Seneca businessman focused on continuing Seneca Nation Legacy
Irving, NY September 11, 2022—Prominent WNY businessman J.C.Seneca first served on the Seneca Nation Council as a young man following in the footsteps of his father, William Seneca. He then continued to serve his community through the next two decades as both a Councilor and a Treasurer. It is that legacy of service that has led Seneca to again declare his candidacy for the office of Seneca Nation Cattaraugus Councilor.
“I was part of the transition of leadership in our nation’s government to the next generation in the 1990’s,” Seneca stated. “I learned from those elders who governed from the 1950’s to the 1980’s and received valuable advice from them in what it takes to be a nation councilor. While times have changed, there is still value in the way they governed and cared about our people, which is something missing in our government today. There are many issues that concern the Seneca people—the Casino Compact with New York State, the rising drug addiction and alcoholism on our territory, the financial stability of the Seneca Nation, to name just a few. But rather than make empty promises on issues, I am pledging to the Seneca People that I will govern with full consideration of every person’s issue and concern, relying on the lessons taught to me by my elders and my past governing experiences, and honoring our Seneca Nation Legacy.”
Seneca is a respected businessman and philanthropist throughout the Seneca Nation and Western New York. His Native Pride Travel Plaza on The Tallchief Territory has been successfully operating for 27 years with expansions that have included a convenience store, the Tallchief Diner, Tallchief Outdoor Events Center and Tallchief Meeting Place. His JC Seneca Foundation has been advancing healthy living in body, mind, and spirit for the people of the Seneca Nation and surrounding communities for over a decade. The nonprofit recently furthered its impact by entering into a partnership with the Center for Indigenous Cancer Research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, which provides patient navigator services on the Seneca Nation. Seneca notes whether in business or community service, he has always had one goal in mind.
“While other candidates talk about issues and make promises about what they are going to do when elected, I’m offering something different,” Seneca stated. “I have spent most of my adult life working to create better ways of living for my family, and for the people of the Seneca Nation. What I have learned in that time is what really matters is to follow through and get the job done, be honest and fair, be a good listener, and have good communication with people. As a Seneca Nation Councilor, that is what I will bring to the table—the ability to lead with integrity, and inspire people to have hope, faith, and trust in the government of their nation.”
The Seneca Party Caucus will take place on Friday, September 16th at Seneca Fire on Route 438 on the Seneca Nation Cattaraugus Territory, and at the Seneca Party Headquarters on the Allegany Territory in Salamanca. Polls will be open from 9am to 8pm.
ABOUT J. C. SENECA: J.C. Seneca is a member of the Seneca Nation. He has been elected and/or appointed to a number of local and national Native government offices and organizations throughout his adult life. He was first elected as a Seneca Nation Council in 1990, following in the footsteps of his father William, who was elected Seneca Nation President (1968) and Treasurer (1970). J.C. served as Seneca Nation Treasurer (1998-2000), and two terms as a Councilor (2006-2008 and 2008-2012.) In 1991, he was elected to serve for two years as a North East Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians, acknowledged as, “The oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities.” From 1998-2000, he served as a board member of the United States and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET.)
J.C. is the owner of Tallchief Territory, Home of Native Pride Travel Plaza, located on the Seneca Nation in Irving, NY. He started his business career in 1987 as a young entrepreneur with big dreams. By 1995 he had developed his own truck stop business and spent the next 25 years building a successful 22-pump gas and diesel service area complimented by a diner, a 24/7 convenience store and shower and lounge services for professional truck drivers. In 2019, Seneca was recognized as a Top 50 Native Business Entrepreneur by Native Business Magazine, a national publication based in Bellevue, WA. In 2021 and 2022, he was further honored by Buffalo Business First as one of the city’s 250 Most Powerful People in the community. He is also a United States Air Force veteran.
J.C.’s civic leadership is reflected in the creation of the JC Seneca Foundation, a nonprofit corporation with a mission to advance healthy living in body, mind, and spirit for the people of the Seneca Nation and surrounding communities. In 2021, he expanded the reach of his foundation by partnering the Center for Indigenous Cancer Research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, to provide patient navigator services for all people at his Native Pride Travel Plaza on the Tallchief Territory.
Backed by a quarter century of goals and achievement, in 2020 Seneca made the decision to reformat his Native Pride Brand by incorporating it with his family’s Seneca Nation Heritage. It is a heritage tied to his great, great, great grandfather, Tallchief, who claimed the land where Seneca began his entrepreneurial journey and today continues to grow his business, now known as, Tallchief Territory Home of Native Pride. https://www.tallchiefterritory.com/
