Your Oneida Nation Connection (2023)

Your Oneida Nation Connection

FEBRUARY 2023

LOUISE CORNELIUS GGB People to Watch 2023 pg 2

KALIHWISAKS

In-Person GTC Meetings Return

Photo Courtesy Garth Webster

The first in-person GTC meeting since late 2019 was held Monday, January 16, 2023

at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center with a total of 1,086 Oneida members in

attendance. To comply with the Public Health Emergency guidelines, masks were required.

Nevertheless, many of the participants expressed their appreciation of once again being

able to gather to discuss the Nation’s opportunities.

MCLESTER COLLECTION

CULTUR E

ELDER VIDEO

James Levy Leads team

of Archivist

Wáhta Kay uwa tho

Maple Tree Tobacco Burning

We are made of Stories Elder interviews return

PG 4

PG 5

PG 14

2|

FEBRUARY 2023

FEATURE

KALIHWISAKS

Louise Cornelius-Global Gaming Business

25 People to Watch 2023

Louise Cornelius

Gaming General Manager

By GGB Contributing Editor

Marjorie Preston

Oneida’s economy took off in

1976, thanks to bingo games played

in double-wide trailers. Those twiceweekly games were the cornerstone of

how Oneida became the third largest

employer in the region.

“This is a multimillion-dollar

business,” says Louise Cornelius,

gaming general manager of the everexpanding enterprise. “If we were in

the outside world, we’d be part of the

Fortune 500.”

Gaming is like a family business

for Cornelius, who grew up on the

reservation and began her career as a

bingo supervisor in 1985. “I was lucky

to work from the ground up and get

hands on experience in many aspects of

the industry." This experience, coupled

with her degrees in management and

business administration and her

commitment to her people, are key

success factors for Cornelius.

She’s held positions in both

management and regulation, and

served for seven years as chairwoman

and executive director of the tribal

gaming commission. In the latter role,

she says, “I think I was instrumental in

assisting a relationship that’s sometimes

adversarial—making it a win-win, so

we could all be successful.”

Continued on page 12

Louise Cornelius

Vigue is Making an Impact in Indian Country

Photo Credit: Althea Dotzour, UW-Madison

By Jennifer Mnookin,

Chancellor, UW-Madison

Carla Vigue, Oneida Member, is

a community affairs and outreach

professional with more than two

decades of experience, has been

named director of tribal relations at

the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Cur rently, Vig ue is dire ctor

of communications, events and

community engagement for the

National Council of Urban Indian

Health in Washington, D.C. Prior to

that, she served for more than a decade

as communications director for the

Wisconsin Department of Veterans

Affairs, where she developed and

implemented a statewide strategy for

engaging tribal veterans.

Vigue also held positions with the

National Indian Gaming Association,

the Wisconsin Depar tment of

Administration, and the Office of the

Governor,

In her new role, starting January 23,

2023, her scope of work will be to foster

strong ties with the 12 First Nations

of Wisconsin and lead initiatives,

strategic engagement opportunities,

and special projects with tribal nations

and affiliated organizations on behalf

of the university. Says Ben Miller, the

university’s assistant vice chancellor

for government affairs and strategic

partnerships, “Carla’s background and

skills are a perfect fit for strengthening

our existing partnerships with the First

Nations of Wisconsin and developing

new ones,”

According to Vigue, the position

of director of tribal relations at UW–

Madison appeals to her in part because

of the crucial role higher education has

played in her life, “Throughout my

career, but especially now, I often think

about all the opportunities education

has afforded me and the encouragement

I’ve received from people — especially

tribal leaders — over the years and how

powerful that’s been.

Vigue lives on Madison’s east side

with her husband, Brian, the director

of freshwater policy for Audubon Great

Lakes, and their two sons, Hunter, 10,

and Otto, 7.

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 2023

|3

Food Pantry Screening Nourishes the Crowd

By Garth Webster

Senior Reporter/Photographer

A free and nourishing meal was provided to about

150 community members who attended a screening of

the documentary, "What We're Hungry For: How Food

Pantries Fed Rural Wisconsin During The Pandemic" on

Thursday evening, January 19, 2023 at the Radisson Hotel

& Conference Center.

As Oneida continues to acknowledge our Bicentennial

by honoring our past, present, and future, we salute those

that are helping to uplift the community such as Marlon

Skenandore (pictured in upper right inset photo), Director

of the Oneida Emergency Food Pantry. He explained

how proud he was to be a part of the award-winning

documentary which chronicles five rural Wisconsin food

pantries, including the Oneida Food Pantry, to provide for

communities during the height of the pandemic. "I love

what I do! The film really shows all the collaboration and

hard work that goes into this amazing work to feed people

in Oneida and Wisconsin."

Following the meal and documentary, Marlon and

members of the film's production crew responded to

questions from the audience about food insecurity. The

entire event was well recieved and successfully shined a

light on the fantastic job the Oneida Food Pantry is doing.

The Oneida Emergency Food Pantry is open MondayFriday, 8am-4:30pm. For questions, or to volunteer, call

920.869.6165. Currently, the documentary is unavailable

to to the public but efforts are being made to air it on

Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Stay tuned.

Photo Courtesy Garth Webster

Above: Marlon Skenandore, along with Oneida Community Member, Amanda

Gerondale, Director and Co-Producer of the documentary Jim Winship, and

Filmmaker/Editor Jim Winship, respond to questions and comments from

audience about the film and food security.

Below: Councilman Summers and Webster, along with Chairman Hill and

Marlon Skenandore, proudly stand together with the Winships after the film.

4|

FEBRUARY 2023

LOCAL

KALIHWISAKS

McLester Collection to Come Alive in 2023

Photo Courtesy Garth Webster

Seated L to R: Congregation Shaarai Shamayim Members Deborah Kades and Diana Cohen, Univ. of Oshkosh Assoc.

Professor in Dept. of History, Stephen Kercher. Standing L to R: Bill Baldon, James Levy of "Whose Land?" Project, and

UW Oshkosh Indigenous Students Club, Blayde Pamperin.

By Garth Webster

Reporter-Senior Photographer

James Levy of the "Whose Land?"

project, along with his small band of

volunteers worked at Big Bear Media

and the Oneida Museum on December

14-15, 2022 to review, index, scan and

organize the historical collection

of the late Oneida Historian, Lee

Gordan McLester II. The focus of the

initiative is to expand the current online

repository of documents and videos on

exploreoneida.com.

McLester’s good friend and colleague,

Michelle Danforth-Anderson, Big Bear

Media Director, promised McLester

that she would help fulfill his dream

that all of the materials would someday

be available to the Oneida community

as a digital archive.

Through coincidence, Levy and

Stephen Kercher, UW-Oshkosh Assoc.

Professor of History, were visiting

Big Bear Media and while discussing

McLester's collection came an idea for

volunteers to help.

Danforth-Anderson explained that

by the end 2023, the first goal is to work

through all information up until the

1990’s. Stay tuned for updates.

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

CULTURE

FEBRUARY 2023

|5

Wáhta Kayu kwa tho – Maple Tree Tobacco Burning

Khale sákahehwe twákalót

And again it returns for us to tap trees

As told to Randy Cornelius

Edited by Judith Jourdan

Oneida Cultural Heritage Department

This ceremony is held at the end of February or first part

of March, after the first thunder which wakes up the trees. It

all depends on the weather. When the warm winds once

again begin to circulate, a day is set aside to give thanks.

A tobacco burning is done to honor the

maple tre e. Each camp i n the com mun ity

will have their own tobacco burning.

