Letters

Upon first reading Michael Wright’s article in the July 3 Southampton Press [“Shinnecock Nation to Southampton: Take Down Our Seal — We’re Done Talking,” 27east.com, July 2], what first came to our attention was his use of the word “confrontational” regarding the Shinnecock Nation’s effort to bring the tribe out of poverty in erecting the electronic monuments on Sunrise Highway. There is nothing “confrontational” about these efforts to bring much needed financial amelioration to the tribe. (Note that the state’s lawsuit against them is contrary to their use of the monuments for health advisories during COVID.)

It should be emphasized, furthermore, that the Westwoods parcel, upon which the gas station is being constructed, has been recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as Shinnecock territory. (As a federally recognized tribe, the Shinnecock Nation stands on equal footing with the federal government of the United States, not subordinate to New York State nor Southampton Town.)

Again, the economic development that is being attempted in these creative projects is being opposed in a most confrontational way by the litigious response of both state and town.

The spirit of respectful and cooperative engagement with the tribe is nowhere in evidence regarding the opposition to these moves to bring out of poverty the 60-plus percent of the tribe, in stark contrast to those around them in Southampton. As pointed out by Lance Gumbs, vice chairman of the Shinnecock Nation, at last week’s Town Board meeting, this is not the first time that it would’ve been helpful to have the support of the town. For example, in the 1960s, when the cigarette stores were built on Shinnecock land, they were vigorously opposed.

Might we suggest that the Southampton Town Board look more deeply into its own history with the Shinnecock Nation and the so-called “respect” with which it says it desires to “engage and work cooperatively on issues” affecting all our citizens? Perhaps then they can find greater understanding of where their unhelpful, disrespectful and often downright hostile attitudes have led to the Shinnecock decision to remove its seal from Town Board’s walls.

Heidi Rain

Tom Oleszczuk

Noyac