Genesee Country Senecas is an overview of the history of the Indigenous Seneca population of Western New York from their origin up to 1992. Straightforward and well researched writing begins with the Seneca Prehistory and their longstanding history upon the land. The most intriguing and useful parts for me were the descriptions of Seneca daily life and customs. I enjoyed deepening my knowledge of the traditional family structure, traditional foods, and house structures. I really loved the few stories that were shared, especially the story of hermit thrush and their song. From there, the history skips to the 17th century and the invasion of the Europeans. The interactions between the Indigenous people and the Europeans at this time set the stage for the treatment of the Seneca and other members of the Six Nations in the future. I was very interested in how the nations played the French and English off each other. The lives of three influential Seneca men were also highlighted: Cornplanter, Red Jacket and Handsome Lake who became a statesman, religious leader and orator, respectively and interacted with the Europeans on the Nation's behalf. With an underscoring narrative of the importance of the Indigenous people and their impact on the stewardship of land and relevance in history throughout modern day, Genesee Country Senecas is a great overview of the original people.
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