A small fire is built near a maple tree. The words

in the tobacco burning ask all of creation for

a safe time while the people are in the woods

working, thus calling on the Creator to assure that

no great harm comes

to those harvesting the

sap. All of creation is

acknowledged. Then the

people can go and set up

their sugar camps.

Otsyi khé.ta Twanehelatú

(Maple Tree Thanksgiving Closing)

Once the camps are all

done harvesting the sap,

and everything is cleaned up,

a day is picked by the faithkeepers to

give thanks for what people have been

able to harvest. At this time, the sap

is used as medicine for everyone

to drink and give thanks. Two

Great Feather Dances are done as

a way to honor the maple tree and

for Creation’s cooperation during the harvesting

of the sap.

To find out more information about the

Oneida Culture contact Cultural Heritage

920.496.5398.

6|

FEBRUARY 2023

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

KALIHWISAKS

Move the Healing Spirit!

By Garth Webster

Reporter-Senior Photographer

Shannon Hill, operating out

of Oneida Behavioral Health

Services (OBH), is leading the

charge to eradicate substance

abuse in the Oneida Community.

At their KáNi Kuhlí Yo Family

Center offices at 2640 W. Point

Rd., Hill and his colleagues

use the motto, Kunhi-yó (I’m

Healthy) as they hold a variety of

activities in regard to integrated

mental health, alcohol, tobacco,

and other drug abuse counseling

services.

While at one of their events,

you may notice their vision and

mission materials that utilize an

image of a warrior called Loto-Ka

(He keeps his word, honest). This

warrior represents honesty, to be

honest with yourself and the ones

who love you, and to stand up and

stay strong to face your demons because if you

don’t, they will get the best of you.

In December 2022, Hill and his team held

Narcan information and disbursement meetings at

the Oneida Health Center. Toward the end of this

session, they also held an hour-long program to

train individuals to use Narcan, which can offset

the effects of someone experiencing an overdose

of opioids. Hill also organized community

drumming and dancing this past January at the

Parish Hall, which will continue in February at

the Civic Center.

Stay tuned for more community events and

programs, including the annual Kunhi-Yo event

this August 31, 2023, their showcase event of the

year. For questions, contact Shannon and (OBH)

Behavioral Health Services at 920.490.3790.

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

FEBRUARY 2023

|7

Tetwatatehsyne' Keynote Speaker: Lenny Hayes

Lenny Hayes

Lenny Hayes, MA, is a citizen of

the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the

northeast corner of South Dakota.

Lenny is also owner and operator of

Tate Topa Consulting, LLC and is

currently in private practice specializing

in Marriage Family and Therapy. He

has extensive training in mental and

chemical health issues that impact

the Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ and

Native community. Lenny has traveled

nationally and locally training and

presenting on the issues that impact

both the Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ

individual and community. These

issues include the Impact of Historical

and Intergenerational Trauma on

this population, violence of all forms,

child welfare issues, and the Impact of

Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking

on Men and Boys which is a topic

that is rarely discussed. Lenny is the

former Missing and Murdered TwoSpirit Project Assistant for Sovereign

Bodies Institute and a 2020 graduate

of the Human Trafficking Leadership

Academy Cohort 5.

As former chairman of the MN

Two-Spirit Society, he assisted Native

organizations in developing policies

in the protection, safety, and nondiscrimination of Two-Spirit/Native

LGBTQ people in the Minneapolis/St.

Paul area. He is also a LGBTQ Advisory

Co-Chair Council Member for SWIWC,

formally the Southwest Indigenous

Wom e n’s C oa l it ion, Adv i s or y

Committee Member for the Human

Trafficking Capacity Building Center,

Capacity Building Center for Tribes,

and board member for the First Nations

Repatriation Institute. He is a former

Board of Directors of StrongHearts

Native Helpline, for mer board

member of Wac’ ang’a (Sweet Grass)

Inc. Victim Services, former Advisory

Board Member for the National Quality

Improvement Center (QIC) on Tailored

Services, Placement Stability and

Permanency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Transgender, Questioning, and TwoSpirit Children and Youth in Foster

Care, former Committee Member for

ACE-DV Leadership Forum with the

National Resource Center for Domestic

Violence, former Council Member for

the MN HIV/AIDS Prevention and

Care Council, and a former Two-Spirit/

Native LGBTQ Advisory Committee

Member for the Center for Native

American Youth, Washington, D.C.

He is an Advisory Council Member for

many national projects across Indian

country. Lenny was selected to be a

recipient of the 2018 Bonnie Heavy

Runner Advocacy Award at the 16th

National Indian Nations Conference

“Justice for Victims of Crime.”

(see Save the Date Ad above)

8|

FEBRUARY 2023

Oneida Retail’s Generosity

to Safe Shelter

Shelter Toys: (l-r) Safe Shelter Employee

Jolene Parker-Flores, Safe Shelter Director

Pearl Webster, Oneida Retail Representative

Phil Wisneski, and Safe Shelter Employee

Javon Leisgang.

By Phil Wisneski

Oneida Retail answered the call when Safe

Shelter put out a notice that they were in need

of items for their residents and their building.

Safe Shelter, located at 2155 Hutson Rd., put

that notice out late last year, and Oneida Retail

responded not just in one way, but with three

donations to the shelter.

An Oneida Retail employee hygiene drive

for the shelter was first. This drive started

on December 1, and asked Oneida Retail

employees to donate hygiene type items for

shelter residents. The response was amazing.

Over 800 items were collected from the

employees and delivered to Safe Shelter

Friday, January 13, 2023.

Next, Oneida Retail reached out to the

shelter and asked for children’s ages that were

staying at the shelter. With that information,

employees donated toys for the children right

before Christmas. Each child received at least

one toy to help celebrate the holidays.

Finally, a donation of nearly $1,000 in

cleaning supplies was donated to the shelter to

help with cleaning, maintaining, and upkeep

of the shelter. Items included Lysol, cleaning

wipes, floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, trash

bags, laundry detergent, towels, and more.

“Oneida Retail is proud to be able to assist

the Safe Shelter,” said Oneida Retail General

Manager Debra Powless. “We look forward to

continuing to support the local community.”

LOCAL

KALIHWISAKS

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 2023

Changes to

Death Benefit

Effective April 1, 2023

KEEP YOUR

MEDICARE LOCAL

Everyone’s situation is unique. Your health

care needs, your finances, where you live,

etc. are all factors that need to be considered

when CHOOSING THE BEST-FIT MEDICARE

HEALTH PLAN FOR YOU. Our goal is to help

each of you make a decision you can feel

good about.

If you are turning 65 and not sure about

enrolling in Medicare, please come to one

of the meetings and learn more about the

benefits.

March 3rd • 9-10 am OR 1-2 pm

March 6th • 9-10 am OR 1-2 pm

March 14th • 9-10 am OR 1-2 pm

March 22nd • 9-10 am OR 1-2 pm

March 27th • 9-10 am OR 1-2 pm

March 30th • 9-10 am OR 1-2 pm

Meeting Location

Oneida VFW Post 7784

2980 E Service Rd.,

Oneida, WI 54155

Carolyn E. Skenandore,

Tribal Aging & Disability

Resource

Specialist

920.869.6830

“The passing of a loved one brings with it many

emotions, and therefore, it is my responsibility

to ensure the process of your claim moves along

as smoothly as possible for your family.”

~Michelle John, Death Benefits Coordinator

The Oneida Trust Enrollments Department has transitioned

from a life insurance policy program to an internally

disbursed death benefit program called the General Welfare

Assistance Oneida Life Insurance Plan Plus, or GWA OLIPP

for short.

