Greetings,
Well, we finally got a good snow! As usual, Cattaraugus Territory can have blizzard conditions; then, close to the town of Cattaraugus/Little Valley, it calms down. Even though it can be frigid outdoors, our part of the country is beautiful when it’s covered with snow. I hear the snow snakes are flying; and I sure hope our kids have been enjoying some sledding and making snow men.
The Seneca Nation Capital Improvement Authority (CIA) has a project they are about to begin along the Gordon Garrow Road area. The plan is to install a new water main which will provide public water service to the area residents. The route will run from the Burning Springs community, south on Van Vleck Road, head west along the southern border of the Cattaraugus Territory and go north onto Gordon Garrow Road. This project has a long history of planning and development. The final planning stage will require a series of meetings with landowners whom own property along the proposed route. If you are a landowner along the route of this project, please contact our office at (716) 945-1790, so we can collect your name, address and phone number to make sure you are notified about the meetings which will be taking place.
In reference to my previous message, I understand there has been some confusion which I would like to clarify: I reported that $772.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds distributed by the federal government were set aside for tribal government services, public safety and justice, social services, child welfare assistance and other related expenses; and an additional $100 million was authorized for tribal housing improvement. The Native American ARPA funds set aside were authorized to be distributed among the existing 574 federally-recognized native nations and tribes. In November of 2021, the Seneca Nation received funds authorized for tribal Housing Improvement Programs (HIP). For those interested in learning more about the program and applying, please contact Kerry Kennedy at our Cattaraugus Tribal Advocate Office, (716) 532-1028. At some point in the near future, we will hold a public meeting to discuss ARPA funding budgets. As a reminder, there is an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) distribution scheduled for Wednesday, February 16th, 2022. Please make sure your mailing address and direct deposit information is up to date with your respective Clerk’s Office.
The losses we have all suffered in our communities has been staggering – due to COVID-19. Please continue to practice social distancing of six feet or more and continue to wear a face mask.
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr.
