Elder Interview-Gladys Smith
A.2008.001.438 PP
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Gladys SmithEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.438Tags
Missing, Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Smith, Gladys Wilma Born 08/16/1939 in Tomah Wisconsin Parents: William Charles & Ruth Arella (Skenandore) Smith. Paternal grandfather: Harry Cooper Her grandfather was a caretaker at the Holy Apostle Church. Her mother worked there too. She did the cooking and ironing the Nuns habits. Her grandfather went to school in Flandreau. She doesn’t remember where her grandmother went to school. She helped take care of her brothers if he mother and father were busy. She never learned the Oneida language except a few swear words. She went to school in Milwaukee. Her father told them they were Indian and the how their ways would be different then non-Indian ways. Her father also told them school was more important than a job. She graduated in 1958. She got a job in 1959 in Milwaukee Cheese Company until they went out of business. She ran a slicing machine and also a packing machine that wrapped the cheese. She worked there for 27 years. She was in a food broker job. She was there until 2004 when she retired. She travels a lot with her brother and is looking forward to next year. She loves to cook. Her mother and grandmother taught her how to cook. She’s very happy that the tribe thinks of the elders first. Her recommendation to the youth is stay in school because it is very important to have an education now a days.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media