With a judge’s signature, the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton moved closer than ever to securing long-elusive recognition from the federal government that would mean money for schools and health clinics and the right to open a long-sought gambling facility.

An agreement signed Tuesday in federal court in Central Islip stipulates that the Department of the Interior will make a decision by Dec. 15 on the tribe’s request for federally recognized status.

Shinnecock leaders, hopeful of getting that status by mid-2010 or sooner, say all signs point to approval – so much so that they are fast-tracking talks for a casino on Long Island.

Only tribes that are recognized by the federal government can operate Class II gambling facilities with video lottery terminals on