Elders 1996

Front Row, Left to Right: Lydia Denny, Melinda Doxtator, Margaret Summers, Lavinia Webster, Mary Jourdan.
Standing: Hudson Doxtator, Leona Smith, Helen Skenandore, Loretta Webster, Luella Elm.

Elders 2000

Left to Right: Hudson Doxtator, Vera Wilson, Helen Skenandore, Lavinia Webster, Margaret Summers and Lydia Denny. Not pictured: Luella Elm.

Our elders are the most important resource of our community and the Oneida Nation Revitalization Program. They held on to their first language through displacement, racism, boarding school experiences, going off to war and raising families in a community where every effort, that could be made to get them to assimilate, was made.

We honor them and recognize the sacrifices they endured to remain (real and true people). The elder speakers, involved with our program, range from 78 to 95 years! The photos include some who have passed, who we visit at their homes or in a nursing home, who continue to ride our Tribal Transit a couple days a week to "come to work" and a couple who drive themselves. Some have decided to take a break. Some of them, like Lavinia Webster were involved in efforts to "save" our language in the early 70's when we woke up and realized the importance of our language and those who continued to speak it were getting on in years. Lavinia took part in the project, in Milwaukee, along with others from our community and other tribes in the state to preserve language. Hudson, Leona, Margaret, Mary and Luella worked in the schools. Helen, Melinda and Loretta, along with most of the others, met once a week with another elder speaker, Lloyd Schuyler, to take that opportunity to speak together and allow others to listen and learn. Melinda worked with her grandson, Leander, until he became a fluent speaker. Each has a wonderful story to share about what brought them to this point in their life. It is hoped that we'll get to do that as you continue to visit Elders.

(hello between buddies)
My name is (she gathers the fields) or Laura Cornelius. I am from the Bear Clan. I have been working with the Language Program since 1995. I really enjoy and have a love for my language. This passion helps me teach different departments in the community, students and young families who want to learn the Oneida language. I try to use a lot of games and make learning fun when teaching. Sometimes learning our language feels like climbing a mountain. But, this language will help us keep our Culture and Ceremonies alive and continue to be the unique beautiful (people of the standing stone) that we are. I encourage you to reclaim the spirit of our ancestors.
Laura Cornelius

(my deceased grand mother) is Evangeline (Wheelok) Metoxen. (I am of the people of the standing stone). (the bear is the kind of clan I am). Randy Cornelius is my English name. For the past 20 years, I have been learning (the culture, language, and the ways of the Oneida people). I work for the (the things necessary for us to continue to have a beautiful life) program with in the Cultural Heritage Department.
Randy Cornelius

I began learning our Oneida Language in 1978 while I was working for the Oneida Headstart Program. My teacher was an elder fluent speaker named Mary Jourdan. In 1981 I was transferred into the position Language/Culture teacher. I taught colors, numbers, songs, objects and table talk conversation. After my second son was born, I choose to stay home to raise my sons. On Sunday evenings, I had Oneida Culture and Language classes in my home. Bob Brown was our teacher. We learned about ceremonies and the Thanksgiving Address was taught. I also learned on my own, at home, from language tapes from the kindergarten Curriculum and Oneida Nature booklet. When I returned to work in 1991 at the Oneida Cannery, I began having language classes with Bob Brown on the Great Law. I also learned words from Amos Christjohn. In 1998 I transferred to the Oneida Museum as a part of my job. I had to teach Oneida to the tour groups. I transferred into my current position as Language Trainee in November 2001. I just completed Oneida Language Class with Cliff Abbot through UWGB. I have been in language classes for the past 2 years with one of my teachers Randy Cornelius, who is very advanced and during the past year with Carol Bauman who is also very advanced. I have learned a lot in these classes. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to learn our Oneida Language. I look forward to helping revitalize our Oneida Language.
Vickie E. Cornelius

My name means container. My English name is Curt Summers. I have been working with the language program since 1995. My language interest came from my grandmother who told me stories of everyday things until she passed away in 1981 when I was nine years old. When this job was offered to me, I thought it would be a great honor to be one of the trainees to learn and bring back our language. I would like to say, when learning this language, keep in mind to listen very carefully to the words that are being said. Try not to rely on the writing until you get the sound of the words down. It may be a little easier. I hope you enjoy the lessons that are given. Have fun!
Curt Summers

Since December 4th of 1996 I have been employed as an Oneida Language Trainee through the Oneida Cultural Heritage and Oneida Language Revitalization Program. I consider this to be a lifelong goal of learning the language and traditions.

I was born and raised in Oneida, WI. My mother spoke the language to her older sisters and friends. I would hear them talking and laughing. She taught us table talk and some daily vocabulary. My father took me to some of the Tribal Council Meetings where they greeted each other and spoke Oneida. He understood the language, but did not speak it.

For my senior year in high school I attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There were about six Oneida high school students that were among the graduates there. There were students from many different nations. That is where I experienced Culture Shock. THESE OTHER STUDENTS, MY PEERS, WERE SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGES. They also knew about their traditional teachings. I felt ashamed and embarrassed that we could not speak our language or tell about our traditions. That experience motivated me to learn more about our Oneida traditions and language.

I have since that time (about thirty years) attended the Oneida, Canada Longhouse ceremonies and I have seen Oneida, Wisconsin rebuild their Longhouse and continue to learn to put through the yearly ceremonies with the help of many people. The Ceremonies are all done in the language and I have attempted to learn at different levels of study throughout that time through community classes, weekly home language lessons, and individual pursuit through text and fluent individuals.
Inez Thomas (Wathahine)
Bear Clan / Oneida