Crowds gathered around Turtle Mound in the Indian Village at the New York State Fair Sept. 1 for a celebration of Oneida Day.

Punctuating the day were Oneida dancers in full regalia, entertaining with athletic prowess despite the oppressive heat. Words and a song of thanksgiving were offered in the Oneida language followed by an address by Nation Representative and CEO Ray Halbritter (Wolf Clan), who provided a synopsis of Oneida history to the crowd.

“Today is a celebration of who we are,” said Ray. “Enjoy the dancing and singing of our people which has been handed down for generations since time immemorial.

“… We are a matrilineal society. Mothers determine our lineage, who we are, what clan we belong to. The Oneida have three clans, wolf, turtle and bear. We honor women in our society.”

Fairgoers could also partake in traditional foods, including corn soup featured at the cookhouse in the village. Numerous artisans – Oneida as well as Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora, who make up the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy -- were on hand displaying their handcrafted wares, allowing fairgoers to take home a remembrance of the ancient cultures represented within the village’s confines.

The Oneida Day celebration comes just days before American Indian Day, which the Oneida Indian Nation will celebrate on Friday, Sept. 3.

This day was set aside to honor and remember the many contributions American Indians have made to society. The holiday was first observed in 1912 by Rochester-area Boy Scouts at the suggestion of Dr. Arthur Parker (Seneca), director of the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences.

In 1914 Red Fox James (Blackfoot) traveled on horseback from Montana to Washington, D.C. to encourage governors to adopt a day of honor for American Indians. The American Indian Association sanctioned the plan a year later. New York adopted the celebration in 1916.

While the original date was celebrated in December, most states now observe American Indian Day on the fourth Friday in September.

The Oneida Indian Nation encourages all people to learn more about American Indian contributions to society. Visit the Shako:wi Cultural Center to learn more about the Oneidas, and other local sites such as Fort Stanwix and the Oriskany Battlefield to step back in time and learn about the Revolutionary War. The Great New York State Fair, ongoing through Monday, features Oneidas and other members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Traditional social dances are performed at 11 a.m., 4 and 7 p.m.