Francis Ray Skenandore, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, November 12, 2022. The son of Linas and Flora (King) Skenandore was born on February 21, 1939.

Francis grew up in Oneida and graduated from West De Pere High School. He served in the United States Army Reserves and trained as a sharpshooter. Following his military service, he attended Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas receiving an Associate of Arts degree. Francis then earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas, and thereafter his Juris Doctor (law) degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

In 1978, Francis returned to Oneida to begin his legal career. In 1981, the Oneida Business Committee authorized him to act as General Counsel on behalf of the Oneida Nation in front of all Federal and State Courts, Tribunals, Departments, Agencies, and Committees of the U.S. Congress and State Legislatures.

Francis spent his entire legal career practicing Federal Indian Law on behalf of the Oneida Nation, and with the support and collaboration of the Oneida Government and its Enterprises, he worked tirelessly to defend tribal sovereignty at all levels of government throughout his career. This included serving as co-counsel with the first Native American woman attorney to win a United States Supreme Court case (Oneida County v. Oneida Indian Nation) that affirmed tribal sovereignty in 1985.

In the 1980's, with many other tribal attorneys and tribal leaders, Francis was part of the legal team that worked with the United State Congress on a government-to-government basis for the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, providing the foundation for Tribal Gaming throughout Indian County as we know it today.

In his humble manner, Francis also worked with many civic-minded Oneidas to bring the Oneida Nation from a poverty-stricken reservation to one of the most successful Tribal Nations in the United States. Francis was a servant of the Oneida Nation and its citizens until his retirement.

On October 9, 1965, Francis married Wilma Mattwaoshshe in Kansas. Together, they raised two daughters and numerous family dogs.

Francis is survived by his wife, Wilma; daughters Dena and Francine, and grandchildren: Liandra Skenandore, Evi Skenandore, James Skenandore Swimmer and Jillian Skenandore Swimmer; sisters Donna Lau, Judy Allen and Cleo Mangione, nephews Wayne Thompson and Tobin Skenandore, and many other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Dean, Larry, Bruce and Clyde.

Family and friends may visit at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth Street, De Pere, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2022. A short service and Military Honors will take place at 4:00 p.m., with a light meal to immediately follow services.

The family would like to thank the Oneida Community, Oneida Hymn Singers, Oneida Veterans, Unity Hospice and local hospitals, and Ryan Funeral Home.