Shinnecock Indian Nation officially opened the doors to their new business venture, Little Beach Harvest Dispensary, on Wednesday, November 15. The tribe has been working on the project for several years and considers the grand opening a major achievement. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was part of Nunnowa, an Indigenous harvest holiday celebrated each year on November 16. Other Indigenous tribes from across North America gathered in Southhampton to celebrate the opening and exchange traditional holiday gifts like wampum and blankets.
For the Shinnecock Indian Nation, the dispensary represents a new era of stability. Chenae Bullock, managing director of Little Beach Harvest, explained, “People are really advocating for cannabis, but more so, it’s something that’s a real economic pillar for sustainability within the Shinnecock Nation.” The dispensary is the first step in a broader economic plan that includes opening a travel plaza and gas station on Sunrise Highway, with the possibility of constructing a casino in the future. Groundbreaking for the rest stop and gas station is set for the spring of 2024.
Bryan Polite, Chairman of the Shinnecock Tribal Council, conveyed to the Easthampton Star, “We would like to become economically self-sufficient and provide resources necessary for a social safety net to improve our quality of life. We also need resources to fight the multiple battles we are constantly engaged in with the state in trying to reclaim our homelands.” Purchases made at the dispensary will not be subject to the four-percent sales tax which is required by New York State-licensed dispensaries. Instead, a “community fee” of a similar amount will be charged that will go directly to supporting services and programs for the Shinnecock Nation.
The economic benefits of Little Beach Harvest are just the beginning of what the dispensary represents to the Indigenous community. “A project of this size has never been done,” Polite continued. “It won’t be your typical dispensary. It will really be a showcase — a window into our culture.” Inside the facility, visitors will find artwork created by tribe members and educational materials showcasing Indigenous culture. A mural based on photographs by Shinnecock Nation artists Rebekah Wise and Ferdinand Lee covers a large interior wall. Products sold at the dispensary are created by the Shinnecocks and other other Indigenous communities from across the nation.
“We’re helping launch independent, Native-owned tribal brands that don’t always get to make the mainstream market because they don’t have resources, means, and support,” Bullock said. “There’s an opportunity for us to help other tribes stand up their cannabis operations the way we did. We’ll create a book of best practices on how to navigate an industry that is challenging when you don’t hold a license.”
The tribe received significant funding for the project from Gary Santos and Sean Power of PowerFund Holdings, which has been the Shinnecock’s official financial partner since May of 2023. Despite experiencing delays due to COVID-19, the tribe was determined to see the project through. The opening of the dispensary represents an important milestone, symbolizing progress and empowerment for the broader Indigenous community.
