200 Year Bicentennial July 25-30, 2023
This week in 2023 will commemorate the first Oneida families move to the Michigan territory in 1823. The set up for the removal of Oneidas started year’s prior to the first trip in 1821 to sign a treaty with the Menominee and HoChunk Nations. Then a subsequent trip in 1822 to Fort Howard to sign a second treaty and making payment for millions of acres of land to complete the transaction. Through U.S. government policies the millions of acres was reduced to 500,000 acres then to 65,451 in 1887. Eventually, the 8 mile x 12 mile reservation boundaries was reduced to less than 1,000 acres. Through the determination of our Elders of the past and today, the Oneida’s original 65,451 acres of land are being reclaimed.
