The Seneca Nation is excited to announce the opening of the newest 2-bedroom 6-plex on the Cattaraugus Territory. These new apartments offer a modern, comfortable space for couples, single individuals, and smaller families with one or two children to return home and reconnect with their community, culture, and support systems. This development means fewer overcrowded homes and more opportunities for safe, affordable living on the territory. These homes fill a critical gap for those not yet eligible for elder housing but still in need of a place to call their own. The new 2-bedroom units are a step forward in keeping our community connected, while we continue to plan for future improvements for our elders.

Councillor Tina Abrams shared, “This premier housing complex is just one of many examples of initiatives by the Seneca Nation Council, in collaboration with the Seneca Nation Housing Department, to address the ongoing housing needs within our community.”

For more information or questions, contact the Cattaraugus Housing Department at (716) 532-5000 or visit: https://sni.org/community-services/housing-program/.

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The 30th U.S. EPA – Region 2, Indian Nation Leaders Meeting -&- 12th NYSDEC Indian Nation Leaders Meeting was held on May 12-14, 2026, at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, hosted by The Seneca Nation, Environmental Protection Department.

Throughout the conference, Tribal Nations shared their strengths and challenges in conversations centered on Tribal sovereignty; Tribal Hunting, Fishing, and Gathering Rights Off Territory; land access; water quality; data governance or “data sovereignty”; environmental partnerships; training opportunities for Tribal Nation environmental representatives; infrastructure design and planning; funding support for Tribal programs; environmental contamination, cleanup and restoration; preservation of cultural and natural resources; Indigenous plant restoration; invasive species impact; waste management; and energy plans.

A dinner and Social were held on Wednesday evening in the event center to connect and share our cultural songs and dances.

Nya:wëh to the Environmental Protection Department, Executives and Council, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, all the Tribal leaders, and office representatives who attended and shared in these important environmental matters.

• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Indian Nation Affairs
• NYSDEC, Division of Lands and Forests – Invasive Species Bureau
• USEPA – Office of International & Tribal Affairs (OITA)
• Center for Native Peoples and the Environment (CNPE)
• State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry
• American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO)
• Office of Regional Administrator – Indian Nations Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 2
• Office of Environmental Justice, NYSDEC
• U.S. Department of Health – Indian Health Services
• Cayuga Nation
• Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force- Onondaga, Tonowanda, and Tuscarora Nation
• Shinnecock Indian Nation
• St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
• Unkechaug Nation

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Thank you to the Iroquois Post 1587, the Auxiliary Post 1587, the Seneca Nation Executives & Council, Kirk Mohawk for playing TAPS, Al George for singing the Veterans’ and Flag song, Petrice Neyman for singing the US National Anthem & Canadian Anthem, and all who joined us in paying tribute to their sacrifice and legacy.

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This year’s Ohi:yo’ Art Market would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, our gracious hosts, the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, and of course our sponsors. Nya:wëh for your continued support and commitment to uplifting Native and Indigenous Art.

• The Seneca Nation
• Seneca Gaming Corporation
• Seneca Gaming and Entertainment
• Seneca One Stop
• Big Indian Smoke Shop
• Burchfield Penney Art Center
• Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts
• The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes
• Fidelity Charitable

A special shout out to the Salamanca City Central School District Seneca Youth Dancers, IndigeRoots, and the Dwahšönih Makerspace, Ansley Jemison and the Original Peoples Podcast, Seneca Nation Conservation – Fish & Wildlife, and Faithkeeper Language Nest. Lastly, we truly appreciate the inspiring artists who travelled to our corner of Indian Country to share their talent and skill with us. We can’t wait to see what next year’s market will bring!

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Allegany and Cattaraugus will have a “Rez Pet of the Month” each month. Submit yours to either Alyssa Coustenis – Allegany Reporter or Norah Stevens – Cattaraugus Reporter @ Alyssa.Coustenis@sni.org or NStevens@sni.org.

Feel free to drop by the offices if assistance is needed. Please be sure to include a photo, and pet location along with a brief bio on your pet. We look forward to hearing about all our wonderful Rez Pets.

Rez Pet of the Month for May in Cattaraugus is Lady Brown!
Lady is our Rez Pet of the Month! Lady’s owner is Frank Brown, Cattaraugus. This 5-month-old Airedale Terrier from Versailles Plank loves going on adventures with her dad – whether it’s walks in the woods, road trips, fishing trips, or cheering on her human cousins at their lacrosse and softball games. She also loves spending time playing with her dog cousins, Stella and Daohdes. While Lady Girl is always ready for fun, she’s not a fan of the hair dryer after baths or the sound of Dad dragging the garbage can in from the road. And like any puppy, she sometimes has selective hearing!

