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Response to Macy's parade float buoys Oneida Nation
November 28, 2008
By: Matt Michael

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Oneida Indian Nation leader Ray Halbritter said he wasn't sure what kind of reaction the Oneidas would receive Thursday when they became the first tribe to have a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

But from the positive and humorous comments from onlookers to the excitement of participating in one of the nation's most famous parades, Halbritter said, the experience couldn't have been better. More than a million spectators were expected to view the 82nd annual parade in person, with another 50 million watching on television.

"The people seemed to react incredibly in such an excited, happy way about the presence of Indian people," Halbritter said.

"That was a welcome surprise to me. You could see right away that the people recognized the role of American Indians in creating Thanksgiving, and that really seemed to resonate."

As the Oneida Nation's "True Spirit of Thanksgiving" float rolled down city streets, onlookers hooted and hollered. Halbritter said the comments ranged from "It's the best float we've ever seen!" to "We're sorry!" to "We love your discount cigarettes!"

"I can't even describe how the crowds were cheering, and the comments were entirely positive," Halbritter said.

The float - a giant turtle symbolizing Mother Earth - depicts the Oneida creation story of Sky Woman resting on a turtle's back. A 30-foot-tall White Pine tree, symbolizing the tree of peace, grows from the turtle's back, while its roots of peace spread in the four directions of the compass.

On top of the tree is an eagle that keeps watch over Indian nations. The float also features Iroquois dancers at each root, representing all Indian people from across the country.

Halbritter said the float's name reflects the spirit of the original Thanksgiving.

"At that time, the Indians were strong, and the colonists needed our help," Halbritter said. "Now the tables have turned, and the majority of society is strong and we're not and we need their help.

"The 'True Spirit of Thanksgiving' is out of those days that helped found America and that allowed America to come forth, and hopefully that kind of cooperation and friendship can continue again," he added.

Halbritter said about 25 people, including Native Americans and others who helped re-enact the scene, participated with the Oneida float at the parade. Many others helped behind the scenes to design and create the float.

Halbritter said the Oneida contingent gathered about 6:45 a.m. Thursday in Central Park West, where the parade started. Like the visitors who lined the streets, he said his group gawked at stars such as Miley Cyrus, Trace Adkins and Ashanti and marveled at the sight of the balloons as they were being inflated.

The Oneida Nation has an agreement with Macy's to take part in at least the next two parades, and Halbritter said he's already looking forward to next year.

"It was such an exciting day," Halbritter said. "The spirit of the crowd was amazing."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.