Seneca Voice

hoorah

2010-11-12T02:29:00.001-05:00

what you going to do now, the election is done and Rob is in, the first educated president we ever had. If you ask me, we are finally on track. Let us do this, lets get everything straight for this day. We are a people who now think economically, we think in education terms, we think of what is best for our people. what is best is that we have someone who thinks and knows that way and we need to get working to stabilize or culture and needs to improve our economic position to make sure that we control our own destiny as a nation and not as a people and not as an individual... but as a nation. at this point we will survive because we voted for the right way to run this nation.

$250,000 to Republicans, what are we thinking

2010-10-29T22:41:00.000-04:00

The irony is very quick to see in this; the Seneca Nation donating $250,000 to the Republican Party... for one it is the Republican Party, two: why are we giving their system money, three: don't our people need that money for something.

I am not sure if giving money into their political system is really going to help us, especially if those specific politicians do not get in. Of course I understand what they are trying to do, throw their hats into the ring, get noticed, let them know that we are knocking at the door.

But I think we maybe better off as an island amongst ourselves. Invest the money into our community. We could always need a little more. We need to find more and more ways to become more self sufficient. As it is we are not. We are relying on the materials and economic systems of New York and the US. We need to get everything to come from this land and further develop a way to make the cost of living for our people as close to zero as possible.

Could you imagine that, living life, making a salary and having no bills in regards to heating, cooling, communications and maybe a big fat farm/agricultural subsidy. To live life with no extra cost except to buy food and be happy, that is what the nation should be striving for our people.

Donating to them is only going to put us between their political spats, and it is going to piss alot of people off knowing that while sni workers are only getting paid for 37 and 1/2 hours ( and working 8 1/2), and it still takes weeks and months to get dental and medical appts and there is no place to buy clothing right on our lands. There is plenty of work to get done at home. That is where their attention should be

Keeping our politicians honest and strengthening our government... that is the goal

2010-10-21T20:49:00.000-04:00

Anonymous said...It is evident that no one is using this blog due to the censorship of the administrator. Regardless of how "unsafe" comments may be why keep operating the blog if no one uses it?

Well now that there is another blog, another voice to say, another avenue to express our concerns and try to keep our government honest, my job is pretty much done. This site was never intended to bad mouth people or put out the trash, it was to "keep our governments and its politicians honest, including SNI, State and Federal."

Whether anyone uses it or not does not matter, because they are still reading it. Maybe now it can turn into something of a good news source or editorial board, which it has been turning to. So like I said, whether people comment or not does not matter, there is more than one source, people are talking and sharing news and there is an avenue to express peoples concerns. Job accomplished in my book.

We are what the tea party stand for, and they can't stand it

2010-10-15T03:38:00.000-04:00

You would think that this Tea Party campaign and all their positions on government would be in favor with our governments and our rights. It seems like it would only make sense that they would be one and the same.. doesnt it??

The original Tea Partyiers if i can say that were about less government but more importantly they were about no taxation... it did not matter about no representation, they just did not want to be taxed. Is that not the same for us. We have rights, we have treatied rights with the founders of this government that promise us these rights. And yet these people who seem to believe in no taxation on their income are all for taxing everyone elses income.

This whole tea party thing seems like they would totally back us. we do not want their governments involved in our business and our commerce just as much as they do not want them involved in theirs. So why do they have candidates such as Paladino running the gauntlet trying to get us to pay "our fair share" of a tax that truly does not belong to us? How is that Tea Party?

Maybe they need some "real" indians to get dressed up and go out there and gut some trucks passing through our territory. Maybe we need to send someone to gut and burn a Marlboro factory to show that the new tea is cigarettes. The government should not have any right to tax anything. And as it is they tax everything, they even tax water.. the only thing left is air. But maybe we already pay that with our land and school tax.

Under the scorn of a fill in governor

2010-10-13T22:45:00.000-04:00

So Paterson decided to Scorn us. Here is what he was quoted saying in the news in regard to our "refusal to participate in the collection" of the cigarette tax as well as our "unnacceptable" idea to bail out his local municipalities that HE is leaving high and dry by allowing illegal gaming devices with in our exclusivity area. Why are we to pay them when they have their own "casino" not even 15 miles from one of our casino's?

But he did not mention that, nor did he mention how their government is full of fat cats who are spending tax dollars recklessly on pet projects and assistants for the assistants for the co directors of each legislators office. What is also funny is how he says: "This is not how government works in the state of NY."

He is right about that, you lie, cheat and steal, you are not up front nor do you follow through or keep promises. That is how New Yorks government works. Actually New Yorks government is broke and I don't mean just financially.

Here is what was said in his visit to Western New York yesterday..

"Paterson scorned the Seneca Nation of Indians for its refusal to participate in the collection of $4.35 in new tobacco taxes for each pack of cigarettes sold. Non-Indian retailers have been collecting the state tax since Sept. 1, while tribes have refused.
Three tribes, including the Seneca Nation, are arguing the case in federal court.
At the same time, the Senecas have delayed making $214 million in casino-related payments to the cash-starved state, citing their belief that New York has violated terms of its 2001 compact with the tribe by allowing slot-machine operations at horse tracks in Batavia and Hamburg.
Paterson's legal counsel, Peter Kiernan, last week gave Barry Snyder Sr., Seneca Nation president, until Oct. 20 to make the payments or risk having gaming licenses withdrawn for three casinos in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca.
Snyder and the Senecas have offered to make direct payments to the municipalities and bypass the state.
"It is unacceptable to us," Paterson said.

Read more: Paterson hails historic-tax-credit program - Business First of Buffalo"

Vote for Dipietro, 59th senate district

2010-10-13T00:24:00.000-04:00

Hey man, we have to give it up for a guy siding with us. vote for him will ya.

"Finger Lakes, N.Y. —

David DiPietro, the Tea Party candidate for the 59th state Senate District, said he opposes collecting a state tax on transactions between Seneca Nation merchants and non-Indian customers. DiPetro said today he objects because “It threatens Seneca sovereignty, disrupts their successful economy and increases taxes on consumers.”

“The Senecas are our allies in keeping our dollars in Western New York and out of the hands of greedy Albany politicians. Instead of looking for ever more victims of news taxes, the State needs drastic spending cuts."
DiPietro said taxes by New York’s state and local governments are more than 40 percent higher than in comparable states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania."

Moe John to run for President

2010-10-12T23:50:00.000-04:00

I am not sure this is a choice that most of us wanted. Moe and Porter?? Can we do what Richard Pryor did in that one movie where he ran for Mayor... None of the Above?. I am just kidding.

Maybe this is more of a ploy to save the party system. I think we need to get rid of the party system. We need to have everyone throw their names in for the positions available and go in and vote for the best choices. No straight ticket, no full course vote buying, no bullying. I think there would still be vote buying and bullying, but I think we would have more say in who gets in. A sincere good "individual" can get in, one that we voted in.

I think the discussion here should not be about whether we vote for Moe or Rob but rather if it is time that we change the election process. I truly think that we have reached the point to get rid of party voting. It has finally ran its course, especially when you consider the impact that the casino money has had on everyone. "If you vote this way, then you will get this much annuity." and on the other hand "if you do not pay into my election fund, you won't get the construction contract.". Both valid points that have been used since the 2004. Casino means cash at hand and in hand.

I think that it is time to push for a resolution and a referendum to have a no party system, elect straight down the line. Let there be a run of participants for office. The true people leader will come out on top.

At least for this year though we will actually have to show up for the election and vote... and possibly get $50 in gas money. Its not $250 but it will have to do.

Lets get everything under control

2010-10-11T02:26:00.000-04:00

There is alot of crap going on in the Allegany territory. First there is a triple stabbing that happened due to some drinking and trying to pick up girls. Then there is the vandalizing of the Allegany Fire Hall in Jimersontown.

Of course the case behind the stabbing is very severe, seeing that it involves a member and 3 members of the Tuscarora nation. The incident as we hear it is not ideal but it is understandable for the person who stabbed the attackers. If anyone broke into my house in order to abduct my girlfriend, I might do the same. Having been beat up and threatened to have his women taken, I would have done the same. Protect your own.

In regards to this firehall vandalizing, this is just the opposite. These people ... Kids need to be punished.. they need to be yelled at, egged pegged as trouble makers. A littel public ridicule for these families need to happen. These kids are out of hand when it comes to this stuff. The parents need to let their kids know that when they deface one of something that belongs to all of us, we need to spend money that would go to something else, to that thing that they deface.

When ever a vehicle is crashed, a basketball or piece of weight equipment or playground equipment is ran through or stolen, the nation needs to use money that would buy new stuff, to replace or repair the dysfunctional equipment.

Keep your kids in check. When a person is in trouble protect them.

For those who are causing trouble in the Jimmersontown community, I have heard that there is going to be some protection coming, there is some justice going to protect that community.

Any other communities having problems, let us know, we can help

Tax cases get joined

2010-10-11T01:46:00.000-04:00

The courts have decided to merge the two separate cases of the Seneca/Cayuga with that of the Mohawks in regards to the right to sell tax free cigarettes.

Wise or not, I don't know. It sounds like the Mohawks were going after this on their own. I also think that we are all individual nations with our own people and land rights and I think this is a way for them to clump us together as just "Indian Nation".

This is important, because they can draw one nations right upon the other as well as draw one nations discrepancies and land rights upon the other. Granted that we are both Indian, we are Iroquois and we do share a similar language and culture, but our land rights are different. The Mohawk have land that straddles the U.S. Canadian border, and we have more treaty rights than they do. How will this work out in U.S. courts, courts that are not about our best interest??

I hope that we figure this out and that we do not let them figure it out for us.

National trend; keep it local..

2010-10-11T01:29:00.000-04:00

The seneca nation has offered to make direct payments to the municipalities that hold a Seneca casino. I think that this is a good idea. I do have split feelings on it, seeing how these municipalities have done what they needed to, to run all over our rights to do business for their gain. Seems like now that we are becoming in a way global/national or at least reaching the level of a business that is being looked at through stock and trade; every municipality wants to cash in.

This is something that each municipality wanted anyway, whether they deserve that right is another infringement. But as Indian people we do look to take care of those closes to us as they do interact with us daily and service our people. It is just too bad that these municipalities would not look at us in the same way. I think if it was us on the other end of this situation, we would be rejected and turned off by the local municipality or they would make us sign a local treaty to secede some right to them.

Maybe we should do the same to them. You have to know that they would do that to us. Make them start to pay us a tax or say we will pay this amount for more local free electricity or advertisement. Give us a seat on your city council.. you know things that can benefit us. We do have rights that are not fair to them, but we have also been dealt the bad end of a stick that was meant to eliminate us as a nation.

So we need to consider what our real means should be in this matter. Should we act like them and make a dollar or should we be our selves and see that this is the right thing to do for the municipalities that look after our investment.

Awakened.

2010-10-09T02:55:00.000-04:00

In a recent article about the Cayuga cigarette case, a comment was made by a reader which was:

Give me a brake there needs to be a statute of limitations regarding Ancestral wrong doings !! Stop whinning and looking to the corpses of your forefathers to keep you from making it on your own enough is enough ! What happened 200 yrs ago affects you how ?? And this justifies you not paying your fair share of taxes because ?? Makes me sick !

The Next response to this person was:

R U 4 real...? That statute of limitations you speak of does not exist and it will never come. The "ancestral wrong doings" that you speak of are still happening, they are not things that happened 200 years ago.
Our grandmothers are still living with the abuse/rape they experienced from "your" governments imposed boarding schools, not 200 years ago, our grandmothers!
Our mothers live the fact that they were removed from their homes in on the Allegany territory, just so that they could build a dam to help enterprise downstream, that is not 200 years ago.
Our kids are learning the values and history of a mandated education system that does not tell anyone, much less a native child of who they are or what value it is to be Indian, except in the history of a nation, of a state that built itself on the land and oppression of the native people that it stole it from. That is not 200 years ago, that is right now, it is called "pay your fair share"", you are tax free but your commerce isnt", "you are getting a free ride", "you are alcoholics, diabetic, whiners, all at your own expense and problem"
4real, you have no idea what it is to be us or what our history is, you say we are whining on the corpses of our forefathers? What about the corpses of our grandmothers that were raped and murdered all in the name of assimilation and making us "true" americans... like you??