Under its new format, the death benefit will remain tax free,

in the amount of $15,000, while saving the expense to the

nation of paying monthly insurance premiums. Recently,

you should have received a mailer providing information

to help you understand how the GWA OLIPP works.

As part of the change, we strongly encourage that all Oneida

Nation Members have a beneficiary form on file at the Trust

Enrollments Department. If not, the following applies:

• Only funeral expenses will be paid.

• Remaining funds, after funeral expenses, will not

be disbursed. The designated funds will remain

in the GWA program.

GWA OLIPP beneficiary forms are available at the Trust

Enrollments Department offices, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm,

at 210 Elm St., Oneida. Forms are also available online at

https://oneida-nsn.gov/resources/enrollments/oneida-lifeinsurance-plan-plus.

For questions or concerns, contact me toll free at 1.800.571.9902,

my direct line at 920.869.6201, or stop by my office.

Sincerely,

Michelle John, Oneida Death Benefits Coordinator

|9

10 | FEBRUARY 2023

NEWS

KALIHWISAKS

Community Lunch A Huge Success!

Photos Courtesy Garth Webster

By Garth Webster

Reporter-Senior Photographer

The Oneida Cannery provided a free

lunch to 400 community members on

Friday, December 30, 2022 via drivethrough service from the Norbert Hill

Center cafeteria.

Oneida Cannery staff, Lindsey

Blackowl, Senior Food Processing

Operator, Jodi King, Indigenous Diet

and Wellness Coordinator, and Austin

Ninham, Food Processing Operator

along with volunteers; Heather Jordan,

Arianna Cottrel, Eric McLester,

Crystal Danforth, Jen Falck, and Miles

Falck kept up the pace to prepare dish

after dish of bison roast over wild rice,

mini triple berry mush, blueberry white

corn muffin, and a strawberry drink.

Blackowl said the Cannery tries

generate revenue via holiday-themed

sales or giveaways for end-of-year,

Halloween and Valentine’s Day. This

year, because of the generosity of

the Oneida Community Integrated

Food Systems (OCIFS), the meal was

provided free-of-charge.

Blackowl is optimistic that they will

continue finding funds to give back to

the community, whether by providing

traditional meals (hopefully for free

again) or incorporating more free

workshops through the cannery.

Isbell Smoke Shop

Making a New Start

By Phil Wisneski

The Isbell Smoke Shop located within the West Mason

Casino received a much-needed face lift last month. New

beverage coolers, a new other tobacco case, new CBD/Vape

section, and larger employee break room/back stock area

were the main items that were updated. Also, new cigarette

back bar shelving with LED lights were installed and a new

cigar humidor was installed. A fresh coat of paint and new

countertops finished off the remodel.

The revamp is crucial in capturing more of the other tobacco

buying customers. Cigarette sales continue to trend downward

nationwide, and Oneida Retail is looking to diversify their

product offerings. The store also has tailored the snack items

available to the casino customers to ensure the products they

desire are available.

Customers have responded tremendously to the new look

as sales in the other tobacco category since the remodel have

nearly paid for ½ the cost of the entire project. The original

projection was for it to take the entire fiscal year to recover

the cost.

Visit the Isbell Smoke Shop

Monday through Sunday 9 am to 10 pm,

2522 West Mason Street, or call 920.496.7872.

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

When was the last time you truly assessed your mental

health? National Self-Check Month in February offers a

great opportunity to check on our mental health and overall

well-being.

Before you begin your mental health self-check, set the tone

for your emotional and mental review. Remind yourself that

it’s OK to delve into how you feel. When you try to ignore

them, your negative feelings can escalate into larger mental

health issues. Review the good feelings too. Recognizing

positive parts of your life can lead to improved mental health.

Start your review with some simple questions, “How do

I feel in this moment and recently?” When experiencing or

recalling a feeling, recognize how your body reacted to that

feeling. Did you clench your teeth or feel something in the

pit of your stomach? Did your heart start to pound? Stress,

anxiety, and depression can manifest as head or body aches,

rashes, flares of existing health conditions, changes in your

appetite, stomach aches, loss of energy, and muscle tensions.

Ask yourself, “Have I had any recurring thoughts or does

my mind keep moving back to a particular thought, encounter,

FEBRUARY 2023 | 11

or conversation?” Recall these memories and review how

you felt each time the recurring thought occurred. Does

the emotion dissipate or intensify with each recurrence?

More questions you can ask yourself, are:

• “Have I been worrying lately, and if so, what have

I been worrying about?”

• “What am I doing for enjoyment and relaxation?”

• “Am I taking care of my physical health; am I eating

well, moving, and sleeping well?”

• “How often do I rely on alcohol or drug use to deal

with my emotions?”

• “Am I afraid to tell someone how I am feeling?”

If you find that your assessment reveals any surprises,

remember that Oneida Behavioral Health has resources

you can use to help restore harmony in mind, body and

spirit.

12 | FEBRUARY 2023

NEWS

KALIHWISAKS

From page 2 / Louise Cornelius

In November 2021, the Oneidas celebrated

another milestone, opening the Badger

State’s first sportsbook. It was an instant hit

in the four-season sports community, which

alternately roots for the Milwaukee Bucks, the

Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers.

“The sportsbook is doing really well in terms

of hold percentage; it’s increased foot traffic

as well as revenues,” says Cornelius. Though

mobile and online sports betting aren’t yet

legal in Wisconsin, a geofenced app lets players

make virtual wagers on casino grounds.

Cornelius anticipates even greater growth

in the new year. By spring, she will propose

a multimillion-dollar casino expansion

with luxury amenities to appeal to Gold

Players Club members. “We’ve got to

cater to those high rollers. Hopefully, I’ll

get the support to go ahead with that.”

She will also continue the fight against

“eight-liners,” unreg ulated video slot

t er m i nals that op erat e i n st at e gas

stations, bars, and even laundromats.

“Wisconsin calls them amusement devices, but

these are illegal machines” that unfairly divert

business from tribal gaming halls, according

to Cornelius. “We’re as highly regulated as

a bank because of our assets, and we also

compete for that discretionary income. We’re

working on a process to address the matter.”

Most of all, she looks forward to leading

her staff, and learning from them, with a

management style that combines guidance,

c om mu n ic at ion a nd mut u a l re sp e ct.

“I try to keep that balance, providing

direction while coaching and mentoring my

staff,” she says. “Our leadership team has a

strategy to improve HR management, which

means taking care of all our employees. And I

always go with the philosophy that says to be

successful in your field, pick people that are

smarter than you. Of course, our other strategic

priority is to always grow gaming revenue.”

As in public Fortune 500 companies, Oneida

Nation gaming benefits the “shareholders”—in

this case, the Oneida community, sustaining

education, housing, health care and other essential

services. “Gaming is our No. 1 support, and the

money we generate is the key to our success,”

says Cornelius. “It’s always about growth.”

TWO NEW WAYS TO CHECK

YOUR PLAYERS CLUB INFO:

ONEIDA CASINO APP

The Oneida Casino App gives you access

to all the information you need, like special

promotions and instant insight into your

Players Club account.

Check your points and free play,

plus see your personal offers

before they arrive in the mail!

Download for free:

THE PLAYERS CLUB PORTAL

Want to check your Players Club info from your desktop?

Now you can on the new Players Club portal. All the Players

Club info you see in the app, you can also see here.

Just click login from our website’s home page.

OneidaCasino.net

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

SPORTS

FEBRUARY 2023 | 13

High School Girls Lacrosse on the Rise!

