Introduction
to the Oneida Indian Nation

In Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-so-nee) country, not far from the geographic center of New York State, a miracle is unfolding. A community is being reborn and literally rebuilt; a culture is being revitalized; and economic development and job opportunities are growing at an unprecedented pace. This miracle is taking place at the Oneida Indian Nation, a federally recognized Nation of 1,100 Members which is located in Central New York.

The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. It is a member of the Haudenosaunee, known in English as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy. The word Haudenosaunee means “people of the longhouse.”

While the people of the Oneida Nation have been on this land since time immemorial, the Oneida story is not well known. Before Europeans came to this country, the Oneida People inhabited millions of acres of land stretching from the St. Lawrence River in the north to the Susquehanna River in the south. Their belief that land and its natural resources should be shared made it possible for them to be systematically robbed of their lands through illegal transactions which ignored treaty guarantees and rights. Reduced to a 32-acre territory with no water or septic system, dilapidated housing, and a dirt, one-lane road, much of the community scattered.

Oneidas lived in these conditions despite special treaties with the United States acknowledging the debt owed to the Oneida People because of the assistance they provided as the colonists' first allies in the Revolutionary War. In fact, without the aid of the Oneidas, the United States might never have existed. Oneida warriors fought side-by-side with the colonists in many battles throughout the war. Some might even say that the Oneidas saved George Washington's starving army at Valley Forge when the Oneida People carried over 600 bushels of corn on their backs for 300 'miles in mid-winter to feed the soldiers. In gratitude for the loyalty, courage and suffering of the Oneida People during the Revolutionary War, the United States government signed the Treaty of Canandaigua in 1794. This treaty affirmed the sovereign right of the Oneida Nation to govern its lands and affairs in perpetuity.

Despite the depredations, discrimination and hopelessness of the past 200 years, the Oneida Nation survived. Today, through ingenuity, tenacity and hard work, the Oneida People have created a wealth of new opportunities and hope for themselves and for the Central New York region. In the last ten years, the Nation has grown into the area's largest private employer, providing jobs for over 5,000 people.

Government Structure
The Oneida Nation is composed of approximately 1,000 enrolled Members, about half of whom live in Central New York. Nation Members belong to one of three family clans – Bear, Wolf or Turtle. Both Nation membership and clan membership are determined through the mother’s bloodline. Each clan chooses representatives to the Nation’s governing body, the Men’s Council and Clan Mothers. Under Oneida tradition, the Men’s Council representatives are primarily responsible for day-to-day decision-making, while the Clan Mothers are charged with looking out for the Nation’s long-term interests. Tradition also requires both the Nation’s leaders and its Members to consider the impact on the next seven generations when making decisions.

The Nation is headed by a federally recognized Representative. That position is held today by Ray Halbritter.

Economic Initiatives
The Oneida Indian Nation operates a variety of businesses to fund its government programs. These enterprises include:

• Turning Stone Resort and Casino, featuring some of the most exciting gaming in the
  Northeast, a 285-room luxury hotel and 287-room Tower Hotel, championship golf
  complex and academy, first-class entertainment in the Showroom and Event Center,
  specialty retail shops and gourmet dining.
  
• The Lodge at Turning Stone is a 98-suite luxury retreat next to the Shenendoah
  Clubhouse at Turning Stone.
  
• The Inn at Turning Stone, a moderately priced 63-room motel, located just 1.5 miles from the resort.
  
• The Villages at Turning Stone RV Park, located half a mile from the resort.
  
• Four Directions Media Inc., publisher of Indian Country Today, the premier national
  newspaper focusing on Native American issues.
  
• The SavOn chain of gas stations and convenience stores.
  
• Standing Stone Gaming, which manufactures, markets and distributes the Oneida
  Nation’s patented cashless gaming operating system.
  

Economic Impact
These enterprises and the Nation’s government programs employ more than 4,200 people (most of them non-Native), making the Oneida Nation the largest employer in Madison and Oneida counties and one of the top employers in the 16 counties comprising Central New York.

The Nation’s business activities have had a marked effect on the region’s economy. The Nation’s fiscal 2004 payroll of $96 million in wages (not including benefits) ripples throughout Central New York as employees pump their salaries back into the local economy, buying goods and services from local businesses and paying a variety of taxes.

Nation spending also bolsters the area economy. In 2004, the Nation spent more than $342
million to purchase goods and services from more than 3,800 outside vendors. About half of
those vendors are located in New York State.

The Nation’s capital and construction spending also invigorates the economy. In 2004, the
Nation spent about $125 million on construction as part of its massive two-year, $308 million
expansion of Turning Stone.

Government Programs and Services
Proceeds from the Nation’s enterprises are funneled into essential services for Oneida Members. The success of these enterprises also allows the Nation’s government to reduce its reliance on outside funding. In 1999, the Oneida Nation became the first Indian government in the country to return federal funding to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The Nation’s services to Members include:

• A comprehensive health clinic, open to all Native Americans in a six-county area.
  
• Education scholarships and tuition assistance programs for everything from
  preparatory schools to post-doctoral work.
  
• A congregate meals and enrichment program for Nation Elders.
  
• An early childhood learning center.
  
• A multi-faceted recreation and youth development program.
  
• Continuing cultural education initiatives, including Oneida language and dance
  classes.
  
• The Village of the White Pines, a residential community providing affordable housing
  for Members.
  
• The Ray Elm Children and Elders Center, centerpiece of the Village of the White
  Pines and home to a variety of programs targeted for these key populations.
  
• Infrastructure improvements, including road repairs, sewer and water lines and
  beautification programs.
• Through a homeownership program, Key Bank makes available mortgages for home
  ownership to Members. The Nation in turn guarantees the Members’ mortgage to the
  bank.
• Nation Members who build or buy an existing home on Nation-owned land receive a
  $50,000 contribution from the Nation toward the purchase price.
  

The mission of the Oneida People is to restore their Nation to the strength and stability it enjoyed before Europeans landed on the shores of this country. The Oneida Nation is well on its way to achieving this goal.