Indigenous L.I. Tribe May Get Casino

After a decades-long legal struggle, the Shinnecock Indians of Long Island have won designation as a federally recognized tribe, a decision that could lead to the construction of a Class II casino in the Southampton, NY area. There, some 500 members live on a 1,200 acre reservation that lies just outside the posh enclave of New York’s affluent elite. While there remains a six-month review period before the decision is official, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has said that the Shinnecock tribe fits the criteria needed for recognition: they have been continuously identified as an American Indian entity since 1900; they have been a distinct community since historical times; and they have maintained political influence over members.

Federal recognition would also make tribe members eligible for a host of programs aimed at assisting indigenous people.

According to one of the local newspapers in the area, the Independent, the matter of casino construction has been a contentious issue, with residents split between whether the casino would be a boon to the economy or a magnet for traffic, crime and suburban sprawl. Should the tribe go through with plans to build a casino, the local government, which controls the roads into and out of the reservation, will probably be involved in the planning process, said the article. The casino would also require state approval.