I could not agree more, well said. That is the problem, with both arguments. The non native people think that our problems stem from 200 years ago, ancient history, and we do not help by just claiming our rights through treaties.

Look at what these people, these governments have done to us since they have been here.. displaced us, gave us disease and malnutrition, killed our language and culture, took our children away and beat and raped them, flooded our lands. They brain wash us everyday in schools, on the media to believe that we are not us, but we are suppose to be them... and yet still they expect us to pay them for our right to have a commerce, they make us pay them to say that we are American? Like them?

These couple of comments have really opened up my eyes on the situation. We are going about things wrong. We need to quit trying to get their approval and we just need to start doing. Who cares what they think, who cares what public approval ratings are. why are we running our ideals and ideas of freedom through their courts and press?

If you think we cannot fight, that death and taxes are inevitable, that all this talk of rebellion sounds all well and good around the campfire, well ... then you are already done being free and an Indian. If we truly believe in our land rights and title to be free living on this earth, which by the way God gave us, not them... then we need to start doing more to sustain our people. We need to quit trying to appease the masses and start doing right by our land and our people.

The Catch 22

2010-10-08T01:33:00.000-04:00

State to start pushing its strong arm tactics to get Seneca nation to pay up. In latest news, the state of new york via Pattersons Lawyer, not Cuomo sent a letter to the SNI to try to get the Nation to the arbitration table.

This is funny since is was the nation who was trying to get an audience with the state to discuss not only the shared gaming atmosphere, with the states Hamburg Casino, but also the unruly state police charges for casino employee checks. There is also the major issue of taxation. Though they should be two issues, they are all still to do with commerce, most specifically the SNI's commerce and how the State of new york can get their hands on our money.

I guess it is time to submit and transfer all our machines to VLT's. We don't have to pay the state anything for those, so how come our Bingo Halls are not bigger, with hotels, restaurants, retail stores, bowling allies, movie theaters???

Let's also not forget the fact that New Yorks VLT gaming casino's are also illegal in new york. As far as I can remember there was no 2 term legislator that approved the legality of gaming in New York, nor was there the following of a peoples vote referendum to allow the legalization of gaming in New York. Besides their gaming halls being illegally close to ours, they are just plain illegal in New York.

Lets hope we do not lose out on these points and this comes out our way, I would hate to see how we are going to pay back over half a billion dollars in debt. Either way, the state and the SNI is screwed and they need these casino's.

Producing cigs to produce an economy

2010-10-01T02:57:00.000-04:00

Attached is a series on the native tobacco industry happening in Canada. The only thing that I wonder is why we are not doing the same thing here?

I do have to suggest that I do not wish we would deal in tobacco as the primary way for us to have an economy, but it is the main source for people to provide one for us. I know that it is a cancer causing element, but I also know that people who smoke know that to and that it is at their freedom to do so. Just as it is ours to sell it. I do not see the big companies complaining about the horrors of selling their product. They even print on their product what bad things it will do to those who smoke.

We are just trying to get by and make a start at our own economy, we have to start somewhere. If this is it then we need to support the manufacturing end of it.

Here is the link: Cigarettes

Ohio tax may increase our market

2010-09-19T00:43:00.001-04:00

This maybe a good new market for our tax free sales if it goes through their legislator. This maybe a positive for us. Ohio may take some of our gamblers away from us, but if this becomes a part of law we will get their smokers.

"COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The American Lung Association is urging Ohio leaders to double the state's $1.25 tax on a pack of cigarettes.
The anti-smoking group released a study Wednesday showing an increase to $2.50 would provide the state with at least $350 million in additional annual revenue.
University of Illinois-Chicago economist Frank Chaloupka was the lead author of the study. He says hardcore smokers make cigarette taxes much more stable for states than income taxes.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports a spokeswoman says Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland opposes a higher tax.
John Stephenson of the National Taxpayers Union tells the Dayton Daily News an increase would hurt Ohio retailers because smokers could drive to neighboring states to buy cigarettes at lower tax rates."

Another TRO for all Iroquois

2010-09-19T00:34:00.000-04:00

A ruling in Albany court is going to protect all Iroquois nations from the states attempt to collect tax.

The Mohawks were able to get a TRO until October 1. The Seneca and Cayuga TRO is still good until October 15. I guess businesses can feel at ease for at least another couple of weeks. I hope that they are getting proactive and are setting up some form of distribution system to get their cigarettes to the other territories.

We need to get making our own cigs and start a distribution chain that will be protected from state infringement and harassment. We should be able to run shipments from one point of sale to the other on another Sovereign territory. We will see how this pans out.

Salamanca let go of 49 employees, not because of the SNI, but because of their state

2010-09-19T00:24:00.001-04:00

The Salamanca mayor certainly should not be blaming the Seneca Nation for their lack of planning and lack of monetary investment. If they operate their government solely on the money from the casino, then Salamanca residents need to elect someone in there who can plan properly.

Besides that, the nation sends the money to the state and it is up to the state to so send that money to the city. The way they put it, it is as if the money goes directly right to them right now. Not true. That money that is handed out for this year comes from last years donation, not this years. The municipalities will get their share from the state from this years payments;... next year.

So if I was a Salamanca resident or one of those employees who got dismissed, you better ask your mayor and council what they heck they are doing. Plan and prepare your budget more properly.

And beside that, why is the mayor grandstanding now? Where was his support, where is his support with all of this taxation attempts? Where is his support, where is his letter revoking New Yorks attempt to try to collect the cigarette tax? No press conference on how it will harm the businesses or the employees in the private sector of Salamanca?

No support or word from Mayor Pond means no support or worry from us, if that is the way it is going to be. I think that we are done talking to the state. Only thing that happens when we meet with them is that they want money or land from us. So why bother.

Seneca party caucus results are in

2010-09-18T01:29:00.000-04:00

Seneca party caucus

Here is who won the seneca party caucus

Pres.
Rob Porter
Treasurer.
Brad John
Clerk.
Diane Kennedy- Murth

Council
Alleg
Tina Abrams
Al George
Darryl John
Darlene Miller

Catt.
Bryan Gonzales
Travis Jimerson
Richard Nephew
Nikki Seneca

Chief Marshal
Alleg
Brandon Redeye

Catt.
Keith White

Marshal
Alleg.
Jeremy Bucktooth
Joe JOhn
Stacy Maybee

Catt.
Darby Leroy
Mike Redeye
Houston Williams

Assessor
Alleg.
Carolyn Brant
Denise Hill

Catt.
Joni Jackson
Nadine Maracle
Suzanne Sanford

Hwy. Comm.
Alleg-- Gary Sanden
Catt--- JJ White

Poormaster.
Alleg.
Danielle Redeye

Catt.
Debra Jimerson

Seneca party caucus

2010-09-17T03:40:00.000-04:00

Here is who is running for the Seneca Party ticket; take your pick tomorrow and see if it works out for you.

Pres.
Rob Porter--- Rod Pierce

Treasurer.
Brad John---Todd Gates--- Aaron Pierce

Clerk.
Pauline John
Diane Kennedy- Murth

Council
Alleg
Morrie Abrams
Tina Abrams
Pam Bowen
William Canella
Al George
Darryl John
Kerry John
Darlene Miller
Nancy Toth

Catt.
Sue Abrams
Bryan GOnzales
Trudy Jackson
Travis Jimerson
Richard Nephew
Monica Redeye
Nikki Seneca
Adrian Stevens
Lennith Waterman
Mike Williams

Chief Marshal
Alleg
Jerald Harris
Brandon Redeye
Travis Schapp

Catt.
Mike Jimerson Jr.
Justine Kelly-Nephew
Keith White

Marshal
Alleg.
Jeremy Bucktooth
Joe JOhn
Stacy Maybee

Catt.
Darby Leroy
Mike Redeye
Houston Williams

Assessor
Alleg.
Carolyn Brant
Denise Hill

Catt.
Joni Jackson
Nadine Maracle
Suzanne Sanford

Hwy. Comm.
Alleg-- Gary Sanden
Catt--- Elmer Logan, Trish Patterson, JJ White

Poormaster.
Alleg.
Dorsie John Bluesky
Patricia Brisley
Michelle Degroat
Danielle Redeye

Catt.
Beanie Jamison
Debra Jimerson

Rules for election, what a joke

2010-09-17T03:38:00.000-04:00

NancyToth does not live on territory, and has not for over 7 years. What happened to the rules>>> Maybe I can run living in Georgia huh/?
Daryl John you have to be joking, only thing he knows is wheres the food. If he does not have the brain power to know when to stop eating, how in the hell is he going to lead this fine Nation correctly. I don't think so.

The constitution only says that the president had to have lived on territory for at least one year in their life. It states nothing about anything else in this post. There have been plenty of examples where the candidates did not live on the territory. As a president look at Dennis Bowen, he live in Arizona and won as president; no challenge.

And thinking of challenges, what the heck is up with people challenging things like this anyways, it is just a primary. Evelyn George Shongo? seriously? She had an event at a nation building, We know that we are not suppose to have political functions on SNI government official grounds. So how do we explain the Seneca Party having a barbecue at the Saylor building??? Why cant we think that she had a dinner and decided to tell people that she was going to run for council? Is there any harm in that. The party is whacked.

Change the rules until you get who you want in there, then maybe you will have a government that listens. ha ha

From snitalks blog, who would you vote for

2010-09-17T03:32:00.000-04:00

This comes from the snitalks blog. I dont fear anything so I post what I want especially from another blog, let them take the dirt, and I will replant it here to see how it grows. This is an election forcast. I cannot say that I agree or disagree just wanted to see what it looked like here.

So what's everyone's prediction for the caucus? I'd like you to pick four candidates from each rez. Anonymously of course hahaha. Lets see, we have 10 running in Catt and 9 running in allegany. According to this blogs poll, which only had one vote for the 8 incumbents, it would be Travis, al, Richard and Soupy. Soupy is out cause of no education so this makes it flawed. Pick 4 from each territory. CATT candidates are Sue Abrams, Bryan Gonzales, Trudy Jackson (why Don't She use her married name), Travis jimerson, Richard Nephew, Monica Redeye, Nikki Seneca, Adrian Stevens, Lenith waterman and Mike Williams. ALLEGANY candidates are Morris Abrams, Tina Abrams, Pamela Bowen, William canella, Al George, Darryl John, Kerry John, Darlene Miller and Nancy Toth.
My picks are CATT; Richard Nephew, Travis jimerson, Nikki Seneca, And I'm split on Mike Williams and Sue Abrams.
ALLEGANY; Al George, Darlene Miller,Darryl John and I'm also split on Morris Abrams and Kerry john. I'm also picking Rob Porter for Pres, Brad John for treasurer and Diane Kennedy for clerk.
What's your pick?

election 2010

2010-09-16T02:16:00.002-04:00

The caucus is in two days, so what do you think will happen? What is the point?

new york can collect tax, so the court says

2010-09-16T02:14:00.000-04:00

The new york appellate court has decided that new york can collect the cigarette tax, but as it sits only from all the other tribes except the Seneca Nation and the Cayuga Nation. Read the article attached. Bummer.

But that is according to their courts. The hell with them, why are we taking this issue to their courts, lets just runt he gauntlet and do what we need to do to survive. They dont care about our well being anyways, we need to stick up for ourselves because we are the only ones who care about our rights to survive as a people.

Lets just get on with producing our own products and sell them. We should get away from cigs and get into a whole bunch of other product, chocolate and coffee are a couple of good things, lets do that.

Seneca Diabetes Foundation

2010-09-07T02:03:00.000-04:00

I can't say much about this article and the foundation, and most of that is because I do not know anything about it. I don't know where it is, who runs it, what they are doing with the money, how much money they have or what its real purpose is.

If you know then please let us know. Where do we find out more about it, other than reading the same information that we have seen. What are the successes, the short term and long term goals?

Attached is an article on how Our Seneca Gaming Corporation just gave the Seneca Diabetes Foundation another $150,000. What is not clear is if this was from the SGC or from the money raised at the golf tournament.

