Senecas To Consider Salamanca-Area Casino

SALAMANCA - The Seneca Nation of Indians discussed plans to build a casino in Buffalo and the possibility of drafting a referendum for Seneca Indians on the Allegany reservation Thursday night at a pre-council meeting.


The Council decided there was not enough information to make a decision on a referendum. Instead, council members decided to form a Class III gaming task force to determine the economic, cultural and community impact of a casino in the Salamanca area, Seneca Nation President Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr. said. The task force will report back to the council on July 12 to make a decision on a possible referendum.


The Seneca Tribal Council will also meet on June 14 to make a decision on the location for a Buffalo casino. The Seneca Nation of Indians is currently negotiating with the city of Buffalo about the details. A referendum is not necessary for the Seneca Nation to build a casino in Buffalo.


In 1998, the Senecas voted to allow discussions with New York state on building a casino on acquired land, but not on the Allegany or Cattaraugus reservations.

The Tribal Council "feels they need a referendum to proceed," President Armstrong said. "We want to hear from both sides." While there are some among the Seneca Indians who do not want a casino, President Armstrong said, "I feel that people support it. We want to give people a voice."