N.Y. state sues to invalidate Seneca Nation sovereign status claims – Spectrum News

N.Y. state sues to invalidate Seneca Nation sovereign status claims  Spectrum News

One is a Miami Street site in Buffalo and the other is a 207-acre property on Grand Island, gifted to the Seneca Nation by Acquest Development. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office is filing two lawsuits against the federal government over two disputes with the Seneca Nation. The suits were filed against the U.S. Interior Department and its Bureau of Indian Affairs. Hochul is pushing to remove sovereign status from two properties owned by the Seneca Nation. The state says neither property met requirements to be considered sovereign territory and should not have federal approval. Ryan Whalen, a spokesperson for Hochul's office, released a statement saying that while the governor wants a productive relationship with the Seneca Nation, she wants to ensure development has proper oversight.

“Governor Hochul is committed to a strong, productive relationship between the State and the Seneca Nation and she respects the principles of tribal sovereignty. The governor also has an obligation to protect the interests of all western New Yorkers, including ensuring that development in their communities follows appropriate laws and oversight. The State believes the Department of the Interior incorrectly qualified these parcels for sovereignty status, and we are confident the courts will agree.” The Seneca Nation said this is the latest in a line of repeated attacks from the state. "As we celebrate