An anti-Clint Halftown faction of the Cayuga Indian Nation spoke at Tuesday’ Seneca County Supervisors meeting, asking that the county recognize it as officially representing the Cayugas.
The Finger Lakes Times reports Chief Samuel George, representing the the Council of Chiefs and Clan Mothers, told the board it could contact him for any issue concerning the Cayugas. Halftown is recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Nation’s official federal representative. George called Halftown “a domestic terrorist,” citing incidents such as the demolition of Cayuga-owned businesses in Seneca Falls, his hiring of a Cayuga police force and the establishment of a tribal court.
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Seneca Falls Supervisor Mike Ferrara told Dylan Seneca, who also spoke at the meeting, that the federal government is partly to blame for the division between Cayuga factions. He asked Seneca who owns the Seneca Falls smoke shop where a Cayuga nation member has been illegally selling cannabis. Seneca said he will ask the property owner to cooperate with local authorities.
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Indian Affairs Committee chair Bob Shipley says he was handed a note by an attorney representing the Halftown faction, asking for time to speak. Board members said there wasn’t enough time, but invited the Halftown group to address the board at its May 10 meeting. Attorney David Burch said he sent the board an email when he found out the anti-Halftown group would be at the meeting, asking for time to speak.
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