November is Native American Heritage Month, a nationwide celebration of the contributions of Indigenous peoples and celebration of their heritage, traditions, culture, art, and history while acknowledging how society has impacted Indigenous peoples and culture. New York State was the first state to recognize “American Indian Day” in 1916, originally observed on the second Saturday in May. [Read more…] about DEC Relations with Indigenous Nations
Poospatuck Reservation
Long Island Revolutionary History: A Suffolk County Tour
As we celebrated another birthday for America this July 4th I was reminded of the rich history and vital role that New York played in the founding of this nation. This is no less true within the sandy shores and glacial uplands of Long Island.
Drive south on William Floyd Parkway today, through the Suffolk County communities of Yaphank, Mastic, Shirley, and Mastic Beach, and it might be hard to imagine that this area was once the site of a great struggle between a world power and the early American settlers who came to yearn for independence. [Read more…] about Long Island Revolutionary History: A Suffolk County Tour
Uncovering Long Island’s Native Past Through Archaeology
The Nassau County Historical Society will host “Long Island Dirt: Recovering our Buried Past through Historical Archaeologies,” a talk on the archaeology of the two Native American Indian reservations on Long Island — the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton and the Unkechaug’s Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic, set for Sunday, September 19th. [Read more…] about Uncovering Long Island’s Native Past Through Archaeology