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Seneca
Onödowáʼga꞉
Total population
11,000
Regions with significant populations
 United States
( New York,  Oklahoma)
 Canada
( Ontario)
Cattaraugus Reservation 2,412
Tonawanda Reservation 543
Allegany Reservation 1,099
Niagara Falls Territory Ontario
Languages
Seneca, English
Religion
Longhouse (Handsome Lake), Kai'hwi'io, Kanoh'hon'io, Kahni'kwi'io, Christian denominations
Related ethnic groups
Onondaga Nation, Oneida Nation, Tuscarora Nation, Mohawk Nation, Cayuga Nation, other Iroquoian peoples, Wyandot (Huron) Nation, Neutral Nation, Erie Nation, Lenape Nation, Shawnee Nation, Mingo Nation

The Seneca (Seneca: Onödowáʼga:, meaning "Great Hill People") are a group of Indigenous people. They speak an Iroquoian language. Historically, they lived south of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes in North America. Their nation was the westernmost of the Iroquois League (also known as Haudenosaunee) in New York before the American Revolution.

Today, more than 10,000 Seneca people live in the United States. There are three federally recognized Seneca tribes. Two tribes are in New York: the Seneca Nation of Indians with two reservations near Buffalo, and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. The Seneca-Cayuga Nation is in Oklahoma. Their ancestors were moved there from Ohio during the Indian Removal. About 1,000 Seneca live in Canada near Brantford, Ontario. They are part of the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. These Seneca are descendants of those who moved to Canada after the American Revolution. They were allies of the British and lost much of their land.

The name "Seneca" has no connection to the ancient Roman statesmen Seneca the Elder or Seneca the Younger. However, the Roman names might have influenced how the tribe's name was pronounced in English.

History of the Seneca People

A Seneca legend says the tribe began in a village called Nundawao. This village was near the south end of Canandaigua Lake at South Hill. Close to South Hill is Bare Hill, which the Seneca call Genundowa. Bare Hill was once the site of an old Seneca fort.

The first written mention of this fort was in 1825 by David Cusick. He wrote a history of the Seneca Indians. In the early 1920s, materials from the Bare Hill fort were used to fill roads.

The Seneca traditionally lived in what is now New York state. Their lands were between the Genesee River and Canandaigua Lake. An old story about a solar eclipse suggests the Seneca joined the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) around 1142 AD. Later, their territory grew to include the Allegheny River area in Pennsylvania. This happened after the Iroquois defeated the Wenrohronon and Erie nations in the 1600s. The Seneca were the largest of the Haudenosaunee nations. By the 1600s, they numbered about four thousand people.

Seneca villages were found across a wide area of New York. They stretched from Schuyler County in the east to the Genesee River valley in the west. Villages were the main homes and centers for the Seneca. They had permanent settlements and grew crops. They also hunted in large areas and carried out military campaigns. The villages were where these activities were planned.

Major Seneca villages were protected by wooden palisades. Ganondagan was the largest Seneca village in the 1600s, with 150 longhouses. Chenussio was a major village in the 1700s, with 130 longhouses.

The Seneca had two main groups: the western and the eastern. Each group was unique but recognized by the Iroquois Confederacy Council. The western Seneca lived near the Genesee River. They slowly moved west and southwest along the Erie and Niagara rivers, then south into Pennsylvania. The eastern Seneca lived south of Seneca Lake. They moved south and east into Pennsylvania and the western Catskill area.

The Seneca faced attacks from other tribes. To the west and north, the Huron (Wyandot) were a constant threat. To the south, the Iroquoian-speaking Susquehannock also threatened war. In the east, Algonkian tribes like the Mohican blocked access to the Hudson River. In the southeast, the Lenape people (Delaware, Minnisink, and Esopus) threatened war from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Seneca used rivers like the Genesee and Allegheny for travel. They also used the Great Indian War and Trading Path to go from Lake Ontario into Pennsylvania and Ohio. The eastern Seneca had land near where the Chemung River, Susquehanna River, Tioga, and Delaware rivers met. These rivers allowed them to travel deep into Pennsylvania and the Catskills. Seneca men wore hats with dried cornhusks and one feather sticking straight up.

