10-02-2010, 03:56 PM
....the ShinneCOCK tribe.....finally recognized (upon a long appeal process)....casinos on the way......!!!
Feds back recognition for NY tribe planning casino
....A small eastern Long Island Indian tribe seeking federal recognition since the 1970s declared victory Friday after an Interior Department appeals panel rejected a pair of challenges to its application.
The decision, which found the challengers lacked legal standing in the case, clears the way for the Shinnecock Indians to proceed with plans to open a casino at a still-to-be-determined site on Long Island and makes tribal members eligible for federal benefits.
"We're very pleased that the judges have had the wisdom to see through the charade; clearly they have done that," said Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock Indians board of trustees. "Now the hard work of the nation starts; the work of building for the future. It's going to be challenging, but exciting."
Mark Tilden, an attorney representing the Shinnecocks in the recognition bid, said the Interior Board of Indian Appeals ruling is effective immediately, making the Southampton-based tribe the 565th to be formally recognized by the United States government.
"Today is a very jubilant day for the nation," Tilden said. "This ruling firmly establishes them among the family of Indian nations and tribes within the United States."
The Shinnecocks were told in June that the Interior Department had approved their application for federal recognition, pending a 30-day comment period. But a group called the Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs and a faction of the Montauk Indian tribe -- also on eastern Long Island -- separately filed papers opposing the recognition......
proud....as a.....peaCOCK....???
Feds back recognition for NY tribe planning casino
....A small eastern Long Island Indian tribe seeking federal recognition since the 1970s declared victory Friday after an Interior Department appeals panel rejected a pair of challenges to its application.
The decision, which found the challengers lacked legal standing in the case, clears the way for the Shinnecock Indians to proceed with plans to open a casino at a still-to-be-determined site on Long Island and makes tribal members eligible for federal benefits.
"We're very pleased that the judges have had the wisdom to see through the charade; clearly they have done that," said Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock Indians board of trustees. "Now the hard work of the nation starts; the work of building for the future. It's going to be challenging, but exciting."
Mark Tilden, an attorney representing the Shinnecocks in the recognition bid, said the Interior Board of Indian Appeals ruling is effective immediately, making the Southampton-based tribe the 565th to be formally recognized by the United States government.
"Today is a very jubilant day for the nation," Tilden said. "This ruling firmly establishes them among the family of Indian nations and tribes within the United States."
The Shinnecocks were told in June that the Interior Department had approved their application for federal recognition, pending a 30-day comment period. But a group called the Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs and a faction of the Montauk Indian tribe -- also on eastern Long Island -- separately filed papers opposing the recognition......
proud....as a.....peaCOCK....???