This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Legislation may lead to State recognition for Montauketts

WPKN Radio Local News - Thursday, June 20:

Newsday reported tha a bill that would allow the Montaukett Indian Nation to petition New York State-for recognition was passed by the legislature this week and went to the governor for signature. A spokesman said the governor would review the bill.

A 1910 state court ruling declared the tribe effectively extinct and paved the way for the strongly disputed transfer of thousands of acres of tribal lands to private hands in East Hampton Town. The Montauketts and historians have consistently rejected the legality of those transfers.

But Long Island University emeritus professor of history, Dr. John Strong, who wrote a history of the Montauketts, told WPKN News that the legislation does not provide for transfer of land back to the tribe.

Strong says that the legislation requires the tribe present the same documentation that would be required for federal recognition - which could make the process difficult. 

Other Long Island tribes (Shinnecock and Unkechaug) were recognized by the state since they had government to government relations with the prior colonial authorities - as did the Montauketts.   

State recognition would allow the Montauketts to receive state health and education programs.

Montaukett Sachem Robert Pharaoh, of Sag Harbor, whose family has led the Montauketts for centuries told Newsday*: 

"We only want to be able to re-establish ourselves here and keep our culture and ways of life alive …We are looking to work with people rather than against them." He said the nation wants to build a museum and cultural center in Montauk, with its own funding.
------------------------------------
WPKN Local news from Long Island and Connecticut is heard Monday-Friday at 6:55PM -on 89.5 FM and streaming at wpkn.org

* https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/assembly-passes-bill-recognizing-montauketts-1.5476091



We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?