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FACT SHEET: The Oneida Indian Nation

Story Created: Aug 12, 2008 at 9:29 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 19, 2010 at 2:09 PM EDT

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 and 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 is the annual host of 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 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 and Agriculture:

    Twelve SāvOn Convenience stores; Car Care; three marinas; and a 3200 acres Angus beef and crop farm.

    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
    A national multi-media news source that produces the newspaper, Indian Country Today, as well as four quarterly magazines, e-newsletters, and a web 2.0 interactive website.

    Economic Impact

    These enterprises and the Nation's government programs employ nearly 4,800 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 $124.4 million in wages and bonuses during the 2009 fiscal year.

    In 2009, the Nation spent nearly than $320 million with other businesses, including about $85 million in Central New York for goods and services. Since Turning Stone Resort and 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:

    • A comprehensive health clinic, open to all Native Americans in a six-county area.
    • Education scholarships and tuition assistance programs for everything from preparatory schools to post-doctoral work.
    • A congregate meals and enrichment program for Nation Elders.
    • An early childhood learning center.
    • A multi-faceted recreation and youth development program.
      Continuing cultural education initiatives, including Oneida language and dance classes.
    • The Village of the White Pines, a residential community providing affordable housing for Members.
    • The Ray Elm Children and Elders Center, centerpiece of the Village of the White Pines and home to a variety of programs targeted for these key populations.
    • Infrastructure improvements, including road repairs, sewer and water lines and beautification programs.

      The mission of the Oneida People is to restore their Nation to the strength and stability it enjoyed before Europeans landed on the shores of this country. The Oneida Nation is well on its way to achieving this goal.




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