Facebook Twitter Youtube CAREERS NEWS MEDIA CONTACT BELIEFS & TRADITIONS One of the founding members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Oneidas have many beliefs and traditions that have stood the test of time – devotion to their homelands, commitment to collaboration and respect for the gifts of the Creator. Early Oneidas traveled hundreds of miles to deliver corn to Washington’s starving troops at Valley Forge and marked agreements and pacts with a sacred substance known as wampum. Lessons passed along from Elders were respected, Polly Cooper was documented as a hero for her service and the arrival of the strawberry was celebrated. Today’s Oneidas work diligently to preserve these traits, traditions and overall culture of their ancestors. They recognize and honor the wisdom, legends and lore that have led to the perseverance, determination and gratitude of today’s Oneidas and will in turn influence generations to come. The Traditional Haudenosaunee Longhouse Longhouses were the typical dwelling unit of the Haudenosaunee People, from Ontario through New York State. They usually housed a number of families w [...] Artful Baskets, an Important Part of Oneida Culture, on Display at Shako:wi Cultural Center The Oneida Indian Nation’s Shako:wi Cultural Center is home to a collection of baskets dating from the late 1800s to early 1900s in a style identified [...] Notes from the past: The Game of Longball From the Oneida, Vol.4, No. 4, April, 1993: When Elder Keller George (Wolf Clan) was a boy, he remembers playing longball, a Native American game enjo [...] Snow Snake: Traditional Winter Game of the Haudenosaunee Snow Snake is a traditional Haudenosaunee game played during the winter. Historically, the games were played when the men of the villages returned fro [...] Fishing for Life Traditionally, Oneida fished for sustenance primarily during the fall and the spring spawning seasons. Since rods and hooks were unknown at the time, [...] Lacrosse Is Important to Many By Clint Hill, Oneida Nation Turtle Clan Council Member May, 2001 Lacrosse – a spiritual game played centuries ago for recreation or political reasons [...] The Interworking of the Three Sisters Corn, beans and squash are known as the Sustainers of Life because they comprised the foundation of the Oneida diet of old. Although occasionally augm [...] Haudenosaunee Hunting and Fishing Techniques The Haudenosaunee developed a cooperative culture, with each member of a village or clan responsible for helping others in the group. Women tended the [...] The Art of Cornbread This "Staff of Life" Provided Energy This hearty bread was once a staple in the diet of the Oneida People. For centuries this nutritious “staff of lif [...] Timeless Technique of Bones When John Webster (Wolf Clan) was a mere child of 7 years old, he distinctly remembers learning a game from his paternal grandmother, Malenda Webster [...] The Peacemaker’s Gift of the Great Law In a distant time, the Oneida, Mohawk, Seneca, Onondaga and Cayuga warred against each other. It was a period of great upheaval that continued until t [...] Inspiring Women’s Rights: Haudenosaunee Life Stimulates Historical Movement Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Lucretia Mott – all pioneers of the women’s rights movement in the 19th century – drew inspiration fo [...] Haudenosaunee Women and Equality The women of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy have been held in esteem and living in equality with men for centuries. The freedoms enjoyed by Haudenosaun [...] 1 2 3 4 5 Oneida Beadwork Collection Offers Magnificent Artistry Safely stored in the Nation’s archives are extraordinary items of Haudenosaunee beadwork, remarkable for their intricacy and colorful design. Origina [...] Elders: The Living Past Oneida Elders provide a view of the past and a vision for the future. Their memories connect the Oneidas of today with past generations. Following are [...] Oral Tradition Storytelling knits generations together. The Oneida oral tradition is filled with wonderful tales from our Elders, guaranteed to scare, interest, or a [...] Haudenosaunee Dance While dancers appear to move effortlessly, the world of Haudenosaunee dance is complex. Each dance is dependent upon different drumbeats, different ch [...] Lacrosse, the Creator’s game Played throughout the world today, the sport of lacrosse is derived from a Haudenosaunee game of great antiquity. This game required the greatest skil [...] Honoring Women Women have been a central figure in all homes throughout Oneida history. Honoring women is a long-established part of the Oneida culture. Like many an [...] Wampum: Memorializing the Spoken Word From ancient times to the present, onikó:lha’ (o knee goal), or Wampum – a sacred substance that many believe has a healing presence – attests to th [...] The Importance of Indian White Corn and Keeping Tradition Alive This story originally appeared in The Oneida, Issue 8, Volume 10, May/June 2008. Today’s Oneidas work diligently to preserve their culture and teach c [...] Conservation: A Haudenosaunee View The Haudenosaunee people have always lived in balance with nature. They know the Creator’s gifts must be tended and preserved unto the seventh generat [...] Celebration of the Strawberry In the Haudenosaunee culture the strawberry is considered a gift from the Creator and the first berry of the season holds a special place for the Onei [...] Eating the Seasons Before the advent of refrigeration and preservatives, Oneidas learned how to make the best use of the gifts of Mother Earth by “eating the seasons.” I [...] Companion Planting Corn, beans, and squash are often times planted together to maximize success. Learn how one plant would draw from another, and how the Oneidas use the [...] GET TO KNOW US CONNECT 2037 Dream Catcher Plaza Oneida, NY 13421 Phone: (315) 829-8900 Fax: (315) 829-8958 Toll-free Phone: (800) 685-6115 RESOURCES Oneida Indian Nation Police Enterprises Turning Stone Properties Ordinances & Codes Nation Department of Taxation Terms of Use NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news. 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