We are thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of two new skate parks at the Cattaraugus Community-Center and in the City of Salamanca, New York at Crowley Park! This incredible project, sponsored by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, marks a significant milestone as part of The Skatepark Project’s Built to Play program, bringing the total to 13 skate parks across Western New York.

A heartfelt thank you to the Seneca Nation Executives and Council, the Seneca Nation Community Planning and Development Department, Seneca Nation DPW, the City of Salamanca DPW, and Seneca Nation DOT and all the passionate community members and kids who advocated for this project. Your dedication and support have made this dream a reality!

These skate parks will provide free recreational opportunities for our youth, fostering creativity, community, and fun for years to come. We can’t wait to celebrate the grand opening in early 2026!

Stay tuned for updates and get ready to skate!

“The Skatepark Project is excited to join the Seneca Nation in celebrating the groundbreaking for two new skateparks within the Seneca Nation territories. These two skateparks represent the completion of 13 skateparks in Western New York via The Skatepark Project’s Built to Play program, from Rochester, to Buffalo, to Salamanca, and everywhere in between. This partnership between the Seneca Nation, The Skatepark Project, and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation will offer free recreational opportunities for young people throughout the Nation for decades to come. We look forward to the grand opening celebrations in early 2026.” – Benjamin Anderson Bashein, Chief Executive Officer, The Skatepark Project

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Weso’ Nya:wëh to everyone who donated, volunteered, shared a warm meal, conversations, and helped lift up our community this holiday season. On #GivingTuesday, remember we can all make a difference together.

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Public Safety Commission signs and stakes were available for pickup on November 26th in the William Seneca Building (WSB) Lobby and the Seneca Allegany.

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Department Executives:

• President – John Waterman Jr.
• Vice President – Stanley Francis
• Secretary – Patrice John
• Treasurer – Shaela Maybee
• Building Chairman – John Maybee
• Delegates – Melissa Schindler & Lynwood “Blue” Guilliams
• Sergeant at Arms – Sonny George
• Stewert – Terry Nephew

Board of Directors:

• Director: Michele Redeye
• Director: Joni Jackson
• Director: Jason Seneca
• Director: John Maybee
• Director: Derrick Williams

Line Officers:

• Chief – Presley “Prez” Redeye
• 1st Assistant Chief – Duane “Dude” Carry Moccasin
• 2nd Assistant Chief – Sean “Seanzy” Stahlman

Appointed positions will be appointed by the Chief after he is sworn into office.

Congratulations to all of our elected officers, and best of luck in the upcoming year. Thank you for your dedication and service to our community! Your volunteerism doesn’t go unnoticed.

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Wishing you and your families a safe and happy holiday season!

See flyers below for details:

• Indigenous Holiday Markets: Throughout the month of December – see flyer for details
• Small Business Saturdays at the OCC: Saturday, December 6th, 13th & 20th from 10am-4pm
• Xmas Decorating Competition: Salamanca & Kill Buck Residents. Sign-up by Wednesday, December 17th at the ACC, Judging will take place Friday, December 19th at Noon!
• Christmas Events at the Allegany Library: Saturday, December 6th from 10am-Noon & Meet Santa on Monday, December 15th from 5:30-6:30pm. Plus, drop into the Library at write Santa a letter!
• Santa’s Workshop at the SALC: Monday, December 8th & Friday, December 12th during operational hours
• Holiday Market at the CCC Concourse: Thursdays, December 11th & 18th from 5-8pm
• Breakfast w/Santa at Seneca Fire – Cattaraugus: Saturday, December 13th from 8am-11am
• ECLC Winter Bazaar: Saturday, December 13th from 10am-3pm at the CCC
• Christmas Tree Raffle: Purchase tickets from Catt. Rez Beaders to win a 6′ pre-lit decorated tree w/handcrafted ornaments. Drawing to be held December 13th
• Community Ed Class “Make an Evergreen Gnome w/Barnes Greenhouse”: Monday, December 15th from 5-7pm at ECLC Building, Room 1222. Call to register at 716-532-3341
• Holiday Ornament Class at the Sully: December 15th, 18th & 22nd from 5-7pm
• Christmas Movie Night at the SCC: Monday, December 15th from 6-8pm
• Christmas Decorating at the SCC: Tuesday, December 16th at 6pm
• H.E.R.O. Christmas Party at the ACC: Thursday, December 18th from 5:30-8pm
• Beaded Snowflake Ornaments w/Kari Kennedy at the OCC: December 18th & 19th from 5-8pm
• Christmas Party at Steamburg Community Center: Thursday, December 18th at 6pm
• Indian Cookie Class w/Ari Logan at the Sully: Thursday, December 18th at 6pm
• Seneca Christmas Carols w/Brandi John at the Sully: Thursday, December 18th at 6pm
• Winter Vendor Day at the SAAB: Friday, December 19th from 10am-2pm
• Christmas Party at the CCC: Friday, December 19th from 4-8pm, Dinner at 5pm, Bingo from 6-7pm, Ugly Sweater Contest at 7pm
• Kids Holi-Day at the Buffalo Office: Monday, December 29th from 9am-3:30pm
• Christmas Blind Date w/a Book at the Catt. Library: Adults can pick-up a Christmas themed book beginning December 1st!
• Silver Bells in the City of Salamanca: Events all December – see flyer below
• Wintertime Tea & Storytelling w/Cheryl Graham: Saturday, January 3rd from 11am-1pm at the Sully

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The Rochester Knighthawks announced today the on-sale dates for season and single-game tickets for the upcoming 2025-26 National Lacrosse League season. Season tickets will be available for renewal beginning Thursday, Nov. 20, followed by single-game tickets going on sale Friday, Dec. 5.

Season ticket memberships start as low as $19 per seat, per game, depending on seating location. For more information, visit www.rochesterknighthawks.com/memberships.

The Knighthawks open their home schedule on Saturday, Dec. 20, when they host the Philadelphia Wings at 7 p.m. at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. On Dec. 5, single-game tickets, starting at $20, along with group tickets, suites, and party deck tickets, can be purchased at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office, online at www.rochesterknighthawks.com, or by phone at 585-400-HAWK (4295).

Rochester’s home schedule features matchups against the three-time defending champion Buffalo Bandits, as well as the Toronto Rock, Vancouver Warriors, Ottawa Black Bears, Saskatchewan Rush, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Georgia Swarm, Calgary Roughnecks, and Philadelphia Wings.

The Knighthawks enter a new era under the ownership of the Seneca Nation, coming off their third straight trip to the playoffs. Rochester’s roster is highlighted by 2025 NLL MVP Connor Fields, along with standout forwards Ryan Smith, Thomas McConvey, Ryan Lanchbury, and newly acquired superstar Zed Williams.

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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.

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The setting is the new Coldspring Longhouse in Steamburg, New York. The previous Longhouse sat on ancestral homelands protected by a 1794 treaty, but was flooded by the US government in 1966 to build the Kinzua Dam.

Yet, the community persists. Spruce’s great-uncle Derlan, at far right, wears a ribbon shirt expressive of Native pride.

A turtle shell rattle used by the Seneca in ceremonies hangs on the back wall, alongside a corn pounder and cooking paddle. And a mandala innovates upon historical Haudenosaunee quiltwork and ceramic patterns to express both continuity and growth.

You can visit to see this painting in person on our first floor.

Randee Spruce, The Sing at Coldspring, 2025. Purchased through the generosity of Ernest Tollerson and Tink Leefmans.

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• Monday – Friday
• 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Phone: (716) 532-8178
• Email: dawn.stevens@sni.org

All Call Lists are confidential and will be solely used for the intended purpose.

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