Statement from the Council of Seneca Nations

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Seneca Nation Council

SENECA NATION - The following statement was issued by the Council of the Seneca Nation. This is the first time the Native News Network has published anything about the incident that occurred last Friday night, February 10 at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Even though other media outlets, including "The New York Times" reported the incident we did not feel it was appropriate to run a story until more information was gathered.

The following statement speaks for itself and the Native News Network is running it in its entirety as it was issued to our network:

A Statement from the Council of the Seneca Nation of Indians Regarding the Events February 10, 2012 at the Seneca Niagara Casino and its Aftermath

The altercation that occurred at the Seneca Niagara Casino last Friday night has raised many issues that have yet to be properly addressed by Seneca Nation officials. It is for this reason that the Seneca Nation Council feels compelled to offer this statement.

What happened that evening was an isolated incident that has since escalated out of control in the media locally, statewide, nationally and even globally. It's troubling that so many people have jumped to conclusions based on hearsay, inconclusive statements and second hand rumor. Every situation has two sides and this case isn't any different. The situation degraded into an altercation with physical contact and minor injuries. New York State Senator Mark Grisanti and his wife came to be at the center of this conflict. No arrests or charges have resulted from the incident.

What did result was a media frenzy initiated by statements and accusations by persons who were actually responsible for much of the disturbance. These statements combined with the immediate press releases from Seneca President, Robert Porter expressing sympathy and apologies to New York State Senator Mark Grisanti and his wife, condemned the actions of the Seneca's involved.

Without the proper investigation it fed an all too eager media to cast the people of the Seneca Nation in the worst possible light resulting in fictitious political assumptions.

Unfortunately what has become the real story is the racist, stereotyping of the Seneca people through internet and social media outlets by the misinformed non-Seneca public.

As Seneca people we have to ask ourselves, when are people going to stop vilifying Native Americans?

The Seneca Nation Council, having reviewed the video, reports, eyewitness accounts and, in some circumstances, having witnessed the events first hand, are appalled first by the real actions of those involved and then by the inaccuracies, mischaracterizations and outright false statements given to the press and media's willingness to run with a skewed version of the events with no fact checking, no evidence and not even the hint of scrutiny over some very damning allegations.

The Seneca Nation Council, rightfully, would like to see apologies offered by all parties. The incident was unfortunate and isolated. It does not reflect the overwhelming positive and enjoyable visits made by the patrons every day. The Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Council apologizes to the Seneca people and the patrons for this series of unfortunate events.

posted February 18, 2012 7:10 am est