ASHWAUBENON (NBC 26) — The Oneida Nation held a healing and blessing ceremony at the Oneida Casino and Radisson property Wednesday morning.
It comes following a deadly shooting at the complex last weekend. Authorities say a gunman killed two people at a casino restaurant and seriously wounded a third before he was shot and killed by police Saturday.
“Taking care of that physical, emotional and spiritual health to bring our community and our employees back together and kind of cleanse this area through the smudging process and tobacco burning,” said Tehassi Hill, Oneida Nation Chairman. "As was mentioned during the tobacco burning to bring us back together and we referred to our spirit as that fire. Bringing our fire back together."
Hill goes on to say that these traditions are a way to cleanse the hurtful feelings from our bodies and minds.
He said right now they're making sure to take their time as they heal and this is one of the they're doing to take those forward steps.
“Today is a very traumatic event that we really felt that we needed to take care of this as a community event instead of a small group, one on one type of thing. Bringing us all together trying to make sure we’re showing each other that support,” Hill said.
The General Manager for the Radisson Hotel, Steve Ninham expressed his thought for the families of the victims.
“As we move forward our focus is helping our team by providing the support and services they need as they continue the process of healing,” Ninham said.
As the Oneida Casino prepares to re-open for the first time since the shooting, NBC 26 asked Chairman Hill what preparations they are taking ahead.
“We are starting today with the emotional and spiritual part and again continuing to make sure the building gets smudge off. Again, really making sure that all of the employees have access to the EAP, those counseling services for our employees, obviously a traumatic event like this that’s really the number one priority," Hill said. "The gaming facility wasn’t necessarily a part of the incident so there isn’t really much that needs to happen in the gaming facility, but going through and making sure we cleanse the energy that was obviously negative in this area."
Officials said counseling is still available for those seeking help. Hill said no appointments are necessary and you can just walk in.
Another, larger community-wide ceremony is also being planned for Saturday, May 8 at 9 a.m. at the Oneida Pow Wow grounds.
