Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized tribe of Oneida people in the United States. The tribe is headquartered in Verona, New York, where the tribe originated and held territory prior to European colonialism, and continues to hold territory today. They are Iroquoian-speaking people, and one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee.
The Oneida are known as "America's first allies" as they were the first Iroquois nation, and one of the few, to support the American cause. Three other federally recognized Oneida tribes operate in locations where they migrated or were removed to during and after the American Revolutionary War: one in Wisconsin in the United States, and two in Ontario, Canada.
The OIN was a party to land claim suits against the state of New York for treaties and purchases it made after the American Revolutionary War without ratification by the United States Congress, as required under the US Constitution. The litigation covered complex issues related to trust lands, Class III gaming, property, and sales tax collection. The 2013 landmark agreement entered into on May 16, 2013, between Madison and Oneida Counties, the OIN, and the state resolved these issues.
Today, the Oneida Indian Nation maintains sovereignty over roughly 18,000 acres of land in Madison and Oneida County, New York where they operate a number of businesses under the 2013 landmark agreement between the OIN, the State of New York, and Madison and Oneida Counties. These businesses include a resort with a Class III gambling casino.
Government
The tribe is headquartered in Verona, New York, and the national representative is Ray Halbritter. Halbritter has led the OIN since 1985, alongside Richard Chrisjohn; an additional leader. In 1993, the United States government formally recognized Halbritter as the OIN leader. The tribal council consists of 8 clan members.Traditionally, the male council members are responsible for daily decisions. The Clan Mothers make long-term decisions.Tradition also requires national leaders and citizens to consider the impact on the next seven generations when making decisions.
OIN Court
The OIN has its own court system. The current presiding judges are the Honorable Robert G. Hurlbutt and the Honorable John J. Brunetti. The Court is governed by its own Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Rules of Debt Collection, and Rules of Peacemaking. The Court operates under the guidelines on traditional Oneida values of peaceful mediation and reconciliation.OIN police department
The OIN has its own police department that coordinates with New York State, Madison and Oneida County, and local law enforcement. "Deputized by federal authority, the Oneida Nation Police Department was the first tribal police force in the U.S. to receive accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and is a professionally trained law enforcement agency empowered by the sovereign authority of the Oneida Indian Nation." Gary Henderson is the current police chief.Treaties
In addition to being a member of the nation of the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua, the OIN is a member of the following treaties:- Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation; known as the Jay Treaty
- Treaty with the Six Nations, 1784; known as the Veterans Treaty
- Treaty with the Six Nations, 1789; known as the Veterans Treaty
- Treaty with the Oneida, Etc., 1794; known as the Veterans Treaty
Citizenship
Clans
The Oneida Indian Nation consists of three matrilineal clans: Turtle, Wolf, and Bear. Each OIN citizen belongs to one of these clans. A child is considered born into the mother's clan, and takes social status from her people.Clan creation
states that clan names and the matrilineal kinship system came from a response to issues that arose during the Haudenosaunee mourning process. Before the clans' creation, the entire Oneida village would mourn after the death of a village member. This caused problems since important decisions were put on hold during the time of mourning. Village leaders were at a loss as to how to continue everyday life while observing mourning practices. A young villager proposed a solution to the leaders. He suggested sending three female elders to the nearby river and having them build a fire and spend the night. At dawn, the women would pray to the Creator and take notice of the first animal that approached the river. Once the women had seen an animal, they were to report back to the village leaders. The elders implemented the plan. Three women were sent to the river. Upon their return, one woman reported seeing a turtle. The second saw a wolf. The third woman saw bear. The village leaders named their clans Turtle, Wolf and Bear and determined clans would be passed down through the mother's line, since women have the Creator's gift to create life. After the clans were established, when there was a death in the village, only the members of the deceased person's clan would mourn. The members of a second clan would console them, and the members of the third clan would carry on village business.Businesses
The tribe set up Oneida Nation Enterprises, through which it operates a number of businesses in Central New York. As of 2013, it was the largest employer of the area, with approximately 5,000 jobs total. Business interests include:Bingo and gasoline
In the early 1990s, the OIN opened a bingo hall. Ray Halbritter, opened a gas station known as SavOn across the street. The cheaper gasoline made the gas station popular among the community.Eventually the OIN bought SavOn and expanded it into multiple locations within the area. Today SavOn is a chain of gas stations and convenience stores in Oneida and Madison counties, owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation.
Casinos and resorts
The OIN owns several casinos. They opened first opening Turning Stone Casino & Resort in 1993. After the 2013 landmark settlement, the OIN opened the Yellow Brick Road Casino in 2015. They opened the Point Place Casino in Bridgeport, New York, in 2018.Turning Stone Resort Casino
The tribe's most profitable business is the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, which has been expanding continuously since its opening in 1993. The current game-space is approximately. Begun as a bingo hall, it has been developed as a large, Class III gaming facility and resort. The entertainment site includes nationally ranked hotels and restaurants. Many shows are performed throughout the year. The resort is the host for a fall Professional Golfers' Association tournament.Some parties have challenged the tribal-state gaming compact between the OIN and New York state. The 2013 agreement between the OIN, Madison and Oneida Counties, and New York resolved all challenges to the casino.
In 2016, the casino and resort underwent a $20 million upgrade and renovation project to provide better smoke-free areas on the gambling floor, improve ventilation facilities, add a cafeteria, and add/upgrade rooms.
"Yellow Brick Road" Casino
In June 2015, the OIN opened a casino based on themes from the popular book and film, The Wizard of Oz, indirectly honoring writer L. Frank Baum, who was from Central New York. The facility is located in Tops Plaza, 800 W. Genesee St., Chittenango, NY and contains of gaming space with over 400 slot machines; open 24/7. Table games are open Sunday-Thursday from 10am to 12am, and Friday & Saturday from 10am to 2am.Other Native Americans have criticized this choice, as Baum was noted for supporting genocide against the Sioux Nation. The Washington Post noted that their choice was a problem, as Mr. Halbritter led the effort to force the Washington Redskins to change their name by dropping the reference to Native Americans because Mr. Halbritter believes it is derogatory to all Native Americans.
In recent years, the casino has since been renamed to the YBR Casino & Sports Book, as the company is making efforts to move away from the Wizard of Oz theme. New renovations include additional table games, a six-lane bowling alley, an indoor virtual driving range by Topgolf, and a large sportsbook area.
Point Place Casino
Located at 450 NY-31, Bridgeport, NY, this facility contains of gaming space. It is the newest casino the Oneida Nation Enterprises operates and it is entirely smoke-free. Visitors can choose from over 500 slot machines and 20 classic table games. Table game hours are Sunday - Thursday 10am - 12am and Friday - Saturday 10am - 3am.Other business ventures
The OIN has purchased a marina on the southeastern shore of Oneida Lake and many plots of land in the area.The Indian Country Media Network was owned by the Oneida Nation of New York until 2017; it included the Indian Country Today online newspaper. That year the OIN donated the news organization's assets to the National Congress of American Indians. The NCAI has continued to publish Indian Country Today online.