Sag Harbor, NY – On Tuesday, June 3, The Shinnecock Indian Nation hosted members of the New York State Assembly to tour the Reservation and engage in a discussion to strengthen the relationship between the Nation and the NYS Legislature. Shinnecock Council leadership and Assemblyman Schiavoni led a conversation of how the Nation and state can partner on ways which would benefit Shinnecock members and the surrounding community, including public health, public safety, and economic development.

Involved in the discussion were members of the Shinnecock Council of Trustees: Chairwoman Lisa Goree, Vice-Chairman Lance Gumbs, Treasurer Seneca Bowen, Council of Trustees Secretary Sienna Hunter-Cuyjet, General Council Secretary Edgar Franklin III, and Sunsqua Linda Franklin; also involved in the discussion were members of the New York State Assembly: Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, Assemblyman Noah Burroughs, and Assemblyman Kwani O’Pharrow.

Assemblyman Schiavoni stated: “As a former Southampton Town Councilman and lifelong resident of the East End, I developed a strong working relationship with members of the Shinnecock Nation, and now as an Assemblyman, I’m proud to continue working together with the Shinnecocks as a co-equal partner representing New York State. I am deeply appreciative that my colleagues in the Assembly joined Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes and myself in the conversation. I thank Chairwoman Goree and the Council of Trustees for hosting a productive day, and I look forward to continuing an open dialogue with the Shinnecocks.”

"It was my pleasure to tour the Shinnecock Indian Nation reservation and meet with members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation community and Shinnecock Council leadership. Thank you to Council leadership and Assemblymember Schiavoni for leading this important discussion and thank you to my colleagues Assemblymember O'Pharrow and Assemblymember Burroughs for joining in on the informative and productive conversation," commented Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

Chairwoman Lisa Goree, Shinnecock Council of Trustees, stated: “It was an honor to host the NYS Assembly members on our tribal territory. We were able to speak about the disparities within the nation and the importance of creating economic development for our tribal members as well as having the ability to sustain our programs and various departments that provide the necessary support in governing our nation. The dialogue was very meaningful and productive in which both Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes and Assemblyman Schiavoni expressed an interest in working with the nation and strengthening the relationship with State. I would also like to thank Assemblyman Noah Burroughs and Assemblyman Kwani O’Pharrow for taking the time to participate in our discussion.”