Upcoming Events

The Upcoming Events section will highlight opportunities for Tribal members, descendants, and community members to participate in future gatherings, discussions, and educational sessions related to the I am Oneida Project.

Whether in-person or virtual, these events will offer space for learning, sharing, and contributing to the future of the Oneida Nation.

These are the questions we’re exploring together for Phase 2 of the I Am Oneida Project. We invite you to share your thoughts and help us create a future that honors who we are.

Project Timeline

Phase 1 (Completed)

Project Guide

Coming Soon

This section will provide answers to frequently asked questions about the I am Oneida Project, tribal enrollment, and the role of the Onʌyoteʔa·ká· niʔi· Standing Committee. It will also include a glossary of key terms—such as blood quantum, eligibility, sovereignty, and more—to help make the project’s language and concepts accessible to all.

Whether you’re new to these conversations or looking for deeper understanding, this resource will help clarify the purpose, process, and impact of the project.

Check back soon for updates as we build this space to support informed and meaningful engagement. For now, here are some key terms to be familiar with.

• Blood Quantum – A measurement of ancestry used by some Tribes to determine enrollment eligibility
• Eligibility – Criteria for becoming an enrolled Tribal member
• Sovereignty – The inherent right of Tribes to govern themselves
• Descendant – A person who is related to an enrolled member but may not meet eligibility requirements
• Constitution – The governing document of the Oneida Nation

Onʌyoteʔaꞏká niʔ i Standing Committee

The Onʌyoteʔa·ká· niʔi· Standing Committee, also known as the I Am Oneida Standing Committee, was created to support the implementation of the I am Oneida Project Plan. Its responsibilities include:

• Sharing accurate and timely enrollment data and projections with the community.
• Acting as a communication bridge between the community, the General Tribal Council, and the Oneida Business Committee.
• Ensuring the Nation’s Vision and Mission are reflected in all project efforts.
• Creating outreach subcommittees to engage those impacted by enrollment policies.

The committee is composed of Oneida Nation members, including representatives from the Oneida Business Committee and appointed community members. Officers include a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, who oversee meetings, reporting, and outreach efforts.

Charter

The Charter was approved by the Oneida Business Committee on January 10, 2024.

Onʌyoteʔaꞏká niʔ i Standing Committee – Charter

Oneida Business Committee Representatives

Secretary
Lisa Liggins
920-869-4421
lliggins@oneidanation.org

Councilman
Jameson Wilson
920-869-4385
jwilson@oneidanation.org

Community Member Representatives & Term

2025 Oneida History Summit

Survey

Survey is Closed — Stay Tuned for Results

As part of our efforts to ensure the sustainability of the Oneida Nation, the Onʌyoteʔa·ká· niʔi· Standing Committee hosted a series of community input sessions focused on tribal enrollment.

For those unable to attend in person, a remote participation option was offered through a short video and survey. The survey is now closed, and we sincerely thank all Tribal members, descendants, and Oneida Nation community members who took the time to share their thoughts.

Survey Results Coming Soon: Your input is being reviewed and will help guide future decisions. Please check back for updates as we prepare to share the results with the community.

Video Resource:
Keith Doxtator, former Director of Trust Enrollment, discusses blood quantum and citizenship at the 2022 Remaking Tribal Constitutions Seminar hosted by the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona.

This video served as the foundation for the survey and remains available as a valuable educational resource. We encourage you to watch and reflect, even though the survey is now closed.

Shared Perspectives

This section will feature reflections, quotes, and insights from Tribal members, descendants, and Oneida Nation community members, as well as representatives of the Onʌyoteʔa·ká· niʔi· Standing Committee.

These voices offer a powerful glimpse into the heart of the Onʌyoteʔaꞏká niʔ i Project—sharing personal stories, hopes for the future, and thoughts on identity, enrollment, and community connection

Stay tuned as we gather and prepare these perspectives to honor the voices that are helping shape the future of the Oneida Nation.

Additional Reference Materials

Blood Quantum: Where Did It Come From—and What Does It Mean Today?
This video explains the history of blood quantum, a concept introduced by settlers and the federal government to measure “Indian blood.” It shows how this fraction, based on family history and census records, became linked to tribal citizenship after the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.

Today, blood quantum is still widely debated.

• Some view it as a way to protect culture and resources.
• Others worry about population decline and question the accuracy of the original calculations.

The key point: Native nations have the sovereign right to decide their own citizenship rules.

Why This Matters for OPP
This conversation is part of the Onʌyoteʔa·ká niʔ i Project (I Am Oneida Project), which invites us to reflect on identity, enrollment, and the future of the Oneida Nation. Understanding where blood quantum came from, and how it affects us today, helps us make informed decisions about what belonging means for generations to come.

Keith Doxtator, former Director of Trust Enrollment, discusses blood quantum and citizenship at the 2022 Remaking Tribal Constitutions Seminar hosted by the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona.

A shortened version of this video served as the foundation for the Phase 1 survey and remains available as a valuable educational resource. We encourage you to watch and reflect, even though the survey is now closed.

Rethinking Tribal Membership: Key Insights
The video explores how tribes are reconsidering what determines membership. Historically, blood quantum was the main requirement, but many tribes are now moving toward lineal descendancy, which bases membership on family lineage rather than a specific blood percentage.

Key points from the discussion:

• Shift to Lineal Descendancy: More tribes are adopting lineage and sometimes residency as membership criteria.
• Beyond Numbers: Speakers suggest that membership should reflect connection and participation in the community, not just fixed categories like blood quantum.
• Osage Nation’s Approach: The Osage Nation chose to include as many people as possible through lineal descendancy. This inclusive approach brought benefits but also sparked internal debates among members.
• Challenges of Inclusivity: Tribes continue to discuss other factors like language, residency, and land ownership.
• External Influence: Blood quantum was introduced by outside entities, not originally a Native concept.
• Cultural Considerations: Loss of language and cultural ties can be as significant as changes in blood quantum.
• Looking Forward: The video encourages tribes to think about what citizenship means and how to ensure strong, lasting nations.

Connection to Onʌyoteʔa·ká niʔ i Project
These conversations align with the goals of the Onʌyoteʔa·ká niʔ i Project (I Am Oneida Project). Both focus on identity, belonging, and the future of tribal nations. By exploring enrollment criteria and cultural connection, we can make informed decisions that strengthen our communities for generations to come.

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Population Study

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) wanted to understand how its population might change in the future. They worked with Wilder Research to create long-term projections for the Tribe and its six Bands: Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and White Earth. Tribal leaders are concerned that the population is shrinking, so the study looks at what could happen under current rules and other possible options.

The projections go all the way to the year 2098 and explore five different enrollment scenarios:

1. Current rule: Must have ¼ MCT blood.
2. Scenario 2: Count Chippewa/Ojibwe blood from other tribes and Canadian First Nations toward the ¼ requirement.
3. Scenario 3: Count blood from any federally recognized tribe or Canadian First Nation toward the ¼ requirement.
4. Scenario 4: Lower the requirement to ⅛ MCT blood.
5. Scenario 5: Enroll anyone who is a lineal descendant of the original 1941 MCT base rolls.

Why This Matters

These projections show how enrollment rules directly shape the Tribe’s future. This is similar to the conversations happening in the Onʌyoteʔa·ká niʔ i Project (I Am Oneida Project), where we’re asking important questions about identity and enrollment. Both efforts highlight that decisions made today will impact generations to come—and that understanding these trends helps us make informed choices about preserving culture and community.

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Population Projections and Methodology Report