Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative and CEO of Oneida Nation
Enterprises, addressed the assembled audience with Michael C.
Quinn, president and CEO of the American Revolution Center,
looking on as he announced the donation of $10 million to help
build the Museum of The American Revolution on July 11.
WASHINGTON – The leadership and citizens of the Oneida Indian
Nation (OIN) of New York think it is important to pay homage to
its role in the Revolutionary War in order to help Americans
realize the strong historical contributions of the Indian
nation—and to grow a bright future of strengthened relations
with the United States.
To make that impact, tribal leaders on July 11 announced a
major gift of $10 million dollars to the non-profit American
Revolution Center in order to help build a Museum of the
American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The
announcement came during a sunny ceremony on the lawn of the
U.S. Capitol Building with dignitaries from OIN, officials
affiliated with the Center, and U.S. legislators in attendance.
The donation helps the Center come much closer to matching a $40
million Lenfest Foundation challenge announced in June.
“I’m pleased to report that we have still survived since the
American Revolutionary War, as the allies of this country,” said
Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative and CEO of the tribe, in a
speech to the assembled audience. “None of this would have been
possible if not for the fact that more than 200 years ago, the
Oneida people took up arms in support of the colonial neighbors
at the Battle of Oriskany.” He said the bloody battle formed the
basis of an alliance that exists to this day between the Oneida
and American people.
“There is an American Indian proverb that says, ‘Tell me the
facts, and I’ll learn; tell me the truth, and I’ll believe; tell
me a story, and it will live in my heart forever. The American
Revolutionary War Center will allow us to share our story with
the world,” said Halbritter, who was later presented with an
architectural drawing of the planned museum and a replica of a
silver cup George Washington was said to have carried during the
war. “The pledge we are making today will allow people to learn
many stories that heretofore have been untold and have been
unknown.”
Pictured, from left, are Gerry Lenfest, Chairman of the
Board, American Revolution Center; Rep. Richard Hanna (R-24,
NY); Halbritter; Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-25, NY); Chuck
Fougnier, Wolf Clan Council Member; Clint Hill, Turtle Clan
Council Member; and Michael C. Quinn, President and CEO,
American Revolution Center. (Rob Capriccioso)
Halbritter mentioned Polly Cooper, an Oneida woman, who
provided corn to George Washington’s sick and starving army, and
taught the colonial soldiers how to prepare the food for
sustenance. She refused to be paid for her service, he said, but
Martha Washington later brought her to Philadelphia to buy her a
bonnet and shawl, which survive to this day.
Halbritter later said in an interview that Indians have often
been strong allies of the United States, such as through service
in the military—even though the country and its leaders have not
always worked as hard to be strong partners.
“It was a real difficult existence for us for quite some
time,” Halbritter said. “We have lived in poverty, but have been
able to pull ourselves out of the poverty to where we can now
give back. It’s an exciting and momentous time not just for the
Oneida Nation, but for the people of America.”
“This is a part of history that not many people know the
truth about, so now they are going to get it in context,” said
Clint Hill, Turtle Clan Council Member, in attendance at the
event. “We are proud to help that happen.”
“We are the forgotten allies,” added Chuck Fougnier, Wolf
Clan Council Member. “We should be forgotten no more.”
Leaders of the museum seemed to fully understand the
historical efforts of the tribe, with Michael C. Quinn,
president and CEO of the Center, saying that the Oneidas and the
Iroquois Confederacy set an example for the formation of the
original American colonies. It’s a history they say is little
known to the general population, which is why the museum will
take special care to highlight the reality in the final
exhibition.
“At the time of the American Revolution, when the Oneida
Nation first allied itself with the American cause, the idea of
America was something held only in the hearts and minds of many
people across this land, and now, 236 years later, we see the
embodiment and the result of that dream,” Quinn said in a
speech. “It’s a great vision.”
Quinn added that the Oneidas were the first allies of the
American cause, breaking with other members of the Iroquois
Confederacy. “Their help was instrumental in important battles,”
he said, adding that such contributions would be highlighted at
the final museum.
“In this museum, we will tell the story of the Oneida
Nation,” said Gerry Lenfest, chairman of the Center’s Board of
Directors. “There are so many poignant tales.” He recalled the
story of a young Oneida boy who was educated after the
friendship grew between the Oneidas and some colonists.
Others in attendance, like U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-NY,
were in the beginning stages of learning, just as the tribal
leaders hope the project helps many Americans ultimately do. He
said he hasn’t had much contact in the past with OIN, but he
plans to do much more outreach going forward, especially since
the tribe is scheduled to be in his district after the next
election cycle.
“We’re all Americans; we’re all connected; and it’s important
not to forget our history and the part that the Oneidas can take
credit for helping us achieve,” Hanna said in an interview. “In
spite of our differences, we have a great deal in common.”
“It’s so appropriate that we are here today, as we just
celebrated Independence Day as a nation, and we need to
understand and appreciate who helped us gain that independence,”
said U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R-NY. “We just met with the
Oneida Nation a couple of weeks ago. They are such an asset to
our economy in upstate New York, and there are so many things we
can learn from them.”
OIN is composed of approximately 1,000 citizens, according to
tribal statistics. It is the owner of Indian Country Today Media
Network.
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