It is disappointing and unclear why Mr. DeLuca and the Group for the South Fork have taken this public approach instead of sitting down face to face to discuss our quest for self-reliance. Had they met with us, their misunderstandings would have been avoided.

The issue of a Shinnecock Indian gaming facility is about improving our quality of life – education for our children, medical treatment for young and old and housing – and it is troubling that the Group for South Fork is using this as a platform to advance its own political agenda.

Mr. DeLuca’s and the Group’s so called development options for our Nation are broadly explained, lack any real detail, and in some cases are illegal. We would expect that a group so “diligently” involved in our history and culture would at least make the attempt to meet with us, an option that we still favor.