Information AboutSeneca Tribe |
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The Seneca is a group of Indigenous people native to North America . They are the westernmost Nation within the Six Nations or Iroquois League . While unknown for sure, approximately 15,000 to 25,000 Seneca live in the United States and Canada , on and off Reservations around Buffalo , in Oklahoma and near Brantford, Ontario . HISTORY The Seneca, or Onödowága' (meaning "People of the Great Hill"), traditionally lived in what is now New York between the Genesee River and Canandaigua Lake , with some recent archaeological evidence indicating that they lived all the way down to the Allegany River into what is now upper North Western Pennsylvania. With the formation of the Haudenosaunee ("People of the Long House") or Iroquois Confederation in 1142,Dating the Iroquois Confederacy'' essay by Bruce E. Johansen, ND the Seneca became known as the "Keepers of the Western Door" because they settled and lived the farthest west of all the Nations within the Haudenosaunee. The Senecas were by far the most populous of the Haudenosaunee Nations, with the ability to raise over ten thousand warriors by the Seventeenth Century .Anthony F.C. Wallace, ''The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca'' (New York: Vintage Books, 1969). ISBN 0-394-71699-X Traditionally, the Seneca Nation Economy was based on the cultivation of Corn , Bean s, and Squash . These vegetables were the staple of the Haudenosaunee diet and were called "the Three Sisters ". Seneca women generally grew and harvested the three sisters, as well as gathered medicinal plants, roots, berries, nuts, and fruit. Seneca women held sole ownership of all the land and the homes, thus the women also tended to any domesticated animals like deer, dogs, turkeys, etc. Women were in charge of the kinship groups called clans. The woman in charge of a clan was called the "clan mother." Despite the prominent position of women in Iroquois society, their influence on the diplomacy of the nation was limited. Although older women could lobby and pull some strings behind closed doors, the official decisions were made by the men. Seneca men were generally in charge of locating and developing the town sites including clearing the forest for the production of fields. Seneca men also spent a great deal of time Hunting and Fishing . This activity took them away from the towns or villages to well known and productive hunting and fishing grounds for extended amounts of time. These hunting and fishing locations were well maintained and not simply left to grow as "wild" lands.William Cronon, ''Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England'' (New York: Hill and Wang, 1983). ISBN 0-8090-0158-6; Robert H. Keller & Michael F. Turek, ''American Indians & National Parks'' (Arizona: University of Arizona Press, 1998). ISBN 0-8165-2014-3 Seneca men maintained the traditional title of War Sachems within the Haudenosaunee. A Seneca war sachem was in charge of gathering the warriors of the Haudenosaunee and leading them into battle. The Seneca are known as the "People of the Great Hill". Like other Confederacy members, the Seneca are also known as "People of the Longhouse". In historical time, Seneca people lived in Village s and Town s. Archaeological records indicate that some of these villages were surrounded by Palisade s due to War fare. These towns were relocated every ten to twenty years as Soil , Game and other resources were depleted. During the Ninteenth Century , many Seneca adopted Custom s of their immediate American neighbors by building Log Cabin s, practicing Christianity and participating in the local Agricultural economy. Notable Senecas in history include Deerfoot , Red Jacket , Cornplanter , Guyasuta , Handsome Lake , Ely S. Parker , Governor Blacksnake , Halftown , Half-King , Little Beard , Skunny Wundy , Mary Jemison , Arthur Parker , Isaac Newton Parker , Robert Hoag , Willam C. Hoag , Frank Patterson , Cornelius Seneca , George Heron , Lionel R. John , Martin Seneca Sr. , Duwayne 'Duce' Bowen , Solomon McLane , Barry Snyder Sr. , William Seneca , and Catherine Montour . CONTACT WITH EUROPEANS During the Colonial period they became involved in the Fur Trade , first with the Dutch and then with the British . This served to increase hostility with other native groups, especially their traditional enemy, the Huron , an Iroquoian tribe in New France near Lake Simcoe . During the seventeenth century, attacks on Huron villages caused the destruction and dispersal of the Huron. Captives were often Adopt ed into the Tribe depending on the age and gender; however, slavery and execution were also possible, though this was usually limited to captured soldiers. INTERACTIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES On November 11 , 1794 , the Seneca (along with the other Haudenosaunee nations) signed the Treaty Of Canandaigua with the United States and later the Treaty Of Buffalo Creek . The Seneca formed a modern Government , the Seneca Nation of Indians, in 1848 , but the traditional tribal government still governs the Tonawanda Band Of Seneca Indians . THE SENECA NATION TODAY While it is unknown exactly how many Seneca people there are, approximately ten thousand Seneca live near Lake Erie . About 7,800 Seneca people are citizens of the (which contains the city of Salamanca ), the Cattaraugus near Gowanda, New York , the Buffalo Creek Territory