Treasurer

From The Desk Of The Treasurer

Greetings,

Well, winter got off to a slow start, but showed up to keep us on our toes! Grateful to know I can still shovel, if I have to. One good thing – at least the mosquitoes weren’t bothering me. Please be safe out there driving in the snow and remember to keep your cars gassed up and have some essentials in your car during these wintery months: flashlight, blanket, water and snacks.

As a reminder during these cold winter months, our Allegany Community Center and Cattaraugus Community Center serve as our primary emergency shelters. The Steamburg Community Center, Gil Lay Arena and the Saylor Building Complex are also able to be put to use as emergency warming shelters. Warming shelters open in the case of a severe weather event or unexpected emergency where members can congregate to keep warm. The shelters are not staffed except by the regular staff whom are requested to stay on to operate the facility, with other persons inside. There are minimal accommodations available, and food can be coordinated by our Emergency Management staff and other departments, when necessary. If you find yourself in need of an emergency warming shelter in the coming months, please contact our Emergency Management Director, Mike Gates, at (716) 244-0820, and he will be able to provide you with up to date information about assistance and services available. If you are enrolled Seneca and residing in the City of Buffalo and are in need of such services, please do not hesitate to contact Ramona Marion in our Seneca Nation Buffalo Office at (716) 952-7555. She doesn’t have the facilities to operate an emergency warming shelter, but she’ll share a hot coffee or tea and can provide referrals for a variety of services in the city. No Seneca member should suffer in the cold, unnecessarily.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a funding source from the United States government designed to assist state and local governments to rebuild financial stability until economic conditions and operations normalize. As reported by the U.S. Department of the Interior – Indian Affairs Office, $900 million was authorized to fund Native American nations to support a wide range of COVID-19 response activities, which included $772.5 million for tribal government services, public safety and justice, social services, child welfare assistance and other related expenses. An additional $100 million was authorized for tribal housing improvement. The Seneca Nation received a portion of ARPA funds and has already made two direct distributions to our membership, intended to defray costs associated with purchasing PPE and other COVID-related expenses, such as cleaning supplies and masks. There are also two future distributions planned, per Council Resolution passed at the December 2021 Council Meeting.

Kudos go out to our DPW departments on both territories for keeping our elders plowed out, which is essential for emergency services to reach our most vulnerable population! As Senecas, if we don’t keep an eye out for one another, who will? Check on our elders to make sure they have what they need: heat, medications, food and water, etc. They’ll appreciate the gesture, I’m sure. Remember to social distance and mask up!

Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr.