Greetings,
I hope this message finds you well. We are back to more gëgwidekneh (Spring) like weather. I hope everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the early taste of summer weather. I want to remind everyone that the Seneca Nation’s Environmental Protection Department conducts routine water sampling at the Nation’s recreational areas on the Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Spring Territories. Please check the Seneca Media and Communications Center’s Facebook page for water quality alerts before you venture out.
Law Enforcement Referendum
I would like to remind the community that the Law Enforcement Referendum will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2024. Voting will take place at the Seneca Allegany Administration Building and the William Seneca Building from 9am to 7pm.The referendum will determine whether the Seneca people support the creation and operation of a Seneca Nation police department at this time. The referendum is also intended to provide guidance as to whether the public supports entering deputization or jurisdictional agreements with outside governments that would permit the Seneca Nation to exercise full criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians. More information is included in this edition of the Newsletter.
Casino Compact
Although NYS lawmakers recessed their session without coming to terms on a new gaming compact, the compact will extend for another three months to allow for more negotiations. The pace and progress of the process so far, while detailed and deliberate, have been painstaking, frustrating, and disappointing. Regardless, we will continue to focus on and work toward a fair new compact that adequately addresses our rights and concerns in the context of today’s growing and changing gaming market.
Thousands of people, workers, and businesses, as well as the local communities in Western New York, depend on our gaming enterprises. Now that the distractions of another state budget season and another state Legislative session have come and gone, we hope the state will fully commit to accelerating the pace of negotiations until we have reached a fair agreement on all compact terms. That has been our priority since day one!
Memorial Day Commemoration
On Monday, May 27th, Councillors and Executives honored our U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Iroquois Post 1587 Commander Ron Cook led the ceremony. The ceremony included an Honor Song, a wreath laying ceremony, and the traditional of swearing in of the posts’ officers. An eagle feather was presented to the family members of two Seneca soldiers who fought in World War II, Frank Doxtator and Raymond John.
Lastly, I would like to congratulate our high school and college graduates on a job well done. Caps off to you!
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr, President
