The Shinnecock Nation of New York has asked two Connecticut tribes if they are behind a new "gaming" group that filed a challenge to its federal recognition.

Trustee Lance Gumbs said the Mohegan Tribe denied a connection to the "Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs." He's still waiting to hear from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation but The Long Island Business News reported that the Pequots denied being behind the group.

“Somebody has got to be backing them,” Gumbs told The Southampton Press of the new group. “They just filed several hundred pages of documentation. That’s not something that happens overnight and without a lot of money behind it.”

The tribe's federal recognition was due to become final on Monday, July 19. The challenge, which was filed with the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, will delay the tribe's efforts.

Get the Story:
Connecticut casino employees file 11th-hour challenge to Shinnecock recognition (The Southampton Press 7/16)
Group tries to block Shinnecock recognition (The Long Island Business News 7/16)
Indian tribe seeks equal footing on Hamptons (USA Today 7/16)

Federal Register Notice:
Final Determination for Federal Acknowledgment of the Shinnecock Indian Nation (June 18, 2010)

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