Seneca Daily Life and Culture

The Seneca Nation's economy was based on hunting, gathering, fishing, and farming. They grew corn, beans, and squash. These vegetables were very important to the Haudenosaunee diet and were called "the three sisters". Seneca women grew and harvested these crops. They also gathered and prepared medicinal plants, berries, nuts, and fruits. Seneca women owned all the land and homes. They also cared for animals like dogs and turkeys.

The Iroquois had a matrilineal kinship system. This meant that inheritance and property passed down through the mother's family line. Women were in charge of groups called clans. Children were born into their mother's clan and got their social status from her family. The mother's oldest brother was often more important in a child's life than their biological father. The leader of a clan was called the "clan mother." While women had an important role, their influence on national diplomacy was limited. However, if clan mothers disagreed with major decisions by the chiefs, they could remove them from power.

Seneca men found and developed town sites. This included clearing forests for fields. Seneca men also spent a lot of time hunting and fishing. They would leave their villages for long periods to go to hunting and fishing grounds. These areas were managed to encourage game. Seneca men held the title of war sachems within the Haudenosaunee. A war sachem was in charge of gathering warriors and leading them into battle.

Seneca people lived in villages and towns. Archaeological findings show that some villages were surrounded by palisades for protection during warfare. These towns were moved every ten to twenty years. This happened when the soil, game, and other resources became scarce. In the 1800s, many Seneca adopted customs from their American neighbors. They built log cabins, practiced Christianity, and took part in the local farming economy.

Longhouses and Archery

The Seneca lived in longhouses. These were large buildings, up to 100 feet long, and could hold up to 60 people.

The Smithsonian Institution has an example of a Seneca bow from 1908. It is made of hickory wood and is about 56 inches long. When strung, it would have a "D" shape with slightly curved tips. It was likely used for hunting larger animals. Arrows were made from hickory, dogwood, or Viburnum shoots. They often had two or three feathers for fletching.

Contact with Europeans

Cornplanter
Seneca Chief Cornplanter Portrait by F. Bartoli, 1796

During the colonial period, the Seneca became involved in the fur trade. They traded first with the Dutch and then with the British. This led to more conflict with other Native groups, especially their traditional enemies, the Huron (Wyandot).

In 1609, the French allied with the Huron and tried to defeat the Iroquois. The Iroquois-Huron war lasted until about 1650. The Iroquois Confederacy, led by the Seneca, then began a 35-year period of conquering surrounding tribes. They took captives in "Mourning Wars" to replace people lost to a severe smallpox epidemic in 1635. By taking young women and children as captives, they kept their population stable. By 1648, the Confederacy, led by the Seneca, fought deep into Canada. They surrounded the Huron capital. The Huron, weakened by disease and war, surrendered. They pledged loyalty to the Seneca for protection. The Seneca moved the Huron survivors to their homelands to become part of their tribe.

In 1650, the Seneca attacked and defeated the Neutrals to their west. In 1653, they attacked and defeated the Erie to their southwest. Survivors from both the Huron and Erie were moved to the Seneca homeland. The Seneca took over the lands of these defeated tribes in western New York.

By 1675, the Seneca defeated the Andaste (Susquehannock) to the south. The Confederacy's power spread from Canada to Ohio, deep into Pennsylvania, and along the Mohawk Valley. They sought peace with the Algonquian-speaking Mohegan (Mahican) along the Hudson River. Seneca power within the Confederacy reached from Canada to what is now Pittsburgh, and east into New York and New Jersey.

The Seneca tried to stop white settlers from moving onto their lands. This caused more tension and conflict with the French, English, and Dutch. The Confederacy moved conquered tribes to live between them and the European settlers.

In 1685, King Louis XIV of France sent Marquis de Denonville to govern New France. Denonville aimed to destroy the Seneca Nation. In 1687, he arrived with a large army at Irondequoit Bay. Denonville attacked the heart of Seneca power, destroying many villages, including Ganondagan. The Seneca fled west, east, and south. Although their homeland was damaged, the Seneca's military strength was not greatly weakened. The Confederacy and the Seneca then allied with the British.

