The East End Reporter visited the Shinnecock Reservation to get reaction to the land claim suit.
The Thunder Bird Coffee Shop is on Montauk Highway on the Shinnecock Reservation. A sign outside says “Justice for All.”
One of the customers inside was Bill from Sag Harbor:
"You can't steal things and not expect to have it returned. …. it's just a matter of entering reparations in to the tax base. ….. being African-American, I just didn't have the land, but if anybody deserves reparations it is these people."
Paul, from Calverton:
"..they really do deserve some sort of compensation or at least recognition. It is their land and it has been taken unjustly."
Aiyana Smith of the Shinnecock Community Health Worker Program for high risk pregnant women and their families:
"The land claim suit means to me the preservation of our land and our water rights, of our self- determination, our self-identity and .. the preservation of our culture, our heritage and our customs…."
Reverend Holly Haile Davis, a Presbyterian Minister, the grandaughter of Shinnecock Chief Thunder Bird, is the proprietor of the Thunder Bird Coffee Shop. She is also a musician and a member of the folk music group "Thunder Bird Sisters".
"When I think of the land claims I think of my great-grandmother, Cora May Hunter ….. who often began her sentences with "when we get the hills back .."
… so these thoughts and visions about re-gaining the Shinnecock Hills have been with us for many, many generations."
EER: What do you think outsiders know about the Shinnecocks?
"I think most non-natives have no idea how the Shinnecock people live. I think most of our neighbors are really uninterested and think that it doesn't relate to them that a portion of their community lives in poverty and is seeking justice …..
I'm hoping that this land case presents the opportunity for our outside neighbors to stop long enough to hear from us and perhaps learn a little about us."
EER: There are many neighbors here in Southampton, non-native, who understand the plight of the Shinnecock and want justice done, but local officials apparently have not seen this.
What would you suggest that supporters do?
"I am very thankful for our non-native neighbors who are seeking justice on our behalf and have been standing with us. I would encourage them to be as visible as they can, as vocal as they can. They are allowed entrance into places that my people are not allowed entrance to. They are often offered forums not available to us. Because they are people of good will they are seeking justice for all people. So I encourage them and thank them for their continuing support."
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A portion of these interviews was broadcast on the 6:30 local news on WPKN/89.5 and WPKM/88.7
