Celebrating their recognition - this time for sure

They started to gather at 6 p.m., bowing under a light rain as they crossed the wet grass to the simple white-block building that serves as the tribe's community center.

This was the second celebration of the Shinnecock Indian Nation's federal recognition, and some members could be forgiven if the tears of joy and relief that accompanied the first weren't readily evident Friday night.

The nation has waited 32 years for this status, held up last June by 11th-hour challenges that were dismissed Friday.

The more than 100 tribal members who braved the rain to come here expressed relief, gratitude and a resolve to push ahead, perhaps more aware of the obstacles that can set them back.

"I hope it's final," said tribal elder and former chairman Avery Dennis. "It's been a long time in coming."

Chairman Randy King told members the tribe had received confirmation from the Bureau of Indian Affairs that its status is final. Now, he said, it was time to move forward. "This is a new day. We've always held our heads high; we'll hold them even higher."

Roberta Hunter, chairwoman of the federal recognition committee, said the delays meant the tribe would have to wait until the next federal budget cycle to apply for the tribal court assistance program that might have built a tribal courthouse, but she said she was undeterred.

"Now we can dig in and get to the real work that's on the other side of this," she said, referring to the administrative infrastructure for government, housing and economic development plans.

As they always do, tribal members praised elders who sacrificed to pave the way for this day, saying it was just as important to leave a better legacy for their own children. "Our responsibility going forward is to make sure future generations can endure the test of time," said trustee Gordell Wright.

The rain kept up through the hourlong ceremony, which ended with fierce drum play and tribal song, the music audible from outside the hall and sounding like a gathering of thousands.

"This brings finality," said former trustee Charles Smith II. "It's a great feeling."