I wonder if any of this money comes from Cathy Walkers $900,000+ salary? We can only wonder...

Paladino the ass

2010-09-02T01:16:00.000-04:00

Paladino is no different than Bloomberg. He is a man who needs to get a life and understand that his nonsense understanding of the world is not going to get him anywhere near getting elected as the governor of this great state of New York...

Then again maybe the deserve each other.

His recent remarks about "if he was Governor" he would take a hard line against the Seneca's is no different than .. I don't have any words for this. He is never going to be governor so I guess it is just nonsense.

This is the same guy who put in a lawsuit against us to keep our Buffalo casino in Buffalo, not giving us a choice, then he sold us the land which we built it on. I think his wanting to be governor is his way of having a land grab in Niagara Falls so that he can develop it like they did across the gorge in Canada. Check out the article, that is pretty much what I get from his run to Albany.

Seneca Nation is going to with hold casino payment to state

2010-09-02T01:08:00.000-04:00

About time. They have been infringing on our deal ever since they put that fair grounds gaming hall in. That along with their casino like presence are a total infringement. There is suppose to be no such machines or gaming hall like that within western New York.

That is why we are paying them 25% to have exclusive rights to such a business. We give them 25% for what has been no investment from them. And yet there are still people out there who say we should not have that and that New York should do it themselves. Now when was the last time that any company came into New York state and invested totally their own money into a business? Look at that Bass Pro deal, New York and Erie county were going to throw tens of millions of dollars at them in funds and tax breaks, what have they done for us except get in our way.

It is always the same and will never change, New York wants everything from us and wants to never contribute anything in our favor. See attached post for articles.

New York steps off "indefinately"...

2010-09-02T00:49:00.000-04:00

New York state has backed off of the collecting taxes from native americans. Here is a quote about the decision to not collect at this time:

"A day after a federal judge granted a two-week reprieve in a related case, a spokeswoman for Gov. David A. Paterson said the state is standing down on the tax collections because of a stay issued Wednesday by Judge Samuel L. Green of the Fourth Department of the State Appellate Division.
The order reinstated a temporary restraining order that had been issued by another state judge in January 2009, according to state officials."

This situation is still not over but for now it is set as indefinitely halted. Great news for now. But the question for us now is, Is it worth it to keep buying and selling cigarettes not made on our land? We should just be proactive and understand that we can only control what is actually within our jurisdiction, and that is within our land. The big tobacco companies see us as a threat anyway, lets just become an even bigger threat and start making more products and giving more of our own people more variety in jobs.

How come we don't do the telemarketing thing that Buffalo is trying to do, why not bring in a factory to manufacture clothing or a tax free outlet center? We should begin making our own potato chips made from the potatoes and corn that we grow here.

Lets really roll with this idea and start producing a real economy based on our tax free status. What we should do is get New York and the counties off our backs and have them quit charging a tax to people who buy anything on our land, including a burger at the McDonalds in Salamanca. Of course in Cattaraugus we don't have to worry about that, but in Salamanca, everything should be tax free. We need to get to work.

Sell our own and forget about the non native brands

2010-08-29T01:10:00.000-04:00

"New York Tribes Come Up With Plan to Avoid Cigarette Tax

Hogansburg, NY (AP/WBEN) -- A growing number of cigarette retailers on New York's Indian reservations say they will try to avoid new state taxes by halting sales of most major brands.

The state is scheduled to begin taxing shipments of cigarettes to the reservations, for the first time in history, on Wednesday, September 1.

Several tribal authorities have gone to court in an attempt to block the collection of those taxes, including the Seneca Nation of Indians in Western New York.

Related: Judge delays decision on Senecas' request for restraining order

In the meantime, some smoke shops on the Onondaga and St. Regis Mohawk reservations say they will deal with the new rules by no longer buying cigarettes from wholesalers who distribute national brands. Instead, they will stock their stores with native brands manufactured on the reservations.

The state currently has no mechanism for collecting taxes on those types of cigarettes, although people could be prosecuted for transporting them off the reservations in large quantities."

I think this is the plan, why bother with their cigarettes when we can make and sell our own. The governor said himself...

" Gov. David Paterson said the state won’t interfere with cigarettes made and sold on Indian reservations. “They can make their own cigarettes and they can sell the cigarettes on the reservation as they are entitled to by federal law,” Paterson said on WOR-AM, in response to a question about the movement of the Oneida nation factory. “Once they come off, or anyone else comes off, of their sacred land with cigarettes that are not being taxed by New York state, we are going to address that issue.”

We should be able to sell our own goods tax free on our land, and if we are shipping them from one territory to the next, as long as there are no stops along the way. Straight commerce.

We will see how this pans out, hopefully this works out for us.

Seneca Party Caucus

2010-08-26T01:48:00.000-04:00

The deadline to enter your name in for the Seneca Party caucus is tomorrow.. Hope you got your name in, it seems that everyone else did.

There are 2 candidates for president; a man with a wife versus the wifes brother. One is backed by Barry and the other is backed by the unresolved and unwanted. Who wins, who has the better chance to protect us from all that is about to hit. Who will not send us into more debt, who will not make us more powerless as a people to its government. A bigger question is who will not be a crook and who will not try to win with crooked ways.Sad to say for the people, but it maybe the only way to win is the crooked way, pay, pay, pay, owe and make promises.

Seems that people are really dissatisfied with the leadership on the Allegany council as 12 people have put their names in for the job... so far. I dont disagree with them, aside from Al George, who do you really see working or doing things for the people. The latest fiasco with Tina is a real bummer, where she tried getting her grandkid in on the rolls past the deadline but before the latest annuity really sends a signal that she is willing to break the law to take care of her own. And that Lenith, who is running for Catt Councilor would allow such a thing really sends a message of unethical to me. Other than that all seems quiet in Catt.

There are some good people who put their names in, we will just have to wait until the caucus list is set before we publish their names. Good luck to all of them, I hope they all get what they want.

Are you ready for a battle

2010-08-25T02:33:00.000-04:00

The six nations talks seem to have gone well.

The only thing now is will we act upon what we said we will? We need to act in some sort of force. maybe not physical but in numbers. we need to get to public events of any senator, governor, president and let the crowd and the media know of our disdain.

We need soldiers to get the word out that we are being trampled upon. This has nothing to do with cigarettes, something that we need to get over. this is all about jurisdiction and freedom. Are we a free people, do we control our own land, are we sovereign, are we free like the birds and animals?

Lets start setting up some fires here and there just to let the public know that we are serious and we are ready to battle if this is what it is going to come to. I dont want violence, as our way is to be of peace, but if the state of New York wants our money, if they want our freedom then let them come in and get it. lets see what they come out of it.

Bloombergs and heels

2010-08-25T02:09:00.000-04:00

So we are pretty quiet about this whole Bloomberg thing. Most people living on the rez probably dont even know that he has said we should be slaughtered genocide like they did in the 1800's. He didnt say it like that but he might as well have.

Anyways attached are the articles that were published about him saying what he did and a response from Dave Kimelberg, who is an enrolled member of the tribe. It is a very good response.

Cavaliers exist in 2010

2010-08-21T13:17:00.000-04:00

The Seneca nation demands the resignation of NYC mayor Bloomberg for his racist comments in regards to collecting taxes on our cigarette sales.

This is where everyone needs a lesson in history... the people of New York are here at the good graces of the Seneca Nation and the Iroquois people. We allowed them to settle here, making peace with them. If they know differently then let them show that, let them tell that story. Chances are that they do not even know that.

The treaties that we made with the US was to leave the New York citizens alone and allow them to live and prosper. These deals were never meant to allow them to rule us.

Let them come in with their shotguns, lets see what will happen. I think that our childrens and grandchildrens freedom is worth more than our current lives.

PACT Act on hold

2010-07-18T01:22:00.002-04:00

There continues to be a hold for 140 members of the Seneca Free Trade Association while they figure out if this PACT act is unconstitutional or not. The amazing thing is that the people who are defending the PACT act are saying that all the research was done in regards to making sure that the act is constitutional and not infringing upon Tribal governments sovereignty.

The only thing that they did not do, which makes the most sense to have done, was to consult with the tribes. They could have at least came to us and asked us, to at least talk to us about what our take is on this and to what our take on our sovereign status is.

Where were they able to get their info on our laws, our land rights and all the differing cultural rights of the 500 tribes of this North America? It certainly was not from us. Maybe the just did what they always did, asked one indian and that was good enough, because after all, we are all the same... lol

Next bit of questioning will be, if this hold carrys on and is successful, how will it sit after? Will the only ones allowed to sell cigarettes be the 140 or will it apply to all of us in general? I think only time will tell, but we certainly shouldnt let them tell us, we need to keep pushing ahead and along and keep selling what ever we can to keep our families together.

Rob Porter to run for SNI president

2010-07-18T01:15:00.002-04:00

Elections are upon us. Rob Porter has put himself out there, he wants to become the next president of the SNI. The 80 something president of a nation that has been around forever but only 160 years in its current state.

This is pretty early to put yourself out there. Now if things were uncomfortable the last 6 years, now they will be just a tad more uncomfortable in the check out line or around the coffee pots at the administration buildings. Who is who and who is supporting who. Who else will come out and play? Maybe no one, maybe everyone wants Porter to be their next president.

I certainly hope that he makes the effort to get to the community, let them know who he is and what he wants to accomplish for us. Something that we do not see from our politicians until it is time to renew your seat.

Iroquois nationals is just the cherry on top

2010-07-18T01:03:00.004-04:00

The thing that happened with the Iroquois Nationals is just a continuation of what has been happening for over 2 hundred years. The U.S and Canadian governments just want us to submit all authority and all of our freedom to them.

To have to say that we need a U.S passport inorder to leave our land to visit another country is a pure sign and promise that they want our submission of their control. Maybe they are our controller. Look at how we do business, how we operate our government, look at how we use their technology..

Sovereignty doesnt exist, only in the minds, hearts and books of those that created that word. WE are free people, we were free people. Now what are we, quasi sovereign, quasi indian, quasi U.S citizen? How free are we? Only as free as the U.S constitution will allow us to be or those who choose to interpret it for us?

It is such a damn shame that we cannot even travel on our own to a tournament to play the very game that the creator gave to us! Maybe England just didnt want to be smoked by a nation that only has a population of 50,000. To think that our ancestors once called them brothers... f*** them.

It is freedom that we want. The freedom that our brother animals have, to be able to roam this land and live as we want. But we all know that none of us wants to go back to the woods?!@ What ever that means. To go back to what? Who we are, who we were? I am an idealist, who has to be a realist just like everyone else. We are who we are, it is just too bad we really dont know what that is

lame

2010-07-18T01:03:00.001-04:00

I have been lame at this Sorry

Golf course opens to cure everything

2010-07-01T02:40:00.002-04:00

Thank God, Thank god that we have a golf course. Jesus if we didnt have a golf course, who knows what would happen to us.

As it is we are 50% in poverty, we graduate only 50% of our classes from 9th grade to 12th. Hardly anyone owns a house, we are still only at 40 % diabetic, and only 85% of us are overweight. A majority of us get pulled over by state and county police on our own land, we just lost the right to produce commerce on the most ideal product that we ever could... Thank God we have a golf course, the cure all to all of our woooeesss.

What has $24 million done for you lately? It bought you a cure all golf course, just what the Seneca nation needed.

Are elections upon us?

2010-07-01T02:34:00.002-04:00

Elections are upon us as I can see from the recent comments. So what is your thoughts? what is your choice? You have to choose between Rod Pierce, Rob Porter, Rick Armstrong and Mike John? Who do you pick. Who can really lead this nation and put the people first before their own... you can fill in the rest.

It is up to us, lets just thank god that Barry is actually thinking about retiring. Maybe then we can get something accomplished and have no more bad press.

New York to come at us again

2010-06-24T22:59:00.002-04:00

So the state has once again said that they are going to try to tax the cigarettes sold to Non native people ON NATIVE LAND. That there lies the hypocrisy and the irony of this whole issue. It is not New Yorks land, they will not truly ever own it. We have treaties dating back to the creation of this country of our land and governance rights. We have free passage through our land and what New York took control of around us. We have the rights of Americans to buy and sell goods.

