Seneca Nation leader criticizes Trump's renaming of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America'

<p>A day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" amid a trade dispute with Canada, the leader of the Seneca Nation of Indians called for the order to be reversed.</p><p>J. Conrad Seneca, president of the Seneca Nation, described the order as "unpresidential," stating, "The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action. His order should be rescinded, and the name Lake Ontario should be left as it is, reflective of the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people surrounding the lake."</p><p>Seneca noted that the lake's name has Indigenous origins.</p><p>In a message shared in the nation’s newsletter, he explained that in the Seneca language, the lake is called sga:nyodai:yoh, meaning ‘beautiful lake.’ He emphasized that long before the establishment of the United States, Seneca and Haudenosaunee ancestors traveled Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways for various reasons, including diplomacy.</p><p>Seneca stated, "To the people of Seneca Nation, Lake America is not a political pawn but rather land that Indigenous people have lived on for thousands of years."</p><p>He further argued that Trump's actions are disrespectful to the Seneca people and other Indigenous nations. He referenced a treaty signed by President George Washington in 1794, which promised peace and friendship with the Seneca and other nations.</p><p>Seneca asserted, "President Trump’s aggression toward our culture with his Executive Order violates that peace, friendship, and commitments of the Canandaigua treaty."</p><p>He highlighted that Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution states that treaties are the "supreme Law of the Land" and must be honored.</p><p>Seneca called on all Native groups and federal, state, and local representatives, regardless of political affiliation, to oppose the name change. He stated, "We will always call Lake Ontario by the name derived from the language of our ancestors — the name that, like the strength and influence of the Seneca people, will live on forever, long after the intrusive political tirades of individual men."</p><p>Trump announced the name change on Thursday, stating, "The Lake of America was something I've been thinking about for a long time, actually." He noted that he had directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the new name.</p><p>Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the name change, stating that the name is over 400 years old and predates both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States. He emphasized that the name should remain Lake Ontario.</p><p>The renaming occurred amid a breakdown in trade relations between the U.S. and Canada, with Trump accusing Canada of unfair trade practices. Trump had previously imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods, and tensions have escalated between the two nations.</p><p>Several governors, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, criticized the name change. Hochul stated, "New York won’t be calling it that." Rep. Debbie Dingell from Michigan announced plans to introduce legislation to nullify the name change, asserting that it will always be Lake Ontario.</p><p>Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.</p>