Nya:wëh sgë:nö’,
I’m so happy for warmer weather. Summer is one of my favorite season’s. I enjoy seeing everyone out walking, running and playing sports.
Many of the COVID protocols have been lifted in the surrounding areas giving everyone more opportunity to get out and about. At this time our 10 day snap shot shows nine positive individuals. Although this is a low number we must continue to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols. The Seneca Nation has updated the mask requirements to allow fully vaccinated individuals at most Nation buildings the option to go MASK FREE. Watch for mask signs at Seneca Gaming & Entertainment, AOA, One Stop and ECLC/Education establishments. Protocols for mask wearing will be determined by these departments.
We have some exciting news for this article. We celebrated the return of Red Jacket’s Peace medal. Red Jacket is known as a prominent Seneca orator. He helped negotiate and sign the Treaty of Canandaigua, which pledged to respect, honor, and defend the rights of Haudenosaunee people. For this he was bestowed with the George Washington medal. (The Peace Medal-shown below- is displayed for viewing at the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center in Salamanca.)
This medal represents much more than an honor of respect, it is a physical artifact from a pivotal point in our history. It represents the sovereign Nation to Nation relationship each and every Seneca rightfully acknowledges. It is our heart and spirit of us as sovereign people and our rightful recognition that is passed from generation to generation. We welcome the medal to be kept, honored and remembered by the Seneca people. It reminds us of who we are, our identity and can be shared with others so they know our history, and culture.
We have exercised our sovereignty in many aspects of our businesses. On Friday May, 21st we officially opened the downtown Buffalo One Stop. We are proud to invest in this development on our sovereign land on our Buffalo Creek Territory. This will provide a needed and convenient service to our neighbors and visitors in Buffalo and Western New York. This is another small but significant investment and job creation in the area. We are proud to have had a role in creating a hub of activity in this South Buffalo section by creating a fabric of development. This enterprise will add to our revenue and support our current Nation programs.
Lastly, the month of May and Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of summer. Memorial Day, however, is a day to celebrate those brave warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our interest. Many Native warriors have served in every military conflict and continue to serve today. They have traveled the world to answer the call to service, in defense of freedom. We are forever in their debt, we honor their courage and memory of those who did not return. We give them homage each Memorial Day. I’m honored to stand with our Veteran’s to honor the fallen heroes, to hold their memories and honor their sacrifices. On behalf of our grateful Nation, Nya:wëh to our warriors and prayers to those still in service.
Stay safe, and enjoy your holiday.
Matt
