ABOUT THE IROQUOIS STUDIES ASSOCIATION

The Iroquois Studies Association, Inc was formed in Ithaca, New York in the early 1970s. At the same time the Otsiningo American Indian Project was developed by the Broome County American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. The two organizations merged in 1996.

Over 35 years ISA and Otsiningo have produced several hundred public educational programs including lectures, bus trips, classes, and workshops. Leading Haudenosaunee presenters have spoken on land claims, spiritual beliefs, and contemporary issues. Artists have taught a wide variety of skills including pottery making, stone, wood, and bone carving, fingerweaving, moccasin making, basket making, silver brooch making, and beadworking among others.

The ISA publishes the OTSININGO CIRCLE, a semiannual newsletter covering Indian exhibits and events within a 200 mile radius of Binghamton, New York. It also contains informative articles relating to American Indians.

There are two general membership meetings per year: the Annual Meeting in March and the Harvest Festival in November. Click here for membership information.

Follow the links at the left to learn more about us and what we do.

Birds and Beasts in Beads: 150 Years of Iroquois Beadwork

A catalogue for the exhibit of the same name at the Longyear Museum of Anthropology, Colgate University through October 29th, 2011.The catalogue was compiled by Carol Ann Lorenz, the Senior Curator of the Longyear Museum.

The 26 page full color publication includes 57 photographs of Iroquois beadwork in a variety of shapes and functions. Pincushions carry colorful images of exotic animals including elephants and unicorns and purses that picture lions, a camel, and a pig. A hot pink whisk broom holder shows a green hippo with a yellow dog chasing a blue cat. A trilobe heart shows four baby birds peeking out of a bird’s nest. One purse depicts a FOX on a BOX and other shows a green bear. There is also a green cow with the date 1910.

A 6000 word essay by Dolores Elliott outlines the history of Iroquois beadwork in the communities of the Six Nations in the US and Canada. The cost of the catalogue is $12.00 plus shipping.

Click here for an order form.

Iroquois Beadwork Publications

The first three volumes of the series on Iroquois beadwork are available.

 Iroquois Beadwork Volume 1: A Short History features over 200 full color pictures of beadwork and gives a short history of Iroquois beadwork. An illustrated time line shows examples of the major traditions of beadwork over the last 200 years. It also contains a list of publications for further reading.

Iroquois Beadwork Volume 2: An Identification Guide contains 26 pages of full color pictures of beadwork classified into over 80 defined types of beadwork such as heart pincushions, canoes, birds, needlecases, urns, strawberries, and fist purses and how they differ in the three main beadwork traditions: the Mohawk, the Niagara, and the Thomas-Hill.

Iroquois Beadwork Volume 3: An Exhibit, Conference, And More reports on the 2009 Rockwell Museum of Western Art exhibit, "Sewing the Seeds: 200 Years of Iroquois Glass Beadwork" which featured over 300 pieces of Iroquois beadwork. This volume also includes information about the first Iroquois Beadwork Conference which was held in September, 2009, and was attended by over 50 admirers of Iroquois beadwork. Also included are essays on purple pillow pincushions and floral black bags.

Click here for an order form for all the publications. There is a special price for a combination package.

The publication Flights of Fancy: An Introduction to Iroquois Beadwork by Dolores N. Elliott, is out of print. Click here to read portions of the text.

Samuel Thomas’ Beadwork Workbook has been reprinted. Click here for an order form.