Photos Courtesy Kilabrew VanDyke and Sidney White

State playoff game, Notre Dame over Middleton 7 to 6.

By Kilabrew VanDyke and

Sidney White

The Notre Dame Academy Girls

Lacrosse (NDAGL) is currently in

its 2nd year of existence as a high

school lacrosse club at Notre Dame

Academy. With great pride, the

inaugural NDAGL began a tradition

of inclusivity with strong participation

from coaches, players, and volunteers

from members of the Oneida Nation.

NDAGL is one of the few high school

club teams offering players a chance to

compete at either the junior varsity or

varsity level. As the program developed,

young Oneida Nation ladies attending

Seymour High School, Green Bay

Southwest High School, Ashwaubenon

High School, Notre Dame Academy,

and of course, the Oneida Nation

School System, including Oneida

Community Lacrosse, and Oneida

Recreation. Players have also joined

from Johnson O’Malley funded

programs, Green Bay Lacrosse

Club, North American Indigenous

Games, and Sconnie Team

Wisconsin travel teams.

All in all, the program has

a proportionately higher

number of Indigenous

players.

Currently, high school

lacrosse in Wisconsin is

considered club status,

meaning they are not

recognized by the Wisconsin

Interscholastic Athletic

A s s o c i at i o n ( W I A A)

for the 2022-2023 school

year. However, club teams

are recognized through

the Wisconsin Lacrosse

Federation (WLF). As a

result, most non-WIAA

recognized club teams do

not receive financial support

from their school system.

For this reason, NDAGL

requires player team fees

to cover expenses.

The inaugural season resulted in a

15-3 record, earning second place in

the Bay Valley conference. Two losses

came from a team that played in the

State Championship while the third loss

was to a team that played in the State

Semi-Finals. The team was honored

with over nine all-conference players.

Another accomplishment was upsetting

a higher ranked team in the first round

of the playoffs.

The hard work and dedication of

these young women is a direct benefit

to the Oneida Nation community. The

coaches and organization stress hard

work, commitment, skill development,

max i mum effor t, respect, and

sportsmanship. Not only are these

young women the future mentors,

head coaches, assistant coaches,

officials, and leaders of the lacrosse

community, but they are the future

leaders for both the Oneida Nation

and Northeast Wisconsin.

All-State Marissa Van Dyke and Katelyn Wesneski,

Notre Dame Head Coach Hailey Anderson, and

Riley Powless.

14 | FEBRUARY 2023

ELDERS

KALIHWISAKS

We are made of Stories

is known in Oneida as a veteran who

survived as a POW during the Korean

War through horrific conditions. The

story of his military experiences were

shared in the Kalihwisaks published

on August 9th, 2001, and July 16th,

2002. He was recognized along with

other Oneida veterans by the Mayor

of Green Bay and the WI Governor.

Valder was very proud of his military

service and believed it was important

for the youth to learn from, appreciate

and, honor veterans.

When asked what he thought of

the Oneida Community and where it

was going, he expressed how proud he

was to see the initiatives Oneida had

taken for its citizens, such as medical

care. He praised Oneida for looking

to the future, and no matter where he

traveled, he received the Kalihwisaks

to stay informed of what was going on

in Oneida.

To find out more about Valder’s

life and other elder stories, check out

the Oneida Digital Media YouTube

channel. Big Bear Media continues to

work on a database with all Gordon

McLester’s elder videos recorded

between 1994 - 2007.

Valder John

The late Gordon McLester, a respected

Oneida Nation elder and historian,

conducted a vast number of tribal

community elder video interviews between

1994-2007.

By Trista Cornelius-Henrickson

Big Bear Media - Tourism Admin.

Valder John was born March 15,

1931 near Chicago Corners. He lived

with his parents Guy and Naomi John,

who first met while cherry picking and

then again at a dance. He was named

after a place where his mother worked.

With his maternal grandparents and 8

Photo Courtesy Elder Video Project

siblings, his family worked the land

they lived on while his father found

employment at various jobs such as

logging or painting.

He fondly remembers going Hoyaning

in large groups of kids, despite the snow

and the cold they would grab their

bags and walk for miles. “We looked

forward to different houses with their

different cookies and some of them had

gingerbread and whatever you know,

and we knew which house we’d get the

goodies at.” he said, chuckling.

At age 17, Valder joined the military,

and served in the Army for 26 years and

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ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

FEBRUARY 2023 | 15

Danforth Continues to Expand Dispensary Business

Photo Courtesy of Antonio Freeman

Marketing Director; Brandon Danforth, Packers Wide Receiver 1996-1999; Antonio Freeman, Production & Manufacturing

Staff; Tre'Lonnie King, Green Bay - East Store Manager; Isiah Danforth

By Mercedes Danforth-Hernandez

Contributing Reporter

In November 2020, THE Dispensary opened its first

location in Appleton, WI. There are now 15 locations in 3

different states, starting with 5 employees and expanding that

number to 100. THE Dispensary has both Oneida owners and

employees within the company. At these locations you will

find legal products that are available in flower, concentrate,

edible, and topical forms. Customers have used the products

for both medicinal and recreational purposes, and frequently

report the wide range of benefits these products provide.

Brandon Danforth, co-founder and Director of Marketing,

explains that the journey has been "exciting" but not without

its hurdles. However, THE Dispensary's impact on its

customers makes all the efforts worthwhile. Though THE

Dispensary has grown, it retains the same values and focus

on helping people with the products they provide, while

supporting the local communities in which they operate.

THE Dispensary staff specializes in explaining the benefits

of cannabis and are happy to guide customers in the right

direction in a clean and welcoming environment. For the

past three years, Brandon and THE Dispensary team have

been trying to write a book explaining their industry in order

to rid the stigma surrounding their product and better the

public’s notion of alternative medicine.

After THE Dispensary’s move from Oneida off of HWY

54, some customers may have been left confused about

the location switch. THE Dispensary would like to extend

their gratitude to the community members who visited the

location in support of a new and unique business to the area.

Information on current locations and products are on THE

Dispensary website, found at www.thed8dispensary.com.

It's important to THE Dispensary team to give back

to tribal members because they operate so close to the

boundaries of the reservation. Owners and staff of THE

Dispensary have lived and grew up in the Oneida community

and find that their company is a way of giving back. Although

THE Dispensary cannot offer tax-exempt because they are

not on the reservation- they will honor the tax-exempt price

made at their stores. They continue to expand their healing

venture along the East Coast.

THE Dispensary can be found on Facebook by searching

Wisconsin - TheD8Dispensary, or at their YouTube channel

by searching THE Dispensary LLC. No medical card is

required to shop at THE Dispensary- consumers must be

21 years old and over in order to purchase any products

from the store. Their west side location can be found at 2247

Ulmer Court, in Howard, WI or contact them by phone

(920) 489-2047.

General Contracting

Licensed and Insured

Oneida Owned!

Free Estimates

920-664-7264

Basement Finishing & Egress Windows

16 | FEBRUARY 2023

THT

KALIHWISAKS

Oneida Nation High School

THUNDERHAWK TIMES

Basketball Season Well Underway

By Tyson Webster

Where did this basketball season and

winter go? Readers will see this article

in February, but it is being written

in early January with temperatures

above normal and not much snow

on the ground. Next month will see

March Madness at the high school

and college level.

So how’s the ONHS Men’s’ and

Ladies’ seasons going so far at this

point? Both teams are doing their

best as M&O Conference Action gets

underway. As of this writing, the guys

record stands at 5-1 overall and 3-1

in conference. The girls record is 3-9

overall and 1-6 in conference.

