Delia Waterman

April 19, 2003 Delia Waterman of the Onondaga Nation, died April 19, 2003 in Syracuse. Delia was born in a log cabin on the Onondaga Nation on August 7, 1900 and resided on the Onondaga Nation for 67 years. She was the mother of three daughters andone son: Lena, Arlene, Geralda and Leslie, grandmother and great-grandmother to more than 150. She attended Carlisle Indian School from 1912 to 1916 and was the last surviving Oneida to attend. She was one of the first settlers to return to aboriginal Oneida homelands in 1967. She was fluent in Oneida, Onondaga, Mohawk and Seneca languages. The Iroquois Confederacy recognized Delia as Iroquois Woman of the Year because of her work with the Oneida's and other Native American issues. Delia spent most of her life reading and researching the relationship between New York State and the Oneida's and other Iroquois tribes. As a result of her tireless efforts, the future of the Oneida's is without a doubt, brighter than ever. She enjoyed excellent health and led a very active lifestyle until 1998 when she suffered a stroke which claimed her ability to communicate effectively. But even this setback had not claimed her wonderful wit and sense of humor that she always delighted us with. Thank you Delia, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Friend, Neighbor, Mentor for all that you were and continue to be to all of us. Surviving: are her daughter and son-in-law, Geralda & Jake Thompson of Syracuse, many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Services: on Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Butler-Badman Funeral Home, Inc., 4504 W. Seneca Turnpike. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneida. Friends may call Tuesday 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Butler-Badman Funeral Home, Inc.