Nya:wëh sgë:nö’ my fellow Senecas, I hope this message finds you well!
Spring has be a very productive season for leadership so far. March 22nd was “Pennsylvania Day”! First Lady Nicole, Councillors Christian Reiller and Josh Becker, Allegany Chief Marshal Dave Isaac, and I traveled to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to attend their inaugural men’s Panthers lacrosse game. The university did a commendable job in honoring the history and significance of the Medicine Game, thanks to senior health and physical education major and Seneca Nation member, Tyrone Bowen-Collateta. The White Pine dancers escorted the teams onto the turf at Rathburn Family Field. Ty is also featured in the University’s Pitt Magazine for his significant role in bringing lacrosse to the school.
Our visit to the University was fantastic, and we appreciated their efforts to engage and honor Haudenosaunee heritage, including a delicious indigenous luncheon and other thoughtful gestures.
On the same day, several Councillors and representatives from Executive offices traveled to visit our relatives in Erie. They enjoyed a potluck lunch and held a meeting with Seneca members from the Erie area at their office.
On March 24th, leadership joined our Buffalo Creek relatives for the soft opening and first community meeting at the new Buffalo office and community center. Located on Skillen Street, this former church boasts a spacious gym perfect for future basketball games and is the only Seneca-owned building with a performance stage. Renovations will begin soon, and I’m very excited to see the finished project.
These visits are crucial for several reasons. They enable meaningful conversations and updates from elected officials, and allows community members to share their thoughts on better serving their populations and enhancing their community offices.
March 31st marked a significant day as eight Native Nations surrounded by New York State held an “All Nations” virtual meeting, hosted by the Seneca Nation. This meeting allowed us to discuss advocacy efforts on crucial matters concerning Native Nation-State relations. Leadership from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Oneida Indian Nation, The Shinnecock Indian Nation, and representatives from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Tuscarora Nation, Cayuga Nation, and Onondaga Nation joined us to address important topics such as land and environmental issues, the ongoing opioid crisis, economic development, infrastructure needs, and educational initiatives and funding.
During this historic meeting, each Nation had the opportunity to voice specific issues and concerns, and attendees committed to engaging in information sharing and follow-up discussions to best align their support for one another.
In the near future, we all plan to travel to Albany for the long-awaited first round table meeting of the newly constituted New York State Senate Subcommittee on State-Native American Relations. With the recent appointment of Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., as chair of the Subcommittee, Native Nations across the State are optimistic that the Subcommittee will serve as an advocate in the State Legislature for issues impacting our communities.
Additionally, we will be hosting a Native Nation Summit on Seneca territory in the next couple of months to further our communication and collaboration. It will be a historic gathering of leadership and community, which I am very much looking forward to.
The IGA (Indian Gaming Association) Conference was held in San Diego March 31-April 2. Myself, several elected officials, SGC, SGE and SGA representatives, as well as many familiar faces from across Indian Country were able to attend and participate in networking events and learning sessions. A highlight of the conference was meeting my favorite basketball player, Julius Erving, AKA: Dr J!
At the same time, First Lady Nicole Seneca traveled to Orlando to participate in the 43rd annual NICWA (National Indian Child Welfare Association) Conference. As a member of our Child Welfare Reform Committee, she is committed to refreshing her knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and gain better understanding of the implementation of laws and policies by other nations.
The month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Autism Awareness Month. Both of these are important topics that are worthy of attention and understanding.
On a personal note, my wife and I have a phenomenal child, Ezra, who is on the Autism Spectrum. Though he is mostly nonverbal, he hears and understands, and engages differently than a typical almost 5-year-old. Ezra is a free spirit, bringing so much fun, joy, and energy to our lives. There is never a dull moment in our household, and the relationship he has with his mama is unmatched. We eagerly await the day he learns to express himself through writing or speaking, as we know he has much to share.
I encourage everyone to learn about Autism—1 in 36 children are diagnosed—and to teach your children that being nonverbal doesn’t mean a lack of hearing or understanding. Kindness and patience go a long way—knowledge is power!
I am looking forward to our upcoming Community Fair Week over Spring Break. I hope to see you at some of the events!
Until next time,
~JC
