The entirety of Erie County was once the home
to the Seneca Nation. As colonists and immigrants slowly came to the
area, the land of the tribe slowly diminished. Located on the
outskirts of Erie County sit the Seneca Nation Cattaraugus Territory
and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation Territory. The historical Seneca
occupied territory throughout the Finger Lakes area in Central New
York, and in the Genesee Valley in Western New York, living in
longhouses on the riversides. The villages were well fortified with
wooden stake fences, just one of the many industrious undertakings.
The
people relied heavily on agriculture for food, growing the Three
Sisters: corn, beans, and squash, which were known as
Deohako,(pronounced: Jo- hay- ko) “the life supporters.” In addition
to raising crops, the early Seneca were also subsistence hunters and
fishers.The
Senecas
were also highly skilled at warfare, and were considered fierce
adversaries. But the Seneca were also renowned for their sophisticated
skills at diplomacy and oratory and their willingness to unite with
the other original five nations to form the Iroquois Confederacy of
Nations.
Today
the
Seneca Nation supports its own people and benefits surrounding
communities with a variety of cultural, educational and economic
efforts. Its varied enterprises include: world-class casino gaming,
hospitality and entertainment, which employ over 3,500 people, as
well as a convenience store chain (5 stores), construction
management, and diverse holdings in business ventures.
Seneca
culture
and values remain strong and intact. Language, song, art, dance, and
sports are all vital aspects of Seneca culture. Although the number
of fluent Seneca language speakers is diminishing and the language
is considered at-risk, there are language programs at the Seneca
Nation in place to help protect, preserve and develop a new
generation of Seneca language speakers to keep the Seneca language
alive.
With
a
proud and rich history, the Seneca were the largest of six Native
American nations which comprised the Iroquois
Confederacy or Six Nations, a democratic government that
pre-dates the United States Constitution.
This
territory
was officially confirmed by the Big Tree Treaty of 1797. In exchange
for $100,000 and 200,000 acres of land to be divided into 11
reservations, the Seneca Nation relinquished ownership of the
remainder of their territory to Robert Morris. Unlike other tribes,
who lease their land from the U.S. government, the Seneca actually
own their property.
Located
along
Cattaraugus Creek from Gowanda to Lake Erie, the territory
encompasses 22,061 acres in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie
counties. It is primarily residential, however there are a number of
private and Seneca Nation enterprises as well as governmental
administrative buildings, health services and many other
community-based programs and services.
Several
communities
can be found in the territory, including Newtown, Bucktown,
Pinewoods, Eleven Acres, Ozarks, Bush Road, Irving and Indian Hill.
Newtown was established by those forced to leave the Buffalo Creek
Territory. Named for the gas that bubbles from the rocks below
Burning Springs Falls, Burning Springs Indian Fort covers
approximately one acre near the mouth of Big Indian Creek.
Long
documented
as “the Old French Fort” because many thought Native people could
not build such a fort, archaeological evidence has revealed only
Native artifacts at the site.
The
Thomas
Indian School, officially named the Thomas Asylum of Orphan and
Destitute Indian Children, was established in 1855 and is on the
National Register of Historic Places. Closed in 1957, it is now the
site of the Seneca Nation of Indians governmental and health
complexes, including elder housing and services. The SNI Court
Building is the former school infirmary. A few other buildings
remain, however the memory of the school in the community is
generally not a good one due to students’ mistreatment and forced
assimilation. It was part of a broad effort under federal policies
in the United States and Canada to “kill the Indian, save the man”
through
boarding schools.
Several
prominent
Native athletes hail from the territory. Hawley Bemus attended the
Carlisle Indian Industrial School where he would play football under
a new coach, Glenn “Pop” Warner. He also excelled at the pole vault
and discus in track and field and then played professional football
for various athletic clubs. Hawley is given credit for having a hand
in the creation of the forward pass. Western New York has a long
railroad history and Hawley is also considered to be the first
Native American railroad engineer in the U.S. Another notable
athlete was Lewis “Deerfoot” Bennett, a long-distance runner who set
a record in London when he ran 10 miles in 52 minutes.
Ecology
plays
an important role in the territory today. Natural gas can be found
in abundance. Cattaraugus Creek is renowned for its steelhead trout
fishing. Many nesting eagles are making a strong recovery after
being polluted by an upstream glue factory in the early 1900s.
In
addition,
you can visit the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center, located in
Salamanca. Learn about the history of the Senecas through their
exhibitions, from their traditionally crafted items in “They Make to
The Creation Story in When It Began.” You can also learn about their
antler carvings or ornate beadwork in their collections. You can
also view their entire collection at their website.
Situated
30
miles east of Buffalo, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation is the Keeper of
the Western Door of the Haudenosaunee. Despite losing all lands in
the Buffalo Creek treaties of 1818 and 1842, the Tonawanda Senecas
were able to fight the illegal land cessions that had taken place
between the United States and illegal Seneca representatives.
Ultimately, the US-Tonawanda Seneca Treaty of 1857 allowed for the
repurchase of 7,549 acres that constitute the territory today,
although being only a fraction of a once more significant land base.
This was indicative of the strong determination to remain within
traditional homelands and to avoid removal to lands in Kansas.
Because of this effort, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation was afforded the
right to perpetuate its traditional political, social and cultural
ways of life.
The
Tonawanda
Seneca Nation, Council of Chiefs represents the Seneca (onondowaga,
People of the Great Hill) in Grand Council at Onondaga and
constitutes the sole governmental system at Tonawanda. There are
eight clans within Tonawanda society: Snipe, Heron, Hawk, Deer,
Turtle, Wolf, Beaver and Bear. The ceremonial cycle is still adhered
to and performed at the longhouse within the territory.
Despite
being
a small community, there is much emphasis on maintaining and
preserving traditional Haudenosaunee teachings and ways of living.
The programs that exist within the community evidence this.
Honotao:ni’ Heno:deya:sdahgwa’, “They are making the path” is a
school for elementary-age children that focuses on Seneca language
and traditional teachings. Ongweo:weka’ Weno:jada:ge’ has assisted
the elders within the community with their everyday needs.
Seneca
Language
Immersion is a language program for adults, whose main focus is
revitalizing Seneca language in everyday life conversation.
Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force assists environmental issues
that threaten our community and neighboring territories. The Nation
funds all programs previously mentioned, as well as many additional
programs. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation is both politically and
economically independent and sovereign. The Nation has those rights
exercised to their full extent. The Tonawanda Braves lacrosse
program fields both minors and men’s Senior B teams. They compete
against other Haudenosaunee communities each summer.
Famous
members
include Ely S.
Parker who was Wolf Clan chief and secretary to Ulysses S.
Grant. He wrote the final draft of the Confederate surrender terms
at Appomattox. Parker was also the first Native appointed to be
Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Jesse Complanter served as the
territory’s chief, was a World War I veteran and also a Purple Heart
recipient. He was a renowned artist and singer, Cornplanter was the
lead actor in the 1913 film, Hiawatha.