If there is a true problem that they feel they need to rectify to get more income for their failing government, then they need to put up a border and charge a levy, a tariff, a duty.

That is where the hypocrisy lies for both sides. They will not ever designate or recognize a sovereign border of our land and we will never really want to have that independence as we would not be able to produce these goods on our own.

But if they recognized our border, I am damn sure that we would find some way to do business. We have done that kind of modification since our beginnings. We adjust, we adapt. That is what is great about being Seneca or Iroquois, that is why we are still here today, why they have not killed us or totally run our government like they do out west to some of those tribes.

At some point we are truly going to have to stand up for ourselves and really declare our borders and the differences between us and them.

When that happens, then we will see true sovereignty come from this land. And a true economy

Whose foreign?

2010-06-03T00:30:00.003-04:00

It is always funny to hear a non native persons take on our history. The idea always comes up: "The Seneca stole this land from the Neutrals and Eries"as if that is to make it right and okay that Europeans swindled it our of our hands.

Where did those Neutrals and Erie's go anyway? Did the Seneca just wipe them off the face of the earth, was that our way or style of doing business with another nation? If so, why didn't we do that with the European colonist? These tribes became a part of us and therefore their history and ancestry became a part of the Seneca Nation.

This article, which is attached in the comments, printed in the Niagara Falls Reporter is quite racist and... actually it is not racist it is just juvenile and way off the point. The Seneca nation a "foreign nation" come on! We are the original inhabitants of this land, how the heck are we foreign? You know what is foreign is this writers understanding of who the Seneca are, how we came to be here and how we lost our land.

One thing is true, we do have a different legal right than other Americans, a title not all of us claim. But it is not based on our ethnicity. Our "special" legal rights are based on our inherent rights brought about from us being put here on this land in the first place. These legal rights were fought for, agreed upon and transferred from our ancestors, who we consider our grandparents and not some long lost and forgotten people.

We attained the right to be here and to act sovereign as we want through the sweat, tears and blood of our ancestors. This is done in hopes that our future generations will not have to sell off the land or any other rights that our grandparents have left for us in the promise of freedom through our land.

It has nothing to do with ethnicity or special US legal rights, it has everything to do with our history and our ancestry to this land and to what it means to us for our future generations. I would like to see this reporter talk about his land and his ancestors like how we have come to understand it.

Chances are he can't because his ancestors are not from here, they were not born from this earth, they were born from another land, a foreign land and they came here to help themselves to what little we as Seneca have left. His history to this land only spans at most 200 years, where ours spans 10's of thousands of years.

Your comments here make a difference

2010-05-30T00:34:00.003-04:00

I guess we do not have anymore to say here if it is not gossip and tearing each other apart. That is an interesting aspect of our community and nation. We cannot wait to hear about everyone else troubles, maybe as a way to stray away from our own. Or maybe we don't have enough entertainment in our own life

This is still a free forum, you can say what you want, All I want is for everyone not to talk about each other in a disrespectful way. We need to be good to each other.

The whole point was to keep track of what our government is doing, make our politicians responsible to us. That may include publishing and talking about what they do. Keep them honest. But surely do not talk about them as gossip, I dont care what they are doing in their personal lives unless it is actually effecting our government and the future structure and economics of our kids. Talking about politicians night life or the head policy makers kids is not going to correct our situation.

If it ends up being that people are people and all they want to do is talk about people and call them down, then so be it. But it isnt going to happen here.

Stay on the issue, keep on our politicians, keep our government honest by questioning their moves and decisions.

Keep posting and I will keep adding so that there is a forum for our representatives to see how we think and feel. For sure do not stop thinking that they do not read this site. They are paying attention to it and what our people are saying. That is the main point.

Our politicians are paying attention now to what we are saying and to what is important to us because of this site.

168 years from Buffalo Creek

2010-05-20T22:49:00.002-04:00

The Seneca Nation commemorated the Treaty of Buffalo Creek today at the Burchfield Art and Nature Center, which was the heart of our old Buffalo Creek Reservation.

The purpose of the commemoration is to remind the public about the stipulations and points of the Buffalo Creek Treaties. One of those underlying principles that we gained in this treaty for giving up thousands of acres was to remain free of fee's from what I believe also includes the United States, not just New York.

I think that there is an even more underlying premise here, we should not be paying any fee's be they state or federal while we reside and work on our own land. If you have another interpretation, please share it.

Attached is an article on todays event.

Seneca nation walley fish hatchery

2010-05-16T00:07:00.002-04:00

Seneca nation is going to build and run their own Fish Hatchery, which will be a one of a kind project in Indian country and the first native american owned and operated fish hatchery. This is one of those great ideas that we need to keep seeing more of.

Attached is the article

Haudenosaunee Promise to graduate inaugural class

2010-05-15T23:44:00.002-04:00

The Haudenosaunee Promise with Syracuse University is set to graduate 4 students from its inaugural class. A great opportunity and a great show of a working relationship that can help us succeed as well as bring honor to an institution. This promise scholarship is a prime example of the success of working together and communicating.

The Haudenosaunee Scholarship was announced in 2006 by Chancellor Nancy Cantor as a way to strengthen the relationship between the Haudenosaunee nations and the university. The scholarship provides certified current citizens of any of the six Haudenosaunee nations financial assistance equal to the cost of tuition, on-campus room and board and mandatory SU fees in each year of study toward their first bachelor’s degree.

Attached is an article on the inaugural class.

Pact act information

2010-05-15T23:28:00.002-04:00

A recent ad in the Buffalo News paid for by the Seneca Nation addressed towards US president Barack Obama read:

"The ad was in the form of an open letter.

“Dear Mr. President, Last fall you invited Native American leaders to Washington, D.C. and promised to listen to our concerns and respect our treaty rights. You pledged meaningful consultation and dialogue before any changes in federal policies impacting Indian Country.

“Your words instilled confidence and hope in the hearts of the Seneca people. We believed your pledge to make tribes full partners in the economy and give Indian children a shot at the American Dream. But, Mr. President, you failed to keep your word,” the ad said."

I thought that the ad was a good idea, but I think that it is too late and will not change the direction of this act/law. We fought this, but how hard and how smart did we fight against this Act. This is where the maybe's come in. Maybe we should have set up a campaign to educate other Indian nations to pay attention to this act as well as to pressure their lawmakers against it. This act will affect us in so many ways that are not just the sale of cigarettes. This act gives alot of control to the states on what they can tax and how they can collect it.

I have to say what is next?

Here are links to a couple of articles on this issue:

"You betrayed us"

"Impact of the pact act"

"USPS Issues Tobacco Mailing Rules"

We should invest more in off territory companies

2010-05-15T23:21:00.002-04:00

So they are still trying to vie for a Catskills casino? I think that this is a waste of time. I think we should concentrate on our own land and the 3 casinos we do have. This is where our people are, this is where it is able for them to work and be close to their families. If they want to expand, why don't they just invest or build in Vegas. Go the regular route, invest in our future.

Attached is an article about how Rotate Black, a company we know nothing about is set and posed to come in and run "our" Catskills casino on land that they "gave" us. I thought that the way they developed the original board and management structure was so that we could go out and manage and operate other casino's and not let someone do it to us.

We could be pushing for off territory investments, where by chance we would have to pay taxes on, but hey we could actually operate like a company that can be competitive with other US companies. As long as we don't have to pay taxes on our land, we should be making more investments to help our economy grow. The money will still come trickling back to the reservation and the government.

Tobacco sting is good PR for Seneca Nation

2010-04-26T22:50:00.002-04:00

In recent news, our nation has been helping the State taxation department to crack down on illegal shipments to NYC via a company in the Kentucky.

Apparently a company was trying to use our smokeshops to ship cigarettes from Kentucky to Long Island, which would eventually end up in NYC. It is interesting to see our Import Export working with the taxation bureau to track down organizations and business trying to take advantage of our rights. I hope this opens some of the general public's eyes to our rights and our willingness to help the state.

Whats more important is for the state to observe that what we are doing is legal for us and not for others to try to copy. Article is attached

States moving to a Feudal system

2010-04-26T22:27:00.003-04:00

This article in the comment section states it all when it comes to talking points in regards to the PACT act and the over taxation from the states on not just us, but everyone and everything.

The states are out of control. What we are experiencing with them is happening through out the "United" States. Instead of reducing spending and taxes the state governments are doing just the opposite.

SNI to give more money to state

2010-04-25T05:30:00.004-04:00

I think it is great that the SNI has decided to sponsor and bail out the "state" Ganondagan site for the year.

But a I am a firm believer in building up your own house before your neighbors. The Seneca Nation has already given the Ganondagan site money for its permanent visitor center and in the past I have heard that they gave the United States Smithsonian millions.

My biggest question is, what do they give our museum? I think that our museum is small and in alot of ways inadequate to tell our story. We need something grand like the Pequot museum. They have no history or culture and yet they have a much more grand museum than us. We are the ones with the story to tell. No other tribe in the US has the story or the cultural story that we have as Seneca People. Read history and listen to our elders. We are a very unique people, even from the other remaining Iroquois.

Here we are giving money to all these other museums but we do not see merit in establishing a grander one in our own territories.

I had heard that when there was a recent presentation on the museum to get funding towards a new museum that Barry Snyder totally blew off the presentation and said that it was taking up too much time.

When does our Culture, history, art and language take up too much time? Only in Snyder's eyes. Where were the councilors on this one?

I am watching you...Jk

2010-04-23T23:46:00.002-04:00

If you haven't noticed there are some new features to the blog. I think that we get way off topic in regards to the articles and I think that there is too much gossip about individuals who are not even elected officials.

The primary purpose of the Seneca Voice is to inform the seneca community about what is going on in our government and with issues that relate to us through out indian country. The other main purpose is to expose and make transparent our governments happenings, news and going ons.

This talking about individuals drug habits, arrests, weekend adventures are not constructive to making our government more transparent, effective and working for the people. We need to move in to a more positive direction and gossiping about individuals instead of issues is not going to get us there.

Do not be intimidated by the new sign on features, I will be moderating the comments so that only topic relevant comments will be posted. The other feature with the type in of the security word is to keep out the spam that we have been getting on here.

Again, be constructive and positive and worry more about what our governments, including the State and U.S. are up to that will effect our freedom and commerce.

Altria really after our tobacco manufacturing

2010-04-18T21:06:00.003-04:00

So this Altria company is some big tobacco conglomerit that has used its money to not really squash our mail order business, but they are really after our manufacturing tobacco businesses?

Our governments need to start standing up and making some decisions about this stuff. They need to quit questioning what their abilities and laws are and start declaring some and pushing them in order to protect not only the business but to protect our people and our land.

If you want to start talking and crying about sovereignty then our council and with the backing of the people need to start making a declaration of our rights in economics and on our own land.

Read the article, its in the comments.

More on the Mitchel report

2010-04-18T20:52:00.003-04:00

Here is another article on the other dealings that were found in the report that we are not allowed to see. We know as nation members that there is so so much more involved in this corruption. What are we to do as nation members? As nation employee's? Even if you own a business, they sometimes threaten to revoke your license, this is a totally corrupt government and it needs to go somewhere.

Mitchel may be indicted in golf course deal

2010-04-18T20:41:00.003-04:00

Bergal Mitchel may get indicted in the land dealing of the Lewiston golf course. In a recent article in the Buffalo News they insinuate that Bergal did Barry's dirty work and that Bergal will be taking the fall for him.

Does this group really act like the black hand? Like the mafia?

Has Barry set up all deals with in the casino to filter through his friends and family and the money comes back to him through the back door?

Read the article and wonder to yourself how come the Seneca Nation Citizenship does not have access to this report. Its is already out, where is the transparency of this government? The councilors approved this deal and they are the true overseers of the casino board, as was their point to take control after the 2004 election.

The only problem with what they did is they really cannot claim objectivity, they cannot be the victim if they approved the deals or are overseeing them.

To bridge a gap or block a bridge?

