Jemison was the driving force behind the building of two properties at Ganondagan: a full-size, Seneca Bark Longhouse and the Seneca Art & Culture Center. The Center serves as a permanent, year-round interpretive facility that tells the story of the Seneca and Haudenosaunee contributions to art, culture and society for more than 2,000 years to the present day.  

He also served as the producer, catalyst and inspiration for the multi award-winning Iroquois Creation Story film, a collaboration among Friends of Ganondagan, Garth Fagan Dance and the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Film and Animation.  

In 1989, Jemison was instrumental in forming the not-for-profit educational organization, Friends of Ganondagan, to provide physical, spiritual and financial support to Ganondagan State Historic Site and to promote the vital message of peace through the Seneca and Haudenosaunee ideals of social justice, democracy and sustainability. 

Jemison also brought the Iroquois White Corn Project (originally founded by Dr. John Mohawk, Seneca) to Ganondagan in 2012 to revitalize Indigenous agriculture, bringing white corn back to the communities, promoting healthy, traditional food and deepening cultural connections. 

[email protected] / (585) 653-4021