NJ SAND HILL BAND OF INDIANS ASSERT TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY
Carlos Estrella
November 21, 2006
(Release amended July 4, 2007)
From: The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians
Contact: Mr. E. C. Estrella (973) 553-5402
The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians is the only historically documented Native American Indian Band, Clan or Tribe to have been recognized (via Gubernatorial Proclamation) by the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians have existed in Lenapehoking (present day New Jersey, as well as portions of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware) as a sovereign entity since the 1700s as previously recorded by Dr. Herb Kraft of Seton Hall University. Unlike other Indian groups in New Jersey, the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians has not now nor ever relinquished any title, claim, etc. relating to land or other sovereignty rights. Furthermore, the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians have not ever allowed themselves to be called anything other than Indian (or Native American), and have maintained a continuous, uninterrupted Tribal Government in Lenapehoking since the 18th Century.
It has come to the attention of the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians that several groups, for reasons known and unknown, have attempted to claim that they are the legitimate “recognized” tribe of New Jersey and that they have claim to lands including portions of New Jersey that are currently public lands. Additionally, some individuals who upon further examination have been shown to have NO RELATIONSHIP to the indigenous peoples of Lenapehoking are attempting to both mislead the public and the New Jersey and Federal Government, in an attempt to open casinos and other business ventures that are regulated by Federal and State Law.
The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians strongly opposes these misleading and possibly illegal actions as well as the blatant attack on the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians’ sovereignty. The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians also desires to both educate and inform the governments of the State of New Jersey and the United States as to the historical evidence as collected by numerous neutral parties and entities, including the Smithsonian Institute, the museums of both Neptune and Paterson, New Jersey, The New Jersey Archeological Society, news outlets in New Jersey and the records of the State of New Jersey itself. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RECOGNITION OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY VIA THE AFOREMENTIONED PROCLAMATION AND THE RECOGNITION GRANTED BY THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE OF THE NATIVE PEOPLES LISTED ON THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF STATE WEBSITE, NO INDIAN GROUP IN THE STATE IS RECOGNIZED AS A “STATE RECOGNIZED TRIBE” BY THE GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE OR LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
For more information, please contact the Tribal Office of the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians at (973) 553-5402, or at cestrell@sandhillindians.org. Government Officials who wish access to documentation and other information are encouraged to contact the Tribal Office.
E.C. Estrella
Representative, Tribal Council
From: The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians
Contact: Mr. E. C. Estrella (973) 553-5402
The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians is the only historically documented Native American Indian Band, Clan or Tribe to have been recognized (via Gubernatorial Proclamation) by the State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians have existed in Lenapehoking (present day New Jersey, as well as portions of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware) as a sovereign entity since the 1700s as previously recorded by Dr. Herb Kraft of Seton Hall University. Unlike other Indian groups in New Jersey, the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians has not now nor ever relinquished any title, claim, etc. relating to land or other sovereignty rights. Furthermore, the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians have not ever allowed themselves to be called anything other than Indian (or Native American), and have maintained a continuous, uninterrupted Tribal Government in Lenapehoking since the 18th Century.
It has come to the attention of the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians that several groups, for reasons known and unknown, have attempted to claim that they are the legitimate “recognized” tribe of New Jersey and that they have claim to lands including portions of New Jersey that are currently public lands. Additionally, some individuals who upon further examination have been shown to have NO RELATIONSHIP to the indigenous peoples of Lenapehoking are attempting to both mislead the public and the New Jersey and Federal Government, in an attempt to open casinos and other business ventures that are regulated by Federal and State Law.
The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians strongly opposes these misleading and possibly illegal actions as well as the blatant attack on the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians’ sovereignty. The New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians also desires to both educate and inform the governments of the State of New Jersey and the United States as to the historical evidence as collected by numerous neutral parties and entities, including the Smithsonian Institute, the museums of both Neptune and Paterson, New Jersey, The New Jersey Archeological Society, news outlets in New Jersey and the records of the State of New Jersey itself. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE RECOGNITION OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY VIA THE AFOREMENTIONED PROCLAMATION AND THE RECOGNITION GRANTED BY THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE OF THE NATIVE PEOPLES LISTED ON THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF STATE WEBSITE, NO INDIAN GROUP IN THE STATE IS RECOGNIZED AS A “STATE RECOGNIZED TRIBE” BY THE GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE OR LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
For more information, please contact the Tribal Office of the New Jersey Sand Hill Band of Indians at (973) 553-5402, or at cestrell@sandhillindians.org. Government Officials who wish access to documentation and other information are encouraged to contact the Tribal Office.
E.C. Estrella
Representative, Tribal Council
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