Sharing Oneida History & Beadwork at Pulaski All-Staff Professional Development Days

Last month, I had the honor of presenting during the Pulaski All-Staff Professional Development and Learning Day. My session, titled “Oneida Beadwork and Traditional Arts,” was selected as part of their official breakout session lineup. What made this opportunity especially meaningful is that the sessions were chosen by Pulaski teachers and school administrators many of whom work directly with youth from the Oneida Nation, as the district borders our reservation.

My presentation was created specifically for educators and school staff, with the goal of sharing our living history and cultural traditions through the lens of education. I introduced participants to the history of the Oneida Nation and explored how beadwork and other traditional arts continue to serve as vital expressions of our identity, resilience, and community values.

To make these teachings tangible, I brought a hands-on display that included raised beadwork, black ash baskets, wild rice knockers, traditional foods, and even my son's cradleboard. These items served as visual and physical connections to our ancestors and demonstrating that our culture is not something of the past, but something that is deeply alive and evolving.

It was truly moving to speak to an audience eager to learn, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of Oneida history and contemporary life.

Yawʌˀkó· to everyone who attended my sessions, took the time to listen, and engaged with our culture in a meaningful way. These conversations are essential to fostering respect, connection, and continued cultural education, for both Native and non-Native communities alike.

Photos Credit: Shawn R. Skenandore