Both squads have had a JV schedule

for most of the season as well.

Behind the wins and losses there’s

a lot more than what meets the eye.

There’s the hard practices and skills

drills. A lot of the guys’ practices are

spent on defense.

At this point, there are 8 or 9 games

remaining for the guys and at least 5

games on the schedule for the girls.

As always, tournament play starts up

in March. Looking at the rest of the

season from this perch in January,

this writer will make the following

predictions: Guys 12-4. Girls 6-10.

One Semester Ends

- A New One Begins

By Carlos Martinez

Tuesday, January 10 was a different

kind of day. It was the last day of the

first semester. The new semester started

on Thursday, January 12 with students

off and teachers working on grades and

preparing for the last half of the school

year on Wednesday, the 11th.

As a senior looking back over the

first semester, here are some thoughts

I have: School isn’t bad at all and I need

to focus more on some classwork next

semester so I can graduate on time.

This past semester went by fast and it

was very informative.

Photo Courtesy Courtney Gerzetich

ONHS Students participating in the Whose Land? Project with Professor James Levy, visited the archives at the Oneida

Nation Museum on December 20. There, they met with museum staff, pored through original source documents culled by

the museum staff and saw the museum’s vast collection of historic artifacts. Students on the trip with staff members Sarah

Wunderlich and Denis Gullickson were l to r at the table Aron Rodriguez, Vernon Stevens, Landyn Jordan, Hunter Webster,

Gullickson, Shaylyn Guillermo, Jaylyn Caldwell, Marianna Skenandore, Royce Summers, and Tyson Webster.

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

THT

FEBRUARY 2023 | 17

Seniors on Track Oneida Archives Trip Lacrosse Dreams

By Raylee Polanco

was Educational

to Graduate

It’s the middle of winter. So, when

First Semester ended on January 10

and second semester started on January

12. January 11 was a teacher workday.

For ONHS seniors thinking about

graduation, it can be a scary and also,

exciting time.

This year’s senior class has 31

members. Each senior has a graduation

plan that will get them to graduation

with 23.5 or more credits for a Standard

Diploma and 16 or more credits for a

Core Diploma.

Like the previous two, this senior

class has been through a lot to get to

graduation with a pandemic making

school challenging when they were

sophomores and juniors.

Senior Tyson Webster says that he’s

“doing good” as far as getting ready for

graduation. But he also added that he

is both “happy” and “sad” because

once he graduates, he will miss

everyone at ONHS.

Tyson is looking at Haskell for college

and then “a stable job.”

Trinity House-Bailie said that she is

also “doing good.” She “just needs two

classes” and she will be graduating on

time. She is either going to NWTC or

the College of Menominee Nation. She

also said that she will be “both happy

and sad” when she leaves ONHS.

Readers of these pages might

remember that the school is working

with Professor James Levy on a project

called “Whose Land?” which looks at

Oneida Land ownership and issues of

losing and getting back our land over

the years.

ONHS students are studying the

history of the site of today’s Norbert

Hill Center as a part of that project.

Five students worked with Denis

Gullickson in a 4th hour class last

semester and about a dozen other

students participated as an at large

group working with Sarah Wunderlich.

The students’ work continues at least

for the rest of the school year. Part

of that work includes interviewing,

conducting research, reading, writing,

and learning more and more. Our first

field trip of the year for the project

took place on December 20 when we

went to the Oneida Museum Archives

in the former Woodland Church on

Highway 172.

There, the groups of 5 each looked

at original source documents like

pictures of boarding schools and the

Native students that attended those

schools. Many of those documents

were about Norbert Hill Center and

the boarding school that was on that

site over a century ago. We also saw a

lot of historic artifacts.

Students found the trip educational

and inspiring. For this writer, it was a

very cool time. We all felt it was cool

and inspiring. The group has more

field trips to other museums and

archives planned for spring including

UWGB’s archives and those at the

Brown County Library.

Thunderhawk Times Staff –

First Semester 2022-2023

Ever Acosta

Kosa Kaquatosh

Carlos Martinez

Raylee Polanco

Aron Rodriguez,

Tyson Webster

Advisor: Denis Gullickson

Advisor: Jeff Marten

most people think about sports at this

time of year, it’s probably football,

basketball, hockey, or some other

winter sport. For this writer, it’s still

all about lacrosse.

When I think about the Creator’s

game, I imagine that the new lacrosse

season has started back up again. That

means that the team has to get into

shape, drink lots of water every day to

stay hydrated, and exercise so you’re

not cramping up.

I picture a beautiful spring day when

the team is practicing out on the field

playing a lacrosse game.

The team is passing the ball back and

forth moving it gracefully downfield

for a goal. The stick feels right in my

hands and I am at peace.

Answer Key to Crossword

Puzzle on Page 27

Down:

1. DEAR

2. CANNERY

3. WIN

4. THAW

5. MCLESTER

6. SPORTSBOOK

7. VALENTINES

10. SHY

11. HUNGRY

12. IMHEALTHY

16. CHILLY

17. CARDS

18. SAGE

By Aron Rodriguez

Across:

1. DUCKCREEK

3. WITTY

5. MADISON

8. RUN

9. LACROSSE

11. HAYES

13. TAILS

14. BLUSH

15. GTC

17. CHOCOLATE

19. DUET

20. LOG

21. HUG

22. BAY

23. SCENERY

By Aron Rodriguez

18 | FEBRUARY 2023

OBITUARIES

KALIHWISAKS

SCOTT ROBERT CAMPBELL

August 9, 1954 - January 1, 2023

to sell at craft shows in the area. Scott

was formally a member of the Green

Bay Garden Club and the Knight

Riders Snowmobile Club. He was the

happiest while spending time with

family and friends.

Health Center until her retirement. She

was a member of Church of The Holy

Apostles, Oneida. Brenda enjoyed

golfing, crafts, riding the lawnmower,

gardening, and volunteering at

Tsyhunkwa.

Besides his wife, he leaves behind a

granddaughter, Miriam Owen, stepson, Jonathan (Susie) Blumreich and

their children: Dylan, Cali, and Aiden;

a brother, Val (Sherry) Campbell, a

sister, JoAnn (Jerry) Nachtwey, sistersin-law: Diane (William) Frisque, Carol

Umentum her significant other Ivan,

and Barb Duchateau; special cousins:

Nancy and Dennis Ball, Jim and Alyce

Blumreich; many nieces, and nephews.

She is survived by her husband Wayne,

daughter Stephanie (Terry) Skenandore,

as well as 6 grandchildren, and 11 great

grandchildren.

Scott Robert

Campbell, age 68,

passed away

quietly with his

f a m i l y

surrounding him

with loving

support, at St.

Vincent Hospital on January 1, 2023.

Scott fought a long and courageous

battle with myotonic muscular

dystrophy. He had a great spirit, and

was determined not to let it get him

down, never complaining, and

maintaining his sense of humor.

Scott was born in Iron River, Michigan;

to the late Robert W. and Dorothy E.

(Kraus) Campbell on August 9, 1954.

He was born a Yooper, his childhood

was carefree and filled with family, fun,

and love. He graduated from Green

Bay East High School in 1972. He met

the love of his life Patricia Blumreich

in 1990, whom he cherished with all his

heart. They were married on July 24,

1994 at Green Isle Park in Allouez. He

was employed by the Oneida Nation

until his retirement in 2010.