2010-03-12T21:44:00.004-05:00

So I heard that the public meeting about replacing the Red House bridge and the old route 17 at the new administration building on Thursday was pretty heated. Of course the first time you hear about these ideas and these meetings is after they hold them. I didn't even hear about this meeting until the next day when you hear about the yelling. It seems like there would be more pressing issues to resolve with the state then to replace an old road.

From what I heard it seems that there wasn't enough discussion up to this point anyways. Now it sounds like the state actually has money and is ready to build us a bridge. How is it that this state who is going into billions of dollars in debt is willing to spend money on us?

Maybe they should just let us keep our yearly payments to them and we can do it ourselves. What does it cost to replace a bridge and a road these days anyway, $20-25 million?

I don't really know what to think about this matter. I know a lot of people go down that way to fish and hunt and drink and etc. So what will happen if the road is completely redone? Will this increase traffic, will there be more non natives venturing on the new road? The biggest question that I think about is; if the state repairs this road, will they also maintain in and patrol it? If any one knows the answers to those 2 questions, please comment.

We already have the troopers patrolling the Cattaraugus territory and they allow the Sheriffs to patrol the Allegany Territory, which was slipped in with the casino contract with the County. I just wonder how long it will take before we have total domination by the state and the county. Will this increase the patrolling of our territory by police forces who would rather see us assimilate and become 'like everyone else'? Maybe it will lead to allowing the state conservation and environmental departments to come in and tell us how much deer we can shoot or how much fish we can catch. Or maybe it will lead to USDA coming in and telling us we can't pick medicines anymore because it isn't FDA approved? We let them in the door just a little bit, and they will slither their whole body through.

If you have ever seen the Red House bridge, you can understand that it needs to be replaced, actually the whole road needs to be replaced. Will the replacement open up the road to car races, more drinking and driving, or worst; non-native squaters? From what we hear, all this already exist any ways on the reservations. Our own members already lease out their "allotted" parcels of ancestral land to whoever.

I think the biggest thing that needs to happen at this point is that the council office needs to ask the people if they want this. Too bad there weren't any councilors at this meeting, cause from the sound of it people in Allegany don't want it.

I think that it is time that our government stops deciding what is best for us, because we "elected them ;)" to do so and they need to let the people be given the chance to think about these issues. More power to the people

PACT act passed, now what?

2010-03-12T21:28:00.002-05:00

The PACT act passed the senate last night March 11. The only question now is, what happens now?

How will this act really affect us? Will we see more on reservation cigarette manufacturing companies? And will the PACT act affect those companies?

I think that our on territory sales are pretty safe, I guess we just go back to the 1980's when there was nothing but smoke shops. The only thing left for us to deal with is the states threats against us.

I think we are going to have to come up with a plan quick to combat both of these advances on our economy. There is an article in the comments section to get caught up.

Tobacco tax fight needs to get educating

2010-03-08T13:45:00.002-05:00

This is a quote from a news article, which specifies just how misinformed the general public is;

"There is no justification for this double standard. The Seneca Nation, the primary beneficiary of this fundamental breakdown of government, makes only a feeble attempt to defend the status quo. The Senecas say that they paid their “fair share” when they lost most of their aboriginal lands hundreds of years ago, and that their economy is “treaty-protected.” But no treaty allows them to sell cigarettes tax-free to non-Indians.

The cost to New Yorkers is immense. The forsaken revenue could be used to lower property taxes, hire teachers, treat indigent patients or pay for any number of worthwhile programs. Instead, it enriches smugglers who park vans at Indian smoke shops and stuff them with six figures' worth of tobacco."

The "forsaken revenue" that this writer talks about should not be considered New Yorks future revenue. They have no real ability to collect it. The fact that the author of this article plainly does not understand our rights, but for them to say that smugglers are filling up vans with tobacco products is just ludicrous. If these people would give a call or come here and see for themselves who is working in the stores and how much product is going out the door, they would learn that the nation does regulate this business. There is a certain limit as to how much people can buy and they will find that we have our own stamp on tobacco.

The Nation definitely needs to begin a major public education push through public relations. Politicians and reporters are misinformed on our history and our rights, we are the only ones who will be able to teach them.

Attached in the comments is the article.

politicians; do your job

2010-03-05T00:11:00.002-05:00

Anonymous said...

I HAVE TO SAY THIS BLOGSPOT IS HURTING ALL SENECA PEOPLE

11:07 AM

I have to say, what is more hurtful, that all of this is actually happening or that it is out there for people to read and respond on? Tell me.

I know it is hurtful, I don't like how some people respond to some of the articles, and it is not the articles that I post that are hurtful or wrong. I do not like all of the responses, but that is how people feel and that is how they think.

If the politicians do not like it, tough. This is who is voting them in. Our people have to follow all these rules in working, in voting, in operating business, and in how we are supposed to practice our religion. so why cant they follow some basic rules of civil politics; dont fire, dont worry; get a back bone and do your fucking job.

The state of New york and the Federal government are still trying to take our land, control our decisions and decide how we think.... do something to stop this, stand up for us. We are a sovereign nation. lets act like one.

State casino payment

2010-02-27T19:26:00.002-05:00

I don't think we posted this but, the Seneca Nation did make its payment to the state earlier this year, sorry for the bad news for those of you who don't like bad news.

"Seneca Nation of Indians officials have paid the state $55,541,261.48 for the July to December 2008 casino payment.

The state received the payment in mid-January to satisfy an agreement pertaining to the nation's operations of their three casinos in Western New York.

According to the agreement between the state and nation, the nation provides payments to the state, based on its slot-machine revenues. The state then returns 25 percent of the payment to hosting municipalities."

I am sure the author meant July to December 2009. Either way the state gets just as much as we do.

New tax policy is discriminate at best

2010-02-27T18:49:00.004-05:00

I think that the latest policy on how to collect taxes from us is nothing but crap. The state is going to give us or put aside a certain amount of cigarettes that we can purchase. The way things sound this has nothing to do with bootlegging cigarettes or to reduce the sales to underage smokers; this policy and law is racist and discriminate in its purpose to limit natives in participating in the free market. We should be able to buy as much of what we want and sell what we want on our land. If we bought it tax free we should be able to sell it tax free.

To allot us so many packs of cigarettes seems as if they are just handing out rations to the poor old, poor old indians. The policies made by the United States constitution and the early treaties with us far out weigh these newer scams to take our rights away. This is just the foot in the door if we allow this to happen. Next thing you know they will be limiting how many cars we can have in a lifetime or how many on line orders we can place.

As the comments on the news articles claim, this is a short sighted tactic to a problem that is neither ours nor one that is going to change with the addition of this tax. The New York state government is FAT and it is corrupt. They do not want to change their current spending practices or their fattening patronage spending. The state politicians are just looking to pile on top of this porking with more money to hand out to themselves.

It is not our fault nor is it a problem that we have more economic rights than our surrounding businesses. This is what we have received for the millions of acres which were traded to the United States government for New York. Our freedom on what little land we have left should be left alone. It is not our fault that New York is choking its citizens with over taxation and over spending.

As for the local convenience stores, all I have to say is what local convenience stores? Before our shops, there were none near our lands. If they are suffering elsewhere, maybe they need to get better marketing schemes. As far as most locals go and the state for that matter, we the native people of this land were out of sight out of mind. They dealt with us like we were dogs or a people not worth dealing with.

Now that the shoes is on the other foot, look at how we deal with it. We go out of our way to let the papers know that we are feeding a Western New York economy and that we are providing jobs to their citizens. And yet they still want to take. take. take from us.

This will never end, not until they have all our land and we are fully assimilated into their society. This is where we should watch where we tread and how we live our lives, the more we get accustom to their processes, the more we want what they want then the more we become vulnerable to them wanting something back from us.

Attached are two articles dealing with this. I must comment that the response from the Nation was good, I liked what they said. More needs to be said and more often. We need to educate these politicians and the New York citizens.

Seneca Academy should not do parents job

2010-02-17T00:04:00.002-05:00

Anonymous said...

This is not about Porter, it's definitely not about another TIS, and it's not about your personal benefit. It's about doing something good for children within your community. Maybe it's not something you want for your child, but don't make that choice for someone else by eliminating the possibilty of a school. "We need responsible, accountable, motivated Seneca citizens. Apparently, the school system now isn't creating enough of these citizens otherwise we wouldn't be dealing with the corruption in our nation." What better way can you spend money than to spend it on children? And if you are fearful of the project, help out and make sure it's done properly. Applications are on sni.org/academy for trustee and committee positions. Also, look at how many parents are driving their kids into buffalo to send them to private school now.
It's all about children and nothing else. We are here only to provide the children with the best educational experience we possibly can. Be aware the urgency is that we may never have another chance to do a project like this again. If the language is lost, so is our recognition. Elders are key, and the school will have programs to bring them together with the students.

4:38 PM

This is a comment from the Seneca Academy posts. I think that a part of what this person is talking about is not the responsibility of a school. All the information that is being disseminated is pointing to the school to correct our children, to make them better Seneca citizens who graduate from Harvard.

To me, that is the responsibility and the duty of the parents. Everything that they said and everything that this comment says are the responsibilities of the parents, and not another institution. If a parent is not there to do it, well then it also take a village to raise a child. Support the kids, talk to them and educate them, mentor them. We need to let them know that they are important and that we are thinking about them.

We don't need another institution "that thinks" it is going to do a parents job. I think the Academy is a good idea, but plan and play it for what it is; a school. Put in place an atmosphere that is comforting and supportive of our kids. Put in place a curriculum and teachers that are going to make our kids love to learn and want to achieve. Make a place that is comforting for parents to go to and makes them feel like they belong and that they have some ownership in it.

But dont say that it is in the best interest of making a better Seneca who has a Harvard education. You cant define what a Seneca is today or what will make them successful. lets just stick with saying what it is suppose to be, a place that will give our students tools to succeed, public speaking skills, study skills, critical thinking, inquiry. They need to be problem solvers because that is all that we are leaving them.

Petition get rid of party system

2010-02-16T23:27:00.003-05:00

Anonymous said...

All I know is that we have to get real about all this stuff.

Look at it, these guys are stealing form us, Barry is a crook and a liar.

The council does what he says,they have no backbone.

This party system is shot, there is no longer a party system when only one party has all the party.

Even then the system is shot because you know there are not enough good candidates to fill one ticket.

The money situation is crazy, we are at a point where we cannot support our current spending.

The drugs and alcohol are way out of control not only in our community but also in our government. These people cannot lead when their minds are displaced.

We are in havoc. but I have to say that thank the god that it is not the kind of havoc and catastrophic turmoil that the rest of the world is going through.

Cause if we went through all that, we would not survive. we are no more native people who live off this land. We are like any other people who are ready to die with our goods and our status. we would not survive a earth catastrophe.

2:28 AM

This person has a good grasp on what is going on here. I think that this is a good start to something that we need to do first... GET RID OF THE PARTY SYSTEM. We need to start a petition right here and right now to have a referendum to have people elected as individuals. No ability for a straight ticket vote, no alignment of party. There are so many positions available, if you get the top votes then you get the job.

The next thing would be to have people elected to districts that they are a representative for. Their vote in council is due to what community they are from. Or the only positions that should be shared to vote are the top 3, beyond this Cattaraugus should vote for just Cattaraugus councilors and Allegany should vote for Allegany councilors.

As it is with both of these things there is no responsibility to the people from our elected officials. I think that they think we are here to serve them.

Petition here, WE WANT A REFERENDUM TO GET RID OF THE PARTY SYSTEM AND VOTE FOR EACH POSITION BASED ON SINGLE VOTE. If you can reword that, go right ahead.

Clinic to limit service to 1st descendent Seneca

2010-02-16T23:02:00.002-05:00

Anonymous said...

Funny, everyone is complaining about the crooks and all that is going wrong within the seneca nation. Believe me, I completely agree with it all, but you all seem to forget those who AREN'T enrolled members of our tribe. There are many that are still proud of their heritage, and despite the fact that they are singled out, they still stand by and support the seneca nation. Now, we are being told that the medical is being cut for 2nd generation natives etc. Are you kidding me??? These kids are learning about our heritage in the school systems, and are proud to be considered part of the nation. It is being ripped away from them. They are being told basically that their nation could care less. It's suppose to be about the future of our nation...there isn't going to be a future if you tell these kids they aren't a part of it. Its sad when the government recognizes these individuals as native americans, but their own tribe cant. Get real, quit being greedy, and think of something other than money for once!!

