ONEIDA INDIAN NATION NEWS THE ONEIDA ISSUE 3 VOLUME 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 Sundance Institute Brings Short-Film Nation Hosts New Series and Workshop to Oneida York State-Native torytelling has always been a Relations Committee Scritical element of Indigenous n August 5, delegates from the culture. In keeping with the ONew York State-Native American tradition, the Oneida Indian Nation Relations Committee visited Oneida has teamed with the Sundance Indian Nation homelands for a productive Institute—a leader in championing day of meetings and dialogue. The visit minority voices in fi lm—to bring follows a commitment made by the Native stories to the forefront in Senate Committee to visit tribal nations Central New York. throughout New York, and is in line with In early August, the Nation the Nation’s dedication to strengthening welcomed Sundance’s Indigenous Jolene Patterson and Nation Representative Ray Halbritter at the Sundance screening. relations with regional partners and Program for a two-day program stakeholders. of fi lm screenings and a Native The short-fi lm series, which featured The committee members, which fi lmmaking workshop led by award- fi ve fi lms produced by students in included NYS Senators Joseph Addabbo winning fi lmmaker Erica Tremblay Sundance’s Native Film Lab, screened in Jr., Daphne Jordan, Timothy Kennedy, (Seneca-Cayuga). The events provide an the Seneca Room at Turning Stone Resort Betty Little, Rachel May, Robert Ortt opportunity to extend the reach of Native Casino on August 8. and Gustavo Rivera, were joined by stories from across the country and Speaking to a packed room, Nation Senator Joseph Griffo for a tour of Nation highlight the need for more Native fi lms Representative Ray Halbritter welcomed property, beginning at the Council House. in the future. the audience and spoke about the Continued on page 2 importance of collaborative events that champion American Indians. He reminded those in attendance of the Nation’s own history and its often suppressed or ignored role in the founding of the country. “We are not alone in not having our story told,” Ray said. “This is the case for many Indian nations and Native people across the country, which makes Dr. Tonya Cornelius (right) with her daughter programs like this so important.” Sen. Daphne Jordan is presented with a Arianna at the screening. Continued on page 4 friendship feather. facebook.com/OneidaIndianNationNY twitter.com/OneidaNatnNews www.OneidaIndianNation.com Nation Hosts Committee Continued from page 1 There, they were greeted by Nation Representative Ray Halbritter, who provided a brief history of the Nation and outlined its functions as a modern government. The senators learned about the Nation’s many services, such as its healthcare, law enforcement and education programs. He also spoke about the importance of meetings like these, as a form of open dialogue and valuable relationship building. Before leaving the Council House, the Children welcomed the group to Oneida homelands with songs in the Oneida language and a lawmakers were treated to a traditional presentation of friendship feathers. welcome song by Oneida children, who presented each guest with a friendship feather. From there, they toured other Pictured (from left): Nation property and stopped at the Sen. Rachel May, Sen. Oneida Indian Nation Courthouse, where Joseph Addabbo Jr., they met with Judge Robert Hurlbutt and Sen. Joe Griffo, Sen. Gustavo Rivera, Sen. Nation Chief of Police Gary Henderson. Tim Kennedy, Nation In the afternoon, joined by Oneida Representative Ray County Executive Anthony Picente and Halbritter and Sen. Madison County Board of Supervisors Daphne Jordan. Chairman John Becker, the delegation attended a lunch at Turning Stone. Ray spoke again, this time to discuss issues related to Central New York’s economic development and the Nation’s economic importance to the region. ONYOTA’A:K@: TOLL-FREE MEMBER PHONE LINE Th is newsletter is an offi cial publication of the Oneida Indian Nation, published under the authority of the 1.800.685.6115 Oneida Indian Nation Representative(s), Ray Halbritter. Any reproduction without the express authority of the Nation Council Meetings are held the fi rst Oneida Indian Nation is strictly prohibited. Tuesday of every month at 10:30 a.m., Nation Council House, Oneida Territory via Route 46 South, Oneida, NY EDITORIAL STAFF: For further information contact: Th e Oneida Indian Nation, P.O. Box 1, Vernon, NY 13476, or visit us on the Ray Halbritter, Publisher and CEO web: www.OneidaIndianNation.com Joel Barkin, Vice President of Communications Jim Heins, Senior Manager, Editorial Services DOING BUSINESS ON NATION LAND Pat Catalano, GP&S Programs Coordinator Th e Oneida Indian Nation has developed a website for use ONEIDA NATION COUNCIL by any business who does business on Nation lands and collects Oneida Indian Nation Sales Tax to remit the