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This area has a rich heritage of Native American Indian history and presence. The Seneca Nation of Indians, one of the six original tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, occupies soverign lands in western New York.
The Seneca historically controlled trade through and protected the Western territories of the Iroquois Confederacy, represented symbolically as a Longhouse, thereby assuming the reference "Keeper of the Western Door."
The Seneca Nations three (3) soverign territories are comprised of 22,011 acres along the Cattaraugus Creek, from the Lake Erie shoreline to Gowanda, NY, known as the Cattaraugus Territory; 31,095 acres along the Allegheny River and the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86), known as the Allegany Territory; and a one square mile parcel in Cuba, NY called the Oil Spring Territory. The Allegany Territory has the distinction of having several congressional towns and the City of Salamanca within its boundaries.
The Seneca Nation is recognized as a sovereign nation with their own governing body. This governing body, organized as an elected tribal council headed by an elected president, presides over the activities of the three territories. The government structure is said to have been a large influence on the founding fathers of the United States in their quest to establish a democratic nation. The Seneca’s are said to be the first modern democracy, having a constitution, elected governing body, and elected head official. This is the same governing structure that is in place today on the Seneca Nation.
Located in the City of Salamanca is the Seneca Nation Museum, depicting the rich history and heritage of the tribe. Primitive artifacts and contemporary arts and crafts complement the permanent and traveling exhibits.
Each year, the third week in July, the nation hosts its annual Pow Wow in Salamanca, where traditional dances, arts, and crafts are displayed in a festival type atmosphere. Native Americans from across the country travel to Salamanca to participate.
The Oil Spring territory is located near the spillway end of Cuba Lake. This is the site of the famed spring described by the Franciscan Missionary Joseph De La Roche D'Allion in 1627, the first recorded mention of oil on the North American continent. In 1927, the New York State Oil Producers Association sponsored the dedication of a monument at the site describing the history of the oil industry in North America. The site is now under the supervision of Allegany COunty and a picnic area is available for those visiting the site.
The Seneca Nation endeavors to preserve its rich cultural heritage and welcomes the opportunity to share it with the global community.
To visually explore the land of the Seneca Nation, enter one of the locations listed below in the where drop down box for the map.
Salamanca
Cold Spring
Carrolton
Perrysburg
Cuba
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