New York Gov. David Paterson (D) said he will work with the Shinnecock Nation on a casino, essentially opening the door for the newly recognized tribe to consider a wide range of lucrative sites.

The tribe has a state-recognized reservation on the eastern end of Long Island. But Paterson acknowledged that development there would not be conducive due to its remote location and its proximity to the wealthy Hamptons enclave.

“The general feeling is that it would be hard for them to set up any kind of casino because of the difficulty of traveling out to the Hamptons," Paterson said on a media call, The New York Times reported. “So we’ll explore with them ways in which they might be able to partner with us and bring revenues into the state.”

Paterson's comments indicate he would support just about any location as long as it wasn't in the Hamptons. That means tribal leaders probably won't have to worry about existing federal restrictions that might otherwise force them to consider sites close to the reservation.

The tribe has been presented with options on Long Island so they aren't that far from home. But the tribe might be able to consider a casino much closer to New York City or possibly the Catskills region, where state lawmakers have already passed a law to authorize up to three tribal casinos.

For now, tribal leaders are celebrating their long-awaited victory. The Shinnecock were the first group to file a federal recognition petition with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

This is the most historic moment in Shinnecock history,” trustee Lance Gumbs told the Associated Press. “Any discussion of a casino is a secondary thought.”

The BIA issued a final determination in favor of the tribe yesterday. The tribe met all seven criteria for recognition, the agency said in a press release.

Get the Story:
U.S. Recognizes an Indian Tribe on Long Island, Clearing the Way for a Casino (The New York Times 6/16)
Shinnecock tribe receives federal recognition (The Southampton Press 6/16)
Casino Near City Could Come As Indian Bureau Recognizes Long Island Tribe (NY1 News 6/16)
Shinnecocks stake claim to land (The Long Island Business News 6/16)
Long Island Indian Tribe Wins Federal Recognition (NBC New York 6/15)
Feds Approve Shinnecock Tribe Recognition (AP 6/15)
NY's Shinnecock Indians Gain Official Status (NPR 6/15)
U.S. Bureau Of Indian Affairs Confirms Shinnecock Nation Granted Federal Recognition (Hamptons.Com 6/15)
Shinnecocks Recognized (The East Hampton Star 6/15)

Related Stories:
Shinnecock Nation expects phone call on federal recognition (6/15)
Shinnecock Nation nears final decision on recognition bid (3/30)
Shinnecock Nation wins federal recognition ruling (12/15)
Shinnecock Nation awaits decision on federal status (12/9)
New York governor backs Shinnecock Nation (9/25)
Interview: Shinnecock Nation and federal recognition (06/12)
Economist: Recognition nears for Shinnecock Nation (6/11)
Connecticut tribes support Shinnecock recognition (6/5)
Shinnecock Nation meets with BIA over recognition (6/4)
Shinnecock Nation in DC to press for recognition (6/3)
Editorial: Shinnecock Nation recognition on horizon (6/1)
Blog: Shinnecock Nation eyes ultimate prize (6/1)
Shinnecock Nation open to several casino sites (5/29)
Column: Shinnecock Nation nears a milestone (5/28)
Shinnecock Nation ready to negotiate with state (5/28)
BIA agrees to decision on Shinnecock Nation (5/27)
Shinnecock Nation expects recognition decision (4/6)