Tina Abrams has been named the recipient of the 2025 Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award by the Cattaraugus County Planning Board. The annual award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their communities, following the example set by Torrance Brooks and Donald Patterson through service to local government and regional organizations.
The award aims to recognize leaders and volunteers who have made significant contributions within Cattaraugus County and its surrounding region. This year’s theme, “People Are Our Greatest Resource,” highlights the importance of community involvement.
According to the announcement, “In this spirit, we are pleased to present the 2025 Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award to: Tina Abrams for Outstanding Leadership In Community Involvement and Economic Development In Cattaraugus County.”
Abrams has held leadership roles in the Seneca Nation for decades. First elected to the Seneca Nation Council in 2001, she became its first female Co-Chair in 2012. She oversees Nation enterprises, maintains connections with Native organizations nationwide, and advocates on federal and state legislation affecting Indigenous communities.
She also volunteers as chairperson of the Seneca Nation’s annual Veteran’s Powwow and serves on the Remember the Removal Committee, which commemorates families displaced by construction of the Kinzua Dam in 1966. Abrams is known for her advocacy on environmental issues, including clean water initiatives related to Ohi:yo (the Allegheny River). She broke new ground as chairperson of the Seneca Nation Athletic Commission, overseeing combat sports events on tribal lands.
Her public service extends beyond tribal boundaries. Abrams has served on the Cattaraugus County Planning Board since 2002 and joined Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s board in 2021. She also supports Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as part of a fundraising cycling team that raised over $50,000 each year for two consecutive years.
Nationally, Abrams was elected Northeast Region Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 2019—the oldest organization representing American Indian and Alaska Native governments across the country. She participated in NCAI’s COVID Task Force during a period when Native communities faced particular challenges from the pandemic. Her work was recognized with a Trail Blazing Women of Western New York award in 2025.
A member of both Allegany Community Center and Seneca Nation’s Wolf Clan, Abrams grew up on Cattaraugus Territory but has lived more than four decades on Allegany Territory. She graduated from Gowanda Central Schools before earning honors at Jamestown Business College with a degree in Business Management.
“Tina is a member of the Allegany Community Center and is active and participates in many activities such as bike riding, swimming and walking. She believes that eating is healthy, and exercising is key to having a good mind, body and soul,” according to information released about her background.
She lives with her husband John; they have three children and ten grandchildren.
“As a recipient of this award, Tina Abrams exemplifies the values of community leadership, integrity, and service, reflecting the traditional teachings of her people. Her diligent efforts have made a lasting impact on her community, and we are honored to recognize her achievements,” stated organizers.
