Oneidas

The Oneida people are an Indigenous nation that historically inhabited the region between the eastern Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. They are one of the five founding nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois League. Their traditional territory encompassed parts of present-day New York State. The Oneida language is part of the Iroquoian language family.

Historically, the Oneida were known for their agricultural practices, relying on crops such as corn, beans, and squash. They also engaged in hunting, fishing, and gathering. Their social structure was matrilineal, with lineage and inheritance passed down through the mother's side. They lived in longhouses, which were communal dwellings shared by extended families.

During the colonial era, the Oneida played a significant role in the political landscape of the region. They often allied with European powers, their decisions impacting the balance of power among the Haudenosaunee and with the colonial governments. The American Revolutionary War saw the Oneida divided, with some supporting the American colonies and others remaining neutral or siding with the British.

Following the Revolution, many Oneida were displaced from their ancestral lands. Today, the Oneida people are organized into several federally recognized tribes and nations. The Oneida Indian Nation in New York, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and the Oneida of the Thames First Nation in Ontario, Canada, are the primary contemporary Oneida communities. These nations continue to maintain their cultural heritage, languages, and governance structures while navigating modern societal challenges.