Seneca Nation members board bus to Manhattan
By JACKI COMELLO OBSERVER CorrespondentArticle Photos
SENECA NATION - In a show of support, nearly 100 Seneca Nation members boarded charter buses Monday afternoon en route to Manhattan. The purpose of their trip is to attend a hearing on collection of cigarette taxes from reservation retailers. The hearings will be held on the campus of the Borough of Manhattan Community College.
Representatives of the Seneca Nation will testify on the treaty-protected right to free trade and commerce. Tribal Councillor J. Conrad Seneca is one of the representatives who will speak at the hearing. He said in the 10 to 12 minutes he will have the floor, he plans to give a presentation explaining the Seneca's situation, economic impact, treaties, viewpoints, and beliefs.
"I think the more opportunities we have to do that, the more people will learn and understand why we're so upset when New York state tries to impose these laws or these rules upon us," he said.
Seneca said he has been involved with fighting for the rights of the Nation for 25 years. He spoke of the history of the treaties, which dates back to 1794, and added the Seneca Nation is the only nation with a treaty with George Washington.
"It's not until the economy is so bad in New York that they want to tax us," he said. "Treaties are supreme law of the land. Certainly New York state has to respect and honor those and keep the commitments and agreements that they have with the Seneca Nation and the other Indian nations in New York."
While waiting to board the bus, many Seneca Nation members took part in a peaceful demonstration at the site of the Honor Indian Treaties trailer located on Route 438 at the Thruway overpass adjacent to the I-90.
A large fire was kept burning with pallets and big logs added to it periodically.
Signs with phrases like "Let's talk," "No NYS taxes" and "Break a treaty, break the law" were lining the roadside and held by protestors. Cars and trucks kept the noise level high as they honked their horns as they passed.
When asked what would be next after the hearings, Seneca answered, "We'll see what happens. I really can't answer that question. But one thing's for sure, the Seneca Nation will fight to defend its rights and its freedoms for now and forever."
He went on to explain that the fight is not just for Senecas, but for non-Indians as well.
"We did an economic impact study last year and it showed that the Nation is a $1.1 billion contributor economically here in Western New York. We provide over 6,000 jobs."
Before Seneca and the scores of supporters departed for their trip to Manhattan, he closed with this statement, "We're concerned not only for our own people, and our own economy, but for this whole region of Western New York.
Seneca plans to publicize his testimony after the hearing.
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10-27-09 9:39 PM
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