10:12 AM

Any further thoughts on this. I had heard that a councilor whose skin color would make you wonder why he was at the clinic is the one who sponsored this.

I don't think that the nation is moving in the right direction for quite a few things, one of them is this isolationist imperial thinking. Those are not even the right words either, our leaders and some people keep pushing our people away, separating ourselves from our own families and friends. They are imperial segregationist; this line for us that line for you, this service for me not you, these people are acting like a bunch of greedy bastards.

Tired of seeing multi national peoples at our clinic? Well guess what? What you are seeing are probably nothing but enrolled Seneca's. We are not the people to determine who is Seneca and who isnt. Our ancestors didnt. In fact if you read accounts of our history, we absorbed numerous peoples to refill the ranks and make ourselves stronger. This is true up into the mid 1900's when they were erasing names and penciling in new members to the enrollment books.

I honestly think that this is a womens role and decision to make, but given enough pressure, fear and heartbreak when a man see's his relations turned away and segregated and ostracized for not being enrolled, we are going to have to watch out. If enough of them feel this, we might see a push to referendum a change.

And I should say we instead of they and them, because we go along allowing our leaders do this to ourselves.

Comment on further corruption in casino

2010-02-16T22:42:00.000-05:00

Anonymous said...

Wow! Another Great Buffalo News article on one of leaders.

I don't see how Abrams can say these aren't the facts since they are from the actual Audit findings.

Makes one ask why does a News reporter get these secret documents?? Nothing against the reporter but if we cannot trust our Councilors to share important information that is not confidential then why don't they?

Maybe Rob Porter, SNI Attorney General is misinforming them (Council) of their rights to share this information just to protect himself and others in the Seneca Party.

This Susan Abrams news is nothing new for people who really know who she is and how she conducts business.

Seneca Party supporters will call for the reporter's head and will try and do a "Toohey" to him for just doing his work. How much longer will us, Senecas, take this greed and dishonesty.

Many of our leaders speak out of both sides of their mouths

Just give me more annuity $$ if this keeps going........hahaha

8:53 AM

Attached is the article from the Buffalo News, in case you are wondering what this comment is all about.

Seneca Gaming profits are up

2010-02-10T19:34:00.002-05:00

The Seneca casinos are finally showing a rise in profit in what seemed like a long down turn. This is just in gaming revenue as we are down in total revenue due to other areas that seem to need adjusting.

I think that some of the decisions that the SGC and their executives making are starting to make business sense. Maybe all we had to do was get out of the building phase for a while and start to just make money. When it seems like it is time to expand, then they should take that opportunity. For now we just need to pad up our nest for future development.

I hope that we keep making the right decisions for our nations future.

New Iroquois history course may be just the start

2010-02-10T19:27:00.002-05:00

The Seneca Nation is funding a new history course at the Silver Creek school district. It is going to be offered in the Gowanda and Lakeshore school districts next year.

This is a good way to invest in education and our partnering school districts. With more action like this we may see more success in the schools, especially in schools such as Gowanda and Salamanca who have high native student populations. This along with other investments will help give a little more ownership to our students.

I know that it is a small matter, but I hope that it is just a start to more things to come. This may be a good way for the Seneca Academy to develop their curriculum by investing in projects in the school districts that can be carried over to the school when it is built.

New Radion station a success

2010-02-10T19:22:00.003-05:00

I know that this is a week late but I just wanted to say how great a job the new radio station is doing. I have heard a lot of good feed back from it and I think that everywhere I have gone people have it on. Even on a trip over to Springville this past weekend I heard it on one of the stores.

I hope that they get the opportunity to play more native music and put more language on there. So far the news updates have been good and even though I didn't listen to the broadcast of the Bandits game on Saturday, I am sure that it was successful.

SGC to set up account to pay back debt

2010-02-10T19:14:00.002-05:00

Anonymous said...

Always so negative on this blog. Never anything positive on here?

I agree, I think we need to have some more positive news and information on what the community is doing and things that affect us in our surroundings. To start off on that note I wanted to say that the Seneca Gaming Corp.s new position to: " setting up a restricted internal reserve account with money to start repaying some of the casino operator’s more-costly bond debt." is one of that best ideas that has come out of the organization in a long time. It is something that should have been done from day one. This is the start to sound fiscal management.

I applaud this effort, anytime we can get out of debt and look to bet in the black sets up a great future for our nation. Please see the attached article for more information

Read it and think

2010-02-10T02:29:00.001-05:00

Anonymous said...

Post on owing state troopers $41 million

2010-02-10T02:04:00.002-05:00

This has to be a joke? how can we owe them this much money for investigating how many employees in a year? There are only a thousand employees and I am not sure but I dont think that we are replacing all of them every year, cause that is how much money they are charging us.

These people are crooks. Trying to steal all kinds of money from us. We should figure out the rates and pay them what we think their service is worth, otherwise we get new security.

FROM WIVB Buffalo -

Do Senecas owe NYS $41M for police services?
Hefty tab for security services at local casinos

The Seneca Nation of Indians is in talks with New York State over what some lawmakers say is a $41 million tab for state police services performed at two of its local casinos.

A downstate lawmaker says the Senecas must pay while the Seneca Nation says that may not be the case.

Earlier this week, State Sen. Craig Johnson, D- Nassau County, claimed Seneca Gaming Corp. owes New York $22.8 million in unpaid bills for state police services at Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel and $18.1 million for the same services at Seneca Allegany Casino and Hotel.

The allegations came during a Senate hearing that focused on efforts by state lawmakers to obtain taxes from Indian nations connected to the sale of tobacco. State officials said Indian tobacco taxes top $1 billion in potentially new revenues for cash-starved New York.

However, Seneca Nation officials said the state police bill is “in negotiations.”

The state police, under the terms of the 2002 compact the Seneca Nation signed with New York state, provide background checks for all Seneca Gaming employees and vendors. They also augment Seneca Nation marshalls with 24/7 police services at its various gaming sites.

A report in the Syracuse Post Standard states that two other Indian tribes owe New York another $15 million in state police fees.

So where are we today

2010-02-10T02:03:00.001-05:00

From comments

I am thinking about what I read here and try to think how to change what creates animosity among us, but the two party system splits us everytime. I am a seneca, not an outsider looking in. We should vote for whom can do the best job but we don't. Reinstill this when considering following a party. Just for a moment, forget the party system and think who will make GOOD decisions. These thoughts may assist our people in defeating the "cast" system that is being imposed (self-imposed) upon our society. Every two years, we do this to each other, let SNI Councillors know that we need new thinking, new people and ideas and that they are forthcoming. Let them know that they lead where the people need them to lead. Some are losing faith because of what is being posted, putting out there for the whole world to see, minimize, rethink. We will survive, we do every two years, minimally due to politics. Just because the Buffalo news states our President is the most powerful businessman, does that make him so? The larger picture shows we have survived for hundreds, thousands of years because of people, pride, community, brotherhood and who we are as a people. Do our leaders have any pride? That is my question?

Patterson wants to continue to try to tax us

2010-01-20T13:39:00.003-05:00

This came from the Governors recent announcement on what he wants to do about New Yorks $7.4 billion deficit. I think they need to downsize their government, reduce their personal expenses and salaries and to maybe try to act like the states budget is based on what they have and now what they think they are going to get.

For the this governor to sit here and say that he respects us and our sovereignty but then state that he intends to collect taxes on goods that we sell to make it an equal playing field for his citizens is to "speak with a forked tongue" as the saying goes. You cannot respect something that you do not understand. This is evident with New Yorks government. They do not understand where we come from, where we have been, how we came to be in this place from the beginning of our time here to now.

The land that we sit on does not belong to them, the mere fact that they collect any tax at all on our land is Hypocrisy. They have no right to collect land tax, income tax or any other fee on our land. The sooner we stop accepting this idea the stronger our case will be to support the sovereign rights of our land. I dont care if there is a congressional act or not; whose land is this?

If he doesnt want violence and disobedience, then we need to step up and push for the rights of our land.

Here is what he said.

•Indian tax collection: Details on the Indian cigarette tax collection were vague this morning. In a budget briefing book, Paterson said that while he respects Indian sovereignty he is ordering his tax department to rescind its forbearance position of sales of un-taxed cigarettes by wholesalers to Indian retailers. That will allow the state to ask a court to lift a current injunction on collecting the taxes. He said the agency will begin a public comment period on the issue that will take at least six months.

"The purpose is to stop a handful of wholesalers from selling unstamped cigarettes," according to the budget.

No revenues, however, are expected in the coming fiscal year that begins April 1, Paterson said, because the tax collection regulations have yet to be drafted. A state law, though, is already on the books to carry out the edict.

Paterson said he will work with the Indian tribes to enact the tax collection in "a peaceful and efficient manner." He did not say how that would work, a key lapse since Indian tribes, led by the Seneca Nation, have repeatedly said the tax-free sales are protected by long-held treaty rights.

During this morning's address to lawmakers, a handful applauded his vow to begin collecting taxes on Indian cigarette sales — otherwise, lawmakers sat on their hands during most of the speech.

"This is no disrespect to the Indian Nations," Paterson said, adding that he will continue to negotiate with the tribes on the long-simmering dispute.

But he said the state needs to enforce an "equality of opportunity" that has been missing for non-Indian retailers, who have long complained of the unfair competition from the tax-free cigarette sales.

"They need an opportunity to survive," Paterson said of the non-Indian stores.

Peaceful demonstrations to have our voices heard

2010-01-20T13:36:00.002-05:00

I think that this is the way to go. Maybe we should start putting up those little signs up all over as well and voice our opinion for a clean, ethical, transparent government that thinks about the people and the situations we are living in. We should also start taking out ads and sending in opinion letters to the newspapers to reach our citizens about what is going on with the nation.

Anonymous said...

I would consider all none believers of our current administration to consider a preamptive attack on our current administration, inducting peaceful demonstrations at local public mtgs or events held by our elected officials, I know there will be a openeing ceremony for the newly constructed admin. building in allegany, perfect time and place to address our "appointed public servants" and show them our concern, and remind them who they are accountable to and how much power rests in the people.

1:14 PM

Still putting it on black

2010-01-18T13:18:00.003-05:00

So we let the corruption continue. I guess the saying that we elected them to make decisions for us really holds truth. If an organization cannot be licensed all ties should be cut from them. What will happen with this from here?

Attached is the article on rotate black and our ever growing interest to become Casino New York, in the land of the Flint people.

Council replaces Gill on SGC

2010-01-12T23:10:00.001-05:00

Anonymous said...

Just heard Jeff Gill was replaced as SGC chair and replaced by Kevin Seneca.
Details are sketchy. Word circulating is Barry bullied and intimindated the councilors at the SGC meeting.
What a coincidence if this is true.
News about Barry under FBI investigation, Baarry's attorney pleading guilty to embezzellment and Gill replaced...all in the space of four days.

Has anyone heard about this yet? I heard it but was unsure until I see that others are talking about it. Does anyone know anymore?

Comments on what needs to be done

2010-01-12T23:00:00.001-05:00

I wish we didn't have to say that this looks like some pretty good advice.

Anonymous said...

The Seneca Party is in need of critical care and as a consequence the integrity Seneca Nation is under question by our peers and friends. Some thoughts.

* Lay the groundwork for impeachment OR
* Snyder has to step down on the premise he has to clear his name.
* Anything Snyder that is associated with the party has to be purged.
* Tribal Council has to promise full cooperation with any federal investigation
* Tribal Council hire an independent Special Counsel to investigate any obstruction of justice activities by SNI attorneys and report to the Tribal Council and the FBI of their findings
* Terminate the position of Senior Policy Advisor
* Relieve Robert Porter of any legal or policy activities he has with the Seneca Nation
* Tribal Council pass a resolution that makes all aspects of vote buying(solicitation of funds, procurement of voters with intent to bribe and acceptance of a bribe by voters) an offense punishable by banishment
* Suspend all efforts to secure a Rochester and Catskill casino until corruption issues within the Seneca Nation are resolved.

