Oneida tribe

Oneida
Total population
100,000+
Regions with significant populations
United States (Wisconsin, New York)  Canada (Ontario)
Languages
Onyota'aka, English, other Iroquoian dialects
Religions
Kai'hwi'io, Kanoh'hon'io, Kahni'kwi'io, Christianity, Longhouse, Handsome Lake, Other Indigenous Religion
Related ethnic groups
Seneca Nation, Onondaga Nation, Tuscarora Nation, Mohawk Nation, Cayuga Nation, other Iroquoian peoples

The Oneida (Onyota'a:ka or Onayotekaono, meaning the People of the Upright Stone, or standing stone, Thwahrù•nęˀ in Tuscarora) are a Native American/First Nations people and are one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in the area of upstate New York. The Iroquois call themselves Haudenosaunee ("The people of the longhouses") in reference to their communal lifestyle and the construction of their dwellings.

Originally the Oneida inhabited the area that later became central New York, particularly around Oneida Lake and Oneida County.

The People of the Standing Stone

The name Oneida is the English mispronunciation of Onyota'a:ka. Onyota'a:ka means people of the Standing Stone. The identity of the People of the Standing Stone is based on a legend in which the Oneida people were being pursued on foot by an enemy tribe. The Oneida people were chased into a clearing within the woodlands and disappeared instantaneously. The enemy of the Oneida could not find them and so it was said that these people had turned themselves into stones that had stood in the clearing. As a result, they became known as the People of the Standing Stone.

There are older legends in which the Oneida people self-identify as the Big Tree People. Not much is written about this and Iroquoian elders would have to be consulted as to the oral history of that. This may simply correspond to other Iroquoian notions of the Great Tree of Peace and the associated belief system of the people.

Individuals born into the Oneida Nation are identified according to their spirit name, or what we now call an Indian name, their clan, and their family unit within a clan. Further to that, each gender, clan and family unit within a clan all have particular duties and responsibilities. Clan identities go back to the Creation Story of the Onyota'a:ka peoples and there are three clans that the people identify with, either the Wolf, Turtle or Bear clans. A person's clan is the same as his or her mother's clan.

In the face of colonizing forces that tried to assimilate or extinguish the Original Nations of North America, the majority of the Oneida Nation people who descend from the Oneida Settlement can still identify their clan. Further, if a person does not have a clan because their mother is not Oneida, then the Nation still makes provisions for customary adoptions into one of the clans. However, the act of adopting is primarily a responsibility of the Wolf clan, so many adoptees are Wolf.

History

American Revolution

The Oneidas, along with the five other tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, initially maintained a policy of neutrality in the American Revolution. This policy allowed the Confederacy increased leverage against both sides in the war, because they could threaten to join one side or the other in the event of any provocation. Neutrality quickly crumbled, however. The preponderance of the Mohawks, Senecas, Cayugas, and Onondagas sided with the loyalists. For some time, the Oneidas continued advocating neutrality and attempted to restore consensus among the six tribes of the Confederacy. But ultimately the Oneidas, as well, had to choose a side. Because of their closer proximity to rebel communities, most Oneidas favored the colonists (in contrast, the pro-British tribes were closer to the British stronghold at Fort Niagara). In addition, the Oneidas were influenced by the Protestant missionary Samuel Kirkland, who had spent several decades among them and through whom they had begun to form stronger cultural links to the colonists.

The Oneidas officially joined the rebel side and contributed in many ways to the war effort. Their warriors were often used as scouts on both offensive campaigns and in detecting enemy operations around Fort Stanwix (also known as Fort Schuyler). The Oneidas also provided an open line of communication between the rebels and their Iroquois foes. In 1777 at the Battle of Oriskany about fifty Oneida fought alongside the American militia. Many Oneidas formed friendships with Philip Schuyler, George Washington, and the Marquis de La Fayette and other prominent rebel leaders. These men recognized their contributions during and after the war, and Congress declared, "sooner should a mother forget her children" than we should forget you.