Seneca's Growing Influence and Diplomacy

Around 1600, the area of Sullivan, Ulster, and Orange counties in New York was home to the Lenape Indians. These Algonquian-speaking people lived along the mid-Atlantic coast and western Long Island. The Lenape nation included the Delaware, Minnisink, and Esopus bands. These bands were later known as the Munsee because they shared a dialect. The Munsee lived in large areas from the middle Hudson to the Delaware Water Gap.

To the west of the Delaware were the Iroquoian-speaking Andaste/Susquehannock. To the east were the Dutch settlers of New Netherland. The Dutch wanted to trade furs with the Susquehannock near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. By 1626, the Susquehannock struggled to get past the Delaware to trade with the Dutch in New Amsterdam (Manhattan). In 1634, war broke out between the Delaware and Susquehannock. By 1638, the defeated Delaware became dependent on the Susquehanna.

The Iroquois Confederacy to the north grew stronger. The Seneca, being the most numerous, began to travel widely. Eastern Seneca traveled down the Chemung River to the Susquehanna River. At Tioga, the Seneca could reach all parts of Munsee country. Seneca warriors used paths to travel to Scranton and then east to Minnisink. The Delaware River path went south through old Indian towns like Cookhouse and Minnisink.

Using these old paths, the Seneca influenced Ulster and Sullivan counties from the Dutch colonial era. For example, in 1657 and 1658, Seneca diplomats visited Dutch officials in New Amsterdam. In 1659 and 1660, the Seneca helped in the First Esopus War between the Dutch and Esopus. A Seneca chief urged Peter Stuyvesant to stop the fighting.

In 1675, after years of war, the Seneca finally defeated their last great enemy, the Andaste/Susquehannock. Survivors were settled along the Susquehanna River and became part of the Seneca and Cayuga people. In 1694, a report mentioned that Minnisink chiefs feared Seneca attacks if they didn't pay wampum tribute.

Around 1700, the upper Delaware watershed became home to Minnisink and Esopus Indians moving north and west. By 1712, the Esopus Indians reached the east Pepacton branch of the Delaware River.

From 1720 to the 1750s, the Seneca resettled and included the Munsee into their people and the Confederacy. While this was a difficult time for the Seneca due to disease and European settlement, they showed strength and adapted. In 1756, the Confederacy told the Munsee to settle in a new town called Assinisink (where Corning is now). The Seneca received some of the Munsee's war prisoners.

At a peace meeting in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1758, the Seneca chief Tagashata asked the Munsee and Minnisink to make peace with the colonists. A large group of Iroquois attended to show that the Munsee were under their protection. In 1759, records show that negotiators had to work through the Seneca to have success with the Munsee.

Despite French military efforts, Seneca power was still strong in the early 1700s. The Seneca slowly allied with their trading partners, the Dutch and British, against France's goals in the New World. By 1760, during the Seven Years' War, they helped the British capture Fort Niagara from the French. The Seneca had a period of peace from 1760 to 1775. In 1763, a Seneca war party attacked a British supply train during Pontiac's Rebellion.

When the American Revolutionary War began, the Seneca first tried to stay neutral. But both sides wanted their help. When the American rebels defeated the British at Fort Stanwix, many Seneca onlookers were killed.

Interactions with the United States

Ah-Weh-Eyu
Seneca woman Ah-Weh-Eyu (Pretty Flower), 1908.

Before the American Revolution

Before the American Revolution, the Seneca Tribe had a thriving society. The Iroquois Confederacy had stopped fighting among its member tribes, bringing peace. However, the Iroquois tribes were known as strong warriors. They controlled a large area along the Appalachian Mountains. The Seneca were part of this confederacy with the Cayuga, Onondagas, Oneidas, Mohawks, and later, the Tuscaroras. Even with peace among themselves, the Iroquois tribes continued to raid outsiders, including their European visitors.

