Hoyit Bacon has been serving the Business Committee (BC) as Third Councilperson since September of 2021. He has also served as a liaison to the Seneca-Cayuga Legal Counsel addressing the Nation’s most urgent needs. Mr. Bacon’s past and present work with the Tribe stems from his lifelong desire to “Help my tribe be better. Help my tribe succeed.”

This desire to contribute stems from his Seneca-Cayuga mother. Growing up, she helped forge his connection with the Tribe—reinforcing a sense of community, a place to call home. And he aims to spread that same sentiment to as many tribal members as he can.

It hasn’t always been easy to connect with our leaders in government. Which is why Mr. Bacon and other members of the Business Committee are taking steps towards greater transparency and improved communication. He invites members of the Tribe that have concerns, questions, or problems they want addressed to “just call... If we don’t have a relationship, let’s start one. Let’s get those questions answered.” Your voice matters. Your opinion deserves to be heard.

In the coming year, Mr. Bacon is excited about several crucial economic development initiatives currently in the works. The committee is finishing a strategic planning process that will “chart the future of the nation,” including more housing. The Nation has already been awarded a grant for some tiny homes, and also has some grant applications out for “additional elder and emergency housing.” He is also looking forward to investing in new water, broadband, and education initiatives. These two projects should enable some of our people to come home, to not just be a part of the solution, but also our community.

Mr. Bacon is hopeful about our growth and progress as a Nation. COVID-19, while devastating in numerous ways, has also presented us with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Both the CARES Act and ARPA have given our tribe a much needed boost—an opportunity to invest tens of millions of dollars in the future of our tribe. In the last six months, the Business Committee has “fully dedicated the CARES Act resources in compliance with federal guidelines, and we are well on our way to doing the same with the ARPA funds.”

Thanks to values instilled in him by his mother and grandmother, Mr. Bacon also has a passion for women’s rights. Even with government programs aimed at reducing violence against women, rates of missing and murdered indigenous women are at epidemic levels. “We need to stand up for our women. We need to let our young men know that’s not who we are. That’s not our way, and it won’t be tolerated at any level.”

When asked what message he’d like to get out there, Mr. Bacon responded, “Get to know us. We’re available. We’re here. Things are getting better, and we can see a brighter future. Join us in that effort.”