Although the tribe had taken the colonists' side, individuals within the Oneida nation possessed the right to make their own choices, and a minority supported the British. As the war progressed and the Oneida position became more dire, this minority grew more numerous. When the important Oneida settlement at Kanonwalohale was destroyed, a large number of Oneidas defected and relocated to Fort Niagara to live under British protection.

1794 Treaty of Canandaigua

After the war they were displaced by retaliatory and other raids. In 1794 they, along with other Haudenosaunee nations, signed the Treaty of Canandaigua with the United States. They were granted 6 million acres (24,000 km²) of lands, primarily in New York; this was effectively the first Indian reservation in the United States. Subsequent treaties and actions by the State of New York drastically reduced this to 32 acres (0.1 km²). In the 1830s many of the Oneida relocated into Canada and Wisconsin, because of the rising tide of Indian removals.

Recent litigation

The Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and the Oneida Nation of the Thames commenced actions to reclaim land that was taken from them without the approval of the United States in 1970 and 1974 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. In 1998, the United States intervened in the lawsuits on behalf of the plaintiffs in the claim in order for the claim to proceed against New York State in light of its assertion of its immunity from suit under the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Defendants moved for summary judgment based on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit's decision in Cayuga Indian Nation v. New York on May 21, 2007 Judge Kahn dismissed the Oneida's possessory land claims and allowed the non-possessory claims to proceed.

More recent litigation has formalized the split between the Oneida tribe that stayed in New York and the Oneida tribe that left to live in Wisconsin. These litigations focused around the Wisconsin Oneida tribe's desire to reacquire lands in their ancestral homelands as a part of the settlement of the aforementioned litigation. An additional part of that proposed settlement is land for a casino of their own in New York, in lieu of a large cash settlement; these proposals are also a part of the ongoing litigation.

Oneida Bands and First Nations today

Oneida Indian Nation in New York

The Oneida Indian Nation (OIN) is the Oneida tribe that resides in New York and currently owns a number of businesses and tribal land in Verona, NY, Oneida, NY, and Canastota, NY.

Businesses

In the early 1990s, the Oneida tribe originally opened a bingo house. One of its more active members, Ray Halbritter, opened a tax free gas station across the street, known as SavOn (not to be confused with a gas station chain that exists in the western side of the US). The cheaper gasoline made the gas station popular among the community, and eventually SavOn was bought by the Oneida Indian Nation and expanded into multiple locations within the area.

The most profitable business is the Turning Stone Casino & Resort, which has been expanding continuously since its inception. It began as a bingo hall and quickly grew into a huge facility that is considered a Class III gaming facility. The site includes nationally ranked hotels and restaurants. Many shows are performed throughout the year, at the resort is the host for a fall Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) tournament. There have been, and are, legal challenges to the tribal-state compact between the Oneida Indian Nation of New York.

The Oneida Indian Nation has also purchased a marina on the south eastern shore of Oneida Lake and many plots of land in the area.

The Oneida Indian Nation is the largest employer of the area with approximately 5,000 jobs total.

Disputes arose over the economic disadvantage of having the Class III gaming continue to operate. Vernon Downs opened a casino to attempt to compete with Turning Stone. However, Vernon Downs's operation has had little opposition because it is heavily taxed. Vernon Downs struggles to remain in operation and in late 2007, many of its original investors pulled out of the venture. UCE and supporters attribute this to the fact that OIN's casino is not taxed. OIN supporters attribute Vernon Downs's troubles to the fact that it has to pay 54% in tax revenue, making profitability extremely difficult. In early 2008, Vernon Downs director Steve Gural made true on his threat and closed down the racino at Vernon Downs for three days. The act was a measure to force the state to lower the amount of taxes it collected from Vernon Downs in an attempt to make Vernon Downs more profitable. The move cost the state approximately $1.5 million in tax revenues allocated to education.

If more cooperation occurred, there would be a significant improvement with the economy, as evidenced from the successful fall PGA Tournament OIN hosted in September 2007.

