ALLEGANY TERRITORY, SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong, Sr. issued the following statement in response to comments made by President Joe Biden yesterday at the White House Tribal Nations Summit:
“This week, President Biden is welcoming leaders and representatives from Native Nations across the United States to the White House for the White House Tribal Nations Summit.
In addressing the Native Nations yesterday, President Biden spoke about the importance of recognizing, prioritizing, and respecting our sovereignty and self-determination, and outlined steps his administration has taken, and plans to take, in this regard. We applaud any action that appropriately seeks to engage Native Nations as sovereign governments, and supports our ability to serve our people, address the important needs in our communities, and grow our economies.
Near the end of his remarks, President Biden also addressed an issue of great importance to the Seneca Nation and all Haudenosaunee people. The President expressed his support for the Haudenosaunee to be represented under our own flag and allowed to participate in lacrosse at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, we all saw, and celebrated, the decision to include lacrosse – the Creator’s game – in the 2028 Summer games. The Haudenosaunee were the first to share lacrosse with the world. It was gifted to our ancestors by the Creator as a spiritual game and a healing game – a way for people to work out their differences.
In modern times, the Haudenosaunee Nationals, including many Seneca players, have honored our heritage by playing the game at the highest levels, including in elite international competitions, such as the World Lacrosse Championships and the World Games. It is only appropriate that they be allowed to compete and to play our game against the rest of the world’s best teams on the biggest global stage.
The Seneca Nation appreciates President Biden’s support for this effort, and hope that the organizers of the 2028 Olympics recognize the historic and cultural significance of allowing the Haudenosaunee Nationals to take the field under their own flag.” The full text of President Biden’s remarks can be read here at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/12/06/remarks-by-president-biden-at-the-white-house-tribal-nations-summit-2/
