New York State and Southampton Town want to stop the construction of billboards on the tribal lands of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, Long Island’s only federally recognized tribe.
Now, the national organization that represents the interests of Native American tribes has thrown its support behind the Shinnecock.
The tribe began construction of two electronic billboards along Sunrise Highway in April to help generate revenue for public programs on their reservation.
Southampton Town and the state Department of Transportation say the tribe was never authorized. The tribe says they have the right to continue construction on tribal land.
A state Supreme Court judge ordered a temporary restraining order, and work has stopped while they’re in legal action.
The National Congress of American Indians stands by the Shinnecock Indian Nation. The group says it will support tribes across the U.S. that have state or federal highways that run through tribal land.
They say tribes have a right to build economic development projects on their land.