Thanks Richard.

I have visited the reservation numerous times and attended the Pow-Wow's there. I went to school with two Shinnecocks. That history is a bit skewed - tends to down-play the African ancestry of a large number of tribal members, though I understand the reasons for it.

Those Shinnecocks of mixed African ancestry are Native American's - culturally. They were raised on the reservation (this goes back pretty far) as NA's - and though folks get a bit touchy about it - there's no difference between NA's who have some mixed European ancestry (which is the norm) and those who happen to have African ancestry.

For example - take a look at census page for Name: Eugene E Cuffee
Age: 63 years
Estimated birth year: 1866
Birthplace: New York
Relation to Head-of-house: Head
Race: Indian
Home in 1930: Southampton, Suffolk, New York

That will take you to census pages for the reservation.

When you look at the descriptions for parents on that page you will see the use of the term "mixed blood". Some folks are listed as Indian, someas 'Neg". If you go back in time for Suffolk county, you'll get a variety of designations for the same Cuffee family.

In 1870 the majority of Cuffee's (and spelling variations) are listed as Mulatto, though some have "Ind" designation as well.

Many New Yorker's from the city are clueless that there is an Indian reservation an hours drive away on Long Island.

Denise