The Shinnecock people are the original inhabitants of the East End of Long Island, a fact that remains undeniable. Their connection to this land has endured for 13,000 years and their sovereignty over it is still intact.

Unfortunately, they have faced repeated land theft and injustice for centuries, and their fight for the full recognition of their rights continues to this day.

The Shinnecock Nation’s efforts to develop projects, such as the monument sign and tax-free gas station, are vital to their self-determination.

Like other tribes across the United States, the Nation is working to support their community and fund essential services through sustainable economic development ventures.

It's more than a community project; it represents our efforts to self-sustain. Yet, the Southampton Town Board is seeking litigation against this initiative, obstructing our path to self-reliance.

The project aims to provide the Shinnecock Nation with the freedom to manage their resources and contribute to local socio-economic growth.

It is vital to note that the United States Federal Government recognizes our sovereignty. We should have the right to implement socially beneficial projects without interference.

Not only does this gas station project provide potential for increased self-sufficiency, but also it could generate economic benefits to the area.

These benefits include potential job creation, and benefiting residents with cheaper gas prices. 

This litigation powerfully threatens the essence of tribal sovereignty and inhibits us from exercising our rights as recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

It is a situation that speaks to the broader issues of on-going indigenous rights battles across the world. It’s a call to recognize the Shinnecock Nation's legal right to conduct business and grow economically on its own lands.

The Shinnecock Nation’s fight for sovereignty is not just about one project or one piece of land. It is about exercising their sovereign rights to self-determination and protecting their cultural heritage for future generations.

The Shinnecock people have always been here, and they will continue to be here, standing firm in their ancestral commitment to protecting their land, culture, and future.

Today, we urge allies and supporters to stand with us in demanding that the Southampton Town Board respects these rights and drop their litigation against our gas station project. 

Stand with us.

Add your voice to this cry for justice and fairness.

Sign this petition today.