Despite these raids, the Iroquois tribes formed good relationships with Europeans, especially the English. In 1677, the English made an alliance with the Iroquois called the "Covenant Chain." In 1768, the English renewed this alliance when Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet signed the Treaty of Fort Stanwix. This treaty made the British popular with the Iroquois, who felt the British cared about their interests.

The Americans, however, were disliked by the Seneca. This was because Americans often ignored the Treaty of Fort Stanwix. The Iroquois were angry about Americans moving into the Ohio Territory. Despite this, Americans respected the Iroquois' fighting skills. They tried to keep the Iroquois out of their conflict with the British. The Americans saw their war with the British as a private matter.

At the Albany Council in August 1775, the Iroquois Confederacy discussed the Revolution. Important American figures were present. The Iroquois decided to stay neutral. A Mohawk Chief, Little Abraham, said they would "sit still and see you fight it out." They felt it was best to stay out of this "family quarrel between [them] and Old England."

However, American attitudes towards Native Americans pushed some Iroquois to the British side. Americans often viewed Iroquois and other Native Americans as "savages." The Declaration of Independence even called them "merciless Indian Savages." Because of these negative views, many Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Seneca decided to join the British. However, an American missionary, Samuel Kirkland, convinced many Oneida and Tuscarora to side with the Americans. As the Revolution continued, the Iroquois nation became divided. They ended their council fire, which had united the six nations. This ended the Iroquois Confederacy at a very difficult time.

The British also tried to persuade the Iroquois to join them. Two Seneca people, Mary Jemison and Governor Blacksnake, described the generous gifts the British gave the Iroquois. Governor Blacksnake recalled the luxurious treatment: "the officers came to see us to See what wanted for to Support the Indians with prvisions and with the flood of Rum." He noted they were told to "Drinked as much as we want of it all free gratus." This generosity came with a request for loyalty.

The Iroquois debated which side to join. Governor Blacksnake's uncle, Cornplanter, suggested waiting. But Joseph Brant twisted this into a sign of cowardice. The British saw the Iroquois were divided. They offered rum, bells, ostrich feathers, and a covenant belt. The Americans tried similar tactics with the Tuscarora and Oneidas. In the end, the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca sided with the British. The Tuscarora and Oneida sided with the Americans. From 1777 until the end of the war, the Iroquois fought on opposite sides.

Involvement in the American Revolution

The Seneca chose to fight with the British in the American Revolution. One of the first battles involving the Iroquois was on August 6, 1777, at Oriskany. During the Battle of Oriskany, Native Americans led a strong attack against the American rebels. As the war continued, both sides carried out many more attacks. A notable event was the Sullivan Expedition, which caused great damage to Iroquois and Seneca lands.

The Iroquois were involved in many other battles. Raids like the Cherry Valley massacre and Battle of Minisink were carefully planned. In 1778, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Mohawk warriors raided white settlements in the upper Susquehanna Valley. Although the Iroquois were active, some Seneca, like Governor Blacksnake, were very tired of the war's harshness. He felt his actions at Oriskany were "great sinfull by the sight of God."

The Americans responded to these actions with their own strong attacks. This retaliation came in the Sullivan Expedition. Planning for the Sullivan Expedition began in 1778. It was a response to the Iroquois victories and attacks. New Yorkers complained to the Continental Congress about the Iroquois offensives from 1777 to 1778. They wanted revenge.

Joseph Brant was a key figure. He had Mohawk parents and British family connections. He became a leader for the British due to harassment from Americans. Brant formed a military group called Brant's Volunteers, made of Mohawks and Loyalists. Brant and his group led many raids against farms in New York. As a result of these actions, in 1778, the Seneca and other western nations were attacked by United States forces in the Sullivan Expedition. George Washington asked General John Sullivan (general) to lead this attack. Sullivan had between 3,000 and 4,500 soldiers.

The Sullivan Expedition caused great destruction to Iroquois lands. Soldiers "destroyed not only the homes of the Iroquois but their food stocks as well." Seneca woman Mary Jemison remembered how the soldiers "destroyed every article of the food kind that they could lay their hands on." To make matters worse, a very harsh winter in 1780 caused more suffering for the Iroquois. The Sullivan Expedition showed a period of intense warfare. Americans aimed to cripple the Iroquois. They succeeded, but they also created deep resentment among the Iroquois warriors.

