New York State–before it was New York State–was the homeland of the indigenous people who call themselves the Haudenosaunee (pronounced “ho DEN o SHAW nee”) which means “People of the Longhouse,” in their native language, a reference to the bark-covered shelter of their ancestors.

The Six Nations are the original custodians of this beautiful land and it wouldn’t be the Fair without them. Every day (at 11 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m.), they present native dancers, festooned in colorful and finely-detailed costumes, performing historically-significant, traditional dances on the turtle mound stage.

Often described as the oldest participatory democracy on Earth, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s system of government was a model for the American Constitution.

A trip to the New York Sate Fair can’t be considered complete without a visit to the revered Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Village.

All members of Native American tribes get free admission to the New York State Fair on Friday.

Make sure to visit the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Village throughout the day for cultural performances and handmade crafts. The sensational, traditional dances take the Turtle Mound stage at 11 a.m. and 4 and 7 p.m.