History Tonawanda Band of Seneca

jesse cornplanter, last descendant of cornplanter, making ceremonial mask, tonawanda community house, 1940

on 15 january 1838, united states government entered treaty of buffalo creek, 9 indian nations of new york, including seneca. treaty part of united states indian removal program, persuaded or forced native american peoples eastern states move west of mississippi river lands reserved them in large kansas territory (now states of kansas , oklahoma). displaced peoples native areas. wanted seneca , other new york tribes move there free lands in new york european-american settlement. under treaty, acknowledged ogden land company going buy 4 remaining seneca reservations in new york. proceeds used pay nation s removal kansas territory.

the modified 1838 treaty treaty seneca of 1842 . new treaty reflected ogden land company had purchased 2 reservations, including tonawanda reservation. seneca retained cattaraugus , allegany reservations. @ time, seneca of tonawanda reservation protested had not been consulted on either treaty, nor had chiefs signed either treaty. refused leave reservation.

in 1848, seneca indians of cattaraugus , allegany reservations held constitutional convention. adopted new form of constitution , government modeled on of united states, including tribal popular election of chiefs. traditionally, hereditary chiefs selected clan mothers , ruled life (unless 1 displeased clan s mother.)

the tonawanda band did not want make such changes, , seceded main seneca nation in new york. reorganized , re-established traditional government council of chiefs representing each of 8 clans. in 1857, under treaty seneca, tonawanda band , tonawanda band of seneca indians secured federal recognition independent indian nation. share of proceeds earlier land sale, bought of tonawanda reservation.

under traditional government, hereditary chiefs typically served life. governed consensus of leaders of clans, formed basis of band. seneca , iroquois peoples had matrilineal kinship system, in descent , property passed through maternal line. children considered born mother s clan , took status people.

tonawanda band consists of 8 clans : snipe, heron, hawk, deer, wolf, beaver, bear, , turtle. each clan appoints clan mother, in turn appoints individual serve chief [from hereditary maternal lines]. clan mother retains power remove chief and, in consultation members of clan, provides recommendations chief on matters of tribal government. clan mothers cannot disregard views of clan, nor can chiefs disregard recommendations of clan mothers.