differently depending on the person speaking. Syntax Oneida either is verb-initial or has no dominant form. Interpretation of Elm's portion of the text of the Creation Story itself reveals a clear verb-initial word order, but Antone's portion does not, suggesting that word order is variable by speaker and that flexible usage is grammatically acceptable. Oneida constructs sentences in the active voice only. Basic verb stem Prepronominal prefix(es) + pronominal prefix(es) + stem / \ BASE + ASPECT SUFFIX (verb ending) (Oneida Indian Nation 27–30) Basic noun stem Noun prefix + noun stem + noun suffix (Oneida Indian Nation 19–22) Incorporated counting To say one of any object involves the following pattern: s- + ka- + root + w- (for a-stems) + -at (iterative) prepronominal prefix + pronoun prefix + noun root + (plus extender) + verb root PRENOM:prepronominal prefix NMZ:nominalizer To say two of any object involves the following pattern: te- + ka- + root + w- (for a-stems) + -ake (dualic) prepronominal prefix + pronoun prefix + noun root + (plus nominalizer) + verb root (Oneida Indian Nation 34–36) Sources This document summarizes several of the texts most central to the study of Oneida. Karin Michelson's A Comparative Study of Lake-Iroquoian Accent scientifically evaluates in depth many of the linguistic specifics of the Oneida language and its relatives, continuing the seminal work of Floyd Lounsbury from 1946. Anthony Wonderley, historian of the New York Oneida Nation, provides the best-recognized account of historical factors and their interplay with Oneida culture in Oneida Iroquois Folklore, Myth, and History. Finally, The Oneida Creation Story, compiled by Floyd Lounsbury and Bryan Gick from the narratives of Demus Elm and Harvey Antone, provides considerable insight into the use of the Oneida language as it is perceived by the Oneida people. Conspicuously missing, unfortunately, is direct reference to Lounsbury's Oneida Verb Morphology and Phonology of the Oneida Language, among several others. In the words of Ray Halbritter, the National Representative of the New York Oneida Nation: "Oneidas have a history as distinguished and tragic as that of any people. ... But there is nothing traditional about poverty and despair. ... As soon as we built up resources from gaming and other enterprises, we turned back to our cultural heritage strongly committed to preserve and revitalize it". Today, the Oneida language and the long history it encompasses is jeopardized by the limited number of speakers and