FACT SHEET: The Oneida Indian Nation
Government Structure
The Oneida Nation is composed of approximately 1,000 enrolled Members, about half of whom live in Central New York. Nation Members belong to one of three family clans – Turtle, Wolf or Bear. Both Nation membership and clan membership are determined through the mother's bloodline. Each clan chooses representatives to the governing body, the Nation Council. Tradition requires both the Nation's leaders and its Members to consider the impact on the next seven generations when making decisions. The Nation is headed by a federally recognized Representative. That position is held today by Ray Halbritter. Economic Initiatives The Oneida Indian Nation operates a variety of businesses to fund its government programs. These enterprises include:
Gaming and Hospitality: Turning Stone Resort Casino, a destination resort featuring world class gaming, more than 700 hotel rooms and suites, RV park, three nationally-ranked 18-hole championship golf courses and two nine-hole courses, an indoor golf training center and tennis facility, more than 15 restaurants, Ska:ná Spa offering American Indian treatments, entertainment and conference facilities. Turning Stone has earned AAA four-diamond ratings for The Lodge, The Tower Hotel and Wildflowers restaurant. The Lodge has earned a Condé Nast Johansens Award for Excellence. The Atunyote Golf Club hosted The Turning Stone Resort Championship, an official PGA TOUR event. Turning Stone's entertainment and meeting venues include the 5,000-seat Event Center, the 800-seat Showroom, LAVA Dance Club and the Conference Center. These venues host many of the nation's top entertainers each year, as well as special events such as trade shows and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs. Retail: Twelve SāvOn Convenience stores; Car Care; and three marinas. Four Directions Productions: Four Directions Productions, a HD cinematography/3D animation studio that in 2007 produced “Raccoon & Crawfish, an award-winning animated short. Indian Country Today Media Network Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN) is the first ever all-inclusive media network for American Indians and combines a website, Indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com, and a weekly magazine, This Week from Indian Country Today. The website and magazine provides essential news and information from Indian Country, featuring new artists and cultural highlights, and give life to the most influential voices in the national Native community. Economic Impact These enterprises and the Nation's government programs employ 4,500 people (most of them non-Native), making the Oneida Nation the largest employer in Oneida and Madison counties and one of the largest employers in the 16 counties of Central New York. The Nation's workforce earned more than $126 million in wages and bonuses during the 2010 fiscal year. In 2010, the Nation spent nearly than $285 million with other businesses, including about $114 million in Central New York for goods and services. Since Turning Stone Resort Casino opened in 1993, the Nation has infused more than $4.7 billion into the economy through its direct spending. Government Programs and Services Proceeds from the Nation's enterprises are funneled into essential services for Oneida Members. The Nation's services to Members include: Most PopularInformation, photos, video or graphics from www.OneidaIndianNation.com may not be republished, uploaded, posted or distributed in any way without the prior approval of Oneida Indian Nation Communications. Permission is for one time use only. Any use of this material must be credited to: Oneida Indian Nation.
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