The first ever Rez Pet of the Month from the Allegany Territory goes to Felicia Pierce. Felicia’s owners are April and Josey Pierce. Also known as Eesh, Bears. She is a 13 year old Chow from Jimtown.

Felicia patrols Center Rd 24/7. She enjoys riding around, basking in the sun, and stealing food!

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May 15, 2026

WEST SENECA, N.Y. – Seneca Nation leaders gathered with local officials and neighbors today to commemorate the importance of the Buffalo Creek Treaty of 1842, which forever shaped the history of both the Seneca Nation and Western New York.

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. The annual event took place at the Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center in West Seneca, which stands in the vicinity of where the historic agreement between the Seneca Nation and the United States was signed.

“It is important that people – Seneca and non-Seneca alike – understand and are reminded of the importance of the 1842 Buffalo Creek Treaty, what it stands for, what it protects, and what it guarantees,” said Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca. “Without this treaty, and the unshakable resilience of our ancestors who fought for it, the Seneca Nation and Western New York would be far different and far less vibrant today. It is because of this treaty that 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 Seneca Nation has made countless contributions to the history, culture, and economy of Western New York, and today stands as one of the region’s most significant economic engines. Between its gaming enterprises, other businesses and government operations, the Seneca Nation provides an economic impact to Western New York of nearly $2 Billion annually, providing thousands of direct jobs and supporting thousands of others through business relationships with a wide network of vendors, suppliers and contractors locally and across New York State.

The Buffalo Creek Treaty of 1842 further affirmed that the Seneca Nation will never be subject to taxation on Indian-owned 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.”

Today, the Seneca Nation consists of several distinct territories, including: the Allegany Territory, 31,095 acres along Ohi:yo’ (the Allegheny River), including the city of Salamanca; the Cattaraugus Territory, 22,011 acres of land along Cattaraugus Creek near Lake Erie; the Oil Spring Territory, one square mile in Cuba, New York; ancestral land on Skillen Street in Buffalo, site of the Buffalo Creek Community Center; Todiakton, approximately 39 acres of land in the Town of Mendon; 50 acres of land in downtown Niagara Falls, where Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is located, and nine acres in downtown Buffalo, where Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is located. Late last year, the Nation also acquired 207 acres of ancestral homeland on Grand Island.

“Nearly 200 years after the government tried to completely remove the Seneca people from our homelands, our Nation is strong and growing,” President Seneca added. “With each step forward, we are protecting our sovereignty and improving not just the quality of life for our people, but also the economic strength and vitality of Western New York. That is why we return to Buffalo Creek every year in order to recognize how our ancestors fought to make this possible.”

The post Seneca Nation Commemorates Signing of Buffalo Creek Treaty of 1842 appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center hosted a walk on the Allegany Territory with a special presentation facilitated by Aiyana Jacy-Martin, Afro-Indigenous model and organizer of the “In Her Shoes” annual fashion show. The Buffalo Office held an MMIP walk downtown to join together and bring awareness of this ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous people.

We will continue to educate, heal, and support our families and communities. We appreciate everyone who stands with us in raising awareness and working together to end the violence.

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That’s a wrap on our work with the Seneca Nation! We built two new 2,000 sq ft skateparks in two different territories, the Cattaraugus Territory (Irving, NY) and the Allegany Territory (Salamanca, NY). While building any skatepark or obstacle is a privilege, the opportunity to bring skateboarding to communities without previous access hits different. Big thanks to the crew for battling the bitter cold to get ’er done! Nya:wëh, Gridline Skateparks!

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Many times words that end in “anih” can be a:nih or anih:

Gajëönya:nih – I’m a teacher, I teach
Sajëönya:nih – you teach, are a teacher
Hajëönya:nih – male teacher
Yöjëönya:nih – female teacher
Wënöjëönyanih – women teachers
Hënöjëönyanih – male teachers or mixed group of teachers, they teach

Another one is:

Gajësdanih – I teach/coach
Sajësdanih – you teach/coach
Hajësdanih – he teaches/coaches
Yöjësdanih – she teaches/coaches
Hënöjësda:nih – teachers/coaches
Ögyësdanih – she teaches me/my teacher
Ökiyësda:nih – she teaches us/our teacher
Esayësa:nih – she teaches you/your teacher (also ösayësda:nih)
Hagyësdanih – he teaches me/my teacher
Shögwayësda:nih – he teaches us/our teacher
Yayësdanih – he teaches you/your teacher

There’s more words, and more things you can add. More ways to spell too.

Yeyëöh ëyöjëönyë’ – she knows how to teach (~she’s a good teacher)
Hayëöh ëöjëönyë’ – he knows how to teach (~he’s a good teacher)

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