Elder Interview-Harry Martin
A.2008.001.267 PP
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Harry MartinEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.267Tags
Missing, Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Martin, Harry James Born 5/16/1943 Parents: Weston Martin and Elizabeth (De Coteau) Martin Maternal grandparents: Minnie (Cooper) Danforth and Julius Danforth (Step-Grandfather) Paternal grandparents: Jim Martin & Ruth Thompson Parent lived in Keshena; Mother went to school at Flandreau. And then came to the reservation in Keshena and met his father and got married. I have a twin brother by the name of Wes. Mother worked a place called the Garnet Factory in Keshena. My parents raised 78 foster children in their home, Mother loved children. There was no running water or electricity. I left home at the age of 17 years old. Mother always had a garden, and the Wolf River use to run behind their house. I use to go Spearing for Sturgeons. The closest neighbor was Manny Boyd and his wife. My mother use to speak The Oneida language. I went to school on the reservation, St. Joseph’s School. And then I went to High School in Shawano. I joined the service, I was in the Air Force, was a Air Police for 4 years in Texas and someplace else. I loved being in the Air Force. I started going to the Pow-Wows when he was 7 years old, I still dance at the Pow-Wows today. May 21st will be the first time he’s danced since he got out of the Military. I came back in 1964 from the Service. Moved to California and Oklahoma to work, came back from California in 1983. In 1985 ex-wife called me and said she couldn’t take care of the Kids no more and for me to come get them. We have 9 children, I raised 3 of them by myself, and I have 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I have a very special grandson, who’s been in the Hospital since he was born. Now I’m remarried, he name is Joyce and my 1st wife’s name is Vivian. She’s from the Menominee Reservation. I use the Health Center here and the Physical Fitness Center here too. I use to drive truck until I got my 3 children back, now I drive the Shuttle Bus since 1993. Thanks to the Oneida Tribe he says. Didn’t practice the Hoyaning thing in Keshena. Guess it was an Oneida thing.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media, Military