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ONEIDA, N.Y. -- Keeping alive their ancestors' culture is one goal of the Oneida Nation Elders Program. Thursday the group worked to raise money to keep that tradition alive. The Elders held a raffle and bake sale to raise funds for their annual group outings.

The Oneida Nation funds the group and pays the fees for members to travel to places like the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

Organizers say this event is meant to take care of the cost for those who might not be of Oneida descent, but still want to learn about the culture.

"This helps when there are non-Nation members who travel together. For instance, if we have a husband and wife and the husband is a Nation member, their travel costs are covered by our Elders Program through the Nation. But if their spouse wanted to come, we couldn't pay for that," said Elders Program Coordinator Jane Rooney.

The Elders also take part in activities like learning how to craft no-face dolls and traditional Oneida jewelry.