MAISIE SHENANDOAH
July 12, 1932 - December 2, 2009
Wolf Clan Mother - Oneida Nation
Haudenosaunee Confederacy

Surrounded by her loved ones, Mary “Maisie” Shenandoah, Yakolihuny?ni, “She Teaches,” has passed into the spirit world. Born July 12, 1932 on the Onondaga Nation Territory south of Syracuse, NY. Daughter of the late Mary Cornelius Winder and Samuel Winder, Maisie was a Wolf Clan Mother of the Oneida Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois) Confederacy in New York State. As a clan mother she had the duty of selecting leaders from within her clan, serving as a political adviser, spiritual leader and spokesperson for the Oneida people.

She was primarily an educator and matriarch of the Oneida people, she was also a performing artist, tribal historian, an avid collector of Native American art and an astute businesswoman. Maisie operated a trading post, participated in American Indian gatherings throughout the country and organized hundreds of cultural and education presentations in the northeast. Throughout her travels she encouraged Native American people to look with pride upon their heritage and to assert their rights as indigenous nations with kindness and friendship. After her marriage to Onondaga Chief Clifford Shenandoah they moved their family back to the ancestral territory of the Oneidas in 1961 and re-established a dynamic Oneida presence in the region. Her life’s dream, as passed on to her by her mother, was to create a homeland for all Oneidas.

She was selected as Clan Mother in 1977 and fulfilled her duties for the next thirty years. Known as the “Matriarch of the Oneida people,” she passed on her passion for Oneida culture to her children, family members and countless numbers of Oneidas and travelers to the Oneida territory who found comfort in her home. No one ever left her house without enjoying a warm meal, her unique humor, generosity and hospitality. She was profiled in many publications including the books “Wisdomkeepers” and “Wisdom’s Daughters.” Maisie played a vital role in the Oneida land claims begun by her mother Mary Winder & Aunt Delia Waterman eighty years ago. She was a staunch defender of the treaty rights of not only the Oneidas but all Haudenosaunee and other Native peoples for which she was honored by the National Organization of Women.

Maisie Shenandoah is survived by her children Gerald Schenandoah (Cheryl), Wanda Wood Lyons (Laverne) , Joanne Shenandoah (Doug George Kanentiio), Diane Schenandoah, Vicki Schenandoah (Matt Jones), and Danielle Schenandoah; her twin sister, Elizabeth Robert (Raymond), sisters Gloria Halbritter and Ramona Beglen; 20 grandchildren, 17 great-grand children and hundreds of other relatives.

“Throughout the years I have experienced many difficult times, but the Creator has always given me the strength to continue on. I have witnessed moments that have caused great stress to our Oneida people. I have spent countless hours in defense of our sovereignty, land and traditional ways. One day we will again stand before the world as a people who have overcome great the odds and survived as a nation.”, Maisie Shenandoah “Wisdom’s Daughters” HarperCollins Publishers (1993)

Friends and family can pay their respects on December 2-4 at the home of Wanda & Laverne Lyons, 521 Main Street, Oneida, NY 13421. Her services will be held at the Oneida Nation Longhouse on the 32 Acre Territory Route 46, Oneida, NY at 11:00 am on December 5, 2009, after which she will be buried in the Shenandoah/Robert family cemetery overlooking Oneida Territory on Forrest Avenue, Oneida, NY.

Joe and his wife Jean moved here from New Jersey, to support our small community when our homes were in peril. Jean passed two years ago and has been greatly missed by all, none more greatly than Joe himself. He is now with her and I am sure rejoicing in their love.

We are all so very blessed to know and love both these beautiful beings that had graced us with their presences here on the Territory. Their love and memories will be forever with us until we meet again.

Services will be held at their home this Saturday Feb. 7 at 1:00 in Rome NY, Please say prayers for
the family, y^: wa’

Oneida Territory community
(for more info please email me)

Diane Schenandoah

On the Oneida Yahoo group, Diane Schenandoah mentioned a few months back that the Oneida are taking a much needed respite, renewing themselves after years of difficult challenges with Ray Halbritter, and, more importantly, tending to the needs of family.

That said, there will come a time when the Oneida People, who stand with Tradition as part of Haudenosaunee Confederacy, become active once again.

Respectfully,
Ahni

Clarisse continues to recover as we speak; but the hospital bill and numerous other costs has seriously set things back for the Schenandoahs.. To help out, please head over to danielleschenandoah.blogspot.com or send an email to danielleschenandoahfund@hotmail.com

Traditional Oneida Danielle Schenandoah and her family needs your help!

