With 2025 being celebrated as Oneida Year at the Six Nations Agricultural Society Indian Village at the Great New York State Fair, the Nation had the honor of selecting this year’s Indian Village Princess, Elaina Cook (Wolf Clan). As Princess, Elaina shared Oneida and Haudenosaunee traditions with fairgoers by leading three daily social dance presentations and educating visitors about Oneida culture
During the special 2 p.m. program, Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter introduced Elaina to the visitors to Turtle Mound and shared a brief history of the Oneida people. He reflected on the legacy of Emily Johnson (Turtle Clan), a beloved Elder who spent many years at the fair selling her beadwork and crafts at the Oneida booth. The Nation recently acquired one of her quilts — a piece that beautifully features the Haudenosaunee nations and honors the persistent work of Dr. Erl Bates, who helped establish the Indian Village itself. The quilt won first place in the antiques division of the Indian Village competitions.
Jeremy Kennedy (Wolf Clan), and his band, Sacred Medicine, also performed for the first time at the Fair, right on the Turtle Mound on Oneida Day.
Oneida Day continues to be a celebration of the Oneida Indian Nation’s past, present, and future.
