2011-2012 Board of Trustees

  Randy King, Chairman    Frederick C. Bess        Gerrod T. Smith                   

From the Shinnecock Indian Nation Board of Trustees

The 2011-12 Trustee Board thanks you for entrusting us as your leaders this year. It is always the highest honor to serve this Nation, and we will put our hearts and souls into serving you to the very best of our abilities. From day one of this term, our goal has been to keep this Nation strong, focused on the future, while remaining grounded in goals for creating and maintaining a healthy today, all within the power of the traditions laid out for us and passed down to us by our Ancestors.

We plan to meet many of our goals, and end this year on the Trustee Calendar on an extremely positive note. As a Nation, we have made our argument in the federal court system on behalf of the sovereignty our Creator bestowed upon this Tribe from a time before time; we have made our argument for the recognition of this Nation, and justice has prevailed on our behalf. We have built solid bridges of friendship with our neighbors and local and national elected and appointed officials. We have made the good name of Shinnecock known to many who have never heard of us before, but who will remember us in good ways for years to come.

As this term begins, be assured that this Board has steady hands and will do its part in building a road to a better tomorrow:

• We will continue our march through time as a Tribe, as a proud and sovereign Indian Nation.
• We will continue to explore ways and means of strengthening our culture, our heritage and Families, assuring our tomorrows.
• We will continue to explore avenues of economic development.
• We will continue exploring funding for needy projects and to continue building an infrastructure that will serve us all and last for generations to come.

Thank you to all those who have toiled this past year to create a better life for us all: the  Shinnecock Tribal Council, the Tribal Office Staff, the Communications Office, Research/Grants and Development, the Shinnecock Nation Gaming Authority, Tribal Security, and all other individuals and programs in this community that have worked with us, taken us to task, and helped create the kind of Shinnecock Community that we all desire to have, one that comes from a place of peace,  prosperity, good health and respect for each other.

Mamoweenene (We move together.)

Randy King, Chairman
Frederick C. Bess
Gerrod T. Smith
 

The Shinnecock Trustee System Since 1792

The first three Trustees ever elected were put into office 1792.
They were: David Jacob, Samuel Waukus and Abraham Jacob.

David Jacob served at least three terms, 1792, 1793 and 1794.

Samuel Waukus served six years: 1792, 1794, 1795, 1800, 1804 and 1807.

Abraham Jacob served 16 years between 1792 and 1816.

The longest serving Trustees:

1. 30 Years: Charles K. Smith, longest serving Trustee in Shinnecock history; first elected in 1948 and elected every year up to 1978.

2. 27 Years: Harry K. Williams is the second longest serving Trustee, elected 27 times between 1946 and 1979.

3. 19 Years: Avery Dennis, Sr., between 1952 and 1985.

4. 16 Years: Abraham Jacob, between 1792 and 1816.

5. 16 Years: James W. Eleazer, Jr., between 1978 and 2006.

6. 16 Years: Braddon Smith, between 1980 and 2000.