A federal judge is urging a New York town to compromise with the Shinnecock Nation but the town is refusing.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Platt has ruled that the Shinnecocks are an Indian tribe for purposes of federal law. That would appear to mean the tribe can move forward with plans to develop a gaming facility on its land in Long Island.

The town of Southampton is fighting the tribe. A former air-conditioning salesman turned "ethno-historian" -- in the words of Newsday -- testified in court that the Shinnecocks gave up sovereignty to the town.

Despite Platt's ruling on the tribe's status, the Bureau of Indian Affairs won't recognize the Shinnecocks. The tribe's petition is considered "active" but the BIA has yet to consider it.

Get the Story:
Historian to testify on Shinnecocks (Newsday 10/13)

Federal Recognition Court Decision:
New York v. Shinnecock Nation (November 7, 2005)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Shinnecock Nation - http://www.shinnecocknation.com

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