Oneida people

Oneida people. The Oneida are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, historically known as the Haudenosaunee. Their traditional homeland is centered in what is now central New York state. Today, they have federally recognized nations in Wisconsin and New York, and a First Nations band in Ontario.

History

The Oneida, along with the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca, formed the Iroquois Confederacy under the Great Law of Peace. During the American Revolutionary War, the Oneida notably split from the confederacy's general neutrality to ally with the American Patriots, serving as scouts for the Continental Army at battles like Oriskany and Saratoga. Following the war, they faced significant land loss through treaties like the Treaty of Canandaigua and the pressure of New York State purchases, leading to forced removals and migrations. In the 1820s, a large group relocated to Wisconsin, forming the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. Another contingent moved to the Thames River area in Ontario, now known as the Oneida Nation of the Thames. Those who remained in New York are represented by the Oneida Indian Nation.

Culture

Traditional Oneida culture is deeply rooted in Haudenosaunee practices, including the cultivation of the Three Sisters: maize, beans, and squash. Important cultural ceremonies include the Midwinter Ceremony and the Green Corn Ceremony, which mark seasonal cycles and give thanks. The False Face Society is a key medicinal and spiritual society within the community. Clan identity, through matrilineal clans like the Wolf, Turtle, and Bear, remains a fundamental social organizer. Contemporary cultural revitalization is evident in events like the annual Oneida Pow Wow in Wisconsin and the work of institutions like the Shako:wi Cultural Center in New York.

Language

The Oneida language is a Northern Iroquoian language, most closely related to Mohawk and Onondaga. It is considered critically endangered, with a small number of fluent elders primarily in Ontario and Wisconsin. Significant language preservation efforts are underway, led by entities like the Oneida Language and Cultural Center in Wisconsin and the Oneida Nation of the Thames Language Department. These programs develop immersion schools, create teaching materials, and utilize digital tools to teach new generations. The language was historically documented by linguists and missionaries, including figures like John Napoleon Brinton Hewitt of the Smithsonian Institution.

Government and politics

The three main Oneida governments operate under distinct political structures. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and the Oneida Indian Nation in New York are federally recognized sovereign nations with elected councils and chairpersons. The Oneida Nation of the Thames is a First Nation with a council elected under the Canadian Indian Act. All nations actively assert their treaty rights and sovereignty, leading to significant legal and political engagements. Notable cases include the Oneida Indian Nation of New York v. County of Oneida land claim litigation and negotiations with state governments over issues like taxation and gaming compacts. The nations are also members of broader intertribal organizations like the National Congress of American Indians.

Notable Oneida people

* Polly Cooper, who aided the Continental Army at Valley Forge during the American Revolutionary War. * Graham Greene, an acclaimed Academy Award-nominated actor from the Oneida Nation of the Thames. * Laura "Minnie" Cornelius Kellogg, an early 20th-century activist and author who advocated for tribal sovereignty and economic development. * Joanne Shenandoah, a Grammy Award-winning singer and composer who promoted Haudenosaunee music. * Ray Halbritter, the longtime Representative and CEO of the Oneida Indian Nation, a prominent figure in modern business and tribal governance. * Cody McCormick, a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres.

Category:Oneida people Category:Iroquois Category:Native American tribes in New York (state) Category:Native American tribes in Wisconsin Category:First Nations in Ontario