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Historical document may block casino plans

NEW YORK – As reported by the New York Newsday: "A Canadian anthropologist testified in federal court yesterday that the Shinnecock Indians signed 17th-century land deeds that now prevent them from building a casino in modern-day Hampton Bays.

"But lawyers for the tribe challenged Alex von Gernet with a fundamental question: Did the Shinnecocks of the 1600s read, write or even speak English when they inscribed X's on the documents in place of signatures?

"During seven hours of testimony, the University of Toronto professor said the Shinnecocks knowingly relinquished title to an 79-acre parcel known as the Westwoods during the pre-colonial era. They thereby forfeited the 'aboriginal title' needed to establish gaming on the land, which they reacquired in 1922, say lawyers for the Town of Southampton and New York State, who wish to block casino construction…"

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