Governing Treaties

Nation: \nā-shən\ The government of a sovereign state [thefreedictionary.com]

The treaties.

In response to increased pressure from the United States government, the Seneca Nation signed a series of treaties with federal and state governments that ensured our exclusive ownership and governance of our territories.

The Seneca Nation negotiated these treaties in good faith with the American government, not as a conquered people, but rather, as a strong, sovereign nation living alongside the United States’ borders. Yet, the New York State Legislature has made, and continues to make, significant attempts to break the terms of these treaties by interfering with our rights as a sovereign nation.

This is not just a violation of trust. It is a violation of the law and the principles on which the United States was founded.

1784 | The Fort Stanwix Treaty
The very first treaty entered into between the Six Nations and the United States, is signed. It illustrates that the parties regarded each other as sovereigns who were both claiming a right to possess the same land. In this first treaty the parties agree to divide up land therefore live in peace.

1794 | The Canandaigua Treaty
This unprecedented treaty between a government of the United States and an Indian Nation, not only recognized the sovereignty of the Seneca Nation and title to our lands, it also expressly stated that the Seneca people will maintain the “free use and enjoyment” of our lands with no interference from the United States or the state of New York.

1787 | United States Constitution is adopted
Article VI Clause 2 calls treaties “the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby.”

1838 | Treaty of Buffalo Creek in 1838
Efforts to remove Senecas from their lands culminated in this treaty by the terms of which the four remaining Seneca reservations – Buffalo Creek, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus and Allegany were sold and provisions were made for the Senecas to remove to Kansas. The corrupt proceedings were protested, and a new Treaty of Buffalo Creek was signed in 1842. The new agreement stipulated the sale of Buffalo Creek and Tonawanda, but retained Allegany and Cattaraugus. As a result of the Buffalo Creek treaties, some Senecas moved to Kansas.

1842 | The Buffalo Creek Treaty Compromise
The Seneca Nation, United States, the State of New York and Massachusetts were parties. The Treaty provisions’ explicit language prohibits New York State from taxing Indian Reservation activities.

1857 | New York State Legislature
Acknowledges that based on the treaties, the Seneca Reservation is beyond the reach of New York State for taxation for any purpose whatsoever.