Governor Hochul visits Seneca Nation to apologize for New York’s role in Thomas Indian School atrocities

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

IRVING — Gov. Kathy Hochul came to the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory Tuesday to issue an apology on behalf of New York State for the atrocities that occurred for more than 100 years at the Thomas Indian School.

The Thomas Indian School was founded in 1855 as an orphanage run by missionaries, the governor said. More than 2,500 Indian children  some from other tribes — who were removed from their families passed through the Thomas Indian School, which “became a place of nightmares.”

Hochul spoke to a group of nearly 300 Senecas — including survivors of the Thomas Indian School — in front of the William Seneca Building, which is on the campus of the former school.

Hochul said she and Seneca President J. Conrad Seneca met earlier with victims of the Thomas Indian School. Seneca’s father, William Seneca, a former president for whom the William Seneca Building is named, was one of the children taken from his home and brought to the school.

“This is sacred ground we’re on, the atrocities that occurred here all those many years ago,” Seneca said. The governor’s apology on behalf of the state “offers an opportunity for us to continue the process of healing. I think it also shows that this governor has compassion and cares about our people, the Seneca people.”

Like most people, Hochul was unaware until recently of what occurred to Native Americans at Indian schools across the country and in Canada, where Indian children were taken from their families and sent to boarding schools.

Two months ago, Hochul invited Seneca and tribal councilors to meet with her in Albany to discuss a number of issues. Seneca provided the governor with information on the Thomas Indian School — including the impact it had on his family members – and asked if she would be interested in coming to the Cattaraugus Territory to issue an apology. She quickly agreed.

Hochul said, “It took courage” by the victims to tell their stories and “opened up old wounds,” adding, “I heard voices of many strong people.” 

She said, “The children were so lonely” without their mothers and grandmothers. “No one gave them kisses at night.” The Senecas have always been a matriarchal society, so the loss of childrens’ mothers had a lasting impact.

The governor likened the Indian schools to “ethnic cleansing.” It was intended “to eradicate the long, proud story of the Senecas,” she said. 

Like other Indian schools in the U.S. and Canada, the

Thomas Indian School was part of a policy where “children were forcibly removed from their families, stripped of their names, their language and their traditions.” There were many instances of “horrific physical, emotional and sexual assault.”

These atrocities, which occurred for more than 100 years,
were known by New York State, which owned it for 75 years. “What has happened has been a long legacy of broken promises throughout the 19th and 20th centuries that continues today to affect the families, sometimes resulting in generational trauma that I have heard so clearly,” Hochul said.

“When they left and became parents themselves, they were not conditioned in the nurturing ways of parents that you would expect,” the governor said.

“I cannot change the horrors of the past,” Hochul said. “I wish I could. I wish I could just wipe it all away. We deserve that. But, first of all, by teaching our children today is the first step. Making sure they understand what happened then.” 

The governor said she’s insisting that new educational materials about indigenous nations, their histories, their cultures, their contributions be created. “And I want that in our New York K through 12, so there’s a deeper understanding of the people whose land we are on and what they have gone through.”

Hochul said, “That’s why today, on behalf of the State of New York, I Governor Kathy Hochul apologize to the Seneca Nation of Indians and survivors and descendants from all nations who attended the Thomas Indian School, and I recognize, on behalf of the people of this state the atrocities that were committed there and the enduring trauma that’s been inflicted upon the Seneca and all indigenous peoples across our state.

“With that, I’ll present a proclamation to President Seneca on behalf of the people of the state of New York, acknowledging everything I’ve just said, but I want this forever enshrined, visible to the rest of the state that this day occurred, and I will say long overdue.” 

The Seneca president thanked the governor, saying, “We really appreciate your apology and words today. We look forward to continue building our relationship together with you and working on the many issues that we face together. To everyone here today, thank you for attending.”

There was a reception afterward for those attending and survivors and their families.

In a press conference afterward, Seneca said the governor’s apology was a step toward healing for Thomas Indian School survivors and their families. He also noted the governor’s compassion and commitment to addressing social injustices.

The Seneca president was also asked about the state of negotiations between state and Seneca officials over a new gaming compact. “We are more than just a gaming tribe,” Seneca replied. “We have many other issues that need to be dealt with.” 

When Seneca officials went to Albany to meet with the governor, they had a priority list, Seneca said. At the top was an apology from the governor for the state’s role in the Thomas Indian School.

Seneca said his administration is active in building a foundation for a future relationship with the state. He said his father used to talk of the need to take small steps. “We have to exercise patience.”

Seneca said he planned to push the state for more money for language classes and culture on the territories — “because that is what they tried to take away from our people, our culture, our heritage and our land.”

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All Rights Reserved. Star News LLC. Eric M. Firkel.