Oneida Nation Foundation : About the Nation

Supporting Our Veterans

The Oneida Nation Foundation supports a host of local veterans groups in recognition of their members' dedicated service to our country.

The Emerald City Marine Corps League of Chittenango gratefully accepted a $1,000 check from the Foundation. Standing from left to right are Ned Mann, Commandant; Chuck Fougnier, Foundation Chairman; Clint Hill, Nation Councilman; Brian Patterson, Oneida Nation Bear Clan Representative; Bill Batdorf, Paymaster; and Ken Hafter, Jr., Vice Commandant.

American Cancer Society
"Coaches vs. Cancer"

Syracuse University Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim (left) accepts an award from the Oneida Indian Nation for “outstanding lifetime achievement in basketball and the community.” Presenting the award at the 5th Annual Basket Ball, a fundraiser for Coaches vs. Cancer, are Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter and Chuck Fougnier (right), Wolf Clan representative to the Nation’s Men’s Council and Chairman of the Oneida Nation Foundation. Boeheim chairs the national Coaches vs Cancer Council, which has raised more than $16 million for the American Cancer Society since its inception in 1993.

In addition to numerous financial gifts, the Oneida Nation Foundation also provides in-kind contributions to a host of nonprofit organizations locally, nationally and internationally. These range from the donation of physical equipment to the hosting of a benefit that enables charities to raise much-needed funds for their operations. The Nation often underwrites expenses or provides services for free, enabling the nonprofit to keep most, if not all, of the monies raised.

In-Kind Contributions

The Children's Museum of History, Natural History,
Science & Technology

Donation of Interactive Computer Kiosks and Renovation of Longhouse Exhibit
$10,000 in-kind contribution

One of the oldest children's museums in the country, the Children's Museum in Utica provides educational and cultural enrichment to youngsters and their families. Through its diverse, interactive programs, children learn about regional history, natural history, science and culture in a non-traditional classroom setting that makes the learning experience both fun and memorable.

The Foundation recently donated two kiosks featuring interactive computer games centered upon the Oneidas' vast history and designed by the Nation's Four Directions Productions. The Nation also provided storyboards and additional culturally significant items to supplement the existing longhouse exhibit, including rattles, feather fans and water drums. In addition to the Nation's contributions, members of the local carpenters and electrical workers unions generously donated their time and effort to make much-needed additions and renovations to the exhibit.

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOW ENLARGED VIEW)

Slides from the interactive kiosk include, from left to right: The exterior and interior of a Longhouse, and the great turtle from the Oneida creation story.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY – “COACHES VS. CANCER”

Benefit and Auction – $2.5 million raised to date

The Coaches vs. Cancer program was created in 1993 by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This nationwide effort leverages the strength, community leadership and celebrity of our country’s basketball coaches to fight cancer. Syracuse University Head Coach Jim Boeheim and his wife, Juli, chair an annual black tie event, “The Basket Ball,” at the Turning Stone Casino Resort, featuring dinner, dancing, an auction and the award winning Syracuse Orangemen. Since moving to the Turning Stone six years ago, this event has raised $2 million in total for the American Cancer Society.