Region 2
Serving New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Eight Tribal Nations
Tuscarora Nation
Related Information
- Indian Program Home
- American Indian Environmental Office
- EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations [PDF 200 KB, 4 pp]
Indian Nations:
- Cayuga Nation
- Oneida Indian Nation
- Onondaga Nation
- St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
- Seneca Nation of Indians
- Shinnecock Indian Nation
- Tonawanda Band of Senecas
- Tuscarora Nation
For more information contact:
Consultation, Issues beyond reservation boundaries and Indian Nation capacity building and implementation of environmental programs at Oneida Nation, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Shinnecock Nation:
Janice Whitney
Indian Nation capacity building and implementation of environmental programs at Cayuga Nation, Onondaga Nation, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Tuscarora Nation (Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force- HETF):
Grant Jonathan
The Hiawatha Belt
The Hiawatha Belt symbolizes the five original nations from west to east in their respective territories across New York state - Seneca (People of the Great Hill), Cayuga (People of the Swamp), Onondaga (Keepers of the Fire), Oneida (People of the Standing Stone), and Mohawk (People of the Flint).
TUSCARORA NATION
5616 Walmore Road
Lewiston, New York 14092
Phone: (716) 622-7061
Fax: (716) 297-7355
CONTACTS
Chief Leo Henry
2006 Mt. Hope Road
Lewiston, New York 14092
Environmental Contact
Neil Patterson, Jr., Director
Tuscarora Environmental Program
2045 Upper Mountain Road
Sanborn, NY 14132
Email: neil.patterson@starband.netEnvironmental staff: Rene Rickard, Bryan Printup, Matthew Patterson
Phone: 716-609-3810
E-Mail: tennews@starband.net
LAND BASE
The Tuscarora Nation territory of approximately 5,700 acres is located about nine miles northeast of Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York. In 1957, the Tuscaroras lost 550 acres to New York State Power Authority for use as a reservoir.
MEMBERSHIP/POPULATION
Membership of approximately 1,200 reside within the Territory.
The Tuscarora Nation government is the traditional Council of Chiefs and Clan Mothers. Additionally, the Tuscarora Chiefs sit on the Haudenosaunee Grand Council. Chiefs from each of the Six Nations meet regularly at Onondaga.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INFRASTRUCTURE
The Tuscarora Environment Office and the selection of an Environmental Program Director (Neil Patterson) was established in 1997. Having established an environmental office, the Nation is now focusing on identifying and prioritizing environmental concerns. In addition, the Tuscarora Nation has begun to play an important role in building the consortium of Nations via its newsletter Tuscarora Environment News, which provides community, Nation and Confederacy information on the environment.
The Tuscarora Nation has delegates who serve as representatives to the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force (HETF). Tuscarora Nation leadership and HETF representatives attend the annual EPA/Indian Nation leadership meetings. The Tuscarora Nation has notified EPA that it supports the development of an environmental program for the Tuscarora Nation through the assistance of the HETF.
SUMMARY OF EPA/TUSCARORA NATION INTERACTION
The Tuscarora Nation participates in the annual Indian Nation leadership meeting with Region 2 senior management and the Director of the American Indian Environmental Office. Discussions include specific environmental issues of each of the Nations, protection of Nation territories and development of environmental program capacity.
The Tuscarora Nation has begun environmental assessment work on the Tuscarora Nation territory. EPA has responded to Tuscarora Nation's support for environmental program development through the assistance of the HETF. Environmental program development is addressing the environmental issues facing the Nation, and the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment of the Nation for future generations.