J. Conrad Seneca sworn in
as Seneca Nation president
By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
SALAMANCA — J. Conrad Seneca took the oath of office for Seneca Nation president Tuesday — 56 years to the day after his father, William Seneca, took the same oath.
Seneca thanked the nearly 900 people who attended Canvas Day 2024 at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Event Center and introduced his family.
Until this election, Seneca reminded those in attendance that he was 0 for 3 in his quest to become Seneca Nation president. “I’m here to work for you, for my people,” he said. “I’ll make sure I do my best job for you.”
Seneca’s mother, June Seneca, was also a Seneca elected leader. He managed her successful campaign for clerk in 1984.
Seneca succeeds President Rickey L. Armstrong Sr., who served three terms as president and was elected earlier this month to a seat on the Tribal Council.
Seneca resigned his seat on the Tribal Council prior to being sworn in by Clerk Lenith Waterman, and later named former President Todd Gates to serve the two years remaining on the open seat.
Seneca said his job is to look out for the Seneca People, to do what is right and to be their voice. After being out of government for 10 years, Seneca re-entered the political arena and won a seat on the Council. “When your people call on you to represent them, you have to answer the call.”
One of the first orders of business will be to listen to what the Seneca community wants to do about the gaming compact with New York state. The compact is being extended each quarter until a new agreement can be struck that will be able to be passed in a Seneca referendum and state legislature. We need (that) financial stability.”
Seneca recalled the early 1990s when the Seneca People were united in opposition to New York state efforts to tax gasoline and challenge the Senecas’ sovereignty. “It was a big battle we won that day,” he said. “It brought us closer together. I want to empower the people.” He said he wanted to hear ideas on the gaming compact from the Seneca community. “I want you at the table with us.”
Seneca also promised continued support for programs for addicts and to help end opioid addiction and to end illegal drug sales on the Seneca territories.
Seneca also said the Seneca Nation and its 8,200 enrolled members need more land to build homes and raise families.
He also endorsed the effort of the 1365 Committee to get some of the “take area” land back seized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in building the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir that flooded thousands of acres of Seneca ancestral lands. “We can take it back,” he said.
Seneca also thanked two Onondaga Nation chiefs for attending his swearing-in. “I appreciate it very much.”
The new Seneca president also voiced support for other members of the old Iroquois Confederacy to cooperate in various endeavors. To other Indian nations, Seneca said, “Come together. Let’s work together, come together as one.”
Armstrong’s wife Martha presented the incoming First Lady Nicole Seneca with a bouquet of roses, and Nicole Seneca gave Martha Armstrong a similar bouquet.
Seneca Councillors Maurice John Sr., and Odie Brant Porter served as masters of ceremonies and acknowledged dignitaries and guests.
President Armstrong also gave welcoming remarks.
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, who represents both Seneca territories, said he is “deeply committed” to a partnership with the Seneca Nation. “You have a voice in Washington,” he stated.
The congressman thanked Armstrong for his leadership and offered to help Seneca in his presidency.
That help includes a fair gaming compact with New York state, Langworthy said. “It is essential to the Seneca economy and all of Western New York. The Nation is one of the largest employers in the congressional district. This needs to get done.”
Langworthy said, “The governor is not doing enough. That’s not acceptable. It’s time New York stopped playing games.” Any new compact “needs to be fair and honest by national standards.”
The congressman concluded his remarks by saying, “You have a partner in me willing to work for the goals of the Seneca Nation.”
Other dignitaries introduced included: State Sen. Sean Ryan, Assemblyman-elect Joe Sempolinski, Salamanca Mayor Sandra Magiera and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who told Seneca he was “following in the footsteps of your Daddy.”
Other officers taking the oath of office Tuesday included: Clerk Lenith Waterman and Treasurer Al E. George. Allegany Councillors Rickey L. Armstrong Sr., Josh Becker, Christian Reiller and Kevin W. Seneca, and Cattaraugus Councillors Eliot “Chub” Jimerson, Lisa Maybee, Klint Nephew and Jonathan D. Williams.