Will the Tribal Council/Seneca Party undertake such a program that is contrary to its identity?
Who in the Tribal Council/Seneca Party has the strength of character to even suggest such a program?

The situation looks bleak

6:42 PM

One embezzler is just the start

2010-01-08T19:06:00.002-05:00

Today Tim Toohey plead guilty to embezzling $202,000 from the Seneca Nation, Seneca Gaming corp and the Seneca Niagara Gaming Corporation in the land transaction for the Lewiston Golf course.

All you have to wonder is where did the other $700,000 go to from what was originally estimated as being $900,000.

Toohey pleaded that Bergal Mitchell, ex councilor and SGC Vice Chairman under Barry Snyder Chairmanship received $248,000 and his wife received $90,000. Who pocketed the other 200,000-400,000 which was overpaid for this land scam?

I 2005, the gaming board and the SNI council agreed to this purchase of 250 acres for $2.1 million, who pays that much for land, especially unused shrub land in Lewiston. And to top it off, we are suppose to pay taxes on it!!

This is absurd and I think along with the recent dismissal of the $333 million investment that we borrowed and put into construction on the casino with our first loss in income and revenue coming from the casino. When does all of this end? If this was any other government system, these politicians would never be re elected and they would probably sent to jail for such fiduciary mismanagement.

Now what happens to the money that the nation and the gaming corp have borrowed? How do we repay it and how long will it take to repay it? There are just numerous amounts of wrong doing and fraud happening since the casinos came and since the current administration took the helm.

And why do we keep and pay our own in house counsel-lawyers with in the nation so much if they are going to let all these things keep sliding by their desk? Are they not reading the contracts and documents that are coming across their desk?

This is a shame, and a shame that must be burdened by all of us as members of this nation. These politicians are only in power for 2 to 4 years, they should not have the right to make decision for the nation that expand beyond their term limits.

Comment on Annuity

2010-01-05T19:00:00.000-05:00

Anonymous said...

Food for thought to the Seneca Voice Administrator: Ask for comments on the topic of the large annuity checks Seneca Members receive. "With the Nation's enterprises not producing the amount of revenues enjoyed in the past, should the Council cut it back down to $700.00 every 3 months?" "Moreso as a responsible Seneca concerned about the Nation shouldn't we do this voluntarily?"
The immediate benefit from this would be aside from the ecomonic side would be the prodding of the young and welfare recipients to get a job and a life.

Comment on Seneca Academy

2010-01-05T18:56:00.002-05:00

Anonymous said...

The Seneca Academy is a romantic concept embraced by every one and could be the ideal scenario for our children, BUT can it survive the poitical influences? Lack of priority funding? Management inconsistancies? and general ineptness when wholly operated and dependant on the Tribal Council. Look at Highbanks, our current education department, and many other aspects of our government and revenue making sources that struggle with the ineptness of government run groups. How many directors will we go through, how many board members will be investigated before council sh*** it down?

10:08 AM

You know I have to agree. When we set up this school and we interview the teachers, are we going to tell them about our politics and our revolving 2 year door? What happens if we have the best teachers in the world and then one parent, cause that is all it takes goes screaming to a councilor about a teacher who isnt favoring their kid, will that teacher be fired, or reorganized?

What is the real security for any organization that is Nation funded?

Tonawanda Business taking the call

2010-01-02T16:34:00.003-05:00

Tonawanda businessmen are taking the call from their people that they need help. In a recent news article it was detailed how the businessmen have taken a certain percentage of every carton of cigarettes sold to go towards projects on their reservation.

This is a direct look at how our communities should be helping one another. In true Iroquois form, rebuilding ourselves from the individual and community level. No government involvement nor needed.

I hope this spreads and we see more of this through out the Seneca territories.

Let the bidding begin

2010-01-02T16:27:00.002-05:00

In other news, since the nation has decided to write off the expense of building its new casino facilities in New York, it sounds like they have plans to take down what they have erected so far and resell.

Don't know if this is true or if it make sense either way. Either way being to have come this far and turn away or to keep building when the economy is in major recovery.

Either way also means that those that pushed for this in terms of construction contracts and materials have made their money so no need to continue on. The nation and the SGC now need to pay the at least $333 million debt that was incurred by this fiasco. No problem for those who got paid.

Too bad our future generations are going to have to succumb to this debt and the loss of something. What? only time will tell.

Toohey to admit guilt in embezzlement of golf course

2010-01-02T16:20:00.004-05:00

You probably have already heard, but Tim Toohey has agreed to a plead of some sort for embezzling money on the land sale for the Hickory Sticks golf course in Lewiston.

With that being said the article is attached in the comments section. It sounds like there will be alot more heads rolling from this one. A plead of some sort means that he has to give up some information or someone else involved to keep him either out of jail or a reduced sentence.

Word has it is that those involved in the scandal, Dowd and Bergal Mitchell have already been brought in and harangued. We will see how far this will go.

If you heard anything, spill your guts.

We should help other tribes

2009-12-11T21:51:00.003-05:00

The Poospatucks are following in line with a court order to close their smoke shops and I really dont think that it is a good idea. But I understand seeing that they tribe is so small.

This maybe an area where the Seneca nation should be helping other Nations in their fight, after all this is us against new york and not us against other tribes.

Anyways here is that article

Indian reser vation cigarettes under fire in NY

Lets help Doug out on this one

2009-12-11T21:25:00.002-05:00

These comments come from Doug who is doing a paper on the Seneca Nation. I think that it is only appropriate that since he is looking for Seneca opinions that we use this forum to give him some opinions and quotes to use. I think this is a very fair way to try to get information, info that is both Useful and possibly destructive or abusive. But either way it is opinion. If you have any articles to include to back up your statement, that would probably be helpful to Doug.

These comments are scattered due to the dialog that went along with other commentators. So please be nice.

Doug said...

I know this isn't the appropriate forum, but I've been trying to find information online about how the people of the Seneca Nation feel about their most recent political leaders (I'm specifically thinking of President John and President Snyder here).
On that note, I was also wondering how term limits on the Seneca Nation Presidency work.

10:11 PM

First of all, thanks to everyone who has commented so far. I've been writing a paper about the history of Seneca treaties and the current dispute with the state of New York. I wanted to include information about whether the dispute with New York is truly rooted in feelings of national pride and the right to sovereignty or if Senecas are really only concerned about the economics of the dispute. I also wanted to get some insight into how these feelings are reflected in the vote for Seneca political leaders. Unfortunately, there isn't much information out there about this.

5:48 PM

You do have to be careful where you get your factual information, but what I'm looking for right now is actually the opinion of individual members of the Seneca Nation. "Seneca Voice," as best as I can tell, is the largest "published" forum of the opinions and ideas of the members of the Seneca Nation.

11:46 PM

We Americans...?

2009-12-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

So I know that some people will say, Oh this is the SENECA voice and not about any other tribe and I have to say. too bad. It is the Seneca Voice in the sense that the Seneca's are voicing their opinions not just that the info is about the Seneca.

That being said, the Cayugas are still going through quite a bit of trouble where they are trying to reacquire their ancestral land. Here is the article; Contested Ground.

I think that they are in a highly contested area as this is the end of the line as the land that was given to Revolution War veterans as payment for their service and duty. So there might be quite a few people in this area that have a strong connection to the land going back over 200 years.

The problem is that the Cayugas have had contact with this land for thousands of years. We, meaning Iroquois have been a part of this land before we were Iroquois and when we were just hunter and gatherers.

For me this isnt the problem, the problem is the lack of education and understanding that people have about our history and our rights. To quote the article this mans says:

But Wheeler said regardless of the past, all Native Americans should assimilate and pay taxes just like everyone else.

“When the Italians came to this country, they suffered greatly at the hands of who was here first,” he said. “But they found jobs, paid taxes and worked through it. We’re all just Americans now, and we need to live under one law.”

This is were I truly believe we have a couple of problems. This mans view is very prominent in not just New York, but in New Yorks government as well as the United States. If they think that we are just like them, we have problems. That is mainly because in ways, we are just like them. We speak the same language, dress the same, eat the same food and follow the same customs and traditions; ie holidays, weekends off etc.

We are in essence an American culture. Which truly sucks because it reminds me of what elders used to say; that someday when we dont speak our language and follow our own customs, they are going to try to take all of our rights as a sovereign away.

I know that we have treaty rights and an inherent "ownership" or belonging to this land, but that doesn't mean that the governments and Non natives still will not try to take it. We see that with the tax thing, if we allow it or somehow it happens, that is their foot in the door. After that then comes waves of other laws and pressure to get at us and our land.

If the US decides to dissolve all its treaties with Indian Nations, what do we do? Do we stand and fight, do we let it happen, or just what happens at that point?

I think that we need to be proactive at this point. Some ideas include strengthening an economy that is self sufficient amongst our own land. That means that we produce it here and sell it here. We need to act more diplomatic when dealing with these governments; every time we meet with them we have to display the 2 row and make sure that they know that they are dealing with an outside sovereign government. When they agree then we proceed.

The biggest thing that we need to do is follow our own laws, customs and traditions. With out our own Seneca identity of custom and tradtion/culture we are just like them. And to me that is what is scary about what Mr. Wheeler said; "We’re all just Americans now, and we need to live under one law.”

That is a truth that we have to face and live with if we keep heading in the American Way.

Comments

2009-12-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

Anonymous said...

New Horizon Party Campaign 2010!
Watch for caucus notices and campaign HQ locations coming soon.

10:40 AM

Anonymous said...

A new party isnt going to do it. we need to over run this government, by force.

Playing the party system with them will only get us nothing but the same that we have always had. nothing.

Revolution is the answer, mud and shit thrown in our politicians face is the answer. you want someone to tell you the truth and to listen to you, threaten them with real disgrace.

Comment on Seneca Academy

2009-12-03T20:09:00.000-05:00

Comment from (c)

Seneca Party has been in charge a little longer than 2008 buddy:

I am totally against the Seneca Academy, how can we blame the public school for our negligent behavior as parents?
It is not up to a public school to teach our children our language, heritage, culture.
It is not up to the public school to teach our children homemaker skills or really prepare them for college.
All these notions fall back on the parent, and it is their responsibility, not the public school or anyone else for that matter.
As a parent, it is your equal responsibility to mold snd shape your child to be a productive member of your soceity as with any education institution, YOU cannot leave everything up to the education professionals because look what is happening (not working).
Yes, our children need a formal education and they can receive that at any publice school. But if you want your child do exceed and excel you as a parent have to put more effort into your childs life and really care about their future.
Some of the members of our tribe our so ignorant, they need to realize this and quit 'passing the dish'.
Be accountable, don't blame anything or anyone for your childs bad grades, tardiness, or lack of interest in the school system.

Frankly I agree, parenting is the answer. We need to support our kids in everything they do, love and encourage them and give them the attention that we want for ourselves. Then they will do better in anything they choose in life.

Comment on our justice upon ourselves

2009-12-03T20:08:00.001-05:00

Comment from anonymous

We need to update our constitution and amend new laws.
*Equal rights of employement, Equal protection from discrimination-religous,age,sex,political !!

We need some type of civil service examination for hiring firing process.

*Our current HR and employee review board is not protecting us from the ones who took oath to protect us (pretty redundant)*

Just reading these posts and knowing how we treat each other and how we "self-govern" ourselves is disgusting, its very disturbing we get paid for our votes and how everyone is looking for the next handout or how we can be appointed to any position in the nation by an "elected official" and become the winning candidate for that job (regardless of incompetency).

We are becoming the most ignorant people of todays society.

If some of you cant change our course that we are currently traveling,
I will gladly dis-enroll myself,and move away..(Its very hurtful and I cant imagine having children and raising them in such an environment)

_Seventh Generation_

On the tax issue

2009-10-30T19:27:00.002-04:00

From an article on WIVB comments section:

"Hey Larry, we DO collect taxes on purchases made in Canada. It's called duty, and it's collected at the border.

