Shinnecock Land Acquisition and Stewardship Fund

Background: Sugar Loaf Hill Summit

After years of work with the Shinnecock Graves Protection Warrior Society (SGPWS), and months of negotiations with the Town and the owners of Sugar Loaf’s summit, the Trust acquired this most sacred land on July 22, 2021 in a simultaneous transaction wherein the Town purchased the development rights on the property, thereby protecting it from any residential development in the future. Roger Waters, an advocate for the Shinnecock people, provided the bulk of the private funds necessary for the Trust to purchase the property and restore it to its natural state.

“I want to thank the Shinnecock people, especially the Graves Protection Warrior Society for their guidance and patience throughout. This would not have happened without the leadership of Tela Troge, Becky Genia, and Shane Weeks. It is our intent to manage this land with the SGPWS until such time that we can return it to the Shinnecock people, the ultimate stewards, as a place for their ancestors to rest in peace as well as a place for the public to learn about the history and culture of the Shinnecock Nation,” added John.

The Trust will work closely with the SGPWS to restore the land, remove the existing structures, and install a public trail in what will be a year-long restoration project. Upon completion of the restoration, the Trust will petition the Town Board for approval to transfer fee title of the parcel to the Shinnecock people. This will be the first time that Shinnecock land within Shinnecock Hills will be returned to and reclaimed by the Shinnecock people.

There is much more land to protect in Shinnecock Hills in partnership with the SGPWS and the Town. In order to accomplish this, more private funds will need to be raised for future acquisitions, restoration and ongoing stewardship related to sacred Shinnecock land.

Our work with Niamuck Land Trust

Comprised permanently and only of enrolled members of the Shinnecock Nation, the Niamuck Land Trust (NLT) bases itself on strong cultural education of and for Shinnecock communities. NLT, founded in November of 2021, has committed themselves to protecting, preserving, and purchasing burial sites and other culturally significant sites sacred to the Shinnecock Nation and their neighboring indigenous communities.

NLT was founded in order to raise funds and other resources to facilitate land acquisitions and continued stewardships of these sites as they are acquired for preservation, ceremonial, and educational purposes. The Peconic Land Trust is the fiscal sponsor for NLT while they seek to obtain their non-profit 501(c)3 status. To this end, we have committed ourselves to working in partnership to protect land sacred to the Shinnecock Nation. To learn more and support the NLT, visit their website here.

For more information on:

• Tax-deductible contributions please contact: Amanda Abraham, Director of Development, at 631.283.3195