located in downtown Buffalo, NY , the Niagara Falls Territory located due east of Niagara Falls , and the Oil Springs , near Cuba, New York . Few Seneca reside at the Oil Springs, Buffalo Creek, or Niagara Territories due to the small amount of land present-- in the case of the last two, because those territories are specifically laid out for casinos. Another 1,200 or more Seneca people are citizens of the Tonawanda Band Of Seneca Indians and live on the Tonawanda Reservation near Akron, New York . Other Seneca descendants are members of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe Of Oklahoma near Miami, Oklahoma , plus a considerable number are citizens of Six Nations and reside on the Grand River Territory near Brantford, Ontario , Canada . LAND CLAIMS The Seneca commenced an action to reclaim land that allegedly was taken from it without the approval of the which was denied on June 5, 2006.http://www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/05-905.htm On April 18, 2007, the Seneca Nation laid claim to a stretch of . Salamanca Press article SENECA ECONOMY Diversified Businesses The Senecas have a diversified economy that relies on construction, recreation, tourism, retail sales, and have recently become involved in the gaming industry. Several large construction companies are located on the Cattaraugus and Allegany Territories. There are also many smaller construction companies that are owned and operated by Seneca people. These companies do sophisticated work like building bridges or large buildings all the way down to pouring sidewalks and building sheds. A considerable number of Seneca men work in some facet of the construction industry. Recreation is one component of Seneca enterprises. The Highbanks Campground plays host to several thousand visitors every summer, as people take in the scenic vistas and enjoy the Allegheny Reservoir . Several thousand fishing licenses are sold each year to eager non-Seneca fisherman of trout, salmon, walleye, muskelunge, pike, bass, and perch. Many of these customers are tourists to the region. Tourism in the area often comes as a direct result of several major highways adjacent or on the Seneca Nation Territories that provide ready accessiblity to local, regional and national traffic. Many tourist visit the region during the dazzling color display during the fall season. A substantial portion of the Seneca economy revolves around retail sales. From sports apparel to candles to artwork to traditional crafts, the wide range of products for sale on Seneca Nation Territories reflect the diverse interest of Seneca Nation citizens. Tax free gasoline and cigarette sales The price advantage of the Senecas' ability to sell tax-free has defended the price advantage as an issue of sovereignty and cited the Treaty Of Canandaigua and Treaty Of Buffalo Creek treaties that suggest that Indians are tax exempt.http://www.honorindiantreaties.org/learn/ This position was rejected by the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, Third Department. Snyder v. Wetzler, 193 A.D.2d 329 In that decision the court held that the provisions of that treaty regarding taxation was only with regard to property taxes. This decision was affirmed by the New York Court of Appeals on December 1, 1994. Snyder v. Wetzler, 84 N.Y.2d 941 In 1997, New York State attempted to enforce taxation of Indian gasoline and cigarettes. The attempt was thwarted after a large number of Senecas set fire to tires and cut off traffic to Interstate 90 and New York State Route 17 (the future Interstate 86 ).http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2006/2006_51994.htm Attorney General Eliot Spitzer attempted to cut off Internet cigarette sales, including negotiating deals with credit-card companies and delivery services to not handle cigarette purchases to consumers.http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2006/jan/jan26a_06.html Another attempt at collecting taxes on gasoline and cigarettes sold to non-Indians was set to begin March 1, 2006; but it was tabled, much to the chagrin of Spitzer and the state legislature, by the State Department of Taxation and Finance.http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2006/feb/feb23c_06.html Shortly after March 1, 2006, a couple of proceedings were commenced to compel the State of has moved to vacate the judgment dismissing his 2002 state court action that was dismissed due to his lack of standing.http://www.upstate-citizens.org/warren-v-spitzer.htm] Gambling Casinos The Seneca Nation began to develop its gambling industry during the 1980s when called Seneca Niagara and the other in the city of Salamanca called Seneca Allegany . The third, the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino , is under construction in downtown Buffalo adjacent to the HSBC Arena . There are groups that are opposing the Seneca Nation's establishment of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino . They include Upstate Citizens For Equality and Citizens for a Better Buffalo, who recently won a lawsuithttp://www.cagnyinf.org/USDC-CBB-Decision-Order.pdf challenging the legality of the proposed casino in Buffalo. Local Region Employment Many Seneca people are employed in the local economy of the region as professionals, including; lawyers, professors, physicians, police officers, teachers, social workers, nurses, and managers. SEE ALSO REFERENCES
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