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We've gathered an extensive collection of documents and records surrounding the matter of Halftown's supposed leadership, and we believe these should be publicly accessible so that people can learn about it all for themselves. We've organized them into four pages: statements from Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ governance, including press conferences and letters sent to U.S. government; interviews with Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ people recorded in August 2021; statements from the local governments of U.S. towns and cities in the area; and legal documents, including a 2011 decision by the BIA to acknowledge Halftown's removal. You can find quick summaries of all documents below and follow the links to see them yourself. We've also gathered several news articles that offer relatively accurate and complete information.
Press Release on Halftown's August 2022 Destruction - On August 3rd, 2022, Cayuga Nation Police (Halftown's non-Native police) began bulldozing buildings of significance to Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ citizens who oppose him, in a sequel to the destruction he wrought in February 2020. The Council of Chiefs and Clan Mothers responded with this press release on August 5th.
Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Press Conference, 1/23/22 - Video of a press conference held by the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ on January 23rd, 2022.
Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Council of Chiefs' May 2021 Letter - In April 2021, Halftown issued eviction notices to traditional Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ citizens from their homes in their traditional territory and began harassing them with his illegitimate non-Cayuga police force. In May, the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Council of Chiefs responded with this letter. This is the letter we're talking about when we say #ReadTheLetter.
Sachems' March 2021 Letter to President Biden - Shortly after Biden's inauguration as 46th President of the United States, the traditional Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ leadership sent him this letter requesting a meeting to reaffirm their nation-to-nation relationship with the U.S.
Sachems' March 2021 Letter to Secretary of the Interior Haaland - At the same time they sent a similar letter to Biden, the traditional Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ leadership sent this letter to Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland requesting a meeting.
Official Statement of the Cayuga Nation, April 2014 - Video of an official statement from the Cayuga Nation clarifying matters of the Nation's leadership.
Haudenosaunee Grand Council Statement on Elected councils, 2013 - In 2013, the Haudenosaunee Grand Council released a statement explaining how band governments, governments imposed on indigenous nations by the U.S. (and Canada), are deeply rooted in colonialism and should not be considered the true or legitimate leadership or representatives of the Haudenosaunee.
Bernadette Hill Affidavit, June 2011 - This 2011 affidavit affirms the 2005 removal of Halftown from representative role by his late Clan Mother, Bernadette Hill.
These interviews were recorded in August 2021, amid rising concerns about evictions and other harassment but before Halftown's 2022 violence.
Hoya:neh Shoyǫ:we:s (Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Chief Sam George) Interview
Tompkins County Legislators' Letter, 2022 - In September 2022, after Halftown's second round of demolitions in August, nine members of the Tompkins County Legislature released a letter addressed to President Biden urging all levels of U.S. government to fix the failure to respect Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ sovereignty by rescinding all recognition and empowerment of Clint Halftown.
Ithaca Common Council Letter, 2022 - Ithaca joined the Town of Dryden, Town of Enfield, Seneca County, and others when its Common Council unanimously signed a letter in support of the traditional Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ and sent it to the Secretary of the Interior and other U.S. officials.
Dryden Resolution 2022 - In March, Dryden passed a resolution formally urging the DOI and BIA to cease recognition of Halftown and resolving to engage with the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Council of Chiefs and Clan Mothers in all government-to-government relations with the Nation.
Seneca County Board of Supervisors Letter to BIA, August 26, 2021 - In August 2021, Seneca County released a letter to the BIA expressing frustration with Halftown's actions and reflecting the uncertainty that many settlers have, thanks to Halftown and the BIA's recognition of him, about the legitimate leadership of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Nation.
Ithaca's 2013 Resolution Regarding the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign - In 2013, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Two Row Wampum, there was a Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign that urged continuing relationships of peace, respect, and environmental protection. Ithaca formally supported this campaign and resolved, among other things, to build positive and respectful relationships with its Native neighbors and to call on state and federal governments to do the same. (This resolution begins halfway down the first page.)
Keel Decision, 2011 - In 2011, the Eastern Region Director of the BIA, Franklin Keel, recognized and affirmed that Halftown had been removed. Only later did the Department of Interior change that decision, based on a technicality.
Cayuga Nation Motion for Summary Judgment, 2018 - In 2018, the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Council of Chiefs sued the US Department of Interior for assisting with and then affirming a corrupt Statement of Support (SOS) campaign by the Halftown Council. The Motion for Summary Judgment is an extensive legal document that lays out the details of the case, including expert testimony concluding that Halftown's SOS campaign was "a deeply flawed method of assessment from which no information may be confidently gathered" (p35 of the PDF).
"Clint Halftown, US-Enabled Tyrant of the Cayugas": The Real News Network, September 2022
"Halftown Continues Campaign of Violence Against Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ Citizens": Ithaca Tenants Union, August 2022
"House demolition marks latest escalation in Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ tension in Seneca County": The Ithaca Voice, August 2022
"More from Washington, D.C. and Last Week's Halftown-Must-Go March": Finger Lakes Daily News, May 2022
"Cayuga Nation chiefs call on Biden administration to address leadership dispute": FingerLakes1, January 2022.
"'There is no negotiating with Halftown': Seneca County recognizes traditional Gayogo̱hó:nǫ⁷ sovereignty after Rule 29 passes, resulting in a new letter to BIA": FingerLakes1, August 2021.
"Cayuga Nation's Division Leads to a 'Human Rights Catastrophe'": Indian Country Today, February 2020.