<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/native-americans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Seneca Nation</a> President J. Conrad Seneca has requested that President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> reverse his <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/executive-order/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">executive order</a> that changes the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This request follows Trump's signing of the executive order on Thursday, which Seneca described as “unacceptable” and an act of “blatant disrespect toward the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Seneca stated, “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 His order should be rescinded, and the name Lake Ontario should be left as it is, reflective of the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations and all Indigenous people surrounding the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 class="wp-block-paragraph">He referenced the indigenous roots of Lake Ontario, citing a 1794 agreement known as the Treaty of Canandaigua, which was made by then-President George Washington with the Seneca Nation. This treaty established peace between the United States and the Haudenosaunee Native American nations, which include the Seneca. The Haudenosaunee nations are located around Lake Ontario, in the regions of <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/new-york/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New York</a> and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/quebec/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Quebec</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump's order was issued amid rising trade tensions between the U.S. and <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/canada/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Canada</a>, following a failure to reach an agreement on tariff terms. On August 22, the Trump administration implemented 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods, prompting Canada to introduce reciprocal tariffs.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In response to Trump's executive order, Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/mark-carney/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark Carney</a> also acknowledged the lake’s indigenous roots. He stated, “The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, which, appropriately, means ‘the lake is beautiful, the lake is big.'” Carney noted that this name is over 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is important to note that Trump's order regarding the name change applies solely to the U.S. government and does not affect other foreign government bodies or entities.</p>