BY: SHANNON BURNS

INDIAN TIME - Vol. 24 #09 - Ennisko:wa / March 9, 2006 Edition - Page 5

Gov. Pataki's decision to delay the taxation of non-Natives buying cigarettes and gas on Indian reservations is a move that 79 percent of polled New Yorkers approve of.

In a poll conducted by Zogby International on behalf of the Seneca Indian Nations, New Yorkers not only supported the Governor's delay of the taxation, but 78 percent also said they believed both New York State and the Federal government should honor an 1842 Treaty with the Seneca Nation that protects "the lands of the Senecas within the State of New York.... from all taxes and assesment for roads, highways or any other purposes."

The poll was significant given the recent passing of the day in which taxation of non-Natives on reservations was set to begin. The March 1st date came and went, but the State's taxation department followed the lead of the Governor and has not yet enforced the law.

Following the results of the poll, released on March 1, Assemblyman Chris Ortloff said New Yorkers who participated in the poll did not understand the issue of taxation on reservations.

"They think it's taxing Indians and that's not the point," Ortloff said. "The point is taxing non-Indians who are shopping on Indian reservations."

St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Chief James W. Ransom disagreed with Ortloff and said New Yorkers do understand the issue.

"The poll shows that New Yorkers already feel overburdened by State taxes," Ransom said Tuesday. "They don't want us to be as miserable as them because of taxes."

The poll, which was conducted from Feb. 20-Feb. 24, also showed that only 15 percent of participants had ever purchased tobacco products from a reservation and just 24 percent purchased gasoline from one.