BUFFALO, N.Y. — It may look like a peaceful city park, but this spot is so much more.
With archaeological finds dating back to the 1500's, Seneca Indian Park, on Buffum St. in South Buffalo holds the remains of indigenous ancestors.
It stands as one of the last remnants of Haudenosaunee presence on the Buffalo Creek Reservation and serves as a reminder of the significant role that the Seneca's played in the history of Buffalo
Melissa Parker Leonard is a descendent of Seneca leaders Red Jacket and Ely Parker and says "this place became Seneca territory and it was part of the Buffalo Creek Reservation. There were council fires on this site and it became a burial ground for native people."
A burial ground that was once the resting place of Mary Jemison and Red Jacket. Jemison's remains were moved to Letchworth Park, and Red Jacket is now buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Parker points out that, while those graves were moved, many are still there.
"Yes, there are remains, in this area currently, so it is a sacred space. It should not be a public park, it's a cemetery. It was dedicated a park in the early 1900's by the Larkin family, who donated it to the city. The intention was to preserve it, but what was missing in that decision was native voices."
The burial ground was purchased in 1909 by John Larkin of Larkin Soap Company, Mr. Larkin then donated the land to the City of Buffalo for a public park, which was dedicated in 1912.
Wednesday the Buffalo History Museum hosted a panel discussion about the site. The panel included:
- Jamie Jacobs, Tonawanda Seneca, Turtle Clan, curator, Rochester Museum & Science Center
- G. Peter Jemison, Seneca Nation, Heron Clan, artist and founding historic site manager of Ganondagan in Victor, N.Y.
- Tim Kennedy, U.S. Congressman, New York’s 26th District
- Melissa Parker Leonard, Seneca educator and advocate
Douglas J. Perrelli, Ph.D., RPA, director of Archaeological Survey, University at Buffalo
The panel was moderated by Lori Quigley, Ph.D., Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan, professor of Leadership and Policy, Niagara University.
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