Recently, members of the LCO Elders Association took a trip to the Oneida Nation over by Green Bay. The purpose of the trip was so that the elders could see what type of services and programs they offer. I am reprinting an article that appears in their monthly newsletter, LCO Elder’s Corner, describing their trip in pretty good detail. The monthly newsletter is prepared by Mona Ingerson and she has done some pretty good reporting about their trip to Oneida.
The article tells not only about the programs and services for elders, but a lot about the structure and enterprises of the tribe. It’s pretty cool to learn about how other tribes function and operate. It appears that the Oneida have their *bleep* together. One of the parts in the elder’s report I like best is how the Oneida tribe’s general membership meets to elect a Business Committee to oversee the tribal enterprises. The general membership also elects the gaming commission, the election board, a commission on aging, land commission, land claims commission, school board and enrollment committee, meaning all these boards are then responsible to the membership rather than the tribal council (business committee).The Business Committee then appoints other boards, but to think, all these boards in the hands of the general membership. Now, that’s power to the people! And it works! The Oneida Nation is one of the most productive, well-managed tribes in the state.
The elders also report that Oneida is known for having the best services for their elders. By reading this report, you get the feeling that they are pretty good at taking care of all their members and guests as well. They even give a large amount of money to their members to attend college. Good for them.
I realize that the Oneida have a lot of money due to their casino next to a population center, but there are other tribes who have a lot of money who run themselves into the ground worse than if they hadn’t the money in the first place.
I think the right structure and planning can create a much more sound government and it doesn’t take money. The Oneida structure says it all, much more power rests in the hands of the people than does here at LCO and look how ineffectively operated our tribal government is versus theirs. For example, the article below lists a wide variety of services provided to their elders. Some of those services were provided here at LCO up until this year when an announcement was recently made that the tribe could no longer afford to provide them. Their announcement said due to budget cutbacks, the tribe had to put on hold various social assistance programs, such as elder home repair and car repair and logger’s cord of wood. What a major slap in the face to our elders. Less than two years ago our tribe was out of debt after receiving the Nez Perce money. Now we can’t afford to assist our elders?
I can think of another tribe that is doing very well here in Wisconsin, the Ho Chunks, and they have the same type of system as the Oneida, where the people as a general assembly directly elect their leadership.
Well, without further ado, here is the article reprinted from the LCO Elder’s Corner.
LCO Elder Association visit to Oneida Nation
Ten members of the LCO Elder Association traveled to the Oneida Nation in northeast Wisconsin to learn more about their services and programs for tribal elders. Oneida is renowned for the best elder programs among Wisconsin tribes.
The Oneida Tribe has a franchise to operate a Radisson Hotel, where we stayed. The tribe manages the hotel guided by standards required by the Radisson and the Radisson does the marketing. Every seven years, the hotel undergoes a complete cleaning including repainting all walls and replacing all bedding including mattresses. These items are made available to tribal elders. The tribe also operates the Wingate Hotel and other hotels in Sacramento and Washington, DC.
Among many economic enterprises, the tribe is 100% owner of a local bank. Numerous properties are rented to major retailers on tribal land, including Wal-Mart.
Our first stop was to an organization called Options for Independent Living. Options’ facility is a model for home and office displaying adaptable and barrier-free options for persons with physical challenges. Alternatives on display covered a range of situations that are problematic for elders and persons with disabilities including bathing, gardening, using telephones, cooking, to name just a few. The Options office closest to LCO is located in Superior. Options staff works with individuals, helping them find equipment and other assistive technologies that will enable them to remain in their homes. They also assist individuals to identify potential sources of support to pay for equipment and other needed changes.
After a tour of the various housing opportunities for tribal elders, including duplexes, 2-bedroom homes, a skilled nursing facility and an area where 36 new cottages are being built, the LCO Elder Association was welcomed by members of the Oneida Nation Commission on Aging (ONCOA) and the Director of Elder Services, Florence Petri. The chair of ONCOA, Wes Martin, also chairs the Great Lakes Native American Elders Association (GLNEA). Wes and other members described elder services developed by the tribe and plans for the future. There are about 1,200 tribal elders living on or near the reservation. Later this year, an Oneida Elder Expo will be sponsored where all elder programs will come together to inform the public about their services and opportunities.
Elder programs are extensive, including prevention of elder abuse, the Native American Family Caregivers Program; benefits counseling; Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions, Respite Care, assistance with home making; a loan closet for items needed in the home, an in-home emergency response system; help with home chores, home repairs, delivered and congregate meals; transportation, social activities; a 24-hour emergency answering service; and senior employment. Every Friday, elders are transported to the bank and taken shopping. There are 28 full time and 6 part time persons who staff the Elder Services department. The Grants Department procured a grant for some canopies for vendors at a Thursday Farmer’s Market. The canopies are free to Oneida members and are checked out like at a library.
The Elder Association enjoyed lunch at the Elder Complex. The complex, elder housing and the health center are all located in close proximity. All the buildings are connected by sidewalks and there are benches all along the way.
We visited the health center as well. Five to six doctors are on staff, in addition to several physician’s assistants. About 130-150 patients are served daily. One wing is devoted exclusively to diabetic patients. A triage system is in place 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. A full range of medical services is provided including OB/GYN and pediatrics and a full service pharmacy.
Other places we visited included Salt Pork Lane (original log cabins formerly occupied by tribal members); a buffalo farm; a farmer’s market; a cemetery; The Long House (under renovation); the tribe’s planning department, which has a dedicated staff of seven; a recycling center; one of the original churches that has been renovated; The Turtle School (a tribal school, k-12); the Norbert Hill Center, which houses tribal administration; and several tribal gas stations.
The tribe has placed a high value on education. Tribal members who are working toward a baccalaureate degree are eligible to receive $20,000 a year; $25,000 for masters level study; and $30,000 for doctoral studies. Also, a burial allowance of $15,000 is provided.
We attended the inauguration of newly elected officials. The new chair is Tina Danforth. She is one of six women who serve on the tribe’s Business Committee. As we understood it, the General Council of Oneida is the total membership of about 17,000. The General Council elects a nine member Business Committee in addition to electing members of the Oneida Election Board, the Commission on Aging, The Oneida Enrollment Committee, the Land Commission, the Oneida School Board, the Land Claims Commission and the Gaming Commission. There are about 10 other boards whose members are appointed by the Business Committee. Many of the programs are funded by grants procured by the Oneida Grants Department of 8 people.
On our last day, we were very surprised to find out that our hotel bill had been paid by the tribe’s Tourism Department! Before returning to LCO, we had breakfast with the Oneida Veteran’s Association. We left Oneida well-fed and so honored to have been welcomed by everyone we met. The accomplishments of the Oneida Tribe are very impressive; and the people were very hospitable and generous. A special thank you to Kirby Metoxin, whose guidance throughout the trip was enlightening and fun.
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