The Cayuga Nation of New York stands as a testament to resilience, cultural preservation, and the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples. Their history, deeply intertwined with the formation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and subsequent interactions with European colonists and the United States government, reveals a narrative of both profound influence and immense challenges. This article delves into the rich tapestry of Cayuga heritage, exploring their origins, governance, language, land rights, and contemporary life.
A Legacy of Unity: The Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The story of the Cayuga Nation begins long before European contact. Around the 12th century, driven by a desire to end incessant inter-tribal conflicts and establish a lasting peace, the Cayuga, Seneca, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk Nations united under the guidance of the Great Law of Peace. This union forged the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, often referred to as the "People of the Longhouse." The Longhouse symbolizes the collective home of the Confederacy, with each nation maintaining its distinct identity while contributing to the overall strength and stability of the alliance.
The Great Law of Peace, a sophisticated oral constitution, laid the foundation for a system of governance based on consensus, shared responsibility, and the well-being of future generations. This framework, emphasizing balance and cooperation, fostered a remarkable period of peace and prosperity among the Haudenosaunee nations. The principles enshrined in the Great Law of Peace have been recognized as influential in the development of modern democratic thought, including the United States Constitution. The Peacemaker, a revered figure in Haudenosaunee history, is credited with bestowing these principles upon the Confederacy.
Identity and Nomenclature
Official Tribal Name: Cayuga Nation of New York
The Cayuga Nation is officially recognized by the United States federal government, acknowledging its sovereignty and unique relationship with the United States. The Nation maintains offices at 2540 SR-89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148, and P.O. Box 803, Seneca Falls, NY 13148. They can be contacted by phone at (315) 568-0750 and by fax at (315) 568-0752. Further information is available on their official website: http://www.cayuganation-nsn.gov/.
Traditional Name: Gayogohono
The traditional name for the Cayuga people is Gayogohono, which translates to "Swamp People" or "People of the Great Swamp." This name reflects the close relationship the Cayuga have with the natural environment, particularly the wetlands and waterways of their ancestral lands.
Common Name: Cayuga
The name "Cayuga" is the more commonly used term and is believed to have originated from an Algonquian word meaning "real snakes."
Alternate Names: Iroquois League, Six Nations, Five Nations
Throughout history, the Cayuga Nation has been referred to by various names, often in conjunction with the broader Haudenosaunee Confederacy. These include the Iroquois League, Six Nations (after the Tuscarora Nation joined), and Five Nations (before the Tuscarora joined).
Geographic Location and Traditional Territory
Region: Northeast
The Cayuga Nation is historically and geographically situated in the Northeast region of North America, specifically within the Eastern Woodlands cultural area.
State(s) Today: New York
Today, the Cayuga Nation is primarily located in the state of New York, although its members are dispersed throughout the United States and Canada.
Traditional Territory:
The Cayuga Nation’s homeland lies within the Finger Lakes region of present-day New York. Cayuga Lake, with its picturesque northern shores, served as the heartland of the Cayuga people, dotted with numerous villages and settlements. This region provided abundant resources, including fertile land for agriculture, plentiful fishing grounds, and forests teeming with game.
The Iroquois Confederacy: A Powerful Alliance
The Cayuga Nation is a vital member of the Six Nations or Haudenosaunee Confederacy ("People of the Longhouse"), an alliance of Native Nations residing in what is now New York. This confederacy includes the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora nations. Before the Tuscarora joined in the early 18th century, it was known as the Five Nations.
Treaties and Land Dispossession
The history of the Cayuga Nation is marked by a series of treaties and land transactions that ultimately resulted in the loss of their ancestral territory. Key treaties include:
- Jay’s Treaty: Negotiated by John Jay and Alexander Hamilton with Great Britain to avert war and establish peace.
- Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784): Signed between the Haudenosaunee and the United States.
- Treaty of Canandaigua (1794): This treaty, signed between the Sachems of the Six Nations Confederacy and the United States, affirmed the Cayuga Nation’s rightful reservation of 64,000 acres of sovereign land. However, New York State disregarded the treaty, and the Cayuga homeland was never returned.