The Nation consistently re-invests in the local economy and aids its neighboring cities. The Oneidas helped pay for and fix Verona's water problems. The Oneidas have worked hard to win the host for a PGA tournament in the Fall of 2007 after a successful B.C. Open,a PGA tournament traditionally held in Binghamton, New York. In 2006, Binghamton experienced significant flooding and could not host the B.C. Open tournament. The OIN—in a matter of a week or two—managed to offer its own course as an alternative. The PGA officials and players were impressed with the venue. OIN and PGA officials entered into negotiations to host another PGA tournament in 2007.

When expanding their businesses or improving their current assets, the Indian Nation will look first to local companies before expanding beyond the tri-county area. Before all the recent turmoil between the Indian Nation, UCE, state, and county officials, the Indian Nation also donated millions of dollars to local school districts through its Silver Covenant Chain of Education Grants Program. Since the beginning of opposition to its casino, the Nation has discontinued that program. Many are hopeful that after the turbulence settles down the Nation will restart the program and enter an agreement with the local politicians to make the program a more permanent fixture for the schools to rely on.

In 1970 and 1974, the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and the Oneida Nation of the Thames filed lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York alleging that reservation land granted to them by a treaty between the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and New York state was taken from the Indian tribes without Congressional approval. In 1970, the Oneidas filed a “test” case in federal court, suing Oneida and Madison counties for two years rent (1968-1969) on county-owned acreage amounting to $16,694. The United States District Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed the action and the Oneidas appealed. On July 12, 1972, the Second Circuit United States Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s decision. The OIN petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to grant cert. In Oneida Indian Nation v. County of Oneida, the Court decided in the Oneida Indian Nation's favor. On July 12, 1977, on remand to the District Court with Judge Edmund Port presiding, the Court sided with the Oneidas. The counties then appealed to the Second Circuit, which affirmed Judge Port's decision. The counties next petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of cert., which the court granted. On March 4, 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court opined in the Oneidas' favor in a 5 to 4 vote. The Court opined that the Oneidas had a common law right to sue in federal courts and that such claims were justiciable. Additionally, the Court decided that there was no state or federal statute of limitations that would bar such claims. The majority opinion contains the following footnote: "The question whether equitable considerations should limit the relief available to the present day Oneida Indians was not addressed by the Court of Appeals or presented to this Court by petitioners. Accordingly, we express no opinion as to whether other considerations may be relevant to the final disposition of this case should Congress not exercise its authority to resolve these far-reaching Indian claims." Justice Stevens, wrote in his dissent: "This decision upsets long-settled expectations in the ownership of real property in the Counties of Oneida and Madison, New York, and the disruption it is sure to cause will confirm the common law wisdom that ancient claims are best left in repose. The Court, no doubt, believes that it is undoing a grave historical injustice, but in so doing it has caused another, which only Congress may now rectify." In 1998, the United States intervened in the lawsuits on the plaintiff's behalf in order for the claim to proceed against New York State because the state asserted its immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution. Based on City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation and Cayuga Indian Nation v. New York, the Defendants moved for summary judgment. On May 21, 2007, Judge Kahn dismissed the Oneidas' possessory land claims and allowed the non-possessory claims to proceed. The Plaintiffs' and the Defendants' appeals from Judge Kahn's decision were heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals on June 3, 2008, and now await the Second Circuit's opinion on the matter.

State law forbids Class III gaming on lands within New York State. For some time, it was believed that the land the Oneida Indian Nation once owned, sold, and since re-acquired automatically returned to its status as Indian Territory. In City of Sherrill v Oneida Indian Nation, Justice Ginsburg determined that the land the casino is on was part of the Oneidas' original tribal lands. The Court continued that although the land may be part of an ancient reservation land grant, over 200 years was too long to be non-Indian territory for the Oneida Indian Nation to re-establish its immunity over those lands.

