On April 13, 2024, at a Regular Session of Council, the Council passed a resolution setting July 12, 2024, as the date of a referendum to determine whether the Seneca People support the creation and operation of a Seneca Nation police department at this time. The referendum is also intended to provide guidance as to whether the public supports entering deputation or jurisdictional arrangements with outside governments that would permit the Seneca Nation to exercise full criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians, as current federal case law has limited Native Nations’ authority over non-Indians.

To ensure that the Seneca People are afforded ample opportunity to obtain information and ask questions, the Seneca Nation will hold four public meetings and generate informational materials for Seneca voters. A schedule of the public meetings and timing of the informational materials is provided below for your reference.

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS

• June 4, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Allegany Council Chambers
• June 5, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Cattaraugus Council Chambers
• June 25, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Cattaraugus Council Chambers
• June 26, 2024, 5:30PM-7:30PM, at the Allegany Council Chambers

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

• May 20, 2024, publication of schedule, referendum question, and short summary of efforts
• June 10, 2024, publication of Q&A from first pair of meetings, explanation of referendum question
• June 28, 2024, publication of Q&A from second pair of public meetings and important information

REFERENDUM QUESTIONS

QUESTION A:
Do you support the Seneca Nation creating and operating a police department?
YES [ ] NO [ ]

QUESTION B:
Do you support the Seneca Nation entering into agreements with local, state, and/or federal authorities for the Seneca Nation to exercise criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians?
YES [ ] NO [ ]

QUESTION A
A “YES” vote would mean that the Seneca Nation Council may devote substantial resources toward exploring the creation of a police department and the development of criminal laws and procedures and rules of evidence. The Council would also begin to identify necessary amendments to the Seneca Nation’s Constitution to ensure the safeguarding of Seneca rights and liberties and implement court reforms.

A “NO” vote would mean that the Seneca Nation would not take any action in the near or immediate future to establish a Seneca Nation police department.

QUESTION B
A “YES” vote would indicate public support for the Council to consider discussions with outside law enforcement agencies – i.e., county, state, and federal law enforcement – to enter into deputation or jurisdictional agreements. Any such agreements would be for the purpose of permitting the Seneca Nation to exercise more criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians than would otherwise be available without such agreements under applicable federal law.

A “NO” vote would mean that the Seneca Nation would not initiate discussions to enter into deputation or jurisdictional agreements with outside law enforcement agencies. A “NO” vote, however, would not prohibit the Seneca Nation from seeking alternative arrangements to increase the outside law enforcement presence on Territory.

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Repost from Department of Indigenous Studies, UBuffalo FB

Ja:göh to the following recipients who were presented the awards at the 2024 IDS Graduation Social, along with our Graduates on May 4th to celebrate the students!!

Award Recipients:

• Rodney Haring (Seneca) – Distinguished UB Alumni Award
• Alyssa Warrior (Seneca) – Undergraduate Award for Indigenous Research
• Eliese Maybee (Seneca) – Student Excellence Award
• Kamryn Hartranft (Seneca) – Rising Scholar Award
• Gabriel Tallchief (Seneca) – Student Leadership Award

Graduating students – We are so proud of their accomplishments:

• Sharon Francis (Seneca, Wolf Clan) – MSW, Social Work
• Eliese Maybee, (Seneca) – BS, Psychology and Minor, Indigenous Studies
• Madison Tighe (Seneca, Turtle Clan) – BA, Health and Human Services & Minor, Indigenous Studies
• Alyssa Warrior (Seneca) – BA, Physics
• Lindsey Parker (Seneca, Wolf Clan) – MPH, Public Health

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The raising of the Pride flag will occur at the William Seneca Building at 11am with those who wish to observe. 

If you have any questions, contact Jacquie Crouse at x3119 or direct line 716-461-6093.

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SAVE THE DATE: The 2024 Raymond & Ella Jimerson Family Reunion is August 3, 2024!

Questions? Please contact Treat Montour at 716-984-6784.

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May 6, 2024 | Repost from Iroquois Post 1587 American Legion FB

On March 29, 2024, Iroquois Post 1587 American Legion held the Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony in collaboration with The Seneca Nation of Indians.

