From President J. Conrad Seneca – June 24, 2026
December 2024
- Immediately began planning outreach with Seneca people for Class III gaming compact background briefing and public meetings to obtain input in the process
- Established an Opioid Recovery Department and appointed a Director to coordinate drug abuse prevention, care, and rehab services for Senecas afflicted with drug abuse
- Filed a formal action request to the U.S. Department of Interior and National Indian Gaming Commission to reclaim $800 million in disputed revenue sharing payments and met with Assistant Secretary of Interior Bryan Newland and DOI officials, and NIGC officials. First of several trips to Washington DC for direct engagement
- Issued several Executive Orders to exclude drug traffickers and other undesirables from Nation territory
January 2025
- Supported and secured Council approval of $1,200 increase in annual Elders Benefit
- Made first of several trips to Albany to attend Governor Hochul’s State of State Address and hold press conference to give notice of Seneca political engagement on NYS issues
- Held initial public meetings to hear from the Seneca people on proposed Class III gaming compact terms, to hear their voice on issues used to develop a Peoples’ Compact to present to State, with no proposed revenue sharing to NYS
- Commenced active efforts to address NYS Thruway trespass litigation for the invalid 1954 right-of-way, including guiding litigation and developing dispute resolution proposals
- Began issuing Executive Orders to create committee system to conduct government activities (all chaired by the President)—
o Business Council (Josh Jimerson, Vice Chair)
o Compact Negotiating Committee (Kevin Seneca, Vice Chair)
o Foreign Relations Committee (Odie Porter, Vice Chair)
o Housing Committee (Geraldine Huff, Vice Chair)
o Lands, Rights-of-Way, and Treaty Rights (Josh Becker, Vice Chair)
o Public Safety Committee (Klint Nephew, Vice Chair)
o Thruway Negotiating Committee (Todd Gates, Vice Chair) - Issued Executive Orders to establish Constitutional Reform Working Group and to end taxation of tobacco and motor fuel through the Import-Export Law and redevelop Nation commerce department and regulation system
February 2025
- Traveled to Washington DC to attend NCAI, USET and to engage with Trump Administration and Members of Congress on federal program and health care funding, engaging on multiple issues affecting Seneca services and sovereignty
- Hosted WNY Delegation Summit with NYS and County officials in Niagara Falls to promote engagement and to mobilize NYS Senators and Assemblymembers to support Seneca Nation priorities, including the drug trafficking problem, pursuing economic development, and discussing gaming enterprise impacts
March 2025
- Met with Governor Hochul in Albany to present Seneca action priorities: (1) repair cultural and emotional damage on Seneca people from Thomas Indian School and request Governor apology, (2) escalate law enforcement efforts to stop drug trafficking, (3) mobilize health care resources for drug abuse victims; (4) end Ohi:yo contamination from Olean wastewater discharges, and (5) promote new economic development and revenue generation
- One week later, hosted Seneca Impact Day in Albany with Seneca community and NYS legislator participation. Met on Seneca issues with State Police Superintendent, Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, Director of Substance Abuse Services, and Empire State Development
- Secured Council authorization to pursue federal legislation to address drug trafficking and end NYS criminal jurisdiction over Senecas and to pursue NYS legislation to strengthen Nation’s ability to remove non-Indian intruders and drug traffickers
- Secured Council authorization to pursue legislation to secure 20,000 acres of federal land as restoration of lands taken by the US government for the Kinzua reservoir
- Issued Executive Order to void Army Corps closure order and declare lands taken for Kinzua Reservoir open for settlement
April 2025
- Engagement with NYS Senator George Borello on development of Thomas Indian School apology proclamation for atrocities committed against Seneca and other Native people
- Met with Olean Mayor William Aiello to address Ohi:yo contamination and formation of Joint Task Force to end the problem
- Traveled to Washington DC to lobby for Seneca priority issues, including meeting at the White House with director of intergovernmental relations
- Secured Council resolution directing enhanced 40/40 Lease enforcement to improve property maintenance, including Executive Order and letter to 40/40 lessees
- Council appointment of Allegany River Development Commission to improve Salamanca
May 2025
- Traveled to Albany to meet with and testify before NYS Senate State-Native Relations Subcommittee on Seneca priority issues
- Hosted visit by Governor Hochul who met with survivors of the Thomas Indian School atrocities and who issued a formal apology to the Seneca people and other Native peoples on behalf of the State
- Hosted Haudenosaunee lacrosse weekend on the Allegany Territory
June 2025
- Made formal request for direct negotiations with NYS on new Class III compact
- Engaged with NYSDEC and Olean Task Force to lobby for a $500,000 grant from NYSDEC for Olean to plan its wastewater upgrades to end Ohi:yo pollution
- Secured passage of NYS legislation to strengthen authority to remove non-Indian drug traffickers and other intruders, working with Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and then-Senator Sean Ryan
July 2025
- Convened major Law Enforcement Summit with senior U.S. Justice Department and Interior Department officials, NYS Police, County Sheriffs and City police to address drug trafficking threat. Based on prior meetings with U.S. Attorney in Buffalo, DEA, NYS Police Troop A, Cattaraugus and Erie County Sheriffs, and City of Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca police chiefs
