May 19, 2026 – ALBANY, N.Y. – Elected leaders and citizens from the Seneca Nation and other Native Nations within New York gathered in Albany today for a day filled with important discussions, advocacy, outreach and education.

Native Nations Day included a roundtable meeting for Native Nation leadership with the New York State Senate’s State-Native American Relations Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

The priorities discussed by the Seneca Nation throughout the hourlong session included Brownfield cleanup of a former railroad yard on the Allegany Territory, infrastructure funding for long-needed repairs of Prospect Street on the Cattaraugus Territory, economic development initiatives, and the need for New York State to actively support the revitalization of the traditional Seneca language, specifically through funding the construction and operation of Immersion Schools on the Nation’s Cattaraugus and Allegany territories.

“The State of New York spent 75 years funding and operating a school designed to eradicate our language, our culture and our very identity,” said Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca, referring to the Thomas Indian School, which New York State operated on the Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory from 1875-1957. “It is past time for the State to support the revitalization from the damage it caused over generations.”

After last year’s Native American Day gathering in Albany, New York Governor Kathy Hochul made an historic visit to the Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory, where she officially acknowledged and apologized for the State’s role in operating the Thomas Indian School and for the atrocities that occurred there.

During her apology remarks on the Cattaraugus Territory, the Governor spoke of the need to create new educational materials for the State’s K-12 public education curriculum about Native Nations, including their history, cultures, and contributions. She said that moving forward “must include a cultural revitalization and justice,” and that she was recommitting “to the truth, justice, reconciliation, accountability, and healing that are so essential to move forward together.” 

“The Governor’s visit and apology last year marked an important moment in our history with New York State, but now we want actions to follow the Governor’s words,” President Seneca added. “When you are talking about revitalizing a language, K-12 education does not go deep enough, especially as our number of fluent speakers continues to dwindle. It has to start with our youngest children and carry on through our adult population so that, eventually, all Senecas will be able to hear and converse in the language of our ancestors.”

Today, there are less than 20 living Seneca first language speakers. Approximately less than two percent of all Senecas are fluent in the Seneca language.

“It is only fitting that New York State, which played a leading role in removing Seneca children from their families and sending them through the doors of the Thomas Indian School to be victimized, abused and stripped of their language and culture, should support our efforts to create new schools where our language can thrive and grow once again,” President Seneca added.

Throughout the afternoon, the North Concourse of the Legislative Office Building was filled with informational, cultural, and artistic displays, in recognition of the sovereignty, culture and history of Native Nations. Elected officials, staff and passersby were encouraged to stop, to engage, and to learn more about the vital role the Native Nations within New York continue to play in their home regions and the impact they have across the state.

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