The Seneca Nation government is hard at work honoring our commitment to provide services, programs, and opportunities for all Seneca people now and generations to come.
From addressing our Nation’s housing needs and expanding our land base to healthcare updates and sustainable energy solutions, we are focused on keeping our Nation and community strong.
Our commitment to the Seneca people continues to shine as we emerge from the global pandemic with our fiscal affairs on solid ground and confident in the care and services our leadership teams carried to the people through sound financial practices and special care for our elders and families, while ensuring the safety of our workforce.
We know in our hearts and minds that we are not immune to the reality that illegal drug activity is robbing us of bright futures, jeopardizing Senecas of every age, and endangering our safety, our health and our overall way of life. We know that people in our community and in all communities continue to seek to profit from poisoning others and enticing them down a deadly path. Since its inception in 2021, the Opioid Taskforce has worked to establish meaningful and progressive ways to battle this epidemic. We have championed policies to put an end to drug activity in our neighborhoods with decisive and clear actions of terminating leases and returning land and homes to the Seneca Nation for future use by Seneca families.
All of these achievements, and many others, reflect the commitment to do what you have elected us to do – serve the needs of the Seneca people and continue to prepare the way for the seven generations.
From Allegany to Cattaraugus, Buffalo to Erie and beyond, the state of our great Seneca Nation is strong and our future is bright.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
Fiscal management and ensuring the financial strength of the Nation is one of our greatest responsibilities as your elected leaders.
The development and expansion of our casino enterprise has been transformational for the Nation and our people. The revenue generated by our casinos has allowed the Nation to invest in every facet of life on our territories over the past two decades, from healthcare, education and Elder’s benefits to housing, infrastructure, public safety and more.
The dynamic growth of our $2 billion gaming enterprise has also required extensive capital.
The Nation’s leadership has worked closely with Seneca Gaming Corporation to fit SGC’s operational needs into the broader priorities of the Seneca Nation’s government. Over the past few years, SGC has paid off its outstanding debt while retaining a line of credit that supports operational flexibility and the company’s ability to weather unexpected challenges, like the COVID pandemic, and to capitalize on strategic opportunities.
Working together with SGC to chart this debt-free path has allowed the Nation to
further strengthen our financial position and provide long-term stability for the Nation and our people.
Fiscal Integrity in a Global Pandemic
Through a comprehensive team of internal leaders, the Seneca Nation was able to protect employees and the community, while simultaneously being the first gaming facility to reopen for revenue generation.
Seneca elder payments and annuity checks continued despite the stark financial picture of a global pandemic, spending down the fiscal reserves and then successfully rebuilding those same reserves and ensuring the fiscal foundation of the Seneca Nation.
The Seneca Nation was at the forefront of distributing PPE supplies not only to Seneca families, but also through the region ensuring a safety barrier for all.
HEALTHCARE
Access to quality healthcare services is a basic human need. It is also a pronounced challenge in Native communities. The Seneca Nation is committed to serving the health needs of our people, providing comprehensive services for Senecas of all ages.
Construction of our new Cattaraugus Health Center is well underway. This new, state-of-the-art facility is being made possible with an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding. The new Health Center will nearly double the size of our existing health clinic and allow our Health System to provide expanded services to our people, including more space for medical, dental, optical, physical therapy, as well as a drive-thru pharmacy, and administrative and support services.
The Lionel R. John Health Center in Allegany will be expanding through a $3.5 million federal grant to support a 10,000-square-foot addition at the health center.
Services envisioned under the expansion include state-of-the-art physical therapy services, improved cardiology and chiropractic services, a new drive-thru pharmacy, expanded dental services, expanded medical staff and exam space, and other services.
Expanding the availability of our on-territory healthcare services continues our commitment to investing and building on our territories today to help build a stronger and healthier Nation community in the future.
HOUSING
Being at home on our territories gives us a sense of identity, a sense of place, and a sense of purpose. There is nothing like being on territory, surrounded by family, friends and community, and feeling the connection to our land and our culture.
For far too long, too many could not live on territory, where housing opportunities were few, and financing was all but unavailable.
We have changed that dynamic over the past two decades, and our Nation continues to create new opportunities for Senecas to come home. Construction was completed on seven new homes in the Bush Road community in Cattaraugus. These new homes, a mix of three, four and five bedroom homes, are now occupied by Seneca families.
SENECA ELDER PROTECTION CODE
The Seneca Nation displayed its commitment to protecting our elders when it enacted the Seneca Elder Protection Code in January of this year. In developing this new law, the Nation’s government worked closely with the Area Office of the Aging, the Health System, various other Nation departments, and the community to create a regulatory system that protects our elders and connects them with critical services in the unfortunate event that they are victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
The Code also imposes penalties -ranging from loss of direct benefits to community service, restitution, or restorative justice – on offenders to deter future mistreatment of our elders while also healing family and community connections.
