Greetings,
I hope this message finds you well.
It was a blustery, cold, and snowy end to November as we experienced our first lake effect snowfall of the season. Fortunately, Mother Nature turned off the snow for now and raised the temperatures a smidge to usher in December.
Casino Compact
I have extremely important and exciting news to share with you regarding our casinos. On December 1, 2023, the Seneca Nation and NYS signed an extension agreement. “Under the extension, our three gaming properties will continue to operate without interruption, alleviating any concerns about potential impacts for our thousands of casino employees, which was a priority for the Nation.”
The extension expires on March 31st, 2024. “The existing terms of our compact will remain in effect. The short-term extension will provide additional time for our governments to complete Compact negotiations and to seek all necessary approvals in accordance with Seneca Nation, New York State, and federal law.”
“In our discussions, the Governor has expressed a desire to reset the relationship between our governments. The Seneca Nation remains committed to negotiating honestly and directly with New York State on a Compact that provides a fair and equitable environment for our gaming operations and the many people who depend on them. There is no issue of “greater importance to the economies of Western New York and the Seneca Nation than a fair Compact.”
Abandoned Homes
Thursday, November 30th, 2023, was the last day that 73 Jefferson Street in Salamanca stood as a hazardous abandoned structure. The former home had fallen into a perpetual state of disrepair, a direct violation of the signed lease, and was marked for removal. “Renewing our neighborhoods remains a priority for my Administration. We’re letting those who wish to conduct illegal activities on our territories or allow properties to fall into disrepair know that those days are over.”
December Employees of the Month
Seneca Nation Executives, Councillors, and employees gathered to honor and recognize the December Employees of the Month. Honored and recognized were Alicia Slocum, Payroll in Allegany & David Kennedy (pictured), Lake Shore Transportation. For their hard work and dedication, Alicia and David each received a commemorative plaque, a paid day off, a gift card of their choice, & a designated parking spot for the month. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Seneca Nation’s 175th Birthday
The Seneca Nation’s constitutional government came into existence on December 4th, 1848. On December 1st we observed the event by having pop-up giveaway events on both territories. Included in the giveaway was a message about our Nation’s history:
On December 4th, 1848, Onöndowa’ga:’ men of the Allegany and Cattaraugus territories gathered to abolish, abrogate, and annul the chief system for the current elective system and the present form of the Seneca Nation of Indians with a written Constitution that remains today. The newly established system included our Executive branch that consists of a President, Treasurer, and Clerk, and a Legislative branch consisting of 16 Councilors, alongside the Judicial branch with its Surrogates and Peacemakers Courts that remain today.
These actions were taken because of fraudulent activities just ten years prior when the Hodinöhsö:ni’ were set to cede their Wisconsin lands to the United States. The Onöndowa’ga:’ sold to the Ogden Land Company the Allegany, Buffalo Creek, Cattaraugus, and Tonawanda Territories in a fraudulent treaty at Buffalo Creek for $202,000.00. The Onöndowa’ga:’ were set to remove to Kansas.
Just four years later in May of 1842, the Onöndowa’ga:’ agree to a “Compromise Treaty” that returns only the Allegany and Cattaraugus Territories. Only a small number of Onöndowa’ga:’ made the move to Kansas; while tragically some died, and others returned, the Tonawanda Senecas, none of whom signed either treaty, refused to leave their homeland.
It was these trials and tribulations dating back to the Treaty of Canandaigua in 1794 that formed the republic and the Hodinöhsö:ni’ method of democracy that sustain the modern-day Seneca Nation and way of life. We are still here.
Salamanca Warriors
I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to the Salamanca Warriors Varsity football team on an exceptional season! The Warriors brought home the 2023 NYSPHSAA Championship Section 6, Class C title, the first time since 2001. The teams’ hunt for the NYSPHSAA Class C title came to an end in a gut-wrenching loss to the Waverly Wolverines. Congratulations on an extraordinary season!
Haudenosaunee Women’s Lacrosse
The Haudenosaunee Women’s Lacrosse team won the gold medal at the Pan-American Lacrosse Association’s (PALA) Sixes Cup in Kingston, Jamaica. The Haudenosaunee Women beat undefeated Puerto Rico by a score of 22 – 11. Congratulations on bringing home the gold!
The Haudenosaunee Women’s lacrosse team will compete on the global stage during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. These are exciting times indeed!
Upcoming events
The Seneca Arts & Learning Center is collecting coats, boots, gloves, hats, & snowsuits now until December 31st. The Early Childhood Learning Center will host a Winter Bazaar on December 9th at the CCC. Tuesdays & Thursdays in December are vendor days in the CCC concourse. On Wednesday, December 13th, the ACC will host the H.E.R.O. Christmas dinner party from 5-7pm & the CCC will host a Community Holiday dinner and ice-skating event. Events for New Year’s Eve are still taking shape. Keep an eye on the Seneca Media and Communication Center’s Facebook page for more information.
Hopefully, later this month, Mother Nature will turn the lake effect snow machine back on in time for Christmas. Stay tuned for more information about the Compact negotiations. Until next time, stay safe & warm.
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr, President
