Heyhey Nya:wëh Sgë:nö’,
We started the month of June by raising the Seneca Nation Pride Flags outside of our administration buildings in Allegany and Cattaraugus. The Nation has raised the flag each of the past several years as a show of support for our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As one Nation, let’s always stand and work together to make sure our community is welcoming and united in respect and equality for all Senecas.
There have been many important and exciting developments and discussions within our community recently. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the opening of our newest two-bedroom, six-plex housing development in Cattaraugus. These new apartments create more safe, affordable living opportunities for Seneca people on our territories. This is the latest in a years-long initiative to create more opportunities for Senecas to return home, establish roots, raise their families and build their futures here on our homelands, surrounded by and connected to our community. Nya:wëh to our Council and everyone who is making the dream of living on our territories possible for more Senecas.
The Nation’s DOT also recently held a community conversation regarding needed safety improvements at the Four Corners intersection in Cattaraugus. This high-traffic intersection is shown to have a crash rate higher than the national average. Nya:wëh to everyone who attended the meeting and all who have shared their concerns and thoughts for how we can make our roads safer for everyone.
In Allegany, we recently welcomed Mayor Amy Sherburne of Olean for a visit and discussion with Nation officials regarding our ongoing efforts to protect Ohi:yo’ from dangerous sewage overflows from Olean’s wastewater treatment system. Mayor Sherburne was elected in November and is the newest member of the joint Nation-City taskforce created in 2025 to address the harmful overflows and discharges into the river. During Mayor Sherburne’s visit, she and Nation officials discussed Olean’s commitment to ensuring the City adopts industry standards and best practices to minimize environmental and health impacts related to wastewater discharges into Ohi:yo’. The Nation and the City remain committed to regular Task Force meetings in order to keep needed upgrades and remediation efforts moving forward in a timely way so that the river can be protected for all who depend upon her waters.
Across our territories and throughout the entire region, several young people are marking the important milestone of their high school graduation this month. This is an exciting and important achievement in their lives. The steps they take across the graduation stage are the first steps into the next exciting phase of their lives. I know I speak for our entire community when I say that we are proud of all of our graduates and that we are excited to see what their future paths hold in store for them. Ja:göh to all of our graduates in the Class of 2026!
Finally, next weekend, we will celebrate Father’s Day. I want to wish all the fathers within our Nation a happy Father’s Day. The role and responsibility we all take in helping to raise our children is one of the greatest honors and responsibilities we can have. The example we set and the lessons we share with our children and grandchildren today can help shape their future, and the future of our Nation, for years to come. I hope you enjoy your Father’s Day surrounded by those who mean the most to you.
Until next time,
J.C.
