Today’s Issues

  • We must finalize a fair Class III gaming compact and adjust our strategy to fight against NYS’s manipulations via online gaming and their tax favoritism to our competitors. I am glad we have rejected the terrible terms offered by NYS during the last two years. If the compact negotiation is not resolved by November, I will continue to fight with NYS to close a good deal and secure the revenues needed to fund our benefits and services.

  • Our government exists to protect our Nation, our lands, and most importantly our people. The needs of our elders are paramount, and we must find ways to support growing families and our youth. Our health care, including addiction recovery and providing mental health services, need greater attention. We must have a President who has a strong commitment to improving the lives of all of our people, especially those who may be struggling.

  • We need a leader who can both handle our internal business and advocate for Seneca interests in Albany, Washington, and locally. Success through dialogue with outside officials can lead to solving problems and seizing opportunities. For example, it was through our recent efforts in Albany that we carried the grass roots advocacy to the Governor to pressure Olean to stop dumping raw sewage into the Ohi:yo. We cannot afford isolationism and inaction from our Nation’s leaders during this critical time.

A woman holding a sign that reads "Seneca Land Back" at a protest or rally, surrounded by other people including individuals in traditional indigenous clothing and headwear, in what looks like an indoor public space.

Future issues

  • We must expand economic development to our territories, make outside investments where there is opportunity, and form business partnerships where mutual benefits are possible. Our population is increasing, the costs of goods and services is increasing, and what it takes to support all of our programs is growing. We need to generate more revenue by establishing new businesses.

  • I am aware that the cost-of-living has made it difficult to buy as much as you used to, and I agree that we need to find ways to alleviate the pressures on your household budgets. To do this we must secure our current revenues through a new gaming compact, as well as generate new revenues to expand benefits and services.

  • We must have a bold action plan to build significant housing for elders and young families. Too often I hear that families want to build a home, but there is no land available for purchase. We must acquire new lands for this purpose and use our Seneca Settlement Act to accomplish this goal. We should also continue efforts to occupy Red House and the Kinzua “take area” lands initiated by the Nation’s 1365 Committee. We need a plan to make Salamanca better as we will take control of the city when the leases expire in 2071.

  • Nearly half of our people do not live on our territories, and we must act with regard to the needs of everyone regardless of residence. We must heed the voice of all Senecas, including establishing community committees in off-territory areas like Buffalo and Erie where Seneca people can identify issues and develop recommendations for leadership consideration.

  • This year, nearly 1,000 of our people voted at a referendum to change our Constitution. You expanded the Surrogate’s Court to process estates, and imposed residency requirements and term limits for elected officials. I believe more possible changes should be presented to you for consideration.

  • We have many issues that have been outstanding for years. We need to get rid of NYS criminal jurisdiction over our people, pursue longstanding claims for illegally taken lands in the Genesee Valley, resolve illegal rights of-way like the Thruway, capture lost hydropower profits from the Kinzua Dam, and repeal the language of the 1964 Kinzua Dam Act that calls for our termination. These are just a few of the issues that are outstanding. I am ready to continue the fight on these and other prior issues.

A woman and an elderly man standing outdoors on a gravel path surrounded by green trees. The woman is wearing a white blazer and dark jeans, and the man is dressed in a red jacket with white and yellow stripes, holding a walking stick, smiling at the camera on a sunny day.

our elders

  • Our elders laid the groundwork for us to enjoy the financial benefits that we now have. Most lived through many difficult financial times, so we need to continue to provide them with the benefits that make their lives easier and more enjoyable.

  • Housing opportunities that are suitable for each phase of aging are necessary. Current efforts on both territories started by President Seneca must be continued.

A woman speaking at a podium during a conference, with a North American Women's Association banner hanging in front of the podium, and two water bottles placed on the table near the podium. The background features dark blue curtains.

Our youth

  • The November 2024 referendum vote changed the Seneca Nation’s Constitution. Now, 18-year-olds can vote in the Nation’s elections. I want our young people to vote and be involved in our government. Our youth have the energy—we need to provide the outlets. For example, I plan to establish a committee system where at least one member will be under the age of 30. This ensures that our young people learn, make decisions, and even make mistakes—while being supported by our experienced, more senior leadership.

  • We need to educate and prepare our youth to govern and help every Seneca find their passion, wherever it leads them. We need to get our young people engaged to ensure the future of our sovereignty.

Our Language and culture

  • We are in a crisis as we are losing our first-language speakers every year. We must continue to support all current efforts to preserve and grow our Seneca language speakers and teachers. We should expand the option for Seneca language immersion education for those who desire it, and demand that NYS fund the effort.

A woman with brown hair smiling while holding a smartphone, standing in front of colorful informational displays about Native American history and culture.
A woman wearing a black jacket with red text '#STANDWITHSENEA' on the back stands on a muddy dirt road near a river, facing an old, rusty metal bridge over the river. Trees without leaves line both sides of the river, and the sky is partly cloudy.

Protecting mother earth

  • We live in an area where there are constant threats to our clean land and water, such as the West Valley nuclear site and Olean sewage discharge. In addition to upstream contamination of our waters, we must also deal with the new threat of data centers, industrial pollution and new nuclear reactors. We must insist that relevant federal and state agencies honor their treaty obligations to protect the Seneca homeland and we must travel as necessary to Albany and Washington to ensure environmental justice and protection.

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