He and Pat loved to travel, they had

many excursions to tropical locations,

such as: Hawaii, Mexico, Dominican

Republic, Barbados, Bahamas, and

Aruba. Whether they traveled alone or

with other family, they had a lot of fun

and made wonderful memories. Scott

was a caring, gentle, and loving man,

filled with smiles and good humor. He

enjoyed playing cards and games;

cheering on the Packers, having cook

outs and get-togethers, he loved

working with his flowers, feeding the

birds, and the frequent road trips to

various casinos. He loved playing with

his dogs: Trapper and Lucy. Scott

hosted the Cub Scouts Pine Wood

Derby, Ashwabenon School Show

Choir Dinner Theater, and worked on

sets for Chorus musical productions.

Scott worked on making bird feeders,

decorative solar lights, and dog treats

He was preceded in death by his parents,

his son, Christopher Campbell, father

and mother-in-law: Florian and Helen

(Gavronski) Blumreich; brothers-inlaw: Robert Blumreich, Don Umentum,

and Wayne Duchateau.

A Celebration of His Life will be held

at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals,

Receptions, 340 S. Monroe Ave., on

Friday, January 6, 2023 with visitation

from 2-4:30 pm, followed by a memorial

service at 4:30 pm.

A Special thank you is extended to Dr.

Nusrat, Dr. Monroy, and the critical

care ICU staff at St. Vincent Hospital

for the excellent care and kindness they

showed to Scott and our family.

BRENDA LOUISE CORNELIUS

September 29, 1948 - January 22, 2023

Brenda Louise

Cornelius, 74,

Oneida, passed

away Sunday,

January 22, 2023.

She was born

September 29,

1948, in Green

Bay to the late Anna Christjohn and

Noron John.

Brenda graduated from West De Pere

High School. On April 8, 1967, she was

united in marriage to Wayne Cornelius

in Oneida. Brenda worked at Oneida

Her siblings; Darrell (Rosie) John,

Rosemary (Leon) John and Luanne

Simos.

Brenda was preceded in death by her

daughter Tami “Sam” Cornelius, her

parents Noron and Anna, her siblings;

Richard John, Emily Palone, Darwin

John, Carlton “Beaver” John, sister-inlaw Gloria Cornelius, brother-in-;aw

Richard Cornelius, her niece Shelly

Danforth, and nephew Cary Danforth.

Friends may call at Church of The Holy

Apostles, Oneida, on Wednesday,

January 25, 2023, after 9 am, until

service at 11 am. Burial will follow at

the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be

established.

Special thanks to Oneida Health Center,

Unity Hospice and family and friends.

S C O T T “ B I G N D N ” D OX TAT E R

July 22, 1974 - December 22, 2022

Scott “Big NDN”

Doxtater, 48,

Green Bay,

passed away

unexpectedly of

natural causes on

Thursday,

December 22,

2022. He was born July 22, 1974, to

Leanne (Skenandore) Doxtater and the

late Archie Doxtater.

Scott was employed for many years at

the Oneida Casino.

He loved to play Darts, and has played

on several different leagues, and shot

Continued on page 19

Scott “Big NDN” Doxtater

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

OBITUARIES

FEBRUARY 2023 | 19

From page 18 /

Scott “Big NDN” Doxtater

aunts and uncles, Ken (Kelly) Schuyler,

Charise (Rodeo) Schuyler-Jacobs,

James (Jennifer) Schuyler, Darien

(Jonquil) Johnston, Brandon (girlfriend,

Corrina McFerran) Johnston, Dawn

(Brian) Crist; grandparents, Gary

(Cindy) Schuyler Sr., Dolly (Rueben)

Campbell, Craig (Kathy) Johnston,

Cheri (significant other, Clay Maas)

Thye; close family friends, Kevin

Johnson, Ryan Driscoll, Ryan Fischer,

Benjamin Edlebeck; as well as nieces,

nephews, cousins, other relatives, and

friends.

At Merle’s request, no services will be

held. Burial will take place at Holy

Apostles Cemetery in Oneida.

in tournaments all over Wisconsin and

the United States. Scott also liked to

gamble, go fishing, and was a huge

Packers fan. His time spent with family

though, is what meant the most to him.

He is survived by his wife Peggy, his

sons, Drake and Marc, his mom Leanne

Doxtater, stepchildren; Heather House,

and Benjamin Miller, and grandchildren;

Matthew, Keyarnt, Keilana, Dalen,

Dayliana, Re’ul, and special grandson

Benny. His siblings; Joe (Kelly), Evan

(Mandy), Rick, Julie “Brat”, and

Charlie. Scott is also survived by the

mother of his boys, Janel (Derron)

Wilson, as well as numerous nieces,

nephews, cousins, and friends.

Scott was preceded in death by his dad

Archie and other close relatives. Friends

may call from 4-7 pm on Monday,

December 26th at Ryan Funeral Home.

The Hymn Singers will sing at 6:30 pm.

Visitation will continue on Tuesday,

December 27, 2022, at Oneida

Methodist Church from 9-10 am, with

service at 10 am.

DAMIAN “DEEJ” JOHN JOHNSTON JR.

February 7, 1989 - January 15, 2023

Damian “Deej”

John Johnston

Jr., 33, Green

Bay, passed away

unexpectedly on

Sunday, January

15, 2023. He was

born February 7,

1989, in Green Bay to Damian John

Johnston Sr. and Lauralyn Schuyler.

Damian was always doing something

outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, ice

fishing, camping and BBQs. Damian

loved his children, they were his life.

He is survived by his children, Niko,

Jadyn, Jace, Avalyn, Rylee; mother,

Lauralyn Schuyler; father, Damian

(girlfriend, Melanie Lawson) Johnston

Sr.; brother, Dayton (Ashley) Johnston;

sisters, Yisella Soto, Yaralyn Soto;

Damian was preceded in death by his

close uncle, Gary Schuyler Jr.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney

Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave.,

from 4-7 pm. on Tuesday, January 24;

Funeral Service to follow at 7 p.m. To

send online condolences, please go to

www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

MERLE

ANN

MOES

March 16, 1948 - January 15, 2023

Merle Ann Moes,

74, Appleton,

passed away

peacefully at

home with family

by her side on

Sunday evening,

January 15, 2023

following a courageous battle with

cancer. The daughter of Sadie Summers

and Barney Moes was born on March

16, 1948.

She is survived by her children, Marlo

Moes, Troy Cornelius and Chad

(Krista) Cornelius; grandchildren

Estrella Morales, Duffy Cornelius,

Reece Cornelius and Anna Cornelius;

sister Barb (Cline) Haynie; nieces,

nephews and other extended family

members. She is further survived by her

loving cat, Pete.

Merle was preceded in death by her

parents, Sadie and Barney;

granddaughter, Krystal Moes; siblings

Rudolph “Rudy” Summers, Roger

Summers and Joyce Summers; as well

as other extended family.

KATHRYN ROMA “KATHI” NEWBANKS

July 10, 1953 - December 18, 2022

Kathryn Roma

“ K a t h i ”

Newbanks, 69,

passed away

surrounded by

family

on

S u n d a y ,

December 18,

2022 following complications of an

infection. She was born in Chicago on

July 10, 1953 to Gordon and Mary Lois

(Burkel) Doxtater.

On May 25, 1975, Kathi married

Kenneth Newbanks at St Phillip’s

Episcopal Church in Palatine, Illinois.

Together they enjoyed flying airplanes

and attending air shows, Civil Air

Patrol, traveling, and weather spotting.

