Pictured above: President Seneca & First Lady Nicole Seneca
Heyhey Nya:wëh Sgë:nö’,
I hope all mothers enjoyed a happy and peaceful Mother’s Day. As a matrilineal society, we hold women in the highest regard. You are the lifeblood of our Nation, and the carriers of our Seneca identity. For generations, Seneca women have raised and strengthened Seneca families, nurtured and sustained our culture and traditions, preserved our ways of life, and served as leaders in our community. I want to wish a very special Happy Mother’s Day to my wife, First Lady Nicole Seneca, for all that she does to support our family and our Seneca community.
This month, we also remember and continue to fight for those who have gone missing from our community and other Native communities around the world. May 5 was Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day. Today, there are still thousands of missing and murdered cases across Indian Country that have gone unsolved. It is an abomination that so many Native people have been targeted and victimized. Far too many Native families and communities are left to deal with holes in their hearts that may never be filled. We must all always give voice to their pain and struggle and keep fighting on their behalf.
Finally, today is Onöndowa’ga:’ Day. This morning, we will be holding our annual gathering near the waters of Buffalo Creek in West Seneca, where we will again recognize the importance of the 1842 Buffalo Creek Treaty, what it stands for, what it protects, and what it guarantees.
The treaty restored Seneca possession of the Nation’s Cattaraugus and Allegany territories after an earlier, manipulated treaty attempted to stake claim to all Seneca lands and relocate the Seneca people to present day Kansas. Thanks to the resilience and steadfast determination of our ancestors, we are still here on our ancestral homelands, where we continue to impact and influence our entire region and build a strong future for our next seven generations.
The 1842 Buffalo Creek Treaty further affirmed that the Seneca Nation will never be subject to taxation on our lands. Article 9 of the Treaty clearly states that the United States agrees to “protect such lands of the Senecas within the state of New York as may from time to time remain in their possession from all taxes, and assessments for roads, highways and other purpose until such lands shall be sold and conveyed by said Indians and possession thereof shall be relinquished by them.”
We have faced attempts throughout history to take our lands, to physically remove our people, and to completely erase our culture and existence. Each challenge has strengthened our resolve and our resilience. Today, as we have done for many years, we will gather with fellow Senecas, friends and neighbors, to take nourishment from the lessons and example of our ancestors so the Seneca Nation and our people will keep growing stronger, forever, and we will remind everyone that this region is forever Seneca.
I hope everybody takes this day to reflect on our shared journey so far, the enduring example and lessons of our ancestors, and to thank the Creator for the abundant gifts he has given us which we enjoy here on our homelands in Cattaraugus and Allegany, and wherever the people of Onöndowa’ga:’ are gathered.
Until next time,
J.C.