OIN supporters criticize the decision as asking more questions than it has answered. The issue in Sherrill was whether the city could collect property taxes on OIN's re-acquired tribal lands. The Supreme Court determined that the City of Sherrill could collect property taxes. But the court failed to overturn the Second Circuit's finding that the land qualified as Indian Territory. OIN supporters speculate that Sherrill stands only to say that the OIN cannot re-instate its tax immunity but that the land is still Indian Land. UCE and its supporters disagree and claim that Sherrill is a blanket approval to foreclose on all OIN property that has back taxes. Additionally, some UCE members wish to extend the case to bar the casino's operation as illegal and have it shut down until a new agreement can be reached.

To "re-establish sovereign authority" over ancient tribal lands re-acquired on the open market, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that the "proper avenue" for the Oneida Indian Nation was through § 465 of the Indian Reorganization Act and apply to the Department of the Interior to place the disputed lands into federal trust.

In April 2005, the Oneida Indian Nation applied to have this land taken into trust. By letter dated June 10, 2005, Associate Deputy Secretary Cason advised Ray Halbritter that the “Department of Interior’s (“DOI”) position with respect to certain issues related to the status of OIN lands ... we do not agree with [the] assertion that the Court’s ruling in Sherrill recognizes the continuation of restriction on alienation protections over recently re-acquired lands ... it is our opinion that Court in City of Sherrill unmistakably held that the lands at issue (property interests purchased by OIN on the open market) are subject to real property taxes. In the event these taxes are not paid, we believe such lands are subject to foreclosure. Further, please be advised that the BIA is in the process of taking appropriate action to clarify that its recordation of OIN deeds does not have the legal effect of designating these lands as restricted against alienation pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 177.”

On February 27, 2008, the BIA released its Final Environmental Impact Statement and recommended that 13,084 acres be placed into trust. After this announcement, the DOI gave a 30 day comment period and announced that it would have a decision on or after March 25, 2008.

Some government officials have expressed concern with creating a "patchwork of taxable and tax-exempt properties" in addition to a "jurisdictional nightmare." However, a recent sting operation conducted in conjunction with Oneida Nation Police and the Oneida County Sheriff disproves this argument. In opposing the OIN's land-into-trust application, New York has raised the question of whether the Indian Reorganization Act even applies to the Oneidas because they specifically rejected the Indian Reorganization Act 12 to 57 in a vote conducted on June 17, 1936. Initially the Oneida were considered not eligible, but in a reconsideration based on the discussion in the case of US v Boylan,^{[citation needed]} the Department of Interior changed its position and conducted the referendum.

On March 2008, County Executive Anthony Picente held a public meeting to discuss the possibility of negotiating a settlement before the March 25th deadline. Congressman Arcuri pulled unprofessional backdoor politics to try and stall the decision. While criticized by both sides for killing any progress made between the two sides, Mr. Arcuri explained that it was his attempt to try to encourage negotiations. But there has not been any attempt to negotiate since then. On January 2008, Mr. Ray Halbritter sent a proposed settlement offer to the state and the county, but has not received a response to date. The Nation has offered to negotiate an agreement pertaining to future trust applications, but the state and local government have not responded to this offer.

On May 20, 2008, the DOI announced that it intends to take 13,004 acres into trust. The Oneida Indian Nation offered to negotiate and settle the issues involved, while the state and county officials promised more continued litigation.

On or about June 17, 2008, two groups filed separate lawsuits in federal court challenging the DOI's decision. UCE's suit challenges the DOI's authority to take the land into trust under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934; alleging that this trust decision violates the United States Constitution. The other group alleges that the DOI's decision was arbitrary and capricious because some of the trust land is subject to outstanding litigation between the group and the OIN. On June 19, 2008—the deadline to file suit—New York State, Oneida County, and Madison County filed their claims in federal court as well. The state and county governments' arguments are similar in nature to the arguments UCE has raised. The two main arguments appear to allege that the DOI's decision violates the United States constitution and that the DOI's decision was arbitrary and capricious.

