Work ethics, timeliness, responsibilities; artifacts, fitness, fun -- it’s just another day’s work for participants in the Youth Work Learn program.

Celebrating 19 years, the Oneida Indian Nation’s Youth Work Learn program offers Oneida Nation and American Indian youth real job experiences during a six-week run. While older participants age 15 and up worked in various departments, the younger group -- age 13 to 14 -- participated in the crew.

Members started off the day with an Oneida language lesson, but soon found themselves working on maintenance jobs suitable to their age. But working on the crew also afforded them a history lesson and a chance to go to court.

The purpose of the program is two-fold, explained Randy Phillips, Youth Work Learn program manager. “Really, it’s for the kids to get a job and to have some money, but also to learn what a job really is, to learn how to come to work prepared, and to do good things for their employers,” he said. “And there’s the educational component we have, which covers areas that will be important as they grow older, issues they may not think of now.”

The program is open to Oneida Nation members and other American Indians. Participants must meet educational requirements in order to qualify.

Back into the History of Vallaincourt

In July, the crew comprised of Mandi and Meriah Beauvais (both Wolf Clan), Michael Berger (Turtle Clan), Alex Steeprock (Turtle Clan), Alyssa Lynch and Michael Paulikowski, tackled bugs and hotter-than-normal weather all in the name of history.

Under the guidance of Jesse Bergevin, historic resource specialist with the Oneida Indian Nation, the group headed to the Vallaincourt site, home to an Oneida village in the 1500s.

“We are on what we think is the edge of the Vallaincourt site,” Jesse said. The group was busy at work after having set up meter-by-meter excavation pits underneath the covering of some trees.

Jesse explained the site, which is now owned by the Nation, is named for the former landowner of the property. “The site was occupied from about 1550 to 1575. It was one of the last village sites where the Oneidas weren’t in contact with the Europeans.”

Jesse said the site is one of the largest Oneida sites in total acreage. The site has never been completely excavated. Eight longhouses are known to be part of the village, which possibly could have more.

“Every village site is significant, I think, to the history of the area and to the history of the Oneidas,” Jesse said. Owning the site “gives them (the Oneidas) a chance to have better control over the way the site is treated, how it’s preserved, and the history of the site.”

Taking to the Courts

Fast forward from the Vallaincourt site: The group exchanged the past for the present, and stepped onto the tennis courts at the Indoor Practice Facility at Turning Stone. The partnership between Youth Work Learn and tennis blossomed thanks to Randy’s interest in the game and his exchange with Jason Stokes, head tennis professional at Turning Stone.

“We sat down one night and talked about how we can work out with the kids, get them on the tennis court, have a healthy outlook, (give them) energy, exercise, and learn something new,” Jason said. “This is a byproduct of that. Hopefully we’ll be able to turn it into something larger next year, four or five weeks in a row, giving the kids multiple times to play.”

Brian Galle, tennis manager and head tennis professional at Turning Stone, said that tennis is one of those lifetime sports. Similar to golf, you don’t need a whole team to play, and you can always practice by yourself.

“It’s a great cardio exercise, it’s a great workout for them, and I think it gives them a different experience,” Brian added. “I started playing when I was 13. The earlier you start, you get yourself used to the techniques and the strokes, and it’s much easier to learn when you’re younger.”

And learning is what Youth Work Learn is all about. It is just one of the many programs the Oneida Indian Nation has implemented to support its youth.

“The program allows our young people the opportunity to have a meaningful work experience and the chance to be mentored by supportive Nation employees. Participants work hard to be part of this group in the summer,” Randy added. “It’s a very successful program.”