Shinnecock Lawsuit

[fri_bread_addict]

I was wondering if the Shinnecock lawsuit has been making headlines anywhere else besides New York. I also wanted to know what peoples' feelings were on it.

[kgirl7]

Well I"m in New York so I can't speak for anywhere else, but I just hope that the Shinnecock's case is *air-tight* because they are asking for lands that are now in the hands of very rich people who have money at their disposal to lobby and pay really good lawyers. My advice to them is to read every single line of the laws, look at every possible interpretation and be ready for anything because i know those people won't go down without one heckuva fight.

[billyjoejimbob]

Its called f***ing greed.

There are legitimate tribes that are and have been tribes for years "and still have full bloods" that get NOTHING.

Pequots - need I say more? Once casinos and businessmen come into play......

The businessmen could care less about the tribe and the tribe is happy because they are rich.

Casinos...the new whiskey.

[fri_bread_addict]

Billy Bob,

Not too sure where you're getting your info from....but not greed or for a casino. By the way....there are still lots of fullbloods on Shinnecock. Is that what you base your opinion on? Shinnecock would support other tribes land claims if they had proof to go to court.

[fri_bread_addict]

Well I"m in New York so I can't speak for anywhere else, but I just hope that the Shinnecock's case is *air-tight* because they are asking for lands that are now in the hands of very rich people who have money at their disposal to lobby and pay really good lawyers. My advice to them is to read every single line of the laws, look at every possible interpretation and be ready for anything because i know those people won't go down without one heckuva fight.

Hey kgirl,

Where in NY are you?

[kgirl7]

Da' Bronx. :-P

[Blackbear]

ARe'nt the shinnecocks only state recognized?

[fri_bread_addict]

ARe'nt the shinnecocks only state recognized?

yes, they applied for federal recognition in 1978....think the BIA is a little slow??? :)

[Blackbear]

how can state recognized tribes file for a land claim? Is'nt that jumping the gun before you get federal recognition.. if you get it?

[billyjoejimbob]

$$$

[Blackbear]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/15/shinnecock.hamptons.reut/

Wednesday, June 15, 2005 Posted: 11:19 PM EDT (0319 GMT)




NEW YORK (Reuters) -- The Shinnecock Indian tribe said on Wednesday it was seeking billions of dollars for 150 years of back rent on land it inhabited for 12,000 years in New York state in one of the largest suits of its kind.

The area is part of the Hamptons, known as a summer playground for New York's rich and privileged classes who flock there to escape the heat of the city.

The tribe filed the lawsuit against New York State in the U.S. district court in Central Islip.

The suit, which also names the governor, a local railroad and the town of Southampton, lays claim to 3,600 acres of land encompassing the upscale Shinnecock Hills Golf Course and Long Island University's Southampton College.

The Shinnecock tribe's suit comes just days after New York State Gov. George Pataki urged lawmakers to settle a suit between the state and the Akwesasne Mohawks over 12,000 acres of land in northern New York.

The Shinnecock tribe, known for its whaling expertise and crafting "wampum" beads from sea shells, said they have inhabited the shores of Long Island for 500 generations and were swindled in an 1859 deal they say was forged with a group of unnamed private investors, wherein members of the tribe signed over their claim to the disputed land.

"We have been good neighbors to the very people who stole our ancestral land for their own financial gain," Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock Indian Nation's trustees, said in a statement.

"Before every inch of our sacred lands are lost, we will fight," King added.

The suit does not name area homeowners and does not seek to "displace residents from their homes -- a consideration never shown to the Shinnecock," the statement said.

The tribe is seeking to be paid back rent and interest for the land but the actual dollar amount of the suit is difficult to pinpoint. Representatives of the tribe said it had assessed the value of the land last year at around $1.7 billion, but that figure was beneath fair market value and the actual amount claimed would be well above that.

A Pataki spokesman said the state had not yet reviewed the suit. "We will take whatever steps may be necessary to protect the interests of property owners and taxpayers on Long Island," Kevin Quinn, Pataki's spokesman said in a statement.

About 600 out of 1,300 Shinnecocks are now based on an 800-acre strip of land in the area.

[billyjoejimbob]

thats freaking funny. 150 years of back rent!

first, you have to own the land to get the rent. Something they already proved they dont...hence the lawsuit.

If my great, great, great grandfathers tenants didnt pay their rent, can I go after the tenants great, great grandchildren for back rent?

No.

Why?

Im not freaking greedy!!!

And

Its stupid!

What did these 600 - 1300 schmo's do for the past years of their lives? They lived elsewhere and had jobs probably, and a whole other life.

Now they are NDN.

They have 800 acres now.

What do I have?

Nuthin. I rent a 30X50 foot apartment in a house that is older than my great grandfather.

Those 600 people have over an acre each on prime land. Maybe the other 700 are expressing interest in "returning to the rez" and the resident 600 are afraid they will lose part of their acreage. Plus they know more people will be coming out of the woodwork looking for somewhere to live.

Who's the wannabe?

[kgirl7]

What you got against the Shinnecocks anyway billyjoe? Who are you to say how much ndn they are? So what if you got a small apartment? I don't even have an apartment, I have a room, and what does that matter anyway, it's not like one person has 800 acres. And if it's theirs it's theirs, 1 acre or 100 acres.

[Coyot_In_The_House]

Hey White Boy!!!!

Its called f***ing greed.

There are legitimate tribes that are and have been tribes for years "and still have full bloods" that get NOTHING.

Pequots - need I say more? Once casinos and businessmen come into play......

The businessmen could care less about the tribe and the tribe is happy because they are rich.

Casinos...the new whiskey.

Just what I was looking for....Not that i'm getting wrapped up in the pigment of imagination Race...But U don't know what your talking about boy and you need to explain.....As soon as you do get a clue....PONTIFICATE on your azz backwards statement.....Your generalizations could get u into a world of Chit Homeboy.....B careful.....Word of advise.....Oh and if you have a Giant complex....U do remember David and Goliath....Nuff said....

[Coyot_In_The_House]

Now I see why your a Mod here....U Apple....

how can state recognized tribes file for a land claim? Is'nt that jumping the gun before you get federal recognition.. if you get it?

Take into consideration the very word Sovereignity......Now before you get too wrapped up in the Apple comment.....And apparantly you are base enough to do that.....You have so much to learn and it's absolutely pathetic that you are a so called voice of reason on this 3 ring circus.....Is it necessary for someone to "recognize you before you do something ever so stupid....? Is it necessary for you to get permission to say the absolute azz backwards things you have said? I have Haudenoshone relatives and you do them a dis service and an injustice by the utter stupid chit you say at times....Is the freaking snow getting to you? Remember the revolution will not be televisied.....break free of your ignorance lady.....And hey Paul....Your just happy now aren't you with all the Good Little NDNS at the beck and call? I feel sorry for you Blackbear because as my boy would say....."Your just Dumb!"