Seneca-Cayuga Tribe Balks At Extortion
The Seneca-Cayuga Tribes sued Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Monday in federal court in Tulsa. The tribe contends that its tribal tobacco corporation is on the brink of collapse with the loss of 74 tribal jobs at the tribe’s facility near Grove, OK.
At issue is an escrow account into which the state of Oklahoma has forced to tribe to contribute $10 million thus far. The state maintains that since the tribe was not party to Oklahoma’s ‘deal’ with big tobacco companies back in 1998 it must pay into the escrow fund.
As part of the deal with ‘big tobacco’ the Attorney General promised the major tobacco companies to force small tobacco manufactures to pay into an escrow account supposedly an amount equal to what the small companies would have paid in kickbacks to the state, were they party to the deal with ‘big tobacco’.
The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe maintains that it is soverign and therefore not subject to economic deals the state of Oklahoma cuts with anyone, especially deals Oklahoma makes to protect the interests of large tobacco companies.
The Seneca-Cayugas allege that states knowingly or unwittingly agreed to help manipulate the tobacco market to protect big tobacco’s bottom line and overburden small tobacco manufacturers to the point of extinction.
The tribe is asking the federal court for a temporary, preliminary and permanent injunction barring the defendant Oklahoma Attorney General Edmondson from prohibiting the sale of the tribal corporation’s products within Oklahoma. The tribe is also seeking the return of the $10 million dollars it has paid into the escrow account.
More on this interesting case as it develops…
January 16th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I am trying to place an order for cigarettes. I am unable to reach anyone on the internet or by telephone. Will someone please e-mail me and let me know what is going on. I have been a Skydancer customer for many years now and am trying to purchase your product. The retail outlet I have purchased Skydancer from is out of business. Who carries Skydancer Cigarettes in the Houston market area?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Andy Bracht
713.973.2627
socdolager@peoplepc.com
February 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
You can’t find Skydancer because the state of Oklahoma is in the pocket of the big tobacco companies…what those of us who WERE Skydancer customers need to ask is …how can we help the tribe get back in buisness!
Glen2gs Bedford TX
February 20th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
P.S. I for one would be willing to pay as much for Skydancer as I do for the big tobacco brands.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:24 am
I am married to a tribal member of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe and this is the first I have heard about these issues. We do not live in OK so we don’t always keep up to date with tribal issues. I was looking up something on the net and came across this post. If I hear anything I will be sure and let you guys know. You might try calling the HR department for the tribe the number is 1-866-787-5452 and ask to talk to the Chief. I am not sure who the current Chief is as we have not heard who won the elections earlier this month.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:11 am
I have been a Skydancer user for years, and I love the product. Where I live in WA, the tribe here rolled over offered up the belly to the “state” in a compact (not to help the people) so they are going to close the smoke shops. So we will behave to buy “taxed” smokes. Its time we stand up for our SOVERIGN NATIONS! ! ! ! !
WE AS NATIVES have givin up to much.
I’m hoping that I will find away to buy SKYDANCERS ! ! ! ! !
February 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I only came to this website trying to find out why my Skydancers don’t have cotton filters anymore (I lit the wrong end, oops!).
Then I see what the state of OK is trying to do. I don’t live there so my writing congressmen would not help, but I would urge all in OK to do so. I have done it in my own state and if put correctly can make a difference.
Come on Oklahoma (and other states) these are SOVEREIGN nations! They are not, were not, and should not be any part of any deals with BIG Tobacco.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Ride High Ride Proud Rise above the Clouds and Fight for a Victory for Native America and for smokers as well
March 17th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I have been searching for a cheaper quality cigarette that is still slow burning and have found them in Skydancer cigarettes. I have enjoyed the smoke and would buy them and the Texas republic brand