ALBANY -- Some leaders of New York's Indian nations are concerned about a lack of outreach by the new Cuomo administration.
Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter told the Buffalo News that he hopes to see an interest in dialog at a time of strained relations between the state and Native Americans. Porter was at the Capitol to attend Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address Wednesday, at the invitation of legislators.
J.C. Seneca, co-chairman of the Seneca Tribal Council, also attended the speech. He said he's concerned that Cuomo hasn't reached out to the Seneca Nation.
Porter noted that Gov. Mario Cuomo, the governor's father, invited Indian leaders to his first inaugural in 1983. So did former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Native Americans are in engaged in a dispute with the state over former Gov. David Paterson's bid to end tax-free cigarette sales by Indian retailers. Cuomo has backed the collection effort.