Growing up, Kathi attended school at

Glenbrook High School and graduated

in 1971. She went on to continue her

education at UWGB, studying urban

planning and design. She worked as a

computer programming consultant for

many years in the Chicago area until

moving to Green Bay in 1996 and

continuing in that field until 2002. She

also worked for the Oneida Nation in

various positions upon retiring from

consulting, including the Off Track

Betting room in the casino and the

Oneida Museum.

In her spare time, Kathi began making

crafts and vending at pow-wows.

Through her craft vending of over thirty

years, she met and befriended many

people from all over Indian Country.

She also enjoyed her grandchildren’s

many activities, such as dance and

softball, watching her Green Bay

Packers, and baking pies.

She is survived by her husband of 47

years, Kenneth; daughter, Kyla

Continued on page 20

Kathryn Roma “Kathi” Newbanks

20 | FEBRUARY 2023

OBITUARIES

KALIHWISAKS

From page 19 /

Kathryn Roma “Kathi” Newbanks

Preceded in death by her parents Curtis

and Clema Denny, her daughter Regina

Skenandore, and by her siblings

Lawrence, Edward and Delores.

Further survived by nieces and nephews,

other loved relatives and friends.

Skenandore, and Fabian Skenandore,

Wallenfang (Jed Jaeger); grandchildren,

Kendra Wallenfang and Robyn

Wallenfang; her sister, Karen Mills (late

Tracy Thomas) and brother, Kevan

Doxtater; her favorite cousin and

partner in crime, Donna Metoxen

(Roger Metoxen); nieces and nephews,

Lauren Mohawk (Doon Mohawk),

Catherine Mills (Mitchell Powless),

Patricia Thomas, Coty Chuculate (Jeni

Metoxen), Joshua Thomas, Robert

Mills (Kayla Gurule), Michael Mills

and many, many great nieces and

nephews.

Kathi was preceded in death by her

parents, Gordon and Lois Doxtater,

her grandparents and many aunts and

uncles.

Family and friends may visit at Ryan

Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth Street,

De Pere, beginning at 1 pm. on

Thursday, December 22, 2022. Oneida

Hymn Singers will begin at 4:30 pm

with a service to conclude the evening

at 5 pm.

The family would like to thank the

doctors and nurses at St Vincent

Hospital for the exceptional care that

they provided to Kathi throughout her

extended hospital stay.

CA ROL M. SCHOFIELD ( DENN Y )

January

23,

2023

Carol M. Schofield

(nee Denny)

passed away

peacefully

surrounded by

family on January

23,2023 at the age

of 81.

Beloved wife of the late Robert G.

Schofield. Loving mother of Craig

(Peggy), Terry (Stephanie), Tim, Tina,

DeeDee (the late Russ), and Kim (the

late Jerry). Proud grandmother and

great-grandmother of many. Dear sister

of Ronald (the late Mary) Denny.

Jessica would like to thank her

grandparents for helping to raise her

and her daughters Mariah, Jocelyn and

Miakoda. They meant the world to

them and they will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held at Max A. Sass

and Sons- Oklahoma Chapel (1515 W.

Oklahoma Ave. Milwaukee, WI) on

Saturday, January 28th from 1 pm until

time of service at 4 pm.

www.maxsass.com

FLORENCE M. SKENANDORE

August 27, 1953 - January 2, 2023

Florence M.

Skenandore, 69,

Oneida, passed

M o n d a y

afternoon,

January 2, 2023.

She was born

August 27, 1953,

to the late Donald G. Sr., and Jane

Skenandore.

Florence was a giver, never turning

anyone down or away, she took many

children into her home to raise. The

more the merrier! She enjoyed cookouts

with her family, her cat Linx, as well as

her house plants, especially the vine

plants.

She is survived by her children; Carl

(Barb) Barnes, Jessica (Rafael) Colon,

Cara Jean Barnes, her grandchildren

and great grandchildren, and special

granddaughter Rochae, and special

great grandson Tristan. Her siblings;

Tony Skenandore, Jean Graichien,

JoAnn Thundercloud, Christine Torres,

LeRoy Skenandore, and Calvin

Skenandore.

Florence was preceded in death by her

parents, her siblings; Suzanne, Donald,

Leonard, Darlene, as well as three

nephews; Joseph Thundercloud, Marco

Friends may call after 4 pm on Friday,

January 6, 2023, at First Congregational

Church 1018 Cedar Street, De Pere,

(Two buildings north of the funeral

home) until time of service at 1 pm

Saturday, January 7th. Ryan Funeral

Home, De Pere is assisting the family.

C I L I V E A S U N R AY T H Y R I O N

December 12, 2002 - December 16, 2022

Cilivea Sunray

Thyrion Passed

a

w

a

y

unexpectedly on

December 16,

2022 at age 20.

Born in Green

Bay, Wisconsin

on December 12, 2002 to Michael

Thyrion and Kerrie (Wallenfang) Hirte.

She grew up in Green Bay and graduated

from Green Bay West High School in

2020. She loved to spend time with her

family and was a technology wiz. Some

of her favorite things were singing,

cooking, playing games, being outdoors,

and her dog, Betty. She was also a big

fan of Justin Bieber and Stitch from the

movie, Lilo & Stitch. Cilivea was

involved at her church, Living Hope

Church in a teen group. She would be

the only one to show up even when no

one else did. Her big bright smile would

light up a room, and she enjoyed being

silly and rambunctious. Cilivea was an

extremely strong-willed young girl.

Survived by her parents, Michael

Thyrion and Kerrie (Shawn) Hirte; her

grandparents, Amy Wallenfang, Glen

D. (Vicki) Stevens, Elaine Thryion; her

half brother, Beau Smith; aunts and

uncles, Collette (Duane) Skenandore,

Deke Suri, Travis (Keelyn) Wallenfang,

Samantha (Carlos) Alvarez, and

Stephanie (Ernesto) Morales; her greatgreat-aunt; Betty Nicholas; her greataunts, Elizabeth (Mary) John, Inagail

Bain, Mary Jane Pittman, and Carol

Continued on page 21

Cilivea Sunray Thyrion

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

COMMUNITY EVENTS

From page 20 / Cilivea Sunray Thyrion

(Jr.) Stevens; her great-uncle, Edwin Wallenfang; her dog,

Betty, and her kitty, Penny. Also survived by numerous

cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Preceded in death by her grandpa, Ray Thyrion; her brother,

Shad Rock Thyrion; her great-grandparents, Lorena and

Wenzel Wallenfang, and many other great-aunts and uncles.

Family would like to extend a special thanks to all those who

supported and cared for Cilivea.

FEBRUARY 2023 | 21

22 | FEBRUARY 2023

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Click or Scan

the QR Code

to view details

of the ITA

Program

KALIHWISAKS

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

NOTIFICATION

FEBRUARY 2023 | 23

Find Public Meeting

Materials at

ONEIDA NATION

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

Oneida-nsn.gov/government/

register/public meetings

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023, 12:15pm

Norbert Hill Center

Business Committee Conference Room

N7210 Seminary Rd., Oneida, WI

Send Public Comments to

LOC@oneidanation.org

Ask Questions here

LOC@oneidanation.org

920-869-4417

DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE WORKPLACE LAW AMENDMENTS

The purpose of the Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace law is to establish a drug and alcohol-free workplace program that

balances respect for individuals with the need to maintain an alcohol and drug-free environment. Amendments to this law

are being proposed to provide that an external applicant’s confirmed positive THC test result shall be exempted from the

requirement of a negative drug test result for pre-employment eligibility in certain circumstances.

Individuals may attend the public meeting for the proposed amendments to the Drug and Alcohol Free Work-place law in

person at the Norbert Hill Center, or virtually through Microsoft Teams. If you wish to attend the public meeting through

Microsoft Teams please contact LOC@oneidanation.org.

