Greetings,
As anticipated, the Seneca Nation 2022-2023 Budget was approved by Council at a brief Special Council session held on Tuesday, September 20th, 2022. We are operating leaner than we have in previous years, without reducing services to our communities. As we are all aware, the Seneca Nation does not operate with a tax base. We have not, do not and will not support implementing any type of taxation on our people. The Nation is adamant that we will continue to fund all operations solely on income generated from Class II and III gaming, our enterprises and grants program income revenues – now, and into the future. I am very grateful to have completed our budget process, so we can move forward with additional very important issues we are all facing.
In many ways, our surroundings are changing each day. Little by little the fall colors are showing up – in the mountains surrounding the Allegany Territory, as well as down Old Road and along 438. I really like this time of the year. It was great to attend the 2022 Seneca Fall Festival in Cattaraugus this year. The Smoke Dance Competition always draws a big crowd as well as the central tent, which houses several Haudenosaunee crafters – demonstrating their skills. It looked like there was about fifteen or sixteen teams playing in the annual Fall Festival Horseshoe Tournament. There were also long lines of people waiting on corn soup and other food. Also, there were some incredible pieces of artwork entered in the art show, from a wide variety of people. I hope all those that attended the Fall Festival had a great time.
For Allegany, the Salamanca Seneca Falling Leaves Festival goes from today, September 30th to October 2nd, in downtown Salamanca. They’ll have carnival rides, bounce houses and several other attractions for children. Res Road Sounds-J.D. Gardner is supplying music all weekend and our own Seneca Youth Dancers will perform on Saturday, October 1st, from 3pm-4pm. Be sure to stop by, grab some food and enjoy the entertainment.
In some lacrosse news, the Haudenosaunee Nationals Lacrosse recently held boys and girls team tryouts to compete in the U18 & U16 Brogden Cup 2022. The tournament will be taking place in Sparks, Maryland, October 14th-16th. More information can be found at: usalacrosse.com/event/usa-lacrosse-fall-classic.
Please don’t forget to continue checking on our elders to see if they need anything, like supplies or a visit or an outing. Maybe even drop off some grapes, apples, peaches or a squash. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the thought.
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr
