People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Seneca of North America


People Group Info

Total Population: 14,700

ROP3 Code: 108837
IMB Affinity Group: American Peoples
Affinity Bloc: North American Peoples
People Cluster: North American Indigenous
Language: Seneca - (see)
Religion: Christianity
Country of Origin: United States

By Dana Cudmore (This image is from the FEMA Photo Library.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Majority Located Where

  Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY - 1,500

  , OK - 700

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

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Brief Profile

The Seneca, known as the "Keeper of the Western Door", are a Native American people consisting of three federally recogized tribes: (1) the Seneca Nation of Indians (near Buffalo, New York), (2) the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Native Americans (Akron, New York), and (3) the Seneca-Cayuga Nation (Grove, Oklahoma). In their language, they call themselves "Great Hill People."

The number of fluent Seneca language speakers is diminishing and the language is considered at-risk. However, they have in place language programs to help protect, preserve and develop a new generation of Seneca language speakers to keep the Seneca language alive. The language is spoken in West New York, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus, and Allegheny reservations, in addition to northeast Oklahoma where it is intermingled with Cayuga.

Their religious preferences vary depending upon location. Some adhere to traditional religion while others adhere to several different Christian denominations.

Prayer Points

  • Pray God will send someone to share the gospel message and plant churches among the many unreached Seneca people.
  • Pray God will soften hearts and minds of Seneca people to understand and receive the message of Christ.


People Group Resources

Native Americans - Worldview and Trends
Learn about Native Americans, their Worldview and Trends.


Learning Resources

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.


Other Resources

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

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Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
United StatesWest SenecaBuffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara FallsNY1,500