Shinnecock Nation seeks healing after drug raid

Monday, May 7, 2007  

Leaders of the Shinnecock Nation of New York say they were showing "tough love" by asking state authorities to investigate drug trafficking on the reservation.

Tribal leaders said they repeatedly asked the state police to step up patrols on the reservation. But they didn't see much action until they went to Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota, who launched an investigation that netted several arrests, including the son of a tribal trustee.

"It's not easy to put your son or your daughter or your grandchild in jail. It's not easy, but that's what had to be done to protect the reservation," Randy King, the chairman of the tribal trustees, told Newsday. "We're taking care of our own. You have to show tough love."

But tribal leaders were upset with the portrayal of the incident. They said most of the drugs and guns seized were taken from homes off the reservation.

"It's not fair for the Nation to be depicted as a drug haven. It isn't," Charles Smith II told Newsday.

Get the Story:
A time for healing on Shinnecock reservation (Newsday 5/7)
pwday

Land Claim Court Decision:
Shinnecock Nation v. New York (November 28, 2006)

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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