Southampton – The Shinnecock Indian Nation is encouraged by the United States Second Court of Appeal’s decision to remand their case to the District Court for further review and consideration. A ruling filed on November 3rd by the Appeals Court remanded the case to District Court in light of new information from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

“We are pleased that the Second Court of Appeals will give the District Court the opportunity and time to weigh all relevant information in the case. In our view, this action indicates that the State’s suit against the Shinnecock is not as simple as the State initially thought,” said Tribal Trustee Lance Gumbs. “It is our hope that the District Court will re-examine the fundamental issue – our Nation has been recognized as independent and self-governing for centuries. This historic arrangement provides the foundation for us to govern and conduct gaming on our ancestral tribal lands. “

Tribal leaders had hope that the recent decision would open the door for a constructive dialogue about the benefits of Indian gaming with State and Town officials. However, the Tribe recently learned that the Town allocated $200,000 of taxpayers’ money from its budget to fight the Tribe. The community should join together and ask Town leaders to re-think the quarter of a million tax dollars being budgeted and spent to fight its neighbor of more than 400 years.

“This time of re-evaluation should not only be one of judicial reconsideration, but also an opportunity for the Shinnecock and our Southampton neighbors to renew our ties,” said Fred Bess, Shinnecock Gaming Authority. “We are not alone - thousands of individuals throughout Long Island have signed a petition urging an end to the lawsuits. Instead, we should be discussing the benefits of Indian gaming to the local community.”