Ernie Stevens: Seneca Nation keeps commitment to its neighbors


The Seneca Nation owns and operates the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls, New York. Photo: Selbe Lynn

The Seneca Nation has stopped sharing gaming revenues with the state of New York after making $1.4 billion in payments over 14 years. But Ernie Stevens, Jr., a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin who serves as chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, says the tribe continues to support the local community:
The Seneca Nation casinos are a proven success story for the Nation, the state, local citizens, and charities. Revenues generated from the Nation’s casinos enable the Seneca Nation provide critical services to its members, in the form of housing, education and health care.

Seneca is dedicated to being a good neighbor, investing more than $1 billion in capital and infrastructure development in Western New York. The Nation employs nearly 4,000 local residents, spends millions of dollars annually on purchases from regional vendors, and supports local civic and charitable organizations.

On March 31, 2017, after 14 years of quarterly payments, the Seneca Nation made its last revenue share disbursement to the State of New York, fulfilling the terms of its compact, which runs through 2023. Under the compact, the Seneca Nation sent more than $1.4 billion to Albany (in addition to the voluntary contributions noted above). The Seneca Nation Tribal Council has promised to continue to be good neighbors to the communities located near to their gaming operations. These actions follow the goals and purposes of federal law.

Read More on the Story:
Ernie Stevens Jr.: The Seneca Nation Casinos: Working for the Nation and Its Neighbors (Indian Country Media Network 4/14)

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