taxes Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative, Wolf Clan to the Nation online. If you have a business on Nation land Keller George, Wolf Clan or are thinking about starting one up, contact the Nation’s Chuck Fougnier, Wolf Clan Department of Taxation at 315-366-9393 for assistance. Brian Patterson, Bear Clan Th ey can help answer any questions and provide training on Pete John, Bear Clan the website’s use. Sheri Beglen (Wolf Clan) led the children Clint Hill, Turtle Clan Dale Rood, Turtle Clan in song. 2 SEPTEMBER 2019 Youth Work/Learn Participant Refl ects on Summer Job Placement at Turning Stone's Golf Department lsie Cook (Wolf Clan) has been a carts at the end of Eparticipant in the Oneida Indian the day. When the Nation’s Youth Work/Learn (YWL) weather was not summer program for the last few years cooperating she as a member of the Crew – the group for helped out at the golf YWL youth aged 13-15, who take part in dome. a number of cultural projects around the Elsie doesn’t golf, Elsie Cook took a job with Turning Stone's golf department through the region. This summer, though, she moved but she said she really Oneida Indian Nation's Youth Work/Learn program. into the job-placement division reserved enjoyed working Recreation Miles Blundell also spoke for those aged 16-19, to work at Turning outside whenever possible. That’s also highly of Elsie’s contribution to his team. Stone Resort Casino’s golf department. what she enjoyed most about the Crew. “Elsie was a great addition to the golf The move into a mentorship placement “The Crew was great. I love being department this summer,” he said. “She at a Nation job site offers the opportunity outside, so being here made the transition gained experience working in various for young people to obtain real-world easier,” she said. “Sometimes I miss my areas of the operation and helped us experience in the workforce. Elsie said friends, but I really like being able to create memorable experiences for guests. she enjoyed her summer learning from work longer. Everyone here has been Hopefully she'll return next season.” and working with a great group of new really nice to work with.” For the upcoming school year, Elsie is coworkers. Tracie McLain, the Youth Work/Learn moving up north to the Akwesasne area to “The biggest difference is the level of supervisor, was proud to see Elsie make live with her dad. She previously attended responsibility,” she said. “I’m working the move to the golf department and see Oneida High School. 40 hours a week, which has been a big her confi dence grow in her new role. Other participants in the YWL transition. But I’ve enjoyed it.” “Elsie was a little nervous to go to job mentorship program this summer With the new job came new golf on her own this year,” Tracie said. included Kadin Martin, Brandi Ross, responsibilities. Elsie’s role in the golf “She became much more comfortable Alaina Bean, Trevir Relyea and John department involved bringing players interacting with guests the longer she was Wise. Kadin moved to Turning Stone Car onto the course, placing players’ clubs on there, and she got glowing reviews from Care this year after spending last summer carts before their round, cleaning clubs her supervisor. I’m so proud of her.” at Mariner’s Landing Marina in Sylvan when the players returned and washing Turning Stone’s Director of Golf and Continued on page 12 Members of the Crew took part in various activities over the summer, including painting and landscaping at Nation properties and local educational trips. 3 Sundance Continued from page 1 Ray also congratulated Nation Member (and aspiring fi lmmaker) Jolene Patterson (Wolf Clan), a 2019 recipient of the Institute’s Full Circle Fellowship. The screening featured Mino Bimaadiziwin, written and directed by Shane McSauby (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians); I Am Thy Warrior, written and directed by Razelle Benally (Navajo/Oglala Lakota); The Moon and the Night, written and directed by Erin Lau (Native Hawaiian); Mud, written and directed by Shaandiin Tome (Diné-Navajo), who appeared at the Nation’s screening event in October; and Clairesse and Jolene Patterson talk with Jules Obomsawin (Wolf Clan) at the a rough cut of Little Chieff, written and Sundance screening at Turning Stone. directed by Erica Tremblay. the importance of storytelling in Native After the fi lms were shown, the crowd culture. had the opportunity to engage with Erica Dr. Tonya Cornelius (Turtle Clan) and ask questions about her work and her and her daughter Arianna also attended approach to fi lmmaking. Many Nation the screening, as well as the workshop Members were in attendance and joined the following day. She was impressed in the conversation, including Bear Clan with the collection of stories told and the Councilmember Brian Patterson, who partnership between the Nation and the raved about the fi lms and refl ected on Sundance Indigenous program.