After the Sullivan Expedition, the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Mohawk, angered by the destruction, continued their raids on American settlements. They also attacked Oneida and Tuscarora settlements. The Iroquois continued fighting even after British General Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in 1781. They stopped only when their allies surrendered. In 1782, the Iroquois finally stopped fighting when British General Frederick Haldimand recalled them.

The Iroquois also seemed to know a lot about the wider war. A 1782 letter from George Washington described intelligence from the British. A British soldier told Native Americans the war had ended. However, an unknown Seneca sachem told the British that "the Americans and [F]rench had beat the English, that the latter could no longer carry on the War, and that the Indians knew it well, and must now be sacrificed or submit to the Americans."

After the American Revolution

With the Iroquois League broken up, the Seneca settled in new villages. These were along Buffalo Creek, Tonawanda Creek, and Cattaraugus Creek in western New York. The Seneca, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Mohawk had been allies of the British. They had to give up all their lands in New York State at the end of the war. This was because Britain gave its territory in the Thirteen Colonies to the new United States. The Seneca settlements from late in the war became their reservations after the Revolutionary War. This was part of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784. Even though the Oneida and Tuscarora were allies of the rebels, they also had to give up most of their land.

On July 8, 1788, the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee tribes sold rights to land east of the Genesee River in New York. They sold it to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham of Massachusetts.

On November 11, 1794, the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee nations signed the Treaty of Canandaigua with the United States. This treaty agreed to peaceful relations. On September 15, 1797, at the Treaty of Big Tree, the Seneca sold their lands west of the Genesee River. They kept ten reservations for themselves. This sale opened up the rest of Western New York for European American settlement. On January 15, 1838, the US and some Seneca leaders signed the Treaty of Buffalo Creek. This treaty stated the Seneca would move to land west of Missouri. However, most Seneca refused to go.

The majority of Seneca in New York formed a modern elected government in 1848. This was the Seneca Nation of Indians. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation separated. They chose to keep a traditional form of tribal government. Both tribes are federally recognized in the United States.

Seneca Today

Message stick, Seneca, inviting tribes to Six Nations dance, received in 1905 - Native American collection - Peabody Museum, Harvard University - DSC05419
Seneca people message stick, inviting tribes to Six Nations dance, received in 1905. Exhibit from the Native American Collection, Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

It is not known exactly how many Seneca there are today. However, about 10,000 Seneca live near Lake Erie. Around 7,800 people are citizens of the Seneca Nation of Indians. These members live or work on six reservations in New York. These include the Allegany (which has the city of Salamanca), the Cattaraugus near Gowanda, New York, the Buffalo Creek Territory in downtown Buffalo, the Niagara Falls Territory in Niagara Falls, New York, and the Oil Springs Reservation near Cuba. Few Seneca live at Oil Springs, Buffalo Creek, or Niagara territories because they are small. The last two territories are mainly used for the tribe's gaming casinos.

The Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians has about 1,200 citizens. They live on their Tonawanda Reservation near Akron, New York.

The third federally recognized tribe is the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma. They live near Miami, Oklahoma. These are descendants of Seneca and Cayuga who moved from New York to Ohio before the Revolutionary War. They were later moved to Indian Territory in the 1830s.

Many Seneca and other Iroquois moved to Canada during and after the Revolutionary War. The British Crown gave them land to make up for what they lost. About 10,000 to 25,000 Seneca are citizens of Six Nations. They live on the Grand River Territory, a major Iroquois reserve near Brantford, Ontario.

Some enrolled members of the Seneca Nation also live in other parts of the United States. Many moved to cities for work.

The Seneca language was considered "critically endangered" in 2007. At that time, fewer than 50 native speakers remained, mostly elders. Efforts are now being made to save and bring back the language.