The Oneida Indian Nation has both internal and external opposition. Internally, members of the Wolf Clan in particular protest Halbritter's assumption of power and dissolving of the traditional Oneida government.

According to Shenandoah v. United States DOI, 159 F.3d 708, (2d Cir. 1998), there are serious question as to the legitimacy and authority of Ray Halbritter to act on behalf of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. Specifically, “In 1977, members of the Oneida Nation appointed Halbritter and two other Nation members as interim representatives of the Nation. On April 25, 1993, the Grand Council, consisting of representatives from all six Iroquois nations, including the Oneida Nation, purported to remove Halbritter from his position as interim Nation representative. The Department acknowledged the removal on August 10, 1993, but the next day stayed its acknowledgment pending BIA review. After requesting the Nation to conduct a referendum to select a representative, the Department agreed to Halbritter's proposal to submit "statements of support" from Nation members. On February 4, 1994, the Department notified Halbritter that it would continue to recognize him as the Nation's permanent representative until such time as he resigned or was removed by the Nation in accordance with certain procedures. According to plaintiffs, on May 21, 1995, the Nation once again removed Halbritter from his position as Oneida representative. Although informed of Halbritter's alleged second removal, the Department had not acted upon that notification by the time of oral argument, and as of the time of this opinion, we have received no information to the contrary.”

External opposition comes from groups like the Upstate Citizens for Equality, a group that opposes Haudenosaunee land claims in upstate New York and the tax free basis under which the tribe's enterprises can operate despite the nation's limited sovereignty.

Land owned by the Oneida Indian Nation was generally thought to be tax free until City of Sherrill v Oneida Indian Nation, 544 US 197 (2005). Previous promises given by the State of New York to allow Native American-owned businesses to sell goods tax free created a price advantage for their gas stations, which has led to all but a few local gas stations being unable to compete and being bought out by the Oneida. In 2004 the Oneida tribe made an agreement to charge an Oneida tax on their gas, giving other gas stations more price equivalence with non Native American owned gas stations in the area.

The Oneida Indian Nation has asserted that it made up for this lack of land tax by donating to local schools in amounts that exceed the taxes that the county would normally receive from the land plots, known as Silver Covenant Chain Education Grants. In recent years, due to the increased tensions between the local governments, the state government, and the Oneida Indian Nation, the amount of donations have either significantly decreased or stopped. Stockbridge Valley school has several Oneida Indian children, and yet the nation refuses to give them any money because of the views of one teacher.

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

A watertower for the Oneida Nation in Oneida

The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin is an Indian reservation of the Oneida tribe on the west side of the Green Bay metropolitan area. It comprises portions of eastern Outagamie County and western Brown County. The shape of the reservation is an angled rectangle directed to the northeast, due to the area's layout along the Fox River, which runs in the same direction. The reservation has a land area of 265.168 km² (102.382 sq mi) and a 2000 census population of 21,321 persons, over half of whom live on reservation land that is also part of the city of Green Bay. The only community entirely on the reservation is Oneida.

The Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin is a sovereign nation, enjoying the same tribal sovereignty as all recognized Indian tribes in the United States. Theirs is a limited sovereignty—the tribes are recognized as "domestic dependent nations" within the United States—but to the degree permitted by that sovereignty, they are an independent nation outside of state law. The tribe's sovereignty means the state of Wisconsin is limited in the extent to which it can intervene legally in tribal matters.

With a series of casinos near Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Oneida tribe has, in a manner of only a few decades, gone from being a destitute people to enjoying a fair amount of social prosperity by investing a large portion of their profits back into their community, including a sponsorship of the Green Bay Packers. The means by which the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin betters its community has raised controversy, as has Indian gaming throughout the country.

The new wealth generated by the tribe's gaming and other enterprises has enabled the tribe to provide many benefits for the members on the tribal rolls. Oneidas have free dental, medical and optical insurance, and they receive $800 every October. As with all other tribes, the Oneidas define who qualifies to be on those rolls. The Oneidas' requirements are fairly liberal, based entirely on blood quantum: members are those with at least 1/4 Oneida blood. There is no additional requirement of matrilineality, as with the New York Oneidas and other tribes.

