ALLEGANY TERRITORY, SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Following a two-year absence driven by the coronavirus pandemic, a long-standing celebration of Native American culture is set to return to the Seneca Nation’s Allegany Territory, when the Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow is held at the newly renovated Veterans Park in Salamanca on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.

“The powwow is a signature event, not only for the Seneca people, but for friends and neighbors locally and across the country who have been a part of our celebration for many years,” the Powwow Committee said. “After waiting for the past two years, we’re thrilled to finally welcome everyone back to the Allegany Territory. Powwow weekend can’t get here fast enough.”

The powwow will feature a number of dance, drum and singing competitions, with more than $36,000 in prizes awarded. Dance competition categories include Smoke Dance, Jingle Dance, Grass Dance, and Traditional Dance. Special categories include Men’s Veterans Special, Women’s Veterans Special, “Honoring Our Womxn Healers” Jingle Dress Special, “Dance for Her” Women’s Red Dress Smoke Dance Special, and the Kyle Dowdy, Sr. Memorial War Dance Showdown. Competition winners will be announced on Sunday evening, before the conclusion of the powwow.

Other weekend highlights include along the Tiny Tots Dance, for dancers 4 years of age and younger, Iroquois Social Dancing, in which everyone is invited and encouraged to participate, and the Cultural tent presented by the Onohsagwe:de’ Cultural Center, formerly the Seneca­ Iroquois Museum. In addition, Native crafts, artwork, and food will be available from a wide variety of vendors throughout the weekend.

The Seneca Nation presented the annual celebration of Native American culture for 30 years before the onset of the global pandemic forced the cancelation of the event in 2020 and 2021. It is one of the largest powwow celebrations in the northeast, attracting competitors and visitors from across the United States and Canada.

According to the Powwow Committee, the return of the powwow and seeing many familiar faces will be especially meaningful this year, given the difficulties brought on by the pandemic.

“We have lost so many friends and loved ones over the past two years, within our Seneca community and across Indian Country,” the Committee added. “Coming together for the powwow gives us all a chance to reconnect, reflect, honor those we lost, and, most of all, celebrate being together.”

Daily admission is $10 for adults, with weekend bracelets available for $15. Admission for students age 5-17 and seniors age 60 and older is just $5 per day or $10 for a weekend bracelet. Veterans and active military personnel (with valid ID) and children age 4 and younger will be admitted free of charge.

Gates open at 10 a.m. each day, with a Veterans Honoring at 11 a.m., and the must-see Dancer Grand Entry at Noon. Complete schedule, online ticket purchase, registration and contest information is available at senecapowwow.org.

The powwow honors all veterans and is named in honor of Marvin “Joe” Curry, a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Snipe Clan, who led a long and distinguished career of military service in the United States Navy, serving two tours of duty in the Korean War and also serving in the Vietnam War.

The powwow is a family-friendly community celebration. Everyone is invited to come enjoy the competitions, immerse themselves in Native culture and traditions, and enjoy the wondrous natural beauty of Cattaraugus County and the surrounding area.

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Vendors will be setup in the SINM parking lot from 11am-2pm.

See flyer below for Food Truck schedule:

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When: July 14, 2022 | Time: 1:00 p.m.
Where: SAAB* Council Chambers – Allegany Territory

*Seneca Allegany Administration Building

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Barry/Deanna Snyder, Sr. Chairman’s Scholarship:
$10,000 awarded over two years- Applicant must retain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, with a focus on experience in health leadership.

Geraldine Memmo Scholarship:
$5,000 awarded annually – focus on leadership in a health field with knowledge of the rich and diverse history of the Seneca people.

Ruth Goode Scholarship:
$5,000 awarded annually- focus on a degree in nursing & demonstrates qualities that Ruth Goode embodied throughout her long and illustrious career.

Seneca Gaming Corporation Scholarship:
$5,000 awarded annually – focus on students interested in pursuing a degree in healthcare business and administration.

Scholarship applications and information can be found at www.senecadiabetesfoundation.org

Deadline: July 20, 2022

Contact Person: Lucille G. White, Secretary/Treasurer
Telephone: (716) 532-4900, Ext. 5021
E-mail: lwhite@sni.org

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He closes with congratulating Frank Brown, Zed Williams for playing in the National Lacrosse League Championship and Lori Quigley, the chairwoman of the Seneca Gaming Corporation Board of Directors, who was named the interim President of Medaille University earlier this week.

See video message below:

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Photo by Patrick Redeye, Media Producer, Allegany Territory

Check out the great resources available at senecalanguage.com to learn more about other birds and animals. Senecalanguage.com has a Facebook group for discussion and questions, as well as a YouTube channel filled with fun and educational videos.

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The Seneca Nation’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is an ‘economic roadmap’ used to strengthen and diversify the Seneca Nation’s economy.

The Planning Department has prepared a brief survey to help form the foundation of future development for the Nation. Your responses will help guide the changes made to updating the CEDS.

The Survey will be open May 31st to June 30th. We would appreciate your feedback. Any additional questions, please contact the Planning Office.