Kinzua Dam and Land Disputes

The federal government built the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River for flood control. This project affected a large part of Seneca territory in New York. Construction began in 1960. It forced about 600 Seneca people to move from 10,000 acres of land. This land was protected by the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua. They were moved to Salamanca, near the Allegheny Reservoir created by the dam. The Seneca protested the plan and asked President John F. Kennedy to stop construction.

The Seneca lost their court case. In 1961, President Kennedy denied their request, saying flood control was urgently needed. This violation of Seneca rights was remembered in the 1960s by folksinger Peter La Farge. He wrote the song "As Long as the Grass Shall Grow," which was also sung by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash.

Leased Land Disputes

The United States Senate had never officially approved a treaty New York made with the Iroquois nations. Only the US Congress has the right to make such treaties. In the late 1900s, several tribes filed lawsuits to get back their traditional lands. They argued the old treaty was not valid. The Seneca also had issues with New York over long-term leases.

The dispute was about 99-year leases given by the Seneca in 1890. These leases were for lands now in the city of Salamanca and nearby villages. In 1990, the Seneca Settlement Act was passed by Congress. This law aimed to solve the long-running land dispute. It required the state to pay money and provide some lands. A few households that refused to accept Seneca ownership were asked to leave their homes. The settlement issues came up again in the early 2000s. Questions arose about the Seneca using settlement lands for casino gaming. These casinos have brought a lot of money to many tribes.

Grand Island Claims

On August 25, 1993, the Seneca filed a lawsuit. They wanted to reclaim land they said New York took without US Senate approval. The lands included Grand Island and other small islands in the Niagara River. In November 1993, the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians joined the lawsuit.

In 1998, the United States joined the lawsuits to help the Seneca. New York had claimed it was protected from lawsuits. After many talks, the court decided on June 21, 2002, that the Seneca had given these lands to Great Britain in 1764. This was part of peace treaties after the French and Indian War. So, the court said the Seneca no longer owned the lands when the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua was signed. The court found that New York's "purchase" of the lands from the Seneca in 1815 was meant to avoid conflict. But the state already owned the land because Great Britain lost the Revolution and gave its lands to the United States.

The Seneca appealed this decision. The United States Court of Appeals upheld the decision on September 9, 2004. The Seneca asked the US Supreme Court to review the case. On June 5, 2006, the Supreme Court declined to hear it. This left the lower court's rulings in place.

Thruway Claims

On April 18, 2007, the Seneca Nation claimed a part of Interstate 90. This highway crosses the Cattaraugus Reservation for about three miles. They said a 1954 agreement was invalid because it needed federal approval. This agreement allowed the state to build the highway through their reservation for $75,000. The lawsuit demanded that some of the toll money collected by the Thruway Authority for this three-mile stretch be paid to the Nation. In 2011, Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter said the Nation should be paid $1 every time a vehicle drives that part of the highway. This would amount to millions of dollars. The Nation also disagreed with the state's attempts to collect cigarette taxes and casino money from tribal businesses. As of 2020, the lawsuit over the thruway was still ongoing.

The Seneca had previously sued the state about highway access. In 1999, the court ruled that the State could not be sued by the tribe.

In 2008, Governor David Paterson included $62 million in his budget from these proposed taxes. He signed a new law requiring manufacturers and wholesalers to promise they were not selling untaxed cigarettes in New York.

In response, the Seneca announced plans to collect a toll from all who travel the I-90 section through their reservation. In 2007, the Seneca canceled the agreement that allowed the thruway to be built. Some people argued this agreement was not needed because the United States already had free passage across Seneca land from the Treaty of Canandaigua.

A law to stop tax-exempt organizations in New York from getting tax-free cigarettes began on June 21, 2011. The Seneca nation has appealed this decision many times but has not succeeded. The state has only enforced the law on cigarette brands made by non-Indian companies. It has not tried to collect taxes on brands made and sold entirely by the tribe.

Economy

The Seneca have a diverse economy. It includes construction, communications, recreation, tourism, and retail sales. They have also started operating two tribal-owned gaming casinos and recreation centers.

Several large construction companies are on the Cattaraugus and Allegany Territories. Many smaller construction companies are owned by Seneca people. A lot of Seneca men work in the construction industry.

