Nothing says summer quite like the strawberry.

In the Haudenosaunee culture the strawberry is considered a gift from the Creator and the first berry of the season holds a special place for the Oneida. The fruit holds the distinction of being the Oneida name for June as seen on this screen shot of the Oneida Basic language application available for free on iTunes. Free Oneida Basic app requires iOS 6.0 or later; is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch; and is optimized for iPhone 5.)

In the Haudenosaunee culture the strawberry is considered a gift from the Creator and the first berry of the season holds a special place for the Oneida. The earliest of the sweet red berries are celebrated with a special ceremony in mid-June and the fruit holds the distinction of being the Oneida name for June. (Learn how to say June, colors, phrases and so much more with the free Oneida Basic app available on iTunes. This application requires iOS 6.0 or later; is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch; and is optimized for iPhone 5.)

As the month wound down, with cloudy skies giving way to sunshine, a group from the Oneida Nation Elders Program visited nearby Swistak Farms. The program, open to Oneida Nation Members, other American Indians and Oneida Nation Health Services clients, focuses on brining Elders together for some much needed socialization. A trip to the farm to pick summer fruit is just one of many excursions planned for this esteemed population.

"I think it's really important," Tammy Patterson (Wolf Clan), activities leader, said about the berry picking. "The strawberry itself means a lot to our people. Plus it gets the Elders out to do some physical activity."

As Tammy explained in the Haudenosaunee Creation Story, as Sky Woman fell to earth, she grabbed some strawberry seeds along the way to give the fruit a new home. "It's the leader of the berries," Tammy continued. "When I was really small we would go out at my dad's house and pick wild strawberries. We'd spent all day picking those little strawberries. It's a fond memory of when I was young."

She is so fond of the fruit she collects anything strawberry to accentuate and decorate her house.

But, on to the pickers. First up, Anita Williams (Turtle Clan).

Participants took to the fields early under an overcast sky to find and collect the perfect berry.

The Oneida Elders program, open to Oneida Nation Members, other American Indians and Oneida Nation Health Services clients, focuses on brining Elders together for some much needed socialization. A trip to the farm to pick summer fruit is just one of many excursions planned for this esteemed population.

While Anita is not an Elder, she attended the event to help Laurel Parker (Turtle Clan) collect summer's first bounty.

Although not an Elder Anita Williams (Turtle Clan) helped pick some berries for Elder Laurel Parker (Turtle Clan).

"I usually come out for my birthday. My birthday is in the middle of June. Today, I just came out for Laurel. I figured she needed some help, and I don't mind."

For Martha Rood (Turtle Clan) the strawberry is best served in her cereal or as strawberry shortcake, but she also confesses to just putting them on plain bread with "nothing else."

While helping Laurel out Anita reflected on what the fruit means to her. "It's pretty important. I look forward to it every year. I think it really makes it feel like summer," Anita said, adding her favorite way to indulge in the berry is to mash it up and serve it over some biscuits with whipped cream on top.

A quick check with Laurel, however, revealed she had a different sweet treat in mind: strawberry cheesecake, as well as strawberry drink.

For Martha Rood (Turtle Clan) the strawberry is best served in her cereal or as strawberry shortcake, but she also confesses to just putting them on plain bread with "nothing else."

"I come every year. You can tell I'm determined with the foot thing," she said, showing off her black, orthopedic boot supporting a fractured foot. "I love it (picking). I love doing it because I like strawberry."

"I come every year. You can tell I'm determined with the foot thing," said Martha Rood (Turtle Clan). "I love it (picking). I love doing it because I like strawberry."

"The strawberry itself means a lot to our people," said Tammy Paterson (Wolf Clan). "It's the leader of the berries."

She recalled the many years spent picking wild berries from her home on Marble Hill. "It took a long time to pick them. They were smaller, sweeter. Picking today is just a reminder of the way we picked them as kids."

This month the Elders Program returns to Swistak to select another seasonal favorite: the blueberry. The trip, weather permitting, is scheduled for July 21. For more information contact the Elders Program at (315) 829-8133.