Post Commander Ronald Cook Jr lead the ceremony. The Post Color Guard posted colors, Al Geroge Post member and Vietnam War Vet gave the Seneca Thanksgiving Address, and performed the Flag and Veteran traditional song; the Auxillary Unit 1587 President Kathryn Button and Auxiliary members made sure all Veterans and their guests were taken care of and attended to during the ceremony.

The SNI, Post Legionaires, Veterans, Auxillary, community and family members paid honor and tribute to Seneca Vietnam Veterans for their service and sacrifice, to out Nation.

On this day we honored many and highlighted Ronald Hart SSG USAF and Elliot Tall Chief 3rdClass USN. They were presented with the Presidential Proclamation, commemorative gold Veteran coin and military blanket. We all enjoyed an amazing lunch catered by Dinos restaurant.

WELCOME HOME! We thank you for your service and we honor our Nation’s Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.

Thank you to all our guests, veterans and their families for attending this event. We thank Moe John SNI Councillor for the memorable speech on behalf of SNI President Ricky Armstrong, Sr.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location served during the Vietnam War and Era.

WHY MARCH 29th? The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.

Again, Nya:wëh for all the support for our Veterans.

Sincerely,
Ronald Cook Jr, Post Commander

Read more: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/ – The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

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Submitted by Stephanie John & Dorsie Bluesky

Stop down to the Allegany Elder/Senior Center and enjoy daily activities throughout the month of May. For more information call Stephanie or Dorsie at (716) 945-8990.

Schedule of events listed below:

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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. GUEST TICKET MUST BE PAID FOR AT LEAST 1 WEEK PRIOR TO SHOW.

Please arrive 2 hours prior to the show for the buffet at the casinos.

• Wheel of Fortune: Friday, May 24th at 2pm, Seneca Niagara – Bus departs Allegany at 12pm, and departs Cattaraugus at 12:30pm. Guest cost: $25
• Big & Rich w/Gretchen Wilson: Saturday, May 25th at 8pm, Seneca Allegany. Guest cost: $63
• Justin Moore: Saturday, June 15th at 8pm, Seneca Niagara. Guest cost: $48
• Buffalo Bison’s game: Saturday, June 15th at 6:35pm, Bus available. Guest cost: N/A
• Australia’s Thunder from Down Under: Saturday, June 29th at 7pm, Seneca Allegany. Guest cost: $18
• Donny Osmond: Saturday, July 13th at 8pm, Seneca Niagara. Guest cost: $48
• Yacht Rock the Dock Christopher Cross, Ambrosia & Friends: Saturday, July 20th at 8pm, Seneca Niagara Event Center. Guest cost: $38
• Cinderella’s Tom Keifer with special guests-Winger & Lita Ford: Saturday, July 27th at 7pm, Seneca Allegany Event Center. Guest cost: $43
• Comedian Fortune Feimster: Saturday, July 27th at 8pm, Seneca Niagara. Guest cost: $20

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Please call or mail in AOA Trip suggestions and comments at least one month in advance. Include the date & time of the event trip you are suggesting. If you have questions, please contact the AOA office.

The post Attention Elders: We Need your Suggestions & Comments appeared first on SNI Official Newsletter.

If you plan to attend the NYS Fair Indian Day on Friday, August 30th, 2024, please fill out this survey (pictured right) and return it to AOA. You can also complete the survey over the phone by calling Brittany Seneca at 716 532-5777 Ext. 5551. Nya:wëh.

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Featuring Lauren Schad, Cheyenne River Lakota, Nike N7 Ambassador, International professional athlete (France), and The Red Ribbon Skirt Society’s first “Healing the Globe” Ambassador for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S)

The Grandparents Club is seeking sponsors for a two-day volleyball and leadership camp.

To be held July 12&13, 2024 from 10am-4pm each day at the Cattaraugus Community Center.

For more information, please contact Marguerite Haring, Grandparents’ Club Chair at 716-549-4710 or via email to rcharing@hotmail.com.

Let’s support our youth!

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