Greetings,
I hope everyone is enjoying your summer. Growing gardens, planting flowers, hosting picnics and attending outdoor sports provides a way to bring families and friends together. For some, picking blueberries and strawberries is a treasured family tradition enjoyed by all ages especially when the berries are made into buckles, pies and shortcakes. As the days continue to heat up, please remember to check on Seneca Elders. Summertime can create safety issues related to high temperatures and making sure they have adequate air-conditioning, food and water is very important.
SENECA NATION GAMING COMPACT
I know that this is a very important topic for everyone and I reassure you that we are continuing to hold meetings with the end goal of negotiating a compact that works for all of us. The current compact expires December 6th of this year and we are aggressively working to finalize our compact before that date. As a reminder, we will hold public meetings and a referendum before the compact is completed.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ATHLETES
We definitely want to congratulate Lake Shore Boys and Girls Varsity Lacrosse teams for their amazing season and making it to the divisional sections. Also, congratulations to the Gowanda Girls Varsity Softball Team for their incredible season and winning the State Championship. The athletes commitment, self-discipline, teamwork and can-do-it attitude make them all winners. Congratulations to the parents as well for your support in their endeavors. We are recognizing their accomplishments by hosting recognition dinners for both Lake Shore Lacrosse players and for Gowanda softball players.
STAND WITH SENECA
President Armstrong recently welcomed everyone attending the Seneca Nation and Caneadea Field Day hosted by the town of Caneadea in conjunction with Stand with Seneca. He shared,” It was more than 225 years ago when our ancestors signed the Treaty of Big Tree in 1797 and the United States officially recognized 11 Seneca reservations and among them was Caneadea”. He continued, “…part of our heart, and part of our Seneca history have always remained here, and we are forever connected”. The event was well attended and many activities were held throughout the day along with vendors.
ANNUAL SENECA ELDERS EVENT
Seneca Elders (60 and over) annual summer Event will be held on August 17, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Seneca Allegany Casino. Invitations will be mailed soon including an RSVP to Deanna Luke at 716-532-5777 no later than August 4, 2023. Entertainment will be performed with a tribute to the Rat Pack, who in the1960’s included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop. We always look forward to this event and is only one of the ways we Honor our Elders.
REMEMBER THE REMOVAL
Nancy Toth, Chairperson for this year’s annual memorial event invites community participation at their bi-weekly planning sessions. Remember the Removal Day is schedule for September 30th beginning with a walk from Breed Run to Red House Bridge as the historic bridge is being removed and its significance is being recognized at this year’s event. Meetings are held from 6 – 7pm on July 18, August 8, 22, and September 5th to be held at the Old Council House on Route 417, Jimersontown and on September 19th at the Allegany Community Center. This year’s planning committee includes some Seneca members that actually lived through this devastating period and their families were forced to be relocated from their homelands. Interested Senecas of all ages are invited to attend meetings and can contact Nancy Toth for further information at (716) 801-0926.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
During the period between 2019 and 2020, Tribal Council initiated public meetings on constitutional reform. As a result of those meetings, a working group has been established to review our constitution and recommend any changes to Tribal Council. There is a process for any changes to be made, the final step being that the Seneca People would approve or disapprove the recommended change(s) by a referendum vote. Future public meetings will be posted on sni.org and Seneca Media and Communications social platforms such as Facebook and twitter.
ONE SPORTS DAY EVENT
A player belonging to any sports team knows first-hand that it requires everyone to do the best they can, commitment and self-discipline. An upcoming exciting opportunity for youth, between the ages of 7 – 14, to join the Bills, Sabres and Bandits at the Bills Field House will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at the ADPRO Sports Training Center, 1 Bills Drive, Orchard Park, NY. Registered youth will be able to participate in a variety of sports drills, mini tournaments and a relay race with prizes (lunch included). Registration ends on July 28th. To register for the event, use the following online link: https://onebuffalo.formstack.com/forms/seneca_one_buffalo_day
2023 WORLD LACROSSE – HAUDENOSOSAUNEE NATIONALS
Lacrosse is our game and at this year’s World Lacrosse Men’s Championship the Haudenosaunee Nationals place 3rd receiving the Bronze medal. This year’s World Lacrosse Men’s Championship was held at San Diego, California from June 21 to July 1. The event featured 30 national teams split into six groups which included our Haudenosaunee Nationals who were listed as one of the top five seeded teams making up the A pool. We extend our congratulations to all the players – you make us all proud.
ENJOY SUMMERTIME!
Once again, I hope you enjoy your summer activities and safe travels to those taking vacation trips. Most Seneca Nation events are listed online and on Facebook at: Seneca Media and Communications. I look forward to seeing many of you at our summer events.
Respectfully,
President Rickey Armstrong
