Thomas M. Zajicek – Executive Director
Tom Zajicek and Tom Cook became close friends during the planning of the first festival in 2015. Since then, the two of them, along with Christine, TC, and Melissa have provided Native American education to literally thousands. Tom has kind of been the spokes person of the organization and is not stranger to the microphone or being in front of a crowd. It was Tom’s dream of continuing the festival after the Corning sponsored festivals in 2015 and 2016. With Ivan’s help, they set up the Seven Generations of Stewards 501(c)(3) to continue the outstanding offering to the community, and the rest is history.
Melissa Zajicek- Secretary
Melissa has been the Secretary of SGS since it’s inception in 2018. She is well versed in Native American culture. She is a barred lawyer but most importantly, the mother of our newest member Sterling. She provides the business guidance needed to run the corporation. She has attended many of the educational offerings of the organization. She is shown defending the rights of the Abenaki people of Vermont while attending law school. Her knowledge of herbal medicine is outstanding.
Tom Cook- Non Board Member but Founding Member and Elder
Tom Cook was the President of Corning Incorporated’s Native American Council that started the festival in 2015. He was a driving force behind the success of that first festival so when the Corning NAC decided not to continue the festival in 2017, and after Ivan created SGS, Tom quickly became Treasurer and continues in that role to this day. Tom’s project management and budgeting experience from his days at Corning make him well suited for the task. Tom is Mohawk and so, brings that perspective and teachings of which he has shared many times since. Even though Tom is now living in the south, he ventures to Western NY for the festival every year to help put on an amazing event.
Ivan Zajicek – Board Member and Elder
In late 2017, Ivan could see that Tom Zajicek really wanted to continue the Falling Leaves Festival that Corning Incorporated’s Native American Council had started in 2015 and continued in 2016 but then decided to stop in 2017. So, he created the Seven Generations of Stewards, Inc. 501(c)(3) opening the opportunity to host the Native Nations Festival and to continue to provide educational opportunities to the community. Ivan is reason that the NNF came to fruition in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Enolia Foti- Elder
She is known for her transformational coaching methodology, workshops, and retreats; Enolia helps entrepreneurs, global influencers, and high-profile leaders transform their lives. Enolia has studied energy with international indigenous Elders from Native American/Canadian, African, New Zealand, South American, and European Nations.
Dorothy Thomas
Dorothy (Dot) Thomas has been an active member of the Native Nations Festival planning committee since its inception. We call her “Event Mom” because she keeps the event running smoothly and always lends a hand wherever it is needed. She can be found buzzing around the grounds filling in for vendors so that they can get away from their booths to see the sights. She moves so fast that even getting a picture of her has been difficult! She is a deep supporter of sharing Native American culture through educational opportunities.
Christine Zajicek – Vice President
Christine has been involved with the festival since it’s inception in 2015. She is a teacher at a local Montessori school and so this transfers very well to an educational event. Tom and Christine have provided educational opportunities to many schools, YMCA, Veterans Administration, and more. She is planning a mini-pow wow for her school in 2022 where the upper elementary students will research subject matter and present what they have learned to the entire school and their families during the mini-pow wow. Christine has overseen the educational arm of SGS. Her idea of a children’s shoe path from the festival gates to the sacred fire area was well received by guests in 2021.
Johannes Moll
Although not Native, Johannes contributes to the board with his business and project management experience. Johannes has been involved with every festival since 2015. He not only provides his sound equipment but, with Billy Wilson, they manage the sound quality for the entire festival. He has a desire to learn about the Native American population and their customs. He participates in many of the educational events that SGS offers.
Jeff Weirback
The Native Nations Festival as a whole is the brain child of Jeff. It was with his visions that the Corning Native American Council was able to host the first Falling Leaves Festival in 2015. The festival changed names to the Native Nations Festival in 2018 under the direction of the Seven Generations of Stewards, Inc. 501(c)(3). Jeff has been a strong member of this team and many ideas stem from him. He is also the one who chose the third weekend of September as the date for the festival and we have thankfully had great weather for all festivals so far.
Jeff has crossed and is now walking with Creator. We know that he will help guide the festival, from the spirit world. He will be greatly missed by the entire SGS and NNF staff and also by many who became acquainted with him over the years.
Gael Orr
Gael Orr is a non-native that brings her marketing background from Once Again Nut Butter to the team of the Seven Generations of Stewards. An avid horseback rider and accredited riding instructor at her farm Sweetwater Equestrian Center, you’ll find Gael at Native Nations Festival with a string of horses.
Thomas C. Zajicek
TC has been an active member and supporter of the festival since its inception. He is a past board member of SGS. TC has been the overnight fire keeper and was trained by Scott Foti, our daytime fire keeper. TC often participates in the other activities of SGS as well from presenting at the Taste of the Fingerlakes farmers market to the Maple Tree Awakening ceremony at the Watson Homestead. He is generous with his time and commitment to SGS and the Native Nations Festival.
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