Ray Elm Children and Elders Center
Since 1999, the Ray Elm Children and Elders Center has served as a cornerstone of the Oneida Indian Nation, primarily dedicated to its two most essential services: Elder care and childcare. Located on ancestral homelands, the 34,000-square-foot facility is designed to symbolize the Creator’s embrace of these two generations. The east wing supports the Elder’s Program with a dining hall and workshop, while the west wing houses the Early Learning Center, featuring specialized classrooms and play areas. Centrally located between these two primary programs are the Nation Library and education offices, which includes the Scholarship Incentive Program. The center was intentionally modeled after a traditional Haudenosaunee longhouse with a cooper-hooded fireplace.
Early Learning Center
Educational programs at the Oneida Indian Nation’s nationally accredited Early Learning Center (ELC) are designed to nurture children’s’ physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional growth through encouragement and interactive activities in a safe and nurturing environment. Teachers receive continuous child development training and have a solid background in early childhood education. Learn More
Scholarship incentive program
The Oneida Indian Nation Scholarship Incentive Program affords eligible Oneida Members tuition funds equal to the cost of a state college. The Nation also has established incentive and tuition assistance for Oneida Members in pre-k through doctoral level educational institutions. Since the program began in 1991 more than 400 Oneida Members have received assistance with their educational endeavors.
Elders program
Oneida Elders and American Indian clients participate in educational, nutritional and social programming at the Ray Elm Children and Elders Center. The program provides a variety of activities and classes to help Elders maintain an independent lifestyle.
Oneida Indian Nation Library
The Oneida Indian Nation Library features more than 18,000 cataloged holdings of books, reference materials, DVDs, periodicals, music CDs, audiobook CDs, and children’s publications aimed at an American Indian audience. Fully supported by the Oneida Indian Nation, the independent library serves more than 1,100 patrons including Oneida Members, Health Services clients, American Indians living locally (must have tribal enrollment) and employees of the Oneida Indian Nation and its Enterprises.
Contact Information
Ray Elm Children and Elders Center
500 Skenondoa Way Oneida, NY 13421
Phone: (315) 829-8200
For the Early Learning Center, call: (315) 829-8155
For the Elders Program, call: (315) 829-8133
Governance & resources
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