In order to effectively implement and enforce the Code, the Seneca Nation created a new department called Elder Protective Services, which is housed within the Nation’s existing Crime Victim Services department.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Extensive upgrades over the past few years have taken place across the territories, along with many in the planning phases.
Recently, we have worked with National Fuel Gas to take over and rebuild nearly 90% of the natural gas infrastructure on the Cattaraugus Territory. This includes ~12 miles of natural gas distribution pipeline and over 220 customers. This has provided nearly $2,000 annually in savings to some Seneca families. A natural gas conversion program has been implemented assisting residents in converting their homes from propane to natural gas. Families can have 80% of the cost covered up to $5,000.
Administered through Seneca Energy and serving both territories a groundbreaking generator and solar project is underway. We have installed over 20 solar arrays totaling over 200 kW of solar with another five arrays planned for Phase II coming in the Spring of 2025.
Over 200 generators have been installed at residences at virtually no cost to the homeowners. This is providing grid resiliency at the resident level protecting families when the power goes out.
Both programs were subsidized by the Nation through ARPA funds. Both programs are scheduled to end at the end of September 2024.
PLAYGROUNDS
New Modern and fully inclusive playgrounds has been installed at each of the following community locations.
• Allegany Community Center
• Highbanks Campground
• Newton Farm Road Housing
• Sullivan Hollow Housing
• Cattaraugus Community Center
• Saylor Building
• Pinewoods Community
• Irving Community
• Steamburg Community Center
PROTECTING FAMILIES AGAINST INFLATION
In 2023, eligibility criteria were expanded and food voucher amounts were increased for the Seneca Nation Poormaster Food Voucher Program. Food vouchers are made available to enrolled members who are experiencing a temporary financial hardship and need funds for food. The head of household voucher increased from $20.00 to $70.00 and vouchers for additional family members increased from $10.00 to $50.00.
CLOSING THE DIGITAL GAP
The Cattaraugus Territory recieved $8.5 Million in grants to fund a $10 Million fiber project.
52 miles of fiber and two wifi solutions have been deployed to the territories.
700 residents and businesses have been connected to the network.
“Bringing connectivity to our people is a critical undertaking. Through this transformational investment, the Nation will be able to finally and forever knock down the digital barriers and close the digital divide that have existed for far too long,” Matthew B. Pagels, Seneca Nation Treasurer.
LAND BACK
Sixty years after one of the most egregious betrayals and attacks against our land and way of life in our history, the Seneca Nation is preparing to once again make lands in the area taken for Kinzua a vibrant part of the Allegany Territory.
In 2023, the Seneca Nation Council approved a resolution to establish the 1365 Resettlement Committee to identify livable lands in the Take Area and develop a comprehensive plan for their resettlement. The Committee has held several meetings to advance its plan, including multiple meetings with representatives from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The 1365 Resettlement Committee is preparing to finalize its initial report and present a spectrum of recommendations, ideas, and options to the Seneca community. A series of public meetings will be scheduled in the coming months.
Various Parcels for Housing and Nation Development Purposes
In 2005, the Nation approved acquisition of
~35 acres of land near Onoville Marina for economic development purposes, as well as
~6.4 acres of land near Depot St. and 417 for Seneca Nation Housing purposes.
In 2017, the Nation acquired ~143 acres of land adjacent to Highbanks. The Nation’s Lease Administration records also reflect 114 leaseholds currently are held by the Nation for Seneca Nation Mortgage Program borrowers. Upon completion of payment obligations, the Nation will return deeds to the borrowers.
In 2022, the Nation acquired ~1.8 acres of land in the Town of Caledonia and within the boundaries of the historic Canawaugus Reservation.
Between 2002 and 2023, the Nation has made 17 submissions to DOI for confirmation of the restricted fee status under the Seneca Settlement Act of 1990, including: the Niagara Falls and Buffalo footprints, Gugino farm, the Tomato farm in Hanover, the Tracewell site in Cuba, Sullivan parcels and Bush Road. The total acreage converted to restricted fee status under this process is 405.34 acres.
During summer of 2024, the Nation made two submissions to the Department of Interior for confirmation of restricted fee status under the Settlement Act: the Hotchkiss Hollow package (approximately 1,420 acres) and Skillen Street located in Buffalo, N.Y. (approximately 0.62 acres). Both are being processed by DOI. The Nation recently closed on property on Reservation Road and will be preparing a submission package later this year as additional restricted fee status.
Allegany Leaseholds
According to the City and Congressional Villages Lease Administration; currently there are 147 leaseholds in the City of Salamanca that are held by the Nation. This does not include Seneca Nation Mortgage Program parcels. 32 leaseholds in the Congressional Villages are held by the Nation. This count includes the newly acquired leasehold on an East State Street parcel acquired earlier this year.
