Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s 11th-hour veto of a bill that would have smoothed the Montaukett Indian Nation’s path toward state recognition will not be the last word on the tribe’s effort to reclaim its identity, according to State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and Chief Robert Pharaoh.
In his veto message, the governor said the bill would require New York State to adopt the lengthy and thorough federal process for recognizing Indian tribes. Mr. Cuomo said that would be too costly for the state.