| Tue, September 07 2010 |
|
|||
From the Presidents Desk, Seneca Nation Newsletter August 31, 2007
September 7, 2007 7:23PM
By Joe Wise
This is the Letter from the Seneca Nation President that is on the front cover of all the Seneca Nation news letters I get. Since I have not seen one on the Seneca Nation page (www.sni.org) since "Mo John" has been president, DISPITE REPEATED EMAIL QUERIES AS TO WHY, I retype it and will continue to do so as I have time.
Please note, that ABIWord (a linux version of word) found many errors in what I had typed, I quit correcting them because many of them where in the newsletter like that.
I hope everyone is well and in good health. I would like to mention briefly some of the project and events that are currently taking place in the Nation. Needless to say, all Seneca Nation departments are busy carrying out their job duties to the best of their ability. More over, all programs are created to serve the Seneca people, directly and indirectly.
FISCAL YEAR 2008 BUDGET REVIEWS
Currently, the Seneca Nation Budget & Finance Committee and the Fiscal staff is reviewing the proposed budgets for the Fiscal Year 2007 (period 10/01/07 - /0/30/08) submitted by the various departments of the Seneca Nation. This is not an easy task, and I would like to commend this committee and the fiscal staff for their painstaking review of all the budgets. When they complete their review, they will forward the budgets with their recommendations to the Tribal Council for final approval of the Fiscal Year 2008 budget. The new fiscal year will begin October 1, 2007.
SENECA DIABETES FOUNDATION
The Seneca Diabetes Foundation (SDF) held its third annual golf tournament fund raiser Monday, August 13th, with a record breaking participation of 322 golfers, on of the largest field of golfers in WNY history. The foundation raised more than $300,000, an unprecedented fund raising endeavor. This year, SDF has raised over 1 million dollars in donations. Monies raised have gone towards various programs to assist Seneca Nation members suffering from diabetes including:
(1) partnerships with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Western New York, (2) Independent Health and their ?Good for the Neighborhood Program,? (3) the SNI Health Department, who received 2 vans purchased specially for the transportation to and from dialysis treatment, and (4) SDF recently established the Children?s Hospital Endowment.
SDF?s mission is to provide education outreach, prevention awareness and fun research to improve the lives of Seneca Nation members affected by diabetes.
SDF would like to thank the entire Board for their commitment and hard work, especially Chairman Barry E. Snyder, Sr., Lucille White & the staff at the Treasurer?s office. The SDF Board would also like to extend our thoughts and well wishes to our Vice-Chariman Geraldine Memmo who is recovering at home from recent ailments. Additionally, SDF would like to thank our many community partners for their donations and support.
This year?s SDF Scholarship winners where announced at the third annual Golf Tournament. The recipients are listed in a separate article in the next edition of the SNI Offical Newsletter.
SGC INTERN LUNCHEON
The Board of Trustees of the Seneca Gaming Corporation recently approved the creation of a Seneca Intern Program in an effort to enable Senecas to prepare academically and experientially for management positions. I am pleased to announce that the first seven interns completed a six week program and will now return to college. A luncheon was held for the interns on August 15 at the Seneca Niagara Hotel. I would like to congratulate these interns for their interest and diligence. A group picture of the interns, SGC Board members, and SGC Key Management staff will be in the 8-14-07 newsletter.
SNI ATHLETIC COMMISSION
On August 16th and 17th, the newly formed Seneca Nation of Indians Athletic Commission, Barry Snyder Sr., Martin Seneca Jr., and Robert Porter, where invited to meet with representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Athletic Commission and the Mohegan Athletic Commission. Both tribes have offered their assistance in development of the Seneca Nation of Indians Athletic Commission. The SNI Athletic Commission has spent two days observing pre-fight procedures, weigh-ins and receiving training on the role and responsibilities of an Athletic Commission. both the Pequots and the Mohegans have strict regulations governing the health and safety of fighters, including extensive medical requirements. The SNI Athletic Commission will be following the same medical requirements that the New York State Athletic Commission would require.
The SNI Athletic Commission will be regulating its first boxing event August 31, 2007 to be held at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CONSTITUTION.
Councillors Richard Frank, Rodney Pierce and I accepted the invitation to attend the Seminole Tribes? celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of its corporate charter and constitution. ?It recognized our tribal sovereignty,? said tribal councilman Max Osceola, 57 who is serving his 12th term. Tribal leaders, members and representatives from six Florida reservations commemorated the signing of the Seminole constitution on August 21, 1957, with prayer, words of unity and a symbolic re-enactment of that signing. With the establishment of a constitution, the tribe laid the foundation for its form of government, and stopped the U.S. government from abolishing the tribe, a policy known in the 1950?s as ?termination.? Osceola said, ?the tribe ?evolved from termination to self-determination.? The document signed Tuesday will be placed in a vault at the Big Cypress reservation, along with the original document. Druing the ceremonies, tribal leaders, including Chairman Mitchell Cypress, sat on a platform stage under a giant oak tree, the same tree where the tribe?s elders met 50 years ago to vote on the new constitution.
Today, the Seminole tribe is prosperous, having been engaged many years in operating bingo halls and casinos, as well as several other enterprises. They recently purchased the chain of Hard Rock Cafes.
We gave Chairman Mitchell Cyperss a Seneca Nation flag. Chairman Cypress and tribal members were most hospitable, and we enjoyed the experience of visiting a tribe lcoated in the southeast. The Seminole Tribe is a member of the United South and Eastern Tribe organization.
SCHOOL BEGINS SEPTEMBER 5&6, 2007
In most communities, school will begin September 6, 2007. I believe that the annuity checks dated August 30, 2007 will help in buying clothes and supplies for the children who attend school. For those who do not have school children, I am sure that the checks will help pay for necessary expenses.
I hope everyone is enjoying the weather.
Maurice A. John, Sr.
President
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS