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Traditionally, the economy was based on cultivation of corn, beans, and squash (the three sisters), primarily by the women, and hunting and fishing by the men. During the colonial period they became involved in the fur trade, first with the Dutch and then with the BritishGreat Britain (often abbreviated as Britain is an island lying off the western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom. Great Britain is also used as a political term describing the combination of England, Scotland, and Wales,. This served to increase hostility with other native groups, especially their traditional enemy, the Huron, an Iroquoian tribe in French CanadaBecause it has represented different realities at different points in time, the term French Canada can be interpreted in different ways. Chronologically they are: 1. The historical homeland of the French Canadian people, the St Lawrence river valley, whic near Lake SimcoeLake Simcoe is a lake in southern Ontario, Canada, the fourth largest lake in the province. At the time of the first European contact in the 17th century the lake was called Ouentironk ("Beautiful Water") by the Huron natives. It was also known as Lake To. During the 17th century16th century 17th century 18th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601- 1700. During this period, the power of England and the United Provinces increased; while that of, attacks on Huron villages caused the destruction and dispersal of the Huron. CaptiveThis article refers to an imprisoned person. For the television programs, see Prisoner (TV series and The Prisoner . A prisoner is a person incarcerated in a prison or similar facility, typically for violating laws. Soldiers in wartime may also be held ass who were not tortureTorture is the infliction of severe physical or psychological pain as a means of cruelty, intimidation, punishment, for the extraction of a confession or information or simply for the entertainment of the perpetrator. Signatories of the Third Geneva Conved to death were adopted into the tribe.

During the American Revolution, the Seneca along with their immediate neighbor in the League, the Cayuga, carried out many raids on American settlements and strongholds, instigated by the British at Fort Niagara. These raids were reduced after the Clinton and Sullivan Expedition destroyed many Cayuga villages. Divisions in the League from mixed loyalties of its members to the British or Americans weakened its power.

The Seneca, like other League members, were known as the People of the Long House. They lived in villages, often surrounded by palisades due to warfare, which moved every ten or fifteen years as soil and game were depleted. During the 19th century they adopted many of the customs of their white neighbors, building log cabins and participating in the local agricultural economy.

Today some Seneca are involved in the sale of (untaxed) low-priced gasoline and cigarettes and high stakes bingo. They are debating their involvement in legalized gambling on reservation lands. Others are employed in the local economy of the region. The three reservations of the Seneca are the Allegany by Jamestown, New York, the Cattaraugus near Gowanda, New York, and the Oil Springs, near Cuba, New York. Few, if any, Seneca reside at Oil Springs. An independent group live on the Tonawanda Reservation near Akron, New York. Other Seneca live in association with the Cayuga in Miami, Oklahoma or on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserves near Brantford, Ontario, Canada.

The Seneca formed a modern government, the Seneca Nation of Indians, in 1848, but the traditional tribal government still retains some power.

Notable Senecas include Red Jacket, Cornplanter, Guyasuta, Handsome Lake and Ely S. Parker (Hasanoanda).