Tina Abrams Becomes 1st Elected Female President of The Seneca Nation

Tina Abrams has officially sworn in as the Seneca Nation’s first female president making history in the process. The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday in Seneca Allegany Casino. In her inauguration speech, Tina made it clear that protecting the sovereignty of the Seneca Nation will be one of her key objectives. The newly elected president won the election process both in caucus and general elections.

Tina is well experienced in management of nation and had been serving as a councilor of the Seneca Nation for many years. Her election has led to the emergence of an unprecedented executive comprising only women for the next two years, with women occupying all the three elective positions. In addition Lenith Waterman and Bethany Johnson will serve as treasurer and nation clerk respectively.

Key Highlights:

• Tina Abrams becomes the first elected female president of the Seneca Nation
• Women take all three elected executive positions in the Seneca Nation
• Tina faces challenges over land sovereignty and the renewal of the gaming compact

Tina’s selection has been well-received within the Seneca Nation community as a landmark event in the political history of the Nation. Leslie Logan describes it as an exciting and long-awaited victory for the Seneca women. Navigating through legal conflicts relating to land ownership and development by the Seneca Nation will definitely be among Tina’s main concerns as she assumes her responsibilities.

"I bear a great responsibility to 8500 Senecas, and I will work every day to honor that responsibility and to live the words of the oath that I'll take today," Tina told reporters prior to the swearing in. "Their voice will always be the voice that guides me."

The Seneca Nation faces legal action by Buffalo and New York State in relation to development projects owned lands located in Buffalo and Grand Island. The situation arose after the city of Buffalo objected to construct a gas station on a three acre piece of land located between Ohio and Miami streets because of the need for zoning approval.

In October, a state judge rejected the city's application for an injunction to block construction. New York State is now seeking a ruling from the federal court regarding the Interior Department's decision to grant restricted fee status for the piece of land in Buffalo and another 200 acres in Grand Island.

Renewal of gaming compact signed between the Seneca Nation and the state of New York is another significant problem to be addressed under the new president’s leadership. Tina will serve the office for eight years.

Tina added "I'm proud and excited and I just keep remembering the people that elected me and the people who put me here."