Don’t Violate the Treaty of 1842
by Arlene DeJoy

I grew up with many Seneca Nation Indians and learned to respect them and their culture very much. Now, I teach Social Studies in a middle school in Pittsford, NY. I teach my young students about Native American history and culture and every year I teach their history, my heart and the students' hearts break. I teach them that the way the Indians were treated was wrong and sad and that they deserve to have reserved land and to be exempt from taxes. Then, I hear that our state government wants to break their precious treaties and to continue the disrespect and greed that has plagued us for years. I am saddened by this because we are teaching future generations that money is more important than honor.

Governor Pataki and our state legislatures are role models and leaders, they need to begin to respect these wonderful, gentle people and their treaties.

We count on our elected officials to make decisions that are in keeping with the laws of the United States. Please don’t let down the people of New York by violating the Treaty of 1842. Because that would be breaking the law, and I don’t want that done on my behalf.

by Arlene DeJoy

8/8/05