Seneca Nation Archives/Onöhsagwë:de Cultural Center- Allegany Territory
1794, November 11 – The Canandaigua Treaty, a.k.a. Pickering Treaty, was signed by Seneca chiefs Handsome Lake, Little Beard, Half Town, Captain Key, Stinking Fish, Big Sky, Little Billy (a.k.a. Green Grasshopper), Farmer’s Brother, Red Jacket, Heap of Dogs, and Cornplanter. The negotiations and signing took place at Canandaigua and Col. Timothy Pickering was appointed Treaty Commissioner by U.S. President George Washington. It is estimated that approximately 800 Senecas were in attendance. In consideration of peace and friendship Article 3 “acknowledge[s] all the land within the aforementioned boundaries, to be the property of the Seneka nation; and the United States will never claim the same, nor disturb the Seneka nation, . . . in the free use and enjoyment thereof.”
1900, November 6 – The Seneca Nation held its first biennial general election. A constitutional referendum on November 15, 1898 stipulated that general elections would be biennial and held the first Tuesday of November effective with the 1900 election. Prior to 1900 the Nation’s general elections were held annually in the month of May. Under the banner of the Republican Ticket William C. Hoag from Allegany was elected to his fourth term as President. Hoag would go on to serve seven more presidential terms. He died in office on July 31, 1927.
1972, November 22 – The Indian Claims Commission (ICC) was created by federal law in 1946. On December 5, 1949, during Dean V. Williams’ first administration, the Seneca Nation filed a complaint in behalf of all Senecas that constituted the Seneca Nation of Indians between 1797 and 1842. On November 22, 1972, during Dean Williams’ second term as President of the Seneca Nation, the ICC awarded $5,466,615.04 to the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Tonawanda Band of Senecas to compensate for fair payment of lands. Lands totaling 4,395,205 acres had been under valued by $5,748,600. The award total was arrived upon after “considerations” such as legal fees ($281,984.96) were subtracted from the valued amount.
