Oneida float in Macy's parade 2011

Oneida Indian Nation’s “The True Spirit of Thanksgiving” Marks its Fourth Year in Macy’s Day ParadeThe Oneida Indian Nation’s iconic float, "The True Spirit of Thanksgiving," once again will tell its incredible story as it moves through Manhattan today. The Oneida Nation has had a float in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City every year since 2008. "The True Spirit of Thanksgiving" was the first float to be sponsored by an American Indian nation in the parade’s history. This year marks the 85th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will be broadcast nationally, per usual, with the parade starting at 9 a.m.

“It is this spirit of peace, thanksgiving and generosity under one of the greatest gifts of the creator, which is the gift of peace to mankind, that marked the first special thanksgiving that we celebrate in our Macy’s Thanksgiving Day float,” stated Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises, in a Oneida Nation press release. “This holiday we celebrate today in America is about the harvest ceremonies of Indian people that were first shared with the newcomers to this Land and the thankful hearts of the Indian people as they shared all of their blessings with the struggling pilgrims.”Comment:  For more on the subject, see Chamberlain Joins Oneida Thanksgiving Float and Oneida Float in Macy's Parade 2010.

Below:  "The Oneida Indian Nations Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The True Spirit of Thanksgiving, with Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprise Ray Halbritter standing by the turtle's foot."