Salamanca, N.Y. (WBEN) - Newly sworn-in Seneca Nation of Indians President Tina Abrams wasted no time talking about her agenda for the next two years in office, and local and statewide leaders aren't going to like her agenda.
Abrams - the first female elected of the 8,500-member Seneca Nation - says she will protect her nation's sovereignty and also press New York State to settle its expired gaming compact.
"I will always fight for our sovereignty and our right to conduct business," Abrams said.
Abrams supports the now-controversial construction of the Seneca One Stop gas station and convenience store project in Buffalo's Old First Ward neighborhood and said she is upset with Mayor Sean Ryan, who opposes the $10 million project being developed on federally-designated sovereign territory along Miami Street..
While Congressman Tim Kennedy (D, NY-26) said he wants to meet and establish a relationship with Abrams, Ryan has offered no indication that he will meet with the new president anytime soon.
Abrams expected that response from Ryan.
"I have no reason to meet with Sean Ryan," Abrams said. "He has to educate himself first on the Seneca Nation."
Abrams was equally critical of Gov. Kathy Hochul.
"Hochul has got a battle on her hands," Abrams said.
New York, On Nov. , filed a lawsuit seeking to revoke the Senecas sovereign status for the Old First Ward site and a 200-acre of land along Long Road on Grand Island.
Abrams has concerns over the protracted compact talks.
"I'm willing to meet with her, but she has to do her homework first," Abrams said "She has got a lot work to do."
The Allegany Territory resident, Abrams made Seneca Nation history when she was elecred to replace JC Seneca on Nov. 3 as nation presidnet.
Under Seneca Nation bylaws, presidents can only serve single two-year terms and the president must alternate between the nation's Allegany and Cattaraugus territories.
Besides breaking the Seneca Nation glass ceiling, another milestone was reached during the Nation's annual Canvass Day ceremonies.
Also sworn in was Lenith Waterman as treasurer and Bethany Johnson as clerk meaning, for the first time in its history that dates back to 1848, the top three elected positions are all held by women.
\Abrams has been involved with Seneca Nation leadership since 2001 when she was first elected to the Seneca Nation Council.
Abrams' grandmother, Sybil Eeis, was one of the first Seneca females to serve in an elected position.
Abrams' grandfather, Morris Jimerson, and her father, Walden Jimerson, played key roles in the 1964 ruling that allowed Seneca Nation women the right to vote, effective 1966.
"It was hard to watch the Bills' game last night because I was thinking about today," Abrams said. "History is in my blood."
The newly sworn-in Seneca Nation president vows to fight for sovereignty
The newly sworn-in Seneca Nation president vows to fight for sovereignty
