ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oneida Nation ignited a sense of healing on the grounds of the Oneida Casino complex Wednesday as a way to bless the community.
“To bring our community and employees back together and kind of cleanse this area through the smudging process and that tobacco burning,” Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill said.
The ceremony acts as a way to help the community recover after a deadly shooting that occurred at the complex last weekend.
“We wanted to make sure we’re taking a balanced approach to all of our employees and our community as well. Making sure we’re taking care of their physical health, that emotional health, and that spiritual health,” Hill said.
The ceremony started with the burning of tobacco and ended with a smudging process. Both members of the community and the building were smudged.
While most of the ceremony was conducted in the Oneida language, leaders translated in English as well.
“We refer to our spirit as that fire, bring our fire back together,” Hill said.
Hill says the number one priority is taking care of all employees.
“Making sure that all of the employees have access to the EAP, those counseling services,” Hill said.
Radisson Hotel General Manager Steve Ninham says the same.
“Our focus is helping our team by providing the support and services need as they begin the process of healing,” Ninham said.
Another community-wide ceremony is being held on Saturday at 9 a.m. on the Oneida Pow Wow grounds.
