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National
One Heritage, Two Worlds: Series on Seneca Nation


The Buffalo News is running a series "One Heritage, Two Worlds" on the economic status of members of the Seneca Nation of New York.

The first installment looks at the disparities in income earned by tribal members. Some, like business owner Barry E. Snyder Jr. , are millionaires due to entrepreneurial activity. Others, like Melvin L. Gates Jr.., are struggling to get by.

The paper says "millions of dollars - from cigarettes and gasoline, from the federal government, from gambling - have poured into the Seneca Nation" but that the average tribal member has not benefited. The tribal members who have succeeded own cigarette shops or gasoline stations.

The second installment focuses on the smoke shop boom. According to the paper, some Seneca merchants have evaded paying taxes. Several face million dollars fines from the IRS while others have settled.

Tomorrow's installment is called "Who runs the Seneca Nation?"

Get the Story:
ONE HERITAGE, TWO WORLDS (The Buffalo News 5/16)
Share the wealth? Senecas would rather not (The Buffalo News 5/17)