Councillors

Remarks by Councillor Linda “Soupy” Doxtator:

As my term on Council comes to an end, please allow me to briefly express the extreme sense of honor and joy that I have experienced serving as a Nation Councillor for twenty-six years. My time as a Councillor began in 1992 when I was appointed to serve the remaining two years of Barry Snyder’s Council term when he was elected President. Re-election to six more Council terms followed, from 1994 to 2020 (although I took a break between 2010 and 2012). The trust and support that I received from the Seneca people over the years is something for which I will always be humbled and grateful!

Serving on Council permitted me to observe firsthand how the Nation’s government operates. Service on several different Nation committees also increased my knowledge of how the government functions. It was a great privilege to serve on several different committees including Planning & Community Development, Land Acquisition, Route 219 Negotiation, Class II Gaming, Capital Improvements, AOA, and Elderly & Disabled Housing. During my time on Council, I also had the opportunity to represent the Nation as a delegate or alternate to USET, NCAI, NIGA, and other national native organizations.

I have treasured and enjoyed my time on Council because I had the tremendous opportunity of working with, and on behalf of, so many fine and wonderful people from our Seneca communities. I would like to thank my family for the sacrifices they made, such as my missing family events sometimes due to meetings or travel. Additionally, I want to thank my esteemed colleagues over the years—the Councillors and Executives—for all that they taught me about public service, about planning for future generations, and about protecting our language, culture, and sovereignty. Finally, I wish to thank the Seneca people for the opportunity you graciously granted me to serve the Nation.

Nya:wëh!