Many citizens of Green Bay, and many members of the Oneida tribe, have voiced concerns about the long-term detrimental effects a casino could have on the social structure and economy of Green Bay and within the tribe.

Oneida Nation of Thames

The Oneida Nation of the Thames is an Onyota'a:ka (Oneida) First Nation located in southwestern Ontario on what is commonly referred to as the "Oneida Settlement," located about a 20-minute drive from London, Ontario, Canada.

The Oneidas, as an Iroquoian people, had a traditional territory once covered a large section of the eastern part of North America. So, although the Oneida people are located in their traditional hunting area known as the Beaver Hunting Grounds, which was recognized in the 1701 Nanfan Treaty, it was actually several Oneida families that relocated to Southwold, Ontario, Canada from New York state in the 1840s that formed the current day settlement.

The settlement is designated by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada as Oneida 41 Indian Reserve or simply as Oneida 41, Ontario. The Oneida people who live or are descendants of people at the "Oneida Settlement" always insist that their lands be called a "settlement" because their relocation lands in Ontario were purchased outright by Oneida people. This is a distinct process from having the lands "set aside" or "reserved" for them. Many other lands inhabited by indigenous people in North America are called "Indian reserves."

The Band is largely governed by the Canadian Indian Act, a non-traditional form of elected government which set up the Band Council structure. The current Band Council consists of Chief Joel Abram and eleven (11) councillors: Elly Antone, Levi Antone, Clinton Cornelius, Lois Cornelius, Carl B. Doxtator, Dennis Doxtator, Janice K. Doxtator, Cameron Elijah, Olive Elm, Blanche Huff and Stephanie Smith. The council, in turn, is a member of the Southern First Nation Secretariat, a Regional Chiefs' Council. On a larger political scale, the First Nation is a member of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, a Tribal Political Organisation representing eight Iroquoian and Anishinaabe First Nation governments in Ontario.

The community contains three sub-divisions, a community center, and three parks. Bingo and radio bingo are very popular, and sports are important. The people attend long house and the annual ceremonies, and the Oneida language is taught to all children in school.

The Oneida people who live in this reserve have a traditional long house and government. The people own their own businesses. Two elementary schools have been built: Standing Stone and The Log School. A health clinic is located in downtown Oneida, which also includes a radio station, administration building, golden ages rest home, a volunteer fire hall, and a little market.

One of the annual secular events that the Oneida Nation of the Thames people engage is the Oneida Fair.

The Oneida Fair is held every third weekend in the month of September. The Oneida Fair was once a place and a time where the Oneida people could celebrate and compete in agricultural events and other events associated with their historical rural lifestyle.

Most Oneida people today are not agriculturalists and the rural lifestyle of the Oneida people today is not one which depends on a rural garden, home canning, baking, sewing, arts and crafts, and the raising of livestock is now a rarity on the Oneida settlement. This is largely due to the social welfare system of Canada and the easy access that the Oneida people have to urban centres. However, every year people do participate and enter the various agricultural and home arts competitions of the fair, albeit on a smaller scale.

The Oneida Fair remains an important event for many Oneida people because it is a secular event and it is a time to sample great food and socialize with old friends and family; and to enjoy the entertainment. In recent years the Oneida Fairboard which overseas the fair has had a fireworks show, and featured artists such as Joanne Shenendoah (Oneida Indian Tribe of New York) and local acts such as Robbie Antone (blues performer).

Perhaps the Oneida Fair has gained more importance for the Oneida people who no longer live at the settlement. Each year the fair represents a time for people residing away from the settlement to come home; and perhaps it has taken on the status of a homecoming for the increasing numbers of people whose heritage is Oneida but no longer live at the settlement; or for people who can never come back because they are ineligible to be recognized Band Members because of the extinguishing effect of the Indian Act.

Regardless, many people feel welcome at the fair because it is generally a secular and non-political event.

