Sarah S. Channing was sworn in as Chief of the Seneca–Cayuga Nation.
GROVE, Oklahoma-On September 30th, 2020, the Seneca-Cayuga Nation held a swearing-in ceremony for a newly elected chief, members of the Business Committee, and Grievance Committee.
Sarah S. Channing was sworn in as the new chief. Channing is the first woman to be elected chief of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation. In addition to electing a new chief, five other positions were filled during the most recent election.
Incoming Chief Sarah S. Channing issued a statement thanking everyone who ran for office, and asking all Seneca-Cayuga people to join together as they work toward a better future:
"Today, I am humbled by the confidence that Seneca-Cayuga voters have placed in me by electing me Chief. Thank you to every voter for caring enough to participate in this election," she said. "I also want to thank the candidates who were not elected today. Their willingness to serve our Nation and stand for this election is remarkable. It will take all of us working together to build a prosperous future for our children and the generations to come . . . I follow in the footsteps of the generations before us who endured unspeakable hardships to make our lives possible today. The need to preserve our language and culture has never been greater. Our young people need to learn the story of the Seneca-Cayuga people from our own mouths. We owe this to our ancestors and those before us. Our story is one of sacrifice and survival, suffering and triumph. As the children of survivors, sharing our story and prospering into the future is our duty."
The Seneca–Cayuga Nation is one of three federally recognized tribes of Seneca people in the United States. Headquartered in Grove, Oklahoma, the Tribe has approximately 5,500 members who live across the United States. The Tribe owns and operates Grand Lake Casino, Seneca- Cayuga Tobacco, and The Lodge at Grand Lake Casino.
