Lah^te (He goes Ahead/to the Front)/Lou Williams Jr.
Specialty:
Cultural Wellness Consultant (located in Recovery Nest Cottage)
Patient Ages:
12 and older
Education:
Associate of Science in Natural Sciences and Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies from Haskell Indian Nations University
Master of Science in Secondary Education from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Currently finishing a PhD in Indigenous Studies from University of Buffalo- State University of New York
Provider Bio:
Lah^te was a National Science Foundation Fellow (UB-SUNY) between 2008 and 2010. He completed internships and held a Cultural Healing Facilitator position at Oneida Cultural Heritage from 2005 to 2007 and 2016 to 2018. He was Adjunct Professor at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario in Beginner Mohawk Language in 2014 and Cultural Consultant at Karakwi-School for High Risk youth in Kingston, Ontario in 2015. Lah^te represented the entire Oneida of Wisconsin Community at Tonawanda Seneca Longhouse by bringing our Traditional Fire/wampum for Kalihwiyo Convention/Trail in September 2017.
Lah^te/Lou is an enrolled Oneida Tribal Member, he is Wolf Clan and has a very well-established relationship with Traditional Haudenosaunee Confederacy Leaders as well as here in his own Oneida Community. His Cultural Teachers include: Tom Porter, Howard Elijah, Bob Antone, Mike Myers, Bruce Elijah, Tom Deer, Kevin Deer, Lotunt Honyost, Nicole Martin, Brandon Martin, Jock Hill, Bob Brown, Randy Cornelius, Leander Danforth, Sonny Hill, Gerald Alfred and Ron Hill. All have contributed significantly to his learning focusing on Oneida Indigenous Cultural Identities and Longhouse ways. At Haskell, Daniel Wildcat, Michael Yellowbird, Cornell Pewewardy, Dwight Pickering and Manny King were Lou’s Cultural Teachers.
Lah^te/Lou specializes in teaching Haudenosaunee/Oneida Language, History and Culture. It is his belief that developing a healthy Indigenous Cultural Identity, through learning one’s Language, Culture and History, is critical in healing past traumas and understanding present day challenges. Lah^te/Lou is attuned to level 2 in Reiki energy healing and will often incorporate Traditional teachings in his services. Smudging with sage, cedar, sweet grass, burning traditional tobacco for individuals and singing Haudenosaunee/Oneida Traditional songs are his forte. He also has the ability to recite the “Words that comes Before All Else” or Oh^tu Kaliwatekwa, teach any age how to speak their Language and is a regular participant in Longhouse Ceremonies out east as well as here in Oneida. Lah^te/Lou has the ability to tell the Oneida “Epic Narratives” such as the Creation Story, Clan Origins, Medicine Origins, Great Law of Peace and The Code of Handsome Lake.
Cultural Wellness Consultant Lou Williams Jr. tells us what he loves about his role with Oneida Behavioral Health, the joy of educating others about Oneida culture.
