Heyhey Nya:wëh Sgë:nö’,
Last week, on December 4, we celebrated what we sometimes call the Seneca Nation’s birthday, commemorating the 177th anniversary of the adoption of our Seneca Nation Constitution.
Our people have always been resilient and have always adapted and evolved to confront and overcome the challenges in front of us and to prepare the way for the Seven Generations to come. Our ancestors adopted our current Constitutional form of government as a way to strengthen our people and protect our sovereignty. Now, 177 years later, each of us benefit from the wisdom, hard work, sacrifices and example of our ancestors and we share the responsibility for carrying that forward for all Senecas today and those who will come after us. Happy Birthday to our great Seneca Nation!
Strength and resilience while confronting and overcoming significant challenges have defined our people throughout history. We know, however, that the trauma of past events continues to impact our people today. That is why we recently held a two-day Healing Conference in Cattaraugus and Allegany. This important conference featured two speakers who addressed important topics including healing ourselves and our families, spirituality, our culture, traditional medicines, and our Haudenosaunee way of life.
The Healing Conference was an impactful gathering with an incredibly important mission. Our ability to heal from the atrocities, pain, and injustices we have suffered throughout history is critical to our ability to move forward in our individual and family lives and as one Nation. Many nya:wehs to everyone involved in planning and conducting this important conference and to everyone who participated. We look forward to hosting our next Healing Conference in the Spring.
Even as things start to slow down a little before the holidays, we are still pushing forward on important issues for our people. In these last days of 2025, we continue to push for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the bill we introduced, lobbied for and helped to pass in the New York State Senate and Assembly aimed at strengthening state laws authorizing the removal of non-Native intruders from Nation lands. The bill would clarify existing law, enabling County Sheriffs and the Nation to work in coordinated partnership against non-Native intruders engaged in drug trafficking. County Sheriffs across Western New York endorsed it. Legislative leaders from both parties, including the Chair of the Senate Committee on State-Native American Relations, have called for the Governor’s signature.
Now, the bill sits on Governor Hochul’s desk. She has the power to make an immediate difference. We implore her to take it.
On a more positive note, this isn’t just the Holiday Season, it is also Rochester Knighthawks season! Our Knighthawks open the regular season this weekend (December 14) in San Diego, and then play their first home game of the year on December 20 against the Philadelphia Wings. I’m so excited, I feel like I can put on my gear and take the field myself!
Let’s cheer on our team, including our own Zed Williams, as they play their first season under the Seneca Nation’s ownership. I look forward to being at the game and hearing Blue Cross Arena in Rochester get loud in support of our team. Go Knighthawks!
This is our last Seneca Nation Newsletter before Christmas. I hope everyone is in good spirits and good health, ready to enjoy this special time of year surrounded by family and friends. On behalf of our First Lady and our family, I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas filled with peace, health, and happiness for you and your families.
Until next time,
J.C.