If the Norbert Hill Center’s Administrative Offices guidelines prohibits a public meeting from being held in person on

February 15, 2023, based on the COVID-19 Community levels in Brown and Outagamie Counties, then the public meeting

will be held solely on Microsoft Teams.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD CLOSES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2023

During the public comment period, anyone may submit written comments,

questions or input. Comments may be submitted to the Oneida Nation

Secretary’s Office or the Legislative Reference Office in person, by U.S. mail,

interoffice mail, or e-mail.

For more information on the proposed amendments to the Drug and Alcohol Free

Workplace law please review the public meeting packet at oneida-nsn.gov/government/register/

public meetings.

ONEIDA

JUDICIARY

Tsi nu téshakotiya tolétha

TRIAL COURT

Payment can be made either in person at

the Oneida Trial Court located at

2630 West Mason Street, Green Bay, WI 54303;

or by mailing said payment to

Oneida Tribal Court P.O. Box 19, Oneida, WI 54155

First published notice 2/1/23

NOTICE OF INTENT TO GARNISH

Debtor's Name: Lindsey Blackowl

Debtor's Name: Juanita Black Bull

Debtor's Name: Shaleena Danforth

Debtor's Name: Marcella John

Debtor's Name: Mary Mendoza

Debtor's Name: Jeremy Ninham

Debtor's Name: Frances Nunies

Debtor's Name: Elizabeth Pocan

Debtor's Name: Truman Powless

Debtor's Name: Brittney A. Skenandore

Debtor's Name: Briana Summers

Oneida entities owed a debt: ONEIDA TRIBAL COURT

24 | FEBRUARY 2023

BICENTENNIAL

KALIHWISAKS

Flash Back

Chief Tallfeather

In the March 23, 2022 edition of the Kalihwisaks,

the Bicentennial Team first announced that July

25-30, 2023 was going to be the week that Oneida

will commemorate 200 years of existence here in

Wisconsin.

The article also spoke of August 5, 1921 as the date

Oneida held its 100 Year Centennial events, which

included various athletic contests such as baseball,

lacrosse, and a foot race featuring the legendary

runner, Levi Parker “Chief Tallfeather” Webster.

Also known as the Copper Streak, Levi's athletic

ability was billed as the "Greatest Drawing Power of

any Single Act Anywhere." As a professional runner,

he was contracted for many events, including a nonstop run from Milwaukee to Chicago on September

5, 1929. (See newspaper clipping on left.) Webster

was also a World World I veteran. In the upper right,

is a photo Levi's marriage to Servilla Skenandore.

Photo Courtesy Mae Cornelius,

granddaughter of Levi Parker Webster

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

BICENTENNIAL

FEBRUARY 2023 | 25

September 23, 2022 marked the 200th

anniversary of the 1822 Treaty, which established

the land base for Oneida, on what was then the

Michigan territory, in Wisconsin. About a year later,

some Oneida families from the east began to travel from

New York and settle in the newly established territory. To

acknowledge this significant event, we honor all those who

came before us and all those who helped us become what we

are today. Furthermore, we recognize the contributions from the

Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Stockbridge-Munsee, and Brothertown Nations.

JULY 25–30, 2023

It’s going to be a great week

full of family fun activity.

• Cultural Classes &

Workshops

• Lacrosse Activities

• Walk/Run Event

• History Conference

• Art Shows/Markets

• Spiritual Services

PLUS, A SATURDAY

FAMILY FUN DAY

to include Food

Trucks, Live Music,

Fireworks, and More!

Scan the QR Code

to watch the

TV commercial.

26 | FEBRUARY 2023

COMMUNITY EVENTS

KALIHWISAKS

SQUASH, GREEN

BEAN AND CORN

SOUP

BY ANONYMOUS ONEIDA ELDER

INGREDIENTS:

½ lbs. Lean pork or beef

10 oz. Box frozen corn, or fresh equivalent

10 oz. Box frozen bean, or fresh equivalent

4 cups Diced squash anything except acorn

8 cups Water

Season to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1 T rim all visible fat from meat and cut into cubes

about ½" square.

2 

Cover meat with water. Add seasonings and

simmer about 30 minutes.

3 Add squash and corn; cook about 15-20 mins.

longer. If using zucchini or summer squash, cook

only about 10 mins.

NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVING:

Makes: 8 Servings 1 cup • Calories 116 •

Protein 9 g • Carbohydrates 38 g • Dietary fiber

21 g • Total fat 3 g • Cholesterol 8 mg •

Sodium 56 mg

ONEIDA-NSN.GOV

ENTERTAINMENT

FEBRUARY 2023 | 27

Oneida Crossword

Ernie Stevens IV, the son of Ernie (III)

and Stephanie Stevens, broke through to

the big screen by playing Nicky Youngblood

in the movie, Deep Woods, that premiered

during the Wyoming Film Festival on May,

24, 2022.

IMDB.com describes the film as a

successful architect, out grouse hunting,

who becomes the game when he wanders

off the trail and is pursued into the

treacherous wilderness by a ruthless drug

cartel. He quickly discovers he’s seen too

much, knows too little, and is in too deep.

On August 17, 2021, Stevens and his

family were invited to a private screening at

the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee. There

were also several other Oneida members

in the film, including Daniel Stevens,

(Ernie IV’s brother), Laken Hargrove,

Aron Rodriguez, Daniel Guzman-King,

as well as Stevens’ parents, Ernie III and

Stephanie, who all played extras in a

fireside scene. Kash Berg, also Oneida,

can be heard singing during this scene.

Deep Woods is available on Amazon

Prime, Redbox, Apple TV, and Vudu. Way

to represent Oneida!

ACROSS

1. F eatured on Bicentennial

Blanket

3. Amusingly Clever

5. Vigue made Tribal

Relations Director

of UW-________

8. Form of exercise without

equipment

9. The Creators Game

11. TAP Event Speaker

Click or

Scan the

QR Code

13. H

 eads or _____,

to start a game

To view

DEEP WOODS trailer

15. G

 overning body of

Oneida Nation

14. Redness from emotion

17. Confection given as a

gift

19. Composition of two

voices or instruments

5. Oneida historian

6. D

 ebut at Oneida Casino

in Nov. 2021

20. Added to a fire

7. _ _____ Day,

February 14th

21. A tight or fond embrace

10. Bashful

22. City of Green _____

11. “What We’re _____

For”, documentary

featuring Oneida

Pantry

23. A landscape, setting or

backdrop

DOWN

1. Beloved or Cherished

2. H

 osted community

luncheon with OCIFS

3. A victory

4. Seasonal defrost

12. Kunhi-yo’ translation

16. Brisk of Mildly Cold

17. Greeting _____

18. Used for Smudging

Answer Key on Page 17

PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE

PA ID

ONEIDA WI 54155

PERMIT NO. 4

PO Box 365, Oneida, WI 54155-0365 • 2701 W. Mason St., Green Bay, WI 54155

Garth Webster

Reporter-Senior Photographer

920.496.5632

For All Submissions

kalihwisaks@oneidanation.org

Michelle Danforth-Anderson

Marketing & Tourism Director

Nicole Hrabik

Graphic Designer

Contributors: Eric Doxtator • Trista Cornelius-Henricks • Leon Webster

Peggy Doxtater • Nevada Skenandore • Hartman Skenandore • Colton Doyen

Mercedes Danforth-Hernandez

www.oneida-nsn.gov/resources/kalihwisaks/

@kalihwisaks

KALIHWISAKS