Seneca-Cayuga Nation

Seneca–Cayuga Nation
(formerly Seneca–Cayuga Tribe
of Oklahoma)

Flag of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma
Total population
(5,059 (2011))
Regions with significant populations
United States ( Oklahoma)
Languages
English
Religion
Longhouse
Related ethnic groups
Haudenosaunee, Wyandot, other Iroquoian peoples

The Seneca–Cayuga Nation is one of three federally recognized tribes of Seneca people in the United States. It includes the Cayuga people and is based in Oklahoma, United States. The tribe had more than 5,000 people in 2011. They have a tribal jurisdictional area in the northeast corner of Oklahoma and are headquartered in Grove. They are descended from Iroquoian peoples who had relocated to Ohio from New York in the mid-18th century.

Two of the three federally recognized Seneca tribes are located in New York: the Seneca Nation of New York and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians.

The Seneca–Cayuga Nation have an elected system of government, consisting of two governing bodies: the Reservation Business Committee (RBC), which acts as the Tribe's legislative council and oversees the daily governing of the Tribe, and the Grievance Committee, which acts as the Tribe's judiciary.

The Reservation Business Committee consists of seven members: Chief, Second Chief, Secretary-Treasurer and four RBC Members. The current chief is William L. Fisher. The Grievance Committee consists of five members. On odd years, Chief, First and Third RBC Members, and First, Third and Fifth Grievance Committee Members are elected. On even years, the Second Chief, Secretary-Treasurer, Second and Fourth RBC Members and Second and Fourth Grievance Committee Members are elected. All elected Business Committee terms are four years.

The Seneca–Cayuga criteria for Nation membership are:

There are 5,059 enrolled members of the Nation, of which 1,174 live in Oklahoma.

The Seneca-Cayuga Language and Cultural Society hosts cultural events, such as Stomp dances. The tribe has a community building in Grove for public events.

The Seneca–Cayuga have a Class II casino near Grove, Oklahoma. They also have a cigarette manufacturing plant there, which makes their Skydancer brand cigarettes. By investing a large portion of their gaming and industry profits into their community, since the late 20th century and passage of Indian gaming laws, the Seneca–Cayuga Tribe has gone from being a destitute people to enjoying a fair amount of social prosperity.