Over a series of illegal land transactions and treaties, New York State systematically seized all the lands of the Cayuga Nation. These transactions violated the Treaty of Canandaigua and the Constitution of the United States, as New York State failed to seek federal approval and improperly asserted authority over Indian Affairs. As a result, New York State continues to deny the Cayuga Nation free use and enjoyment of their treaty-established reservation. While some Cayuga people reside on the Allegany Reservation, which was originally reserved for the Seneca people, the Cayuga Nation has had to purchase land privately to re-establish a land base.
Population and Enrollment
Population at Contact:
In 1660, the Cayuga population was estimated at approximately 1,500 individuals. By the early 18th century, they primarily lived in three villages, each consisting of at least 30 longhouses and housing around 500 people.
Registered Population Today:
The Cayuga Nation has approximately 493 enrolled members, primarily residing in Western New York, but also dispersed throughout the United States.
Tribal Enrollment Requirements:
Cayuga citizenship is matrilineal, meaning that membership is passed down through the mother’s line. Any child born to a Cayuga mother is automatically a member of the Cayuga Nation, regardless of blood quantum. The Cayuga Nation meticulously tracks the genealogy of each member, tracing their ancestry back to the early 1800s when they resided at Buffalo Creek.
Governance and Political Structure
The Cayuga Nation, like all Haudenosaunee nations, adheres to the Great Law of Peace for its governance. This framework emphasizes consensus-building rather than majority rule, requiring extensive cooperation and negotiation among the Hoyaneh (Chiefs of the Confederacy) to reach unanimous decisions.
The Grand Council comprises Elder Brothers (Mohawk and Seneca), Younger Brothers (Oneida, Tuscarora, and Cayuga), and the Firekeeper (Onondaga). Each Hoyaneh represents their respective clan and serves as a caretaker of the peace. Chieftainships are hereditary positions.
Language and Cultural Preservation
Language Classification:
The Cayuga language belongs to the Iroquoian language family, specifically the Northern Iroquoian branch. Within this branch, it falls under the Lakes Iroquoian subgroup and is closely related to Seneca.
Language Dialects:
Historically, there were two distinct dialects of Cayuga: one spoken in Ontario and the other, known as "Seneca-Cayuga," spoken in Oklahoma until the 1980s. The Lower Cayuga and Upper Cayuga dialects, spoken on the Six Nations reserve, differ primarily in pronunciation.
Number of Fluent Speakers:
As of 2012, there were approximately 79 fluent speakers of Cayuga, primarily residing on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Ontario, Canada.
Language Revitalization:
The Cayuga Nation is actively engaged in language revitalization efforts to preserve and promote the Cayuga language for future generations. These efforts include language classes, immersion programs, and the development of language resources.
Social Structure and Clans
The Cayuga Nation is organized into five clans: Bear, Heron, Snipe, Turtle, and Wolf. Clan membership is determined by the mother’s clan, signifying family lineage. Each clan has a Clan Mother who is responsible for the well-being of her clan members. Each clan also has Council Representatives, known as Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs, or Seat Warmers, who form the decision-making body of the Nation.
Relationships with Other Tribes
Related Tribes:
The Cayuga Nation maintains close ties with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma and the Canadian-recognized Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Ontario, Canada.
Traditional Allies:
The Cayuga have historically been allied with the other nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy: the Seneca, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora.
Economy and Contemporary Life
Despite the historical injustices and challenges they have faced, the Cayuga Nation has worked to build a sustainable economy and improve the lives of its members.
Economy Today:
The Cayuga Nation controls several businesses, including Lakeside Trading convenience stores, Pullens Towing and Recovery service, Harford Glen Water, Gakwiyo Garden, Cayuga Corner, and Cayuga Sugar Shack. They own Lakeside Entertainment, which includes two Class II Gaming facilities; however, both are temporarily closed due to ongoing legal battles with the State of New York.
The Cayuga Nation of New York continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century while upholding its cultural heritage and striving for self-determination. Through language revitalization, economic development, and legal advocacy, the Cayuga Nation remains a vibrant and resilient community, dedicated to preserving its legacy for future generations.