Elder Interview-Helen Johnson
A.2008.001.224 PP
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Helen JohnsonEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.224Tags
Missing, Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Johnson, Helen Phyllis (Smith) Born 03/07/1939 in Milwaukee Wisconsin Parents: Chester A. Smith and Mamie L. (Williams) Smith She doesn’t remember any of the grandparents as they were passed away when she was born. Her father was in the Marines. Her parents got married in 1926. Her father understood the Oneida Language but couldn’t speak it. Her father moved his family to Milwaukee and bought a house, got laid off, then moved back to Oneida again. When they go to Oneida her father moved them into her grandfather’s big house. Her mother went to school and graduated and spoke the Oneida Language. Her mother never worked outside of home and was a tribal secretary but Helen doesn’t know how long her mom was involved with that. Helen went to West DePere grade school and then went to Freedom High School. On Thursday nights she went to M.Y.F at the Oneida Methodist Church. She use to go to dances and Vandenberg’s and then to Rosie Schuyler’s Bar for dances. She married James House and they have two sons. Her and her husband split up and got a divorce. Helen then got remarried to Harvey Johnson. They got married in 1967, but, he passed away in 1979. She then moved back to Oneida. She worked for the tribe as a Loan Officer. Helen remembers her mother making a big dish pan full of homemade donuts for the Hooyanies. She also remembers that her mother use to make really good corn soup for the family when she was younger. She works for Land Management and has been there for 10 years. She went to school for Real Estate and the classes she had where pretty easy but she did have hard times to. Helen says she’s really proud to be a part of the Oneida Tribe and the way they take care of their people and the elderly.Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media