Shinnecock Indian Nation gains federal recognition

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Monday publicly confirmed what it privately acknowledged to the Shinnecock Indian Nation on Friday - that the Southampton tribe is officially on its list of federally recognized tribes.

"They are one of the tribes," BIA spokeswoman Nedra Darling confirmed to Newsday Monday. "They are federally recognized."

The Shinnecock Indian Nation is now the 565th tribe on the BIA's list of federally recognized tribes.

On Friday, a chief administrative law judge dismissed two challenges to the tribe's status, which the BIA granted in June, following a 32-year process.

Darling said the BIA has submitted paperwork to amend the Federal Register to include the Shinnecock Indian Nation in this year's list of federally recognized tribes, which was published last week. The amended list will be available later this week.

The decision means the Shinnecocks rise in standing in dealings with the U.S. government like any other nation, Darling said.

Members of the tribe said they are happy and relieved.

"It's something we pursued for 32 years, and we're happy it's over," said Beverly Jensen, communications director for the nation. "We're happy, but it's been such a long struggle, and we came so close twice."

The status - which carries with it legal and economic benefits - was more than three decades in the making.

The challengers, the Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs and a splinter faction of the Montaukett tribe, did not have standing to bring the challenges, the judge sitting on the Interior Board of Indian Appeals ruled.

"It's something that's important, and after a long and painful process, really," Jensen said.

With Zachary R. Dowdy