Recreation is part of Seneca businesses. The Highbanks Campground welcomes visitors in the summer. People enjoy the views and the Allegheny Reservoir. Thousands of fishing licenses are sold each year to non-Seneca fishermen, many of whom are tourists. Major highways near Seneca Nation Territories make it easy for local and national traffic to visit. Many tourists come in the autumn to see the fall foliage.

A large part of the Seneca economy comes from retail sales. This includes gas stations, smokeshops, sports apparel, candles, artwork, and traditional crafts. The wide range of products sold on Seneca Nation Territories shows the diverse interests of Seneca Nation citizens.

Tax-Free Sales

The Seneca can sell tax-free gasoline and cigarettes. This price advantage has boosted their economy. They have many service stations along highways on their reservations. They also have many internet cigarette stores. Other businesses and the state government do not like their internet sales. New York State believes the tribe's internet cigarette sales are illegal. It also thinks the state can tax non-Indians who buy from Seneca businesses. The Seneca disagree with this.

Seneca President Barry Snyder has said the price advantage is about sovereignty. He also cited the Treaty of Canandaigua and Treaty of Buffalo Creek as reasons why the Seneca do not have to collect taxes on cigarettes for the state.

The New York Supreme Court disagreed in 1994. The court said the treaty only covered property taxes. The New York Court of Appeals confirmed this decision on December 1, 1994.

The Seneca have not extended these benefits to non-Indians. They have tried to prosecute non-Indians who tried to claim these price advantages while running a business on the reservation.

In 1997, New York State tried to collect taxes on gasoline and cigarettes sold to non-Indians on reservations. Many Seneca protested by setting fires and blocking traffic. Then Attorney General Eliot Spitzer tried to stop the Seneca Tribe's internet cigarette sales. His office talked to credit card companies, tobacco companies, and delivery services. He tried to get them to stop handling Seneca cigarette purchases. Another attempt to collect taxes was planned for March 1, 2006, but the state stopped it.

In 2008, Governor David Paterson included $62 million in his budget from these proposed taxes. He signed a new law requiring manufacturers and wholesalers to promise they were not selling untaxed cigarettes in New York.

Casinos

In the 1980s, some states allowed lotteries and other games to raise money. Native American tribes said they had the right to run similar activities. In the late 1980s, the US Supreme Court ruled that federally recognized Native American tribes could have gambling on their reservations. The Seneca Nation then started its gambling industry, beginning with bingo.

In 2002, the Seneca Nation of Indians signed an agreement with New York State. This allowed them to open three large gambling facilities (casinos). They created the Seneca Gaming Corporation to manage these operations. The Seneca Nation of Indians owns and runs two casinos in New York State. One is in Niagara Falls, called Seneca Niagara. The other is in Salamanca, called Seneca Allegany.

Construction began on a third casino, the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, in downtown Buffalo. In 2007, the Seneca opened a temporary casino in Buffalo after federal approval. This was to meet their agreement with the state. Some people have opposed all Indian gambling, especially the Buffalo location. There were also questions about whether the land met the rules for gambling.

Some groups in Buffalo opposed the casino. They believed it would harm the city's economy and social life. In 2008, they won a lawsuit challenging the casino's legality. The court ruled that the land was not eligible for gaming. The National Indian Gaming Commission reviewed the Seneca's plans. The Seneca refused to follow the commission's order and appealed.

Due to a nationwide economic downturn, the Seneca stopped construction on the new casino in Buffalo in 2008. In December 2008, they laid off 210 employees from their three casinos.

Broadcasting

The Seneca Nation has its own broadcasting group, "Seneca Broadcasting." They apply for and buy radio station licenses. The company owned a commercial FM radio station (105.9 MHz) licensed to Little Valley. They bought it in 2009. That station, WGWE, began broadcasting on February 1, 2010. It played classic hits and was owned by the nation until its sale in December 2021.

Employment

Many Seneca people work in the local economy. They are professionals like lawyers, professors, doctors, police officers, teachers, social workers, nurses, and managers.

Notable Seneca People

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