The closest tribal or First Nation neighbours to the Oneida are the Munsee-Delaware people and the Chippewas of the Thames.

In the summer of 2007 the Oneida Nation of the Thames was approved for the funding of approximately 60 long-term care beds by the Province of Ontario. The First Nation continues to negotiate with other governments and partners to come aboard this wonderful and rare opportunity for the Oneida people that will benefit many people in southern Ontario.

Oneida at Six Nations of the Grand River

Six Nations of the Grand River is the name applied to two contiguous Indian reserves southeast of Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

The original reserve was granted by Frederick Haldimand under the Haldimand Proclamation of October 1784 to Joseph Brant and his Iroquois followers in appreciation of their support for the Crown during the American Revolution. In 1785 a census showed that 1,843 Natives lived there which included 448 Mohawk, 381 Cayuga, 245 Onondaga, 162 Oneida, 129 Tuscarora, and 78 Seneca. There were also 400 from other tribes including Delawares, Nanticokes, Tutelos, and even some Creeks and Cherokees (Kelsay 1984). Joseph Brant also invited several white families to live on the grant, particularly former members of Brant's Volunteers and Butler's Rangers.

Today, Six Nations of the Grand River is the most populous reserve in Canada, with a recorded population in 2001 of 21,474. The reserve has both a traditional Iroquois council of chiefs and an elected band council conforming to Canadian government requirements.

Notable Oneida

• Ohstahehte, the original Oneida Chief who accepted the Message of the Great Law of Peace.
• Graham Greene, actor.
• Cody McCormick, NHL hockey player for Colorado Avalanche.
• Joanne Shenandoah, award-winning singer and performer.
• Tehaliwaskenhas Bob Kennedy (Turtle Island)
• Moses Schuyler, co-founder of the Oneida Nation of the Thames Settlement.
• Garrison Chrisjohn, X-Files actor.
• Alex Elijah I (Pine Tree Chief & Haudenosaunee Expert)
• Charlie Hill, comedian, entertainer.
• Mary Wheeler, land claims activist.
• Evan John I, oral historian, traditional agriculture and horticulture expert.
• Demus Elm, oral historian, Haudenosaunee expert.
• Polly Cooper, leader, friend of Washington.
• Venus Walker, oral historian, Haudenosaunee ceremonies expert.
• Loretta Metoxin, leader, Oneida historian.
• Dr. Eileen Antone, academic, adult education expert.
• Harley Elijah Sr., President of Ironworkers Union Local 700.
• Gino Odjick, NHL hockey player for Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Flyers, Canadians.
• Chief Skenandoah, Oneida leader during the American Revolution.
• Carl J. Artman, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

• Jay Silverheels - best known as Tonto on The Lone Ranger

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Glatthaar, Joseph T. and James Kirby Martin. 2006. Forgotten Allies: the Oneida Indians and the American Revolution. New York, NY: Hill and Wang. ISBN 0809046016.
• Levinson, David. 1976. An Explanation for the Oneida-Colonist Alliance in the American Revolution. Ethnohistory 23:3:265-289.

• Oneida Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land, Wisconsin United States Census Bureau
• Graymont, Barbara, The Iroquois in the American Revolution, 1972, ISBN 0-8156-0083-6
• Kelsay, Isabel, Joseph Brant 1743-1780 Man of Two Worlds, 1984, ISBN 0-8156-0182-4
• Taylor, Alan, The Divided Ground, 2006, ISBN 0-679-45471-3

External links

• Official website of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York
• Official website of the Sovereign Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
• Cofrin Library : Oneida Bibliography
• Oneida Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
• Official Website of the Oneida Nation of the Thames
• Oneida Nation of the Thames Radio Station Website
• Traditional Oneidas of New York
• Oneida Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land, Wisconsin United States Census Bureau.
• Oneida Indian Nation
• Turning Stone Casino & Resort

• Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
• Jeff Lindsay's website about the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

• Official website
• INAC profile
• Six Nations of the Grand River website

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