Each November the Oneidas celebrate two occasions symbolizing the unique bond between the United States and the Oneida Indian Nation: the anniversary of the Canandaigua Treaty and Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is a time to remember how America’s first allies have always stepped forward to aid their neighbors. But did you know that Oneidas have their own Veterans Treaty with the U.S.?

On December 2, 1794, in Oneida Castle, New York, the document was created by the U.S., noting the special relationship with the Oneida Nation. It recognizes the wartime sacrifices made by the Oneidas on behalf of the American people. It came about after the Canandaigua Treaty when Pickering came straight to Oneida in order to acknowledge America’s Revolutionary War debt to the Oneida Nation.

Pickering's greatest accomplishment as envoy to the Iroquois was the Treaty of Canandaigua signed on November 11, 1794. Considered by many to be the United States’ oldest international agreement still in effect, the treaty established the sovereign relationship between the federal government and the Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca Nations.

As soon as Pickering was done at Canandaigua, he rode east to Oneida Castle to conduct a second Iroquois treaty, an agreement to indemnify Oneidas and incidental Tuscaroras for losses and services in the Revolution.

This pact is unique in American history. It is the only one in which the United States commemorates victory jointly achieved with an Indian ally. Indeed, it may be the only treaty in which the U.S. says “thank you” to an Indian nation. For Pickering, the Oneida treaty corrected an injustice and did much to satisfy his sense of national honor.

This treaty goes on to say the U.S. will indemnify the Oneidas $5,000 for their losses and services. Compensating the Oneidas for the destruction of important facilities in 1780, the U.S. will erect a gristmill and a sawmill, and provide $1,000 for rebuilding a church.

Ratified by Congress in January 1795, the treaty's cash settlement was distributed among the Oneidas the following June. A sawmill was in existence by 1796. Very possibly the Oneidas never received the balance of what was owed them since they were still seeking a gristmill and a church as late as 1805.