Seneca Nation welcomes New York governor for historic visit

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J. Conrad Seneca, President of the Seneca Nation discusses planning details for Governor Kathy Hochul's visit to the Cattaraugus Territory tomorrow. It is important to note that there will be traffic restrictions around the William Seneca Building during the event. Your patience and understanding is appreciated. Remember that this event and the Governor's apology is so much more than politics, but a necessary step toward healing and recognizing the trauma we have suffered in the past that is still felt today. Seneca Media will be LIVE streaming the press conference tomorrow here on our Facebook page. There may be moments of signal or bandwidth issues that could affect the quality of the stream, so please bear with us, as we always aim to bring high-quality content to our community.
Posted by Seneca Media & Communications Center on Monday, May 19, 2025

Seneca Media & Communications Center: Governor Kathy Hochul's visit to Cattaraugus Territory

Monday, May 19, 2025

Indianz.Com

The Seneca Nation is hosting New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) for a historic visit.

According to the tribe, a sitting governor has never visited the Seneca Nation. That changes on Tuesday, when Hochul issues an apology for the state’s role in the Thomas Indian School.

The Thomas Indian School was operated by the state from 1875 to 1957. The facility was located on the Cattaraugus Reservation, where Hochul will be making the apology.

“Thousands of children from various Native Nations were separated from their families and forced to attend the school, and other residential boarding schools across the United States and Canada,” the tribe said in a media advisory. “They were stripped of the traditional language and culture, and suffered abuse, violence, hatred, and sometimes death, at the hands of school officials.”

A view of the Thomas Indian School, also known as the Thomas Asylum for Orphan & Destitute Indians, on the Cattaraugas Reservation in New York. Photo: U.S. Library of Congress

Hochul’s appearance follows a historic apology last October from then-president Joe Biden for the federal government’s role in the genocidal Indian boarding school era. Seneca Nation J. Conrad “JC” Seneca said he asked the governor if she would do the same.

“When I met with the governor, I asked her if she would consider apologizing on behalf of the state and the role that the state played in the Thomas Indian School,” Seneca said in a video posted on the tribe’s social media on Monday.

“She, without hesitation, agreed and said it was her moral responsibility to come and apologize for what happened here at Thomas Indian School,” Seneca added.

Hochul is due to appear at 10:30am Eastern on Tuesday morning. A livestream will be available from Seneca Nation Media and Communications at facebook.com/senecamedia and on governor.ny.gov.