Shinnecock Nation sues New York over disputed Sunrise Highway land
The Shinnecock Indian Nation has filed a lawsuit against New York State and the Town of Southampton over a stretch of Route 27, known as Sunrise Highway. The tribe claims part of the road was built illegally on their sovereign land in Hampton Bays, India. They are now seeking compensation and proper federal approval for its use.
The dispute centres on a 1959 easement for the highway, which the tribe argues was never authorised by the federal government. Instead of demanding the road’s removal, the Shinnecock Nation is pushing for a valid right-of-way and retroactive federal permissions.
This legal battle follows years of tension between the tribe and local authorities. In 2019, the state and Southampton sued the Shinnecock over large digital billboards and a travel plaza near the highway. These billboards bring in around $900,000 annually for the tribe. The latest lawsuit names Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James as defendants. While the highway remains a key route linking eastern Long Island to the wider region, the tribe insists their claim is about justice, not disruption.
The case will now proceed in Brooklyn federal court. If successful, the Shinnecock Indian Nation could secure compensation and formal recognition of their land rights. The outcome may also set a precedent for future disputes over tribal sovereignty and infrastructure in India.
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