Hello, everyone. Nya:wëh Sgë:nö’!
I am honored beyond words to share my first newsletter message with you as President. I am excited and honored to serve our people. I also want to congratulate our new Treasurer Lenith Waterman, our Clerk Bethany Johnson, our new Councilors, and everyone who was sworn in as elected officials within our government on Canvass Day this past week. I look forward to working with everyone across our government on behalf of all 8,500 Senecas today and for the generations who will follow us.
Taking the oath this past week and standing before you as the first Seneca woman elected to lead our Nation was an overwhelming experience. In that moment, I was overcome with a flood of thoughts and emotions – the greatest of which was gratitude. Your support and your belief in my ability to lead the Seneca Nation at this time in our history means more than I can ever express. Nya:wëh.
Women have sustained our culture for generations. We have carried our identity from generation to generation and we have been the caretakers of our heritage and traditions. The voice, strength and wisdom of Seneca women have shaped our Nation throughout history. As I begin my term, I am carrying with me the voices, strength and lessons of generations of Seneca women who came before me, who devoted themselves to our people and our families, and who always stood up on behalf of the Seneca people and our sovereignty. Their strength inspires me.
I am well aware and ready to accept the weight of responsibility that comes with this office. We have many important issues in front of us, issues that need to be addressed with strength, thought, openness, and conviction. We do not know what the future will hold or what new challenges might develop. I know that we will not always agree, and that the next two years will go quickly. As I take office, I promise you that, as your President, I will always do everything I possibly can to make sure that your voices are heard, that our priorities are addressed, and that our sovereignty is always protected.
Following Canvass Day, we celebrated Veterans Day. Seneca warriors have stood strong in service and in battle throughout history, and many still serve today. It is because of them and their brothers and sisters in arms that the world knows freedom. Our Veterans deserve our admiration and appreciation every day. I am grateful for their service and bravery.
Finally, this month is Native American Heritage Month. There are many special events taking place on our territories and at our properties throughout the month of November. I hope many of you will take the time to participate or attend some of these events as a way to celebrate who we are, to honor our ancestors, to educate our neighbors, and to keep our culture strong for our young people and those still to come.
Nya:wëh,
President Tina Abrams
