Oneida Nation's Float Returns to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

Oneida Nation News
Story Created: Nov. 16, 2009
Story Updated: Dec. 3, 2009

For the second year in a row the Oneida Indian Nation's float – The True Spirit of Thanksgiving – traveled down the parade route during the 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.

See video from this year's event.

And the float continues to garner rave reviews from audiences, including Sue Mosher who wrote via e-mail:

"I just wanted to send my congratulations on the beautiful Oneida Nation float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Although my ancestry contains only the tiniest bit of Native heritage (and that undocumented), the symbols on your float — Turtle Island, the Tree of Peace, and the watchful eagle — mean a great deal to me. To see them amid all the commercialism of the holidays gave me great hope and joy."

"I was watching the Macy's parade today and was thrilled when I heard the singing and looked up to see your float. What a wonderful addition to the Parade and a reminder we all are one," wrote Steve Richman, a building and groundskeeper at the Ganondagan, Victor, N.Y. "Great job!"

Yet another fan Dave (who did not give his full name), sent an e-mail saying "It was so so nice to have you ... participate in the Thanksgiving Day parade.The Indians from all the nations are to be commended for a very important part (they had) of the United States in it’s earliest forming."

The float featuring the Tree of Peace traveled a brand new route (77th Street, Central Park South, 7th Avenue, 42nd Street, 6th Avenue, to Macy's Herald Square), and spread the message of Thanksgiving to more than 3.5 million spectators, and more than 50 million viewers nationwide on NBC. Sharing the Oneida representation of the Creation Story, the float is a beautifully symbolic depiction of the legendary Nation’s birth.

Designed and built by the magicians of the Macy’s Parade Studio, the Oneida Nation's the True Spirit of Thanksgiving float showcases the Oneida representation of the creation story with vivid characters, symbols and performers.

Float Design

A Depiction of the Oneida Creation Story — The Oneida Creation Story tells of Sky Woman, who came to rest on Turtle’s back, which the other animals had covered with soil from beneath the sea. Thus living things may always find nourishment from the soil, for it springs from Mother Earth.

On the Turtle’s back (known as Turtle Island) stands a White Pine Tree. The roots that spread out from the tree are called the Great Roots of Peace, and they spread in the four directions: one to the north, one to the south, one to the east, and one to the west.

On top of this Great Tree is placed an Eagle. The Eagle keeps a watchful eye on the roots and if any danger approaches, he will scream loudly, sounding the alarm and all the Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy will at once come to the defense and rescue. This symbolizes that everyone has the responsibility to protect the peace.

The Creation Story is the oldest tradition of the Oneida People.

Images on the Float

Wampum Belts:
Two Row Belt
On the front of the float is a depiction of a Two Row Wampum Belt. This belt depicts friendship and cooperation between the American Indians and the European newcomers. It symbolizes that we travel the river of life side by side, and we don’t interfere with each other. The two rows never intersect; they are parallel and equal.

Hiawatha (or Six Nations) Belt
This belt is a visual record of the creation of the Haudenosaunee (also know as the Iroquois) Confederacy. The five original Nations that make up Confederacy are: Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Mohawk. (A sixth Nation, Tuscarora, was later added to the Iroquois).

Oneida Belt
The Oneida Belt design and the Oneida seal appear on the sides of the float. The rectangle shapes of the Oneida Belt depict the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy and the diamond shapes depict the council fires of each Nation. The Oneida Seal incorporates an image of the Tree of Peace along with symbols of each Clan of the Oneida – Turtle, Wolf and Bear.

Bundle of Arrows:
A bundle of five arrows symbolize strength in unity for the Iroquois. It is easy for one arrow to be broken. But bound together, the arrows hold strong against adversity and challenges to form a union which no one can bend or break. This symbolizing can be seen on the $1 dollar bill with an eagle clutching thirteen arrows in its claws.

Four Directions:
The Roots of Peace stretch out from the White Pine Tree in all four directions. Each platform on the float represents Native cultures from across the land. Artwork and collections from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian were referenced in creating these colorful displays.

The Turtle:
The turtle symbolizes Turtle Island, a symbol of Mother Earth to the Oneida people and many other Native Americans.

The Tree of Peace:
The White Pine is the Tree of Peace. The Oneidas believe the Peacemaker came to the Iroquois and uprooted the tree, telling them to bury their weapons of war underneath its roots. He thus brought peace to the Iroquois Confederacy. The White Pine Tree is the only evergreen with needles in bunches of five – which symbolizes the number of original Iroquois Nations.

“We are honored to have the Oneida Indian Nation participate in this year’s Parade with a majestic float that truly captures the spirit of the holiday,” Amy Kule, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade producer, said.

“The Oneida Indian Nation is honored to be included in the 82nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO, added. “American Indians welcomed the first Europeans who came to our homelands in the spirit of thanksgiving, and showed our new neighbors how to adapt to the challenges of our Mother Earth. As first Americans, we are most thankful to be included in this premier holiday event because it is a wonderful opportunity to once again share the true spirit of thanksgiving with America and the millions of people watching this wonderful parade.”

About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For over 80 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a 2.5-mile route in New York City with over 10,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macy’s Parade please visit www.macysparade.com or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

About Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of who still live in Central New York. The Nation’s enterprises, which employ nearly 5,000 people, include Turning Stone Resort and Casino, the SāvOn chain of gas stations and convenience stores, a 1,300-head Angus beef herd, several retail outlets, and Four Directions Media, which includes a national weekly newspaper and a 3D animation/HD cinematography production company. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members.