Third Treaty of Buffalo Creek facts for kids
The Third Treaty of Buffalo Creek was an important agreement signed in 1842 between the United States government and the Seneca Nation. It changed parts of an earlier agreement called the Second Treaty of Buffalo Creek. This treaty helped give back land to the Seneca people.
It was signed because a company, the Ogden Company, had only bought two of the four Seneca reservations that the Seneca people had agreed to sell. These were the Buffalo Creek and Tonawanda reservations. The Third Treaty of Buffalo Creek gave back ownership of the Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Springs reservations to the Seneca Nation.
Protecting Seneca Lands
A special part of this treaty, Article Nine, protects Seneca lands from certain taxes. It says that the government should help protect Seneca lands in New York from all taxes. This includes taxes for roads or any other reason. These lands will stay tax-free until they are sold to people who are not Native American. Once sold, and the Seneca people no longer live there, then the lands can be taxed.
The treaty states:
The parties to this compact mutually agree to solicit the influence of the Government of the United States to protect such of the lands of the Seneca Indians, within the State of New York, as may from time to time remain in their possession from all taxes, and assessments for roads, highways, or any other purpose until such lands shall be sold and conveyed by the said Indians, and the possession thereof shall have been relinquished by them.
Effects of the Treaty
This treaty has had two main effects that are still important today.
Land Ownership and Leases
First, the Seneca Nation has chosen not to sell any of its land to people who are not Native American. This means that within their territory, the land remains under Seneca ownership.
A good example of this is the city of Salamanca. Most of this city is built on the Allegany Reservation. Many people who are not Native American live there. These residents do not own the land their homes are on. Instead, they sign a lease agreement with the Seneca Nation. This lease recognizes that the Seneca Nation owns the land. Since the 1990s, these leases also include any buildings or improvements made on the land.
Tax Exemptions
Second, the Seneca Nation believes that the treaty's tax protection applies to all kinds of taxes. They say it is not just for property taxes. They believe it includes taxes like excise tax (taxes on certain goods) and sales tax (taxes on things you buy). This applies to any business or activity on their reservations.
This idea is very important for the Seneca Nation's convenience store businesses. These stores often have lower prices than other stores. This is because the Seneca Nation believes they do not have to pay certain excise taxes. This gives them a price advantage over stores not on the reservation.
It is important to know that these tax advantages do not apply to non-Native American businesses or residents. If a non-Native person or business leases space on the reservation, they still have to pay excise, sales, and property taxes to the state, county, city, and school authorities.
