SUNY Oswego’s ARTSwego Performing Arts Series will welcome The Paza Experience to campus on Monday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Hewitt Hall ballroom, inviting audiences to experience a night of Native American music, dance and storytelling. 

Founded by Delwin Fiddler Jr., a renowned Indigenous performer and executive director of the nonprofit Paza Tree of Life, The Paza Experience blends traditional and contemporary Native American art forms to promote themes of culture, community and conservation. 

The organization began as a movement to support Native American communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since developed into a program that combines cultural performances and community outreach. 

“Paza’s vision is to bring people from all walks of life together as one in a common cause,” Fiddler said in the promotional video, “Paza Tree of Life.” “Our aim is to support First Nations people, and to live in harmony with each other and Mother Earth.”

Emily Junker, assistant director of arts programming at ARTSwego, said Paza’s performance reflects ARTSwego’s mission to bring diverse perspectives to campus. 

“They really sit at this kind of unique intersection of culture and history and music and dance,” Junker said. “That’s not something we see very often, so there was a lot of excitement about them just for that fact.”

The Paza Experience represents an opportunity for education and entertainment in one evening.

“It’s really going to bring a different perspective than anything that we’ve had recently,” she said. "It's a unique opportunity to learn more about history from a different perspective and to have that opportunity to learn a little bit more about the land that we’re all on here together.”

Accomplished storyteller

Fiddler’s past accomplishments also add to the program’s significance. Prior to becoming executive director of Paza Tree of Life, he had made a name for himself as a respected cultural ambassador and a world-renowned performer, presenting Lakota dance traditions to two U.S. presidents and the British royal family. A video of his traditional Grass Dance is even featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Fiddler crafted the performance in partnership with Samora Smith, combining dance, song and storytelling to highlight both traditional and modern Indigenous practices. 

“There will be Native American flute and drums, singing, and both modern and traditional dances,” Junker said. “They’re going to share insights about their culture, where these dances come from and what they mean.”

Junker said she hopes the audience will leave the event with both inspiration and appreciation. “I hope that folks gain a deeper understanding of history and of Native American cultures,” she said. “I also really hope people walk away with a stronger connection to conservation, because land conservation is such an important thing to Samora and Delwin.”

In addition to the evening performance at SUNY Oswego, The Paza Experience will visit Fulton, Mexico and Oswego public schools the day before the show. The performers will hold presentations and mini-performances for students, educating them about their culture. 

“They’re very good at having different workshops for young audiences, college audiences and older audiences as well,” Junker said. “Being able to bring that into public schools is going to be a really exciting opportunity.”

This project was made possible with support from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation, whose mission is to be a catalyst for change to enhance the quality of life in Oswego County.

Admission to the performance is free for SUNY Oswego students; $5 for non-Oswego students; $15 for faculty, staff and alumni; and $20 for the public. Tickets are available at the Marano Campus Center box office or online at tickets.oswego.edu.  

-- Written by Emma Kerl of the Class of 2026