We need to start doing the same thing with the indian reservations. If they truly want to be a sovereign nation fine. Shut down 95% of the roads going into the reservation and put up border crossing stations at the remaining 5%. Check cars exiting the reservation for purchases made "outside the United States" and charge the appropriate duty when the items leave the reservation.

Pay for these new border checkpoints by cutting off the millions and millions reservations receive in federal aid.

I'm really tired of watching them play the sovereign nation card only when it benefits them. If you're really another country lets really treat you like one."

This is a rebuttal to this:

"As a native person, I would have to say that would be a grand idea. Put up the barriers and the tolls and the tariffs. Lets define the reservation line as an international border as it should be. This would go along way for indigenous rights around the United States and the world. But you know what, that is not going to happen. New York and the United States do not want to do that, because that would mean that they recognize our indigenous rights to our land, to govern ourselves and to hold our own economy. Up until now, that would go against all of their policies toward the native people of this continent. That would recognize the wrongs done to them. All US policies have been about reducing and eliminating the distinct culture, identity and governance of the Indigenous people of North America. Why is this? so that they can go do what they have always tried to do, tax us and then steal the remaining lands that we have left."

Here is another comment which suggest the thoughts that are out there about us:

"If Indian land is like a another country, why are Indians collecting NYS social services, school aid, road plowing, etc.? You're right, we don't collect taxes in Canada, but Canadians aren't collecting NYS social services either. And when Canadians come here to buy our stuff, they pay NYS sales tax. Which is it- are you sovereign or aren't you? If you don't want to be part of New York and pay any taxes, then stop asking for money collected from the rest of us that pay taxes. How much money would NYS save if it didn't pay out so much to assist the Indians?"

You can see that there is some serious education needed to tell these people who we are and why we have the rights we do, and why we receive the things we get. And most of the time, this "free stuff" given to us isn't just about our loss of land, it is a control factor. The United States and New York forefathers knew that this would be a way to weaken us, to take away our ability to educate ourselves, to heal ourselves and to take care of our own infrastructure.

Tax debate leads to NY needing more education

2009-10-30T18:00:00.002-04:00

Attached in the comments is an article on the recent hearing in New York City, which sounds like it was heated. It also showed that the people of New York, most notably their politicians need to be educated about the history of the Native People that inhabited this state before they came a chiming.

It seemed like JC did a great job discussing the basic fact that, we are not going to be tax collectors for New York, nor do they have the authority to make us or collect it from us.

Add your 2 cents.

Comments...

2009-10-30T16:35:00.002-04:00

I agree with this comment, as you can't help but notice that all we seem to do on this site is tear people apart and call them down. One of our newest commentators is a young college kid with a lot of ideas. I think they are just trying to explore the issues and feel them out. There is a lot to be said for real world experience, but if you dont find a working model to take for a test run first, you will never know what works.

Lets try to be positive and stay on task with the issues. Probably partly my fault for not posting more often. I acknowledge that and as with all criticism and problems, we must take it all in stride and work towards solutions

"I think some of our past and current leaders need to be taught a lesson. I sure hope indictments will be handed out. As far as our children let them do what they want. If they truly care about the nation let them do whatever it takes, If they wish to gain knowledge and come back home and use it by working for the nation or tribal leaders or whatever they want to do incourage them rather than discourage. Look at some of the children from the past that did the same but did not return to the nation with their knowledge. I read the SNI newsletter about the man that is goin to be leading the new developed seneca holdings. Its good to know we have educated members that are willing to come back home and help out there tribe."

Silence is Agreement

2009-10-30T16:22:00.002-04:00

This comes from the comments on our right and duty to participate at SNI government activity. I agree to most of it, but I do believe that there is not enough notification on meetings. Or maybe there is and we are just running around with our eyes and ears closed and tuned off.

"it isn't just ONE person who wasn't there... And believe me, I understand having to take care of a sick child. I am also a single parent... It shouldn't EVER be up to one or two folks (CattRezWoman or College Student) to attend and no one else.

My point is virtually NO ONE attended. If you want audit released, the show up and tell someone that! This blog in no way replaces ACTION. And this is not a venue to make these types of requests.

You want transparency on the BOD and Council, yet you can't bear to become transparent yourselves by attending public meetings. So what message is this sending? I will tell you -- It says you TRUST everyone and everything that is happening. It says you DON'T CARE. It says you HAVE NO OUTSTANDING ISSUES of any importance.

So... as you ordered by lack of participation, it will be business as usual.

Hard to put the responsibility back where it belongs (on the People), isn't it????"

Comments: Get out and do something

2009-10-03T21:35:00.000-04:00

"Anonymous said...

All this bitching going on throughout this blog, but are ANY one of you going to Council and voicing your opinions and demanding our representatives take action on these matters: NO! Quit hiding behind this blog, put yourself out there, and stand up for the Seneca people UNLESS all these accusations are just slander because you don't like someone.

OH, be thankful you still have jobs with the current economic decline. Quit bitching about pay cuts due to reduced hours. Maybe this would not have happened if annuities were reduced instead. Besides, the Nation overpays its employees anyways. Good luck trying to find employment elsewhere with the same pay and benefits. You don't realize how good you actually have it! Open up your eyes people!

How GREEDY people have become with all these handouts the Nation gives. What happened to working hard to provide for your families and actually taking care of your families. What happened to PRIDE?"

Comments of interest

2009-10-03T21:00:00.001-04:00

Anonymous said...

I don't think the Council is to blame for our money problems. We have become far too dependent on casino money to run our economy. We are quickly becoming a welfare state, expecting the nation to provide everything for us: larger annuities, free houses, free repair to homes, elder payments, disability supplements, etc, etc. All these things are nice but where does it stop? And when does the individual become responsible for himself? Why don't we all grow up and become responsible for ourselves instead of blaming council for everything bad in our lives?

7:56 AM

Anonymous said...

Council and executives are responsible for this mess, overspending on nonessential luxuries is a breech of their fiduciary responsibilities. Ensuring the day to day costs are covered instead of building new sports arenas is not responsible. All of that would have come anyway if the casino operations were protected and promoted

Law enforcement

2009-09-26T12:48:00.002-04:00

This comment comes in regards to some comment post to Indian nations contracting with State and local law enforcement in order to have "real" native law enforcement on our territories. This started with a comment on how the Mohawks signed a deal to strengthen their law enforcement.
We just think that this comment is a pretty good argument to go with such a deal. Let us know what you think.

"Anonymous said...

How much stronger of a Tribe would we be if we could control and maitain order of our members and non-members? (whether inhabitants or vistors traveling through our territories) who will be there to protect us when in need? Do you remember any one coming to the rescue in the 90's during the shootings?? Or how about today hen white collar crime is at an all time high with our tribe? Sandy Whiteeagle/Brad Stahlman incident. Bergill Mitchell incident. Moe John incident. I see when we have to call upon outside agencies (FBI) to 'come to the rescue'. I see 'us not capable to "Self-Govern" ourselves.. I see our seveignty at risk.. our very own foundation of this nation at risk! Yet we do nothing! And this saddens me.. how long will it be before we can handle our own affairs?? How many EXECUTIVES & COUNCILORS will take advantage of us?? THE ANWSER IS HOW MUCH LONGER CAN ALL OF YOU TAKE??"

Comment to SNI council

2009-09-10T22:19:00.002-04:00

From a commentary to our council:

"Citizen said...

To Council:
The people require transparency in this government and casino business.
We need a leader to stand up and be respected. Barry isn't a leader and he doesn't command real respect, only by fear. Fear that one might lose their job if they disrespect him.
We don't need a leader that's a boss. We need someone we can listen to and can hear us. Someone with integrity and the true spirit to do the right thing, with a right mind.
It has to be itching away at one of you. It doesn't require a loud voice and money either. The leadership requires the will and perseverance do the work, for us.
Some of us are too young minded to lead and persevere. We need a wise one, or the wisest of you.
We need someone to set standards, morals, and ethics in Council. To really look out for that 7th Generation. To lead by example...before the Nation and it's resources are further plundered."

People are looking for real leadership in these times before they get hard for us. Lets hope we see some councilors step up and start protecting the people and sticking up for them and all of our belongings.

Council decisions?

2009-09-04T20:24:00.002-04:00

Here is another posting from the comments on some of the other moves council made this week:

Anonymous said...

anyone hear bout meetings today? hear Marshals are out, 20% cut to nation employees and 32 hour work week? WTF the walls are com'n down

If you have heard about these moves, please comment.

Shah out, and so is the board?

2009-09-04T20:13:00.003-04:00

After ousting corporate council Rajat Shah, Barry Snyder makes move to replace 4 members of the board.

There was an emergency council session today to replace Cochise Redeye, Maurice John, Barry's position and Maribel Printup. It seems apparent that this swift move comes after the Gaming board decided not to reapprove Shah $700,000 a year contract as legal counsel.

You can read one of the headlines in the comments section. More will follow.

No Taxes!

2009-08-19T00:50:00.002-04:00

Oh yeah, by the way; NO TAXES, EVER!!! Keep it up people, cause once we let them in the door on one thing, they are going to try for everything.

"Despite a ballooning budget deficit, the Paterson administration quietly has written off taxes it had been expecting to collect on sales of cigarettes by American Indian retailers — an admission that yet another governor has no plans to resolve the long-standing, thorny matter.

In April, Gov. David A. Paterson and lawmakers agreed on a budget for the state's current fiscal year that projected revenue of $65 million from taxing cigarettes sold to non-Indians in smoke shops, through the mail or over the Internet from reservation-based businesses.

But with no fanfare — or even public notice — the administration has eliminated the $65 million, meaning the governor now does not expect to begin collecting the taxes at least until April 1, the start of the new fiscal year."

Comment on DNA to equal enrollment

2009-08-19T00:40:00.004-04:00

Comment:

"We could use DNA from a enrolled Parent - mom or dad. DNA can also determine levels. So who ever is on the rolls now stays on, but from now on you need to have a certain level of DNA to be enrolled. Councils main task would be to decide the process and blood level which should be at least 1/4 This would make for a purer tribe and eliminate the 1/82nd blood who doesn't even know they are Seneca or don't care if they are except on Anuuity check day. Call me 3/4 blood mama's boy."

This is just crazy talk. You cannot determine yourself to be Seneca by DNA! We are Seneca by the relationship that we have to our mothers. You are Seneca by your culture, your language, your mindset and your belief in us as a people, a family, a clan and as a nation.

It is better if we treat people how our ancestors did, strength in number and strength through good relationships.

You are not going to get any of this out of DNA test. What you might discover is that we probably are not even Indian. Be careful of what you wish for.

SGA fined seneca gaming $9million

2009-08-19T00:31:00.004-04:00

This is a small interesting tidbit of information that some of you may not have known, I mean I didn't know. This was in the tail end of an article. What is going on with this?

"The SEC report also noted that the Seneca Gaming Authority, the self-regulating arm of the casino operations, has recommended fines of $1 million for Seneca Gaming and another $8 million in fines to 11 of its employees.

The authority issued notices of violation for an infraction on April 3, when $25,971 in gambling chips were left on a table and were then mixed in with chips from other tables.

Seneca Gaming is contesting the charges and said there was no net revenue lost, a claim it said was backed up by its auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers."

Seneca preference questioned

2009-08-19T00:18:00.004-04:00

So this Niagara County board is questioning why we have a preference of hiring Seneca workers for the golf course. Their thinking is that the land is not sovereign land and so there fore should be exempt from the TERO law.

The Seneca Nations thinking is that it is their project, their money and it should be their workers/company to do the work.

The board chairman of this agency goes on to say that if the Seneca nation wasn't going to use Niagara county workers, then the nation should not have showed up to their doors to get tax breaks and other assistance.

Well I say we should have put the land into trust in the first place, then we can see how well this agency feels about not getting any tax funds from what will probably be a very successful golf course. Ironic, the nation tries to go a way that may help the local communities and possibly show a little consideration to their needs and laws, and all they want is more.

Put the land into trust and lets not waste anymore time. If any other company in the world had the rights like we do, don't you think that they would use it?

The article is attached.