It took more than 30 years, but the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Long Island, N.Y., has finally received its federal recognition, according to a piece published by the New York Times on June 15.
The 1,292-member Shinnecock, which has an 800-acre reservation in posh Southampton, plans to build a casino. With the federal recognition, it can build a Class II (video slot machines) facility.
However, the tribe and state and local officials would rather have the casino located off-reservation, maybe in the Big Apple or its suburbs, and the tribe also wants a Class III facility (Vegas-style), which requires a deal with the state. According to the Times story, negotiations between the state and Shinnecock have already begun.
How sweet. They want a casino in the Big Apple. I wonder how many of their members are less than 1/8th Shinnecock. I'm guessing about 85% of their population.
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