Why The Corn Husk Doll Has No Face An Oneida Nation Creation Story Prepared by Romy Blystone Narrated by Loretta Metoxen

The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Most of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin’s income is generated from two large casinos and five satellite casinos; 5 convenience stores that sell gas, food, etc.; two major hotels (i.e. The Radisson Hotel & Conference Center and the Wingate by Wyndham both in Green Bay, WI); a 10,000 acre farm that produces 500 head of beef and also grows organic foods; and a farm that raises 250 head of buffalo. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin live in the modern world of today and are integrated into their surrounding community, even sponsoring an entrance gate to Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Yet, they still hold tightly to many of their traditional foods, like venison, turkey, and corn. “The future of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin is about making choices. If we take the path of finding a balance between holding onto our traditions as well as integrating into society, our future looks bright.” – Loretta Metoxen | Historian at the Oneida Cultural Heritage Department The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin is a federally recognized tribe of Oneida people. Their reservation is 8.5 miles by 12 miles long (65,430 acres) and is located on the west side of the Green Bay (WI) metropolitan area. Roughly 4,000 Oneida people live on the reservation while another 20,000+ other persons also live in the area. Overall, there are an estimated 18,000 total tribal members that live on and/or around the reservation as well as throughout the world.

Why The Corn Husk Doll Has No Face Orated by Loretta Metoxen At one time the corn husk people had a very beautiful faces. It was said that in the old days, the Creator placed the corn husk people here on earth to be a companion to the children. Their task was to entertain the children and keep them out of mischief.

One day, one doll was made that was very beautiful. One day while playing in the woods, this very beautiful corn husk doll saw her reflection in a pool of water. She became obsessed with her beauty. She became very proud and haughty. She was so proud of herself, in fact, that she forgot her appointed task -- the children. She neglected them and wouldn’t let any of them play with her. She spent all of her time admiring her reflection in the calm pools of water.

The children began misbehaving and getting into trouble. When the Creator asked them why, the children complained that the corn husk doll was too busy admiring herself and didn’t have time to play with them any more. When the Creator heard this he was not pleased. He became so disturbed by her vanity that he took away her face and her spirit to teach her a lesson in humility.

When she realized what had happened to her, she started wandering the earth. Every creature that she came upon she would ask if they knew how she could get her face and her spirit back. All the forest creatures had their own problems to worry about so they could give her no advice. Finally, exhausted, she came across an owl. Asking him for his advice, he replied, “You must forget yourself and your own concerns and start helping others.”

Roaming the earth, she helped others and did nice things, but always in the back of her mind she thought of getting her beautiful face back. One day, she came across a cornfield that was dying. When she asked the corn why it was dying, it replied, “The butterflies usually brought us water from the pond on their wings, but they have not come this year.” The corn would die without water, and the doll was so saddened by this story that she took it upon herself to bring the water to the cornfield. In all of her trips from the pond to the field, not once did she think of herself or of what she had lost.

The Creator was very pleased when he saw her unselfishness, so he returned her face and spirit. By this time she had truly become beautiful in both face and spirit through her regard for someone other than herself. From that day forward, she never ran away from the children again.

NOTE: This is one version of the varying stories of why these beautiful dolls are made faceless. Whatever the story, each contains an underlying theme that teaches a lesson to the young people. One lesson teaches that the Creator and the child together should determine the “personality” of the doll. Another lesson is that if a face is painted on the doll, the child will begin to identify too closely with the doll’s personality and a pretty face may cause conceit or self-pride. Yet another is that by making a doll and giving it a face, you are giving it a spirit or soul and by selling it, it would be like selling your own child.

Thank You For Viewing For more information on the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin please visit: Sources: Loretta Metoxen | Historian at the Oneida Cultural Heritage Museum Edmund Blackthunder | Oneida Nation Museum Oneida Nation of Wisconsin website (