- Met in Washington DC with US Army Corps Engineers (and hosted by Rep. Nick Langworthy) to discuss the proposed efforts to study the repair and re-building the Kinzua Dam, which is opposed by the Nation, and to facilitate dialogue on lowering the “take area” from an elevation of 1365’ to 1340
August 2025
- Met with Rochester Mayor Malik Evans to discuss Nation investments in the City, building collaborative relationships, and reconnecting in the Nation’s homeland of the Genesee Valley
- Established Seneca Nation business presence in Rochester by purchasing the Rochester Knighthawks professional indoor lacrosse team through Seneca Holdings
- Promoted economic expansion efforts in the eastern part of the Nation’s Aboriginal territory by traveling to the Finger Lakes area to meet with county industrial development officials about possible Nation investments, including discussion with Watkins Glen Raceway leadership and local businesspeople
September 2025
- Secured Council formation of 3-person committee to recommend and convene referendum to improve Nation government
- Participated in Remember the Removal events commemorating those lost due to Kinzua Dam construction
October 2025
- Entered into MOU with City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans to support mutual economic development efforts within the city limits
- Engaged with Rochester-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce to promote Rochester Knighthawks and other development opportunities to expand Nation economy
- Continued engagement with NYS regarding compact negotiations
November 2025
- Attended NCAI annual meeting to gain support on Nation initiatives of Kinzua Dam legislation and Law Enforcement legislation
- Research and travel to explore economic development opportunities in WNY
December 2025
- Secured donation of 207 acres of land on Grand Island, restoring the Nation’s historic connection to the islands in the Niagara River, with potential use for economic development and housing
- Secured gift of 7 acres of land from Seneca elder Marilyn Anderson near Nation office building complex. Commenced planning for Elder Living Center on those lands, with connectivity to Nation health center
- Secured enactment with Governor Hochul’s signature of NYS Indian Law Section 8 Intruder Removal legislation and Section 79 to authorize intergovernmental law enforcement agreements
January 2026
- Appointed to the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce board of directors to expand Nation business opportunities in City of Rochester and Monroe County
- Secured introduction of House bill H.R. 7065 by U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy, the Seneca Nation Law Enforcement Efficiency Act, to repeal 25 U.S.C. 232 which gave criminal jurisdiction to NYS over Seneca people and lands
- Hired Brian Mohr, a retired county sheriff’s deputy with experience working with the Nation, to the position of Law Enforcement Commissioner to coordinate all Nation law enforcement efforts
February 2026
- Signed Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to establish procedure and protocol for discussions relating to the Kinzua Dam and Reservoir, including potential reclamation of lands taken for the reservoir flowage easement
March 2026
- Secured Council approval of public safety agreement for Allegany Territory with Cattaraugus County Sheriff, to address drug trafficking activity and non-Indian intruders.
- Successful completion of Constitutional reform referendum with nearly 900 voters participating. Changes made were to increase the number of Surrogates for each territory, require judicial training, impose residency requirements for elected officials, and impose term limits.
- Served as guest speaker on Native ownership of professional sports teams at the National Center for American Indian Economic Development RES Conference and the Indian Gaming Association Annual Meeting.
April 2026
- Served as guest speaker at World Indigenous Cancer Conference in New Zealand.
May 2026
- Convened third Seneca Impact Day in Albany to educate NYS officials on issues facing the Seneca people.
- Testified before the NYS Senate State-Native Relations Subcommittee on issues facing the Seneca people, with emphasis on:
o Pursuing NYS funding of Seneca language immersion schools for both Allegany and Cattaraugus territories to remedy the damaging effects of the boarding school era, including $1 million in feasibility funding.
o Pursuing NYS funding for Prospect Street in Gowanda to open road access to the Indian Hill community. - Hosted Environmental Conference in Niagara Falls Territory with EPA and DEC leadership to focus on:
o Ohi:yo’ protection against Olean and Great Lakes Cheese Factory wastewater discharges
o US Army Corps actions at Cattaraugus Creek break wall and Kinzua reservoir
o NYS recognition of Seneca off-territory treaty hunting and fishing rights
June 2026
- Secured introduction of NYS legislation to repeal NYS criminal jurisdiction over Senecas
- Spoke at 300th anniversary of French Castle at Fort Niagara
- Secured development firm to design and coordinate economic development projects
Current and Future Activities
- Continuing efforts to conclude Class III compact negotiations with NYS
- Planning and development work for new senior living center on Cattaraugus Territory
- Identify and acquire new lands for economic development and housing
- Engage with federal and officials to enact 232 repeal legislation and Kinzua lands replacement legislation
- Secured Budget & Finance Committee approval for $1.40 minimum wage increase for all Nation employees
