Greetings,
I hope everyone is well and that you were able to enjoy what may have been the last of the warm weather for the year. Snow is on the horizon, but before we huddle around our families for the holiday, I wanted to provide you with some updates, especially the Casino Compact.
Casino Compact
The Nation and the State are not yet done with negotiations on a new Compact. Because our current Compact expires on December 9th, we need an extension of the Compact to allow our casinos to continue their operations without interruption while the Nation and the State work towards finalizing a new Compact agreement, and clear the necessary Nation, State, and Federal approvals.
On Monday, the Governor committed to doing a Compact Extension Agreement. As mentioned previously, we proposed a simple agreement with two features: (i) extend the December 9th expiration date to the end of March 2024, and (ii) place any revenue share amounts during this extended term (Dec 10-March 31) in an escrow, where the escrowed funds would be distributed based upon terms agreed to in the new Compact that will need to be approved by the Seneca people. The State’s team is still reviewing the draft agreement and we hope to have it finalized by the time you are reading this. Once signed, the agreement would be submitted to the Interior Department for federal approval and publication. We hope to get the Compact Extension complete before the December 9th expiration date of the current Compact.
Seneca Nation Birthday Commemoration
The Buffalo Creek Treaty of 1788 resulted in the sale of all Seneca lands east of Genesee River and sought the removal of the Seneca people to the then Kansas territory. The Seneca people adamantly protested the 1788 treaty and the Buffalo Creek Treaty of 1842 was signed and canceled our removal from our ancestral homelands. In honor of our ancestors fight for our future, the Seneca Nation government offices will be closed December 4th, 2023.
On December 4th, 1848, our Seneca ancestors assembled and set out to provide greater safeguards for the coming generation’s prosperity.
To commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Seneca Nation, we will have pop-up events at the Seneca Allegany Administration Building and the William Seneca Building on December 1st, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Judicial Canvass Day
Section 1 of the Constitution of the Seneca Nation established a Judicial department. On November 7th, 2023, the Seneca people exercised our Constitutional duty and elected judges to serve in the Judicial department.
The Judicial Canvass Day and the judges’ swearing-in ceremony was held at the Seneca Allegany Administration Building on November 14th. Sworn in were Suzanne “Sue” Case, Allegany Peacemaker; Judy Farmer & Evelyn George-Shongo, Allegany Court of Appeals; Sylvia Lynne Jock “Beege”, Cattaraugus Peacemaker; and Diane Logan Cooper, Cattaraugus Court of Appeals. By accepting their posts, the judges further demonstrate their commitment to the Seneca people and the Seneca Constitution.
Upcoming Events
This is a short list of upcoming events happening across our territories:
- ACC Turkey Shoot November 24th – 25th
- ACC 5K Turkey Trot November 25th
- CCC 5K Turkey Challenge November 25th
- Allegany Clerk’s Office Winter Emporium at the Seneca Allegany Administration Building December 1st
- Cattaraugus Clerk’s Office Winter Vendor Day at the William Seneca Building on December 15th.
The annual Seneca Elder’s Holiday event will take place at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino’s Event Center on December 11th, 2023. Elder’s, please RSVP with the Seneca Nation A.O.A. Check out the Seneca Media and Communications Center’s Facebook page for more information about these events and more.
Salamanca Warriors
I want to congratulate the Salamanca Warriors varsity football team!! The Warriors defeated the Medina Mustangs on November 10th for their first Section VI Class C title since 2001. The Warriors then squared up with the Le Roy Oatkin Knights on November 18th, also bringing home their first Far West Regional title since 2001.
The Warriors will take on the Waverly Wolverines at the Cicero-North Syracuse High School field (6002 Rt. 31 Cicero, NY 13039) at 12:00pm on November 25th in the Class C Semifinal. Good Luck Warriors!!
Lastly, I want to ask our community to check on our elders and those who are unable to be with family and friends this holiday season. Your kind gesture could mean the world to someone! Have a safe and bountiful holiday.
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr., President
