Seneca Nation Pushes Back New York State
Workers World Buffalo, N.Y., bureau
Led by the Seneca Nation, all six nations comprising the
Haudenosaunee escalated their confrontation with the forces of
New York state. On July 22, more than 600 Indian people from all
six nations swept into downtown Buffalo for a demonstration
affirming their treaty rights and sovereignty.
The demonstration was led by warriors in traditional regalia and
the drum of the Seneca Nation. The marchers took the streets and
surrounded the State Office Building. The lead banner read
"Indian Nation, Sovereign Forever."
The July 22 demonstration coincided with the 150th anniversary of
the Buffalo Creek Compromise Treaty. The treaty language reads in
part, "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...."
Stop racist tax
Marchers and rally speakers alike declared their determination to
resist New York state's racist attempt to tax Indian businesses
on the Seneca Reservation. "The biggest thing that has come out
of all of this is that the Seneca people came together. The
Indian people across the state came together and the Indian
people across the country are coming together," said Marilyn
Anderson of the Seneca. In addition to the six nations of the
Confederacy, representatives of the Utes, Dakotas and Lakota also
attended.
Speakers at the rally included Kelly John, president of the
Seneca Nation; Jay Seneca, tribal councilor; Dennis Bowen; Larry
Ballagh and representatives from every participating nation. New
York State Sen. Masiello and Assemblyperson Keane also spoke,
pledging their support. Buffalo Common Council members George
Arthur and David Collins also expressed their solidarity.
The Indians' militant action has won the support of people in
Buffalo. Rush hour traffic, backed up by the demonstration, was
clearly sympathetic to the Indians. Every speaker at the rally
pointed out the overwhelming support of non-Indians. Larry
Ballagh, co-chair of the Seneca Coalition Against Taxes, told the
rally: "We thank the people of New York State for their support.
And we send a strong message from our whole people to Mario
Cuomo: Don't try and take away our treaty rights. We won't let
you."
The demonstration led to an extraordinary meeting of the State
Assembly's Indian Affairs Sub-Committee with the Seneca Nation.
The meeting was held on July 24 on Indian land. This summit was
joined by the Committee on Governmental Operations and several
other legislators. Cuomo, who has refused to meet with the
Indians, was noticeably absent.
The meeting extracted a promise from the legislators to uphold
treaty rights by legislation, no matter what the courts do. The
legislators were told bluntly there would be no compromise on the
tax issue. Dennis Lay, Seneca treasurer, said, "We stand for what
we say: no taxes."
The Indians also used the meeting to publicly air complaints
about the brutality of the New York state troopers. Fourteen
Indians were arrested during a week of protests and several more
were beaten.
The Indian people know their victory so far is temporary, and
that only through continued unity and militancy will they
prevail.
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(Copyright Workers World Service: Permission to reprint granted
if source is cited. For more info contact Workers World,46 W. 21
St., New York, NY 10010; "workers@cdp!igc.org".)
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