J. Conrad Seneca, president of the Seneca Nation of Indians, has called on President Donald Trump to reverse his executive order renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America." Seneca described the action as "unpresidential" and a violation of the 1794 Canandaigua treaty, which he stated promised peace, friendship, and the free use of lands between the United States and several Native nations, including the Seneca.
The renaming, which occurred amid a trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, has drawn widespread criticism. Seneca emphasized that the name Lake Ontario originates from Indigenous roots, with its traditional Seneca language name, sga:nyodai:yoh, meaning "beautiful lake." He stated that the lake's name reflects the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people surrounding the waterway, long before the United States existed.
"The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action," Seneca wrote in a message shared in the nation’s newsletter. He argued that Trump's order is a "blatant disrespect toward the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people" and that the lake is not a "political pawn" but land where Indigenous people have lived for thousands of years.
Trump announced the renaming on Thursday, stating he had been considering it for some time and that the name change would be reflected in the Geographic Names Information System. This move followed a breakdown in trade negotiations between the U.S. and Canada, with the U.S. imposing new tariffs on Canadian goods.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also condemned the renaming, noting that the name Lake Ontario predates both Canada and the United States. He asserted that the reality is "Lake Ontario — then, now and always."
Several other officials have spoken out against the renaming, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott. U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, announced plans to introduce legislation to nullify the change, stating, "Canada is not our enemy. It is our neighbor, our ally, and one of Michigan’s most important economic partners."