Survey Here

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The answer is that there’s not a single “best” age for everyone and, ultimately, it’s your choice. The most important thing is to make an informed decision. Base your decision about when to apply for benefits on your individual and family circumstances.

What you should know before you apply

□ What does “retirement” mean?

Retiring means getting your Social Security retirement benefit. It might mean that you’ve also stopped working. However, these two things don’t need to happen at the same time. For example, you have the option of delaying your monthly benefit even after you stop working. Delaying your benefit will increase your monthly benefit amount. (See below.)

□ Your benefits are based on your entire earnings history

Do you know how your benefit is calculated? Your monthly benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you don’t have 35 years of earnings, your monthly benefit will be reduced, because years with no earnings will count as zeros.

□ Your monthly benefit is higher if you wait to start

When should you start your retirement benefit? You can start receiving benefits as early as age 62. However, the longer you wait (up to age 70), the higher your monthly benefit will be — for the rest of your life. If you’re married and you’re the higher earner, delaying your benefit may also mean higher survivor benefits for your spouse when you pass away.

□ Your full retirement age may be higher than you think

Your “full retirement age” is determined by the year you were born. The retirement age used to be 65 for everyone, but is gradually increasing to 67. As the full retirement age goes up, benefits claimed at earlier ages go down.

□ Your benefits may be temporarily reduced if you work while receiving benefits

Working after you start receiving retirement benefits may affect your monthly benefit amount, depending on your age and how much you earn. If you are younger than your full retirement age, and your earnings exceed certain dollar amounts, some of your monthly benefit may be withheld. Social Security will increase your monthly benefit after you reach full retirement age to account for the months of withheld benefits. When you reach your full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want and your benefit will not be affected.

□ Your benefits may be taxed

Some people have to pay federal income taxes on part of their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (e.g. wages, interest, or dividends) in addition to your benefits.

Additional things you should think about

□ Your longevity and health

Retirement may be longer than you think. As you consider when to begin receiving retirement benefits, take into account how long you might live. Today, more than one in three 65-year-olds will live to age 90. Social Security benefits last as long as you live, providing valuable protection against outliving savings and other sources of retirement income. Delaying your benefit to let it grow is one way to increase your monthly Social Security protection.

□ Retroactive benefits

If you are past your full retirement age when you apply for benefits, you can choose to receive up to six months of retroactive monthly benefits. However, using this option changes the start of your benefit to an earlier date. Remember that by choosing to start your benefit earlier, your monthly benefit amount will be lower for the rest of your life. Your spouse’s survivor benefits may also be lower.

□ Signing up for Medicare

Consider whether you need to apply for Medicare at age 65, even if you aren’t applying for monthly retirement benefits. If you have already started receiving your retirement benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) is free for most people, and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) requires a monthly premium. Generally, if you have not already started receiving retirement benefits, you will want to sign up for Medicare three months before turning age 65. This is unless you have group health coverage through a current employer.

NOTE: If you don’t have group health coverage through a current employer and you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B when first eligible, then you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B. Also, you may have to wait to enroll, which will delay this coverage.

□ Applying for your benefits

Once you have decided when you want to start receiving your monthly Social Security benefit, you can apply up to four months before the date you want your benefits to start.

Contacting Social Security

The most convenient way to do business with Social Security is to visit www.ssa.gov to get information and use the online services. There are several things you can do online: apply for benefits; get useful information; find publications; and get answers to frequently asked questions.

Or, you can call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. Social Security can answer your call from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. You can also use the automated services via telephone, 24 hours a day, so you do not need to speak with a representative. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day.

Information modified from the Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10377. January 2022. “Your Retirement Checklist”

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• Elle King at Seneca Niagara Casino Friday, July 8th at 8 p.m. Sign-ups currently available
• Ron White at Seneca Allegany Casino Saturday, July 30th at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 6/30
• Little Big Town at Seneca Allegany Casino (Outdoor Event) Friday, August 5th at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 7/5
• Sammy Hagar & The Circle at Seneca Allegany Casino (Outdoor Event) Saturday, August 6th at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 7/6
• LFA MMA Fights at Seneca Niagara Casino Friday, August 19th at 7 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 7/19
• Lionel Richie at Seneca Niagara Casino (Outdoor Event) Friday, August 26th at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 7/26
• Lynyrd Skynyrd at Seneca Niagara Casino (Outdoor Event) Saturday, August 27th at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 7/27
• STAIND at Seneca Niagara Casino Wednesday, September 7th at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be out 8/5
• Amy Schumer at Seneca Allegany Casino Saturday, October 29 at 8 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be available 9/29

As a reminder the sign-up sheets for shows will be available 1 MONTH prior to the event. Numbers are turned in to the Casino 1 week prior, if you have a change in plans please cancel before then. Be sure you will be attending when you sign-up as there has been an increase of last-minute cancellations, resulting in a waste of Elder entertainment funds for the remainder of the year. On average we have at least 4 unused tickets per event at an average cost of $47/ticket that’s $188 per show that is being wasted. Please be mindful of this when you sign-up. Nya:wëh.

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To register, sign-up at AOA or call Allegany Office at 716.945.8414 or Cattaraugus Office at 716.532.5777.

See flyer below for details:

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