The Oneida Nation, like many other Native nations have been and are continuing to go through a transformation. The issue of casinos in our communities has sometimes placed our people at odds. Many traditionalists do not support casinos for economic development… this sometimes results in political conflict that has led to devastating consequences in their lives.

A very dear friend of mine, Danielle Schenandoah is a traditional Oneida woman and mother. She has been vocal against the casino being placed in her territory and for which she has paid heavily. Danielle has been ostracized and punished for speaking out against having a casino in her territory. Danielle is one of several traditional Oneida who were disenrolled. Since then this single mother and her 3 children have had their home bulldozed with the blessing of the United States government, and have had a constant struggle for years to remain together. They receive no insurance, [correction: Clarisse is receiving limited insurance coverage from the automobile accident] assistance, or other help from the Oneida nation. (see www.oneidasfordemocracy.org for the full struggle of the Oneida traditionals.)

One night at the end of August 2007, Danielle’s 14-year-old daughter Clarisse was in a serious car accident. The seat belt she was wearing most likely saved her life, but it did not save her from serious injuries. She suffered extensive injuries including a shattered pelvis, punctured lung, ruptured spleen, broken foot, split pallet, and broken facial bones and jaw. Within hours of being rushed to Syracuse University hospital, she underwent surgery to stop any internal bleeding. A couple of days later she went through a 12 hour surgery to begin to rebuild her shattered pelvis with new hip joints and plates and screws to bind bone back together. She faces further surgery to repair the bones in her face. She also requires extensive dental work since many teeth were damaged. As well, she requires plastic surgery down the road.

This accident has been a serious setback to the Schenandoah’s progress. Things had started to improve for the family last October when Danielle was able to buy a used trailer and rent land on the Onondaga Reservation. She found a job and enrolled her children in school where they excelled. They did not have much, but they were finally together in their own home. Then came the accident.

Clarisse has been sent home. She requires total care, being unable to bathe herself, and do the necessary things each day. She uses a walker to avoid pneumonia from inactivity, despite the pain. Since there is no medical insurance or financial resources, Danielle must now stay home to care for Clarisse. As a result, she is no longer able to work. With no income, they are now in danger of losing everything they fought so hard to get… their home, and most importantly, their life together. She has already been threatened to lose her children and if not for the generosity of some family (who are in the same situation with being disenrolled) they would have been removed from her home.

This is why this blog has been started. This single mother and her 3 children need your help to stay together and to cover the growing medical bills. Currently their car is in disrepair and it is getting harder to get Clarisse to the doctors for her many follow up visits and physical therapy appointments. They also have other mounting bills, they are a couple months behind on their land rent, their phone has been shut off, and getting food and clothing for growing children, is a constant worry.

As a close friend and sister of Danielle, I am appealing to those people out there who live the good mind. Please, if you are at all able, consider donating. ALL money will go directly to this family.

If you want to get involved please email danielleschenandoahfund@hotmail.com

The celebration features art, music, and sharing based on Native American traditions.

Inspired by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) teachings of the Peacemaker, the celebration offers activities that are healing, fun, and educational. Iroquois Prophecy says all people will hear the message of Peace. It is believed we are all part of that Prophecy.

The public is invited to join the Tracing Roots of Peace Celebration.

Saturday offerings include traditional food, native art, story-telling, song and Prayer by Diane Schenandoah, Peacemaker’s Story told by Kevin Deer, Prayers of Peace, Tree Planting Ceremony, Spiritual Readings, Music by Spirit Wing and others. Saturday’s events are from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) social dance at 7:00 p.m.

Location: Song Mountain Tully NY. No pre-registration required.

Recommended Donations: $15

Proceeds from this event will benefit the children of Thomas Jocko who passed away on September 17, 2006 after being struck by a car on the Onondaga nation. It was his dream that we work together to create Union and Peace in this world returning to the Truth of the Peacemaker’s Message.

For more information on Tracing Roots of Peace, A Weekend of Healing, visit www.tracingrootsfofpeace.com or contact Sheila Applegate, 315-491-2514.

I’m not sure if the new look is going to stick around, but at least it’s a lot easier for people to participate and keep up to date now.

There’s still some things that need to be worked out and talked about, and you can expect more updates in the future, but at this point there’s no rush or anything like that. It’s far more important that Diane and Danielle’s children regain their strength and health.

Respectfully,

Ahni
intercontinentalcry.org

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and wish to thank all those who have been willing to assist. More information at a later date.

Any donations can be made to each directly as follows:

To: Mitch Dryer
Oneida City Fire Department
Oneida, NY 13421

Americu Credit Union
Deposit account
Diane Schenandoah for “Seb Schenandoah Benefit”
280 Genesee Street
Oneida, NY 13421

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience. We will make every attempt to reschedule the concert at a later date.

Joanne Shenandoah
Tel & Fax 315-363-1655

Just a note: Seb has just finished his third round of Chemo therapy and has one more treatment to go, The Dr’s. say he is doing well, Please add him to your prayers as well as his wife and baby, as this has been extremely difficult for them, Nya weh! Love and light Diane

Sako, I am writing to ask that everyone please say some prayers for my son Seb Schenandoah, he is 24 and was just diagnosed with cancer, the Dr’s say it is very curable and for that I am so grateful, he and his girlfriend have given me a beautiful 16 month old grand daughter and he began a 12 week Chemo therapy treatment this past week.

He will be staying with his sister in NYC for his treatments at Memorial Sloane Kettering. We will be having a Concert fundraiser on August 24, My lovely sister Joanne Shenandoah and band will be performing from 7 to 9pm at Oneida High School.

This will be a duel benefit for my Son Seb Schenandoah and Fireman Mitch Dryer, There will be more info on Joanne Shenandoah’s web site www.joanneshenandoah.com. Thank you so much and any one wishing to donate please feel free to contact me as we are setting a bank account up for Seb and his family,

Nya weh ko, Much Love and Light,
Diane Schenandoah

Danielle Schenandoah, Victoria Shenandoah and Doug George will be our special guests on our internet radio show World Talk Radio, American Indian Movement Today on Wednesday, April 5th.

I would like to encourage everyone to call in!

Looking forward to the show and happy to be able to help spread the word, regarding the continual injustices in the Oneida Nation case.

American Indian Movement Today on World Talk Radio
Every Wednesday 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Pacific Time
Live Show Phone-in
Toll Free: 888-514-2100
Intl: 001-858-268-3068

http://www.worldtalkradio.com/show.asp?sid=141

Feel free to cross post and forward, help spread the word about the show.

Dohiyi,
Tamra
www.NDNnews.com
www.SDAIM.org

“Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes”
“Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, What will you do today to help make a difference?”

“Seek the creator in all the things you do. Cherish your time with one another. Develop your personal self discipline, which is the key to all success. Develop a sense of happiness within you that none can take away. Develop who you are and remain true to your higher self and your integrity will be an inspiration to others. Show your strengths when necessary, even if it is in being gentle or humble.” Leonard Peltier, March 6, 2006

“An Update on the Haudenosaunee struggle” an evening of film and discussion with Danielle Schenandoah of the Oneida Nation.

The Haudenosaunee still remain within their aboriginal homelands, now what is New York State. The current issues that affect and face all New Yorkers are taxes, native gaming, land claims, sustainability, and future working relations with the natives. These issues affect us all regardless of race or gender. There will be Film and discussions, an update and networking to bring solidarity with Indigenous Peoples from your back yard.

Danielle Schenandoah founded Ka-na-hi:Yo (It is a Good Seed), while in exile from her Sovereign territory to teach Traditional Iroquois farming methods to communities,and land trusts, bringing back the balan ce with Mother Earth for the next 7 generations. She has been traveling since Ray Halbritter was federally appointed dictator to the Sovereign Oneida territory- illegally. The deal was an exchange of the final winning NAFTA vote for a secret gaming compact.

Mission Statement

Bluestockings is a radical bookstore, fair trade cafe, and activist center in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Through words, art, food, activism, education, and community, we strive to create a space that welcomes and empowers all people. We actively support movements that challenge hierarchy and all systems of oppression, including but not limited to patriarchy, heterosexism, the gender binary, white supremacy and classism, within society as well as our own movements. We seek to make our space and resources available to such movements for meetings, events, and research. Additionally, we offer educational programming that promotes centered, strategic, and vis ionary thinking, towards the realization of a society that is infinitely creative, truly democratic,
equitable, ecological, and free.

Directions:

Bluestockings is located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan at 172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington - which means that we are 1 block south of Houston and 1st Avenue.

By train: F train to 2nd Ave, exit at the 1st Ave, and walk one block south.

By car: If you take the Houston exit off of the FDR, then turn left onto Essex (aka Avenue A), then right on Rivington, and finally right on Allen, you will be very, very close.

tahira faune alford
tahira@indymedia.org
laughing deer productions

Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
Cree Prophecy