Shinnecock Reservation is a Native American reservation for members of the

Shinnecock Indian Nation The Shinnecock Indian Nation is a federally recognized tribe of historically Algonquian peoples, Algonquian-speaking Native Americans in the United States, Native Americans based at the eastern end of Long Island, New York. This tribe is headqua ...

in the town of Southampton in Suffolk County,

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, United States. It is the furthermost east of the two Native American reservations in Suffolk County; the other being Poospatuck Reservation in the town of Brookhaven. It lies on the east side of

Shinnecock Bay Shinnecock Inlet is the easternmost of five major inlets connecting bays to the Atlantic Ocean through the narrow Outer Barrier that stretches from New York City to Southampton, New York on the south shore of Long Island. It splits Westhampton Isl ...

on southeastern

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18 ...

, near Tuckahoe, Shinnecock Hills, and the village of Southampton. The population was 819 as of the 2020 census. Roughly that many tribal members additionally live off the reservation. In 2010, the Nation received federal recognition as a tribe, a status which it pursued for 32 years. This will enable the tribe to move forward with its plans for a casino; it has already been discussing this with the state and local governments. Opposition to additional casinos in the New York market is based in part on dilution of demand: both the Foxwoods Casino in

Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the ...

and those in

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

attract thousands of New Yorkers, and

Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and casino in the South Ozone Park and Jamaica neighborhoods of Queens, New York City, United States. Aqueduct is the only racetrack located within New York City limits. Its racing m ...

opened a casino in 2011, and its proximity to the wealthy and powerful located in the neighboring

Hamptons The Hamptons, part of the East End of Long Island, consist of the towns of Southampton and East Hampton, which together comprise the South Fork of Long Island, in Suffolk County, New York. The Hamptons are a popular seaside resort and one of ...

communities of the South Fork.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...

, the Indian reservation has a total area of 1.3073 mi² (3.3859 km²), all land.

Demographics

At the 2010 census there were 662 people and 256 households in the Indian reservation. The population density was 506.4/mi² (195.5/km²). There were 204 housing units at an average density of 156.0/mi² (60.2/km²). The racial makeup of the Indian reservation was 6.04% White, 4.53% Black or African American, 76.59% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 12.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.34%. Of the 256 households 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 11.7% are vacant, 8.6% are for rent. The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 20, 7.4% from 20 to 24, 11.3% from 25 to 34, 18.7% from 35 to 49, 21.3% from 50 to 64, and 12.5% 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. According to the 2000 Census, the median household income was in the Indian reservation was $14,055, and the

median income The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two equal groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways o ...

for a family was $14,143. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the Indian reservation was $8,843. About 61.3% of families and 50.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 66.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Tribal recognition and gambling prospects

The Shinnecock Nation formally requested federal recognition from the United States government in 1978 and received it in 2010. Recognition was supported by New York Governor

David Paterson David Alexander Paterson (born May 20, 1954) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 55th governor of New York, succeeding Eliot Spitzer and serving out nearly three years of Spitzer's term from March 2008 to December 2010. A ...

. The Nation has been in discussion with state and local officials on plans to build a Class III casino, as it wants to generate revenues for economic development and welfare for the tribe. It would share revenues with the state for such an enterprise off the reservation. The tribe and other parties prefer a location out of the Hamptons area, which is already bogged down with heavy traffic during the summer season, when the population of the Town of Southampton doubles.DANNY HAKIM, "U.S. Recognizes an Indian Tribe on Long Island, Clearing the Way for a Casino"
''New York Times'', 16 June 2010, accessed 20 October 2014 In addition, they would face heavy competition on eastern Long Island, as New Yorkers make up 30% of the customers of the highly successful

Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun is an American casino, owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe on of their reservation, along the banks of the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut. It has of gambling space. It is in the foothills of southeastern Connecticut ...

and

Foxwoods Foxwoods Resort Casino is a hotel and casino complex owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on their reservation located in Ledyard, Connecticut. Including six casinos, the resort covers an area of . The casinos have more th ...

Casinos in Connecticut. The Shinnecock Indian Nation and their partners (Gateway Casino Resorts, LLC and Michael J Malik Sr. dba MJM Enterprises and MJM Enterprises & Development) paid D.C. lobbyists $1,140,000 from 2005 to 2009 to support their effort to gain recognition and approved gaming.

References

External links

Shinnecock (state) Reservation, New York
United States Census Bureau
2010 Census for New York (you must choose State: New York, County: Suffolk, Area: Shinnecock Reservation
{{authority control Shinnecock Indian Nation American Indian reservations in New York (state) Southampton (town), New York Geography of Suffolk County, New York