The annual pride flag raising ceremony took place each administration building on the Allegany and Cattaraugus territories
A statement of progress and acceptance, the flag represents the Seneca Nation’s commitment to supporting our LGBTQIA2S+ relatives at home and across Turtle Island. We see you, we hear you, and we are here for you. Nya:weh to President Armstrong, Sr., Councillor JC Seneca, Councillor Odie Porter, Nicole Seneca, and Olivia Maybee for offering their words during today’s event.
Statements in order of appearance:
Councillor Odie Porter:
We have such bold and courageous young people who are just fighting for stereotypes, fighting for rights, fighting for people to get acknowledged and heard and having their own actually legal rights. It’s important that we acknowledge that. Things don’t happen just by chance, they happen because people are bold enough to stand and take a strong position against racism and also these really prejudicial situations.
President Rickey Armstrong, Sr.:
Gathering here this morning, we all accept and show that responsibility for all of our people. And this is a moment to show and to reinforce the spirit of unity that has carried forth from our ancestors that we will pass on to all those that follow us. We are the Seneca Nation, we are a community that has respect for all individuals and all people. We represent the spirit of unity that we are at our best as a nation, as a community, as a society. When our minds are together, we are strong
Olivia Maybee, LGBT:
It is important that we acknowledge, celebrate, and uplift our queer community members during this time of political unrest. Across the Nations many states are enacting anti queer legislation
It’s important as a sovereign tribal nation continue to partake in positive pride initiatives to tell our queer youth and adults that they important, loved and cherished. It is also important to work together with our queer community members during pride month to uplift them and put them into positions of organization when it comes to pride initiatives, because pride cannot be celebrated without our queer community members at the forefront of pride.
Love is Love, Happy Pride!
