Elder Interview-Eugene Powless
A.2008.001.337 P
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Eugene PowlessEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.337Tags
Missing, Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Powless, Eugene Donald Born 09/15/40 Parents: Mark Powless Sr. and Margaret Stevens Maternal Grandfather: Ed Stevens Paternal Grandparents: John Powless and Elizabeth (Baird) Powless Both of his parents spoke the Oneida language. His father was a part-time farmer and did a little work on the railroad. His mother went to a boarding school. They had no running water or indoor plumbing but they had electricity. His mother worked in a shipyard during the war. His mother is a certified welder. He had a big school picnic at Bay Beach in 1948 and came home to find his father dead in the field. He either had a stroke or heart attack. He was getting ready to do plowing or seeding. His father was a tribal chairman in the 1930’s. He doesn’t remember how long he held that position. Eugene went to California to get a job but there wasn’t any work. He came back and went to the vocational school for welding. He got a job at American Motors in 1959 in Detroit Michigan. He stayed there for 5 years. He got a job in an iron workers place in Milwaukee in the 1960’s. He got married in 1959 to Annette. She’s from the Ho-Chunk Tribe. They have 6 children, 3 girls and 3 boys. He is now retired and it’s been about a year since he retired. He likes to hunt and play ball. He has 20 grandchildren. Christmas was good even though there were hard times. They went to church and came home to a big dinner. He use to go hooyahing. They didn’t have any TV but had a radio. He use to go to square dance dances at Parish Hall. He belonged to the Holy Apostle’s Church. His advice to the youth is get a good education. Respect your elders and stay off from drugs and alcohol.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media