[Amended 11-26-2019 by Res. No. 1154-2019]
A. Native Americans were the original habitants of the territory that
became Suffolk County; and hundreds of years later, Suffolk County
remains home to many Native Americans.
B. Native Americans played an important role in shaping the development
and character of Suffolk County and continue to do so today; and Suffolk
County wants to increase education on Long Island about our original
settlers, their history, traditions and culture.
C. Within Suffolk County, there are descendants of the Indigenous Peoples;
therefore, it would be prudent to improve communication and foster
good relations between their governments and the government of Suffolk
County.
D. Many Native Americans in Suffolk County do not reside on reservations,
which may prevent them from receiving information about certain benefits
for which they may be eligible; and Suffolk County wants to aid all
Native American residents so that they receive important benefits
information; and Suffolk County wants to improve the public's
knowledge and understanding of Native Americans and establish a more
open relationship with their governments in an effort to improve the
County's responsiveness to the needs of its residents.
[Amended 11-26-2019 by Res. No. 1154-2019]
The Suffolk County Native American Affairs Advisory Board is
hereby created for the following purposes:
A. To promote educational outreach on Native American history and culture
on Long Island, particularly in Suffolk County;
B. To improve cultural understanding between the Native American community,
Suffolk County government and Suffolk County residents;
C. To identify resources and referrals for Native Americans;
D. To create a database containing historical and cultural information
about Native Americans on Long Island;
E. To promote native American Heritage Month during the month of November.
[Amended 11-26-2019 by Res. No. 1154-2019]
The Suffolk County Native American Affairs Advisory Board shall
consist of the following 19 members:
A. A representative from the County Legislature, to be appointed by
the Presiding Officer;
B. A representative from the County Executive's office, to be selected
by the County Executive;
C. A representative from the Office of Minority Affairs;
D. Two representatives from the Shinnecock Nation;
E. Two representatives from the Unchachogue Nation;
F. Two representatives from the Montauk Native People;
G. Two representatives from the Setalcott Nation;
H. A representative of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association,
to be selected by the County Legislature;
I. The Commissioner of the Department of Health Services, or his or
her designee;
J. One male elder from a Suffolk County Native American tribe, to be
selected by the County Legislature;
K. One female elder from a Suffolk County Native American tribe, to
be selected by the County Legislature;
L. Two advocates for Native Americans living off reservations, to be
selected by the County Legislature; and
M. Two Native American youths, to be selected by the County Legislature,
who will act as Co-Chairs of the Youth Committee.
The members of said Board shall serve without compensation and
shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities.
The Board may submit requests to the County Executive and the
County Legislature for approval for the provision of secretarial services,
travel expenses or the retention of consultants to assist the Board
with such endeavors, said total expenditures not to exceed $5,000
per fiscal year, which services shall be subject to legislative approval.
Clerical services involving the month-to-month operation of
this Board, as well as supplies and postage as necessary, will be
provided by the staff of the County Office of Minority Affairs.
The Board shall cooperate with the legislative committees of
the County Legislature and make available to each committee's
use, upon request, any records and other data it may accumulate or
obtain.
The Board is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to create
a County Legislative Liaison Subcommittee to deal with issues related
to the Suffolk County Legislature and shall conduct such public hearings
throughout the County of Suffolk as may be determined to be necessary
to ascertain the views, wishes and opinions of the residents of the
Native American community in Suffolk County.
The Board shall submit a written annual report of its findings
and determinations together with its recommendations for action, if
any, to each member of the County Legislature and County Executive
no later than January 31 of each year, for the prior calendar year
activities, for consideration, review and appropriate action, if necessary,
by the entire County Legislature.
None of the work contemplated by this chapter shall be performed
by any outside consultant or consulting firm unless explicit approval
and authorization for such consultant or consulting firm is granted
pursuant to a duly enacted resolution of the County Legislature.