The Seneca Nation opposes President Donald Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America amid the escalating trade war with Canada.
Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca released a statement urging the president to revoke the executive order renaming Lake Ontario. The tribe emphasized that Lake Ontario’s name predates the US Declaration of Independence and the Canadian Confederation, signifying its historical and cultural significance.
“Lake Ontario derives its name from Indigenous roots. Long before the United States existed, and before settlers brought the English language to our lands, our Seneca and Haudenosaunee ancestors traveled Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways for many reasons, including diplomacy among our nations. Now, we are seeing the exact opposite of diplomacy,” Seneca stated.
The action that President Trump is taking is un-presidential and disrespectful. His disregard towards the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people is unacceptable,” Seneca continued
The Seneca Nation highlighted that Trump’s action goes against the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua, which guaranteed peace and friendship with the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Six Nations include the Seneca, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Tuscarora.
Aside from operating three casino resorts, the Seneca Nation also runs three gaming rooms in Irving, Salamanca, and Oil Spring.
Reason Behind Trump’s Decision
Trump’s decision to rename Lake Ontario is part of his “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” initiative, with Lake America symbolizing American history, specifically the Great Lakes region.
The renaming of Lake Ontario coincided with trade tensions between the US and Canada, leading to tariffs being imposed on each other’s goods. Trump justified the name change by accusing Canada of unfair trade practices and stated his long-standing contemplation of renaming the lake.
Significance of Lake Ontario to the Senecas
The Seneca Nation has resided near Lake Ontario for centuries. The tribe interprets “Ontario” from the Huron term “oniatarí:io,” meaning “lake of shining waters.” In Seneca language, the lake is referred to as “sga:nyodai:yoh,” meaning “beautiful lake.”
The Seneca Nation encompasses five non-contiguous sovereign territories covering over 53,000 acres in Western New York. The tribe’s Allegany Territory spans more than 30,000 acres, while the Cattaraugus Territory covers almost 22,000 acres.
Through the New York State Gaming Compact, the Seneca Nation operates Class III gaming locations in Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, situated on over 50 acres, is the tribe’s largest casino with 2,500 slot machines and 80 table games.