The Seneca people have a rich history that spans centuries. Here are some key events in their history:

Pre-Contact Era:

• 1000-1400 AD: Seneca ancestors are believed to have lived in the Ohio River Valley before migrating to the Finger Lakes region of present-day New York.

Contact and Colonial Era:

• Early 1600s: Contact with European explorers, including French and Dutch traders.
• 1660s: Seneca join the Iroquois Confederacy, becoming one of its five nations (Seneca, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Cayuga), forming a powerful political and military alliance.
• 1700s: Seneca engage in conflicts with European colonists, particularly during the Beaver Wars and the American Revolutionary War.

19th Century:

• Early 1800s: Seneca, along with other Native American nations, face increasing pressure from westward expansion and government policies.
• 1838: The Treaty of Buffalo Creek results in the forced removal of Seneca from their lands in New York to reservations in present-day Kansas and Oklahoma, known as the “Trail of Tears.”
• Late 1800s: Efforts to assimilate Seneca into mainstream American society intensify with the Dawes Act and the establishment of boarding schools.

20th Century:

• Early 1900s: Seneca continue to grapple with assimilation policies, loss of lands, and cultural challenges.
• 1960s-1970s: Rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM) brings attention to Native American rights and sovereignty, sparking a resurgence in Native activism.
• 1980s-Present: Seneca pursue legal battles to reclaim land rights and assert sovereignty, focusing on economic development through enterprises like gaming and tourism.

21st Century:

• The Seneca Nation establishes successful enterprises, including casinos and tourism ventures, contributing to economic development and asserting sovereignty.
• Ongoing efforts to preserve and revitalize Seneca language, culture, and traditions.

The history of the Seneca people is marked by resilience in the face of significant challenges, including displacement, assimilation efforts, and ongoing struggles for sovereignty and cultural preservation.