Letters

Here’s a bit of a history to educate Mark Schulte [“Worth the Candle,” Letters, July 24] regarding the Shinnecock, whom he so casually denigrates.

In 1640, after landing in what is now North Sea, the settlers were greeted by the Shinnecock. Lacking survival skills, the colonists likely would not have endured that first winter without the Indians’ guidance. While it is true that the Indians were “paid” for the 8 square miles of land (16 coats and 60 bushels of corn), because the colonists had weapons, the original “Indian Deeds” provided for them to give protection from nearby tribes who would raid the Shinnecock for their well-known wampum currency.

The Shinnecock co-existed with the settlers in a neighborly fashion, by most accounts. As a 12th-generation local, a direct descendant of Christopher Foster, one of Southampton’s settlers, I am indebted to the Shinnecock, as my family would not have grown and prospered without them.

Ironically, Schulte resides in Quogue, former Shinnecock land. In 1659, for 400 pounds, settler John Ogden purchased from the Indians a large tract of land known as Quawcanantucke, which extended from Canoe Place to Beaver Creek Dam in current Westhampton. The Shinnecock still had the “privilege” of hunting and fishing.

This “owning” is subject to interpretation. The Indians regarded land as being occupied, not owned, a concept not made clear by the white colonists and still the subject of debate.

Like a bully, Schulte insults the Shinnecock, describing them as “belligerent and bellicose” for removing their seal from Town Hall. A town seal exemplifies a “united community effort for the common good,” signifying authoritative identity. The Shinnecock are disrespected, not treated as equals, looked upon with disdain, are feared and are constantly insulted by ignorant people — so why would they want their seal displayed in that venue?

Schulte even questions the tribe’s federal recognition — officially determined by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He ends his diatribe with “good riddance” — two words with impactful meaning: relief that someone or something undesirable, troublesome or annoying is gone. How dare you be so dismissive and insulting.

And your reference to “apologists for the Shinnecock”? There should be apologists to the Shinnecock for centuries of unneighborly, shameful behavior.

I cringed when I saw Schulte’s plea to Supervisor Maria Moore to “put on your war paint.” How incredibly offensive and derogatory. Schulte alludes to the “battle” about the ongoing controversy over the use of Native American names and imagery by schools and sports teams. Vigilance, he calls for. I picture armed soldiers standing atop a stockade fort, watching for marauding Indians. I would imagine you would be leading the charge.

It is people like you who are the cause of dissension and the furtherance of racism.

Linda Euell

Southampton