Albany, NY – On Monday, March 24, the New York State Assembly unanimously passed A.5295, sponsored by Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, which would reinstate state recognition and acknowledgement of the Montaukett Indian Nation. Former Assemblyman Thiele has long been a champion of reinstating recognition to the Montauketts, and Assemblyman Schiavoni is committed to continuing advocacy on their behalf.

The people of the Montaukett Indian Nation are a rich part of the Long Island community. After several attempts to advance legislation which would recognize and acknowledge the Montauketts, New York State has continued with the precedent set in 1910 to deny them their right of existence in the eyes of the state.

Despite the 1910 Pharaoh v. Benson case, when the court declared them to be extinct while their leaders and 75 members of the nation sat in the courtroom, the Montaukett Indian Nation has continued to thrive and govern itself. The wrongful removal of their state recognition remains uncorrected, and the New York State Legislature is committed to addressing the deserving respect of the Montaukett people.

Assemblyman Schiavoni said: “I pledge to continue to prioritize the reinstatement of state recognition of the Montaukett Indian Nation, which was wrongfully stripped of its rights to exist more than a century ago. While decades have gone by, the Montauketts have still operated as a nation of people dedicated to continuing their traditions and culture. I thank every one of my colleagues, including Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly leadership, who have stood with me to urge the Governor to work with the Montauketts and treat them with the respect this community deserves.”