The Oneida Indian Nation
America's First Ally
The Oneida Indian Nation made their mark on American history when they became the first ally to America as they joined the colonists in their fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War.
But their victory over the British wasn’t such a win after all—it was actually the beginning of a nightmare. Who are the Oneidas, and what happened to them?
The Oneida
The Oneida are a Native American tribe and First Nations band. They are one of the five founding nations (later six) of the Six NationsIroquois Confederacy (also known as Haudenosaunee) in the area of upstate New York.
For centuries, they lived a self-sustaining lifestyle, living and thriving peacefully off the land.
Their Name
The name "Oneida" is derived from the English pronunciation of Onyota'a:ka, the people's name for themselves. It means, “People of the Standing Stone,” and it’s based on an intriguing ancient legend.
The Legend
According to the legend, the Oneida people were being pursued on foot by an enemy tribe. As their enemies chased the Oneidas into a clearing within the woodlands, they suddenly disappeared.
People Of The Standing Stone
The Oneidas had instantly disappeared, leaving the enemy confused as to where they could have gone. It was then believed that they had shapeshifted into the stones that stood in the clearing.
As a result, they became known as the People of the Standing Stone. But that’s not the only legend about their name.
