Seneca Nation Demands Trump Reverse Lake Ontario Renaming Order

The Seneca Nation is demanding President Donald Trump reverse his executive order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, calling the move an act of blatant disrespect toward Indigenous peoples and a violation of a historic treaty. In a statement issued on Friday, August 28, Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca said the order, signed by Trump on Thursday, August 27, must be rescinded. "The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action," Seneca stated, emphasizing that the name Lake Ontario should remain as a reflection of the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people surrounding the lake. The executive order directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to update the lake's name in the federal geographic naming system within 30 days. The change applies only to U.S. government usage and does not affect Canadian designations. The order comes amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada, following the implementation of new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods on August 22 and Canada's subsequent retaliatory tariffs.