Shinnecock Indian Nation

For The Record

February 11, 2004

By Lance Gumbs, Tribal Trustee

The Shinnecock nation is responding to a recent press release from Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. This space is available to any group wishing to respond to a prior news article that concerns them.

Thiele Is Playing Politics
Assemblyman Fred Thiele is once again using the Shinnecock self-reliance quest as a political football to advance his own self-interests. Recently, Fred Thiele mailed an opinion survey to residents throughout Long Island to "ascertain information" about the Shinnecock and their gaming plans. Sounds like an honest idea until you actually read the survey.

It is a careless questionnaire that is short on facts and even shorter on credibility. The author of the survey is Fred Thiele himself -- the same Assemblyman who publicly opposes Indian gaming and has encouraged the town to continue its taxpayer lawsuits against the Shinnecock. Thiele's most recent "spiel" should be met with caution and skepticism. Consider all the facts before answering it and log on Shinnecocknation.com to make sure you have all the information. Here are a few facts not mentioned by Fred Thiele.

Fact: New York State has supported legalized gambling for years with its lottery, scratch games and, right now, the State is installing VLTs (electronic slot machines) at racetrack and probably at every OTB, including Southampton.

Fact: Indian gaming is one of the most highly regulated forms of gaming in the country. The State Police, FBI, IRS and Home security offices can enforce most of their laws on Shinnecock land.

Fact: Indian gaming will work for the entire community. In our region, gaming would support year-round jobs and generate millions of dollars in economic activity.

Fact: The Shinnecock plans call for an access road from Sunrise Highway to alleviate traffic congestion paid for by the Shinnecock. The Shinnecock have recently opened a dialogue regarding other sites further west.

Fact: The Shinnecock Nation has been recognized by the state of New York as an independent, self-governing nation for centuries. This historic, diplomatic arrangement provides the foundation for the Nation to govern and conduct gaming on our tribal lands. The tribe is a responsible member of the community and has every intention to meet or exceed the Federal Standards as a practice of sound business.

Fact: The Shinnecock Nation has the duty to determine its own self-sufficiency. This includes finding the means to provide education, housing and healthcare to the all its members.

Fact: It is illegal for the Shinnecock to sell their lands as a matter of Tribal and Federal Law. Even if it was deemed legal, to do so for $20 million dollars when the lands are worth $100 million is foolish. Isn't that how the tribe lost most of its land in the first place?

Fact: In 1987 when the tribe suggested an Inn and Spa resort, Fred Thiele as Town Attorney, viciously opposed it. In an official opinion (Robert Batson, Esq.) from the office of the New York Secretary of State, Thiele was informed that the tribe had the right to make its own choices regarding economic development without Mr. Thiele's ill-founded interference.

Fact: A gas station is not an option for the tribe. Mr. Thiele and elected officials in Albany are attempting to strip away an advantage the tribe now enjoys in the selling of tobacco products and gasoline.

Fact: The discussion of alternative sites has been the Shinnecock focus for the past year.

While Assemblyman Thiele continues to seek publicity, the Shinnecock wait (once again) for some sign of progress. In the future, instead of mailing a misleading survey to tens-of-thousands of Long Island residents, maybe Fred Thiele should consider sitting down with just a few of his Shinnecock neighbors. Now that would be progress, not publicity.