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CATTARAUGUS |
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| Photographs of Cattaraugus contributed by Lily Jones, Seneca Bear Clan | |
 Early Childhood Learning Center, 2010 |
The Seneca community of Cattaraugus is located in western New York on the eastern shore of Lake Erie. Following the American Revolution, the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794 recognized that much of the land in western New York belonged to the Seneca. Three years later, the Treaty of Big Tree was signed and all but a small portion of the property was sold to the Holland Land Company. The four largest pieces of unsold land became Allegany, Tonawanda, Buffalo Creek, and Cattaraugus reservations.
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| Cattaraugus is 21,680 acres in size and home to about 3,000 people. Most of those who live there are Seneca, but some Cayuga and non-Native people live there too. In 1848 Cattaraugus joined with Allegany reservation in a political revolution. Together they formed the Seneca Nation of Indians and established a new type of government where all the members of the Seneca Nation over 18 can vote to elect their leaders. |
 Administration Building, 2010 |
 Saylor Building, 2010 |
In 1875, Thomas Indian School, a boarding and day school, was constructed at Cattaraugus. Some of the students who attended were orphaned, others were removed from their homes by authorities, and still others enrolled because it was close by. Most of the students were Seneca from Cattaraugus and Allegany reservations. The school required the students to speak only English and to dress in the fashion of non-Natives at that time. Older students helped to grow and put aside all the food necessary for school meals. Thomas Indian School operated until 1957. Many elders from the Cattaraugus community still recall their days at the school and, even though some things about the school made them sad, some were sorry to see it close. |
| Cattaraugus Creek still runs through the reservation providing a place to fish, swim, and picnic, but today the New York State Thruway also goes through the community. There are artist studios, private businesses, a bingo hall, library, daycare center, health center and senior housing. Most of the youth play on soccer, basketball, or lacrosse teams. |
 Sports Field, 2010 |
Language House, 2010 |
Like many other Iroquois communities, the original language is spoken by very few people. Combining computer technology with traditional methods, a dedicated group of community members aided by Seneca elders are working to preserve their language for future generations. This is especially difficult since many of the people who remember the language are well over 70 years old. But the elders know how important it is, so they work hard too. |
 Court House, 2010 |
 Elder Bus, 2010 |
 Medical Center, 2010 |
 Wellness
Center, 2010 |
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Pete Jones Studio
Box 174 Versailles Plank Rd. Versailles, NY 14168 (716) 532-5993 Clay sculptures & pottery Seneca Nation Library Cattaraugus Reservation Branch 1490 Rt. 438 Irving, NY 14081 (716) 532-9449 Gil Lay Memorial Sports Arena Rt. 5, Irving, NY 14081 (716) 549-0888 |
Seneca Nation of Indians 1490 - Route 438 Irving, NY 14081 tel. (716) 532-4900 fax: (716) 532-9132 |