Cayuga Nation of New York facts for kids
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Approximately 450 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( New York) |
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| Languages | |
| English, Cayuga | |
| Religion | |
| Longhouse religion, Handsome Lake religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Haudenosaunee, Wyandot, other Iroquoian peoples |
The Cayuga Nation of New York is a Native American tribe. They are officially recognized by the United States government. Most of their members live in New York. Other Cayuga people are part of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma and the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Canada.
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History of the Cayuga People
The name Cayuga (Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ ) means "People of the Pipe." Their language belongs to the Iroquoian family.
The Iroquois League
The Cayuga were one of the original Five Nations of the League of the Iroquois. This powerful group traditionally lived in New York. The first five nations were the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Cayuga. In 1722, the Tuscarora joined them. After that, the group became known as the Six Nations.
Early Life and Trade
Long ago, the Cayuga lived mainly between Owasco and Cayuga lakes. These lakes were located between the lands of the Onondaga and Seneca tribes. Around the mid-1600s, there were about 1,500 Cayuga people.
By the early 1700s, the Cayuga lived in three main villages. Each village had at least 30 longhouses and about 500 people. The Cayuga were important trading partners with the French from Canada. They were very active in the beaver fur trade. They also traded with the Huron for items made from birch bark.
American Revolution and Land Changes
During the American Revolution, most Iroquois nations, except the Oneida, sided with the British. When the British lost the war, they gave up their claims to lands. This meant the Iroquois were forced to give their lands to the United States. Many Cayuga people moved to Canada after the Treaty of Canandaigua in 1794. However, some groups were allowed to keep small reservations in New York. The state of New York later bought or leased land from the Native Americans. These deals were not approved by the U.S. Congress, making them illegal.
How the Cayuga Nation is Governed
The main office of the Cayuga Nation is in Seneca Falls, New York. The nation is led by a council of chiefs. These chiefs are chosen by special women called clanmothers. The Cayuga Nation is also a part of the larger Haudenosaunee confederacy.
Where the Cayuga Nation Lives
The 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua set aside 64,000 acres of land for the Cayuga. This land was at the north end of Cayuga Lake. Since 2005, the Cayuga Nation has been buying land in this area.
Becoming a Member of the Tribe
Children of tribal members can become members at birth. The Cayuga tribe has a matrilineal system. This means children are considered part of their mother's clan. Family ties and what people inherit are passed down through the mother's side of the family. To be a member, a person's mother must be Cayuga.
Cayuga Nation Businesses
The Cayuga Nation runs several businesses. These help support the community.
- Lakeside Trading convenience stores
- Pullens Towing and Recovery service
- Harford Glen Water, which bottles pure water
- Gakwiyo Garden, a farm that grows many fruits and vegetables for members
- Cayuga Corner, a store that sells fresh produce and flowers
- Cayuga Sugar Shack, an ice cream stand and miniature golf course
The nation also owns Lakeside Entertainment. This includes two gaming places. However, these are currently closed due to legal disagreements with New York State.
Lakeside Trading Post and Taxes
The Cayuga Indian Nation has two Lakeside Trading Post locations. These are convenience stores and gas stations. One is in the Town of Seneca Falls and the other in the Village of Union Springs.
In 2008, local authorities took cigarettes from these stores. This happened because the Cayuga Nation did not pay state taxes on sales. The Cayuga Nation believes that as a sovereign nation, they do not owe taxes to the state. This has been a long-running issue. The state argues that tribes are only free from taxes if they operate on sovereign land, like a reservation.
A 2005 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court said that Native American tribes cannot claim sovereignty on land they buy. They must ask the Bureau of Indian Affairs to hold the land in trust for them. The Cayuga Nation tried to stop the authorities and get their cigarettes back. But a New York court did not agree with their request.
Land Claims and Legal Battles
The Cayuga Nation of New York started a land claim lawsuit in 1980. They wanted money or land back for lands taken by New York State in the 1700s and 1800s. New York State had made deals to buy or lease land from the Cayuga Nation. But these deals were made after the Treaty of Canandaigua and were not approved by the United States Congress. This meant the deals were illegal. The Treaty of Canandaigua states that only the U.S. government can make legal agreements with the Haudenosaunee.
In 1981, the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma also joined the lawsuit. A trial was held in 2000 to decide how much money the state should pay. The jury decided that the Cayuga Nation and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe should receive about $35 million for the land's current value. They also got $3.5 million for past rent. After subtracting payments New York had already made, the total was about $36.9 million. In 2001, the court added more money for interest, bringing the total to about $247.9 million.
Both sides appealed this decision. In 2005, a higher court reversed the judgment. This court ruled that the tribes had waited too long to bring their case. This legal idea is called laches. The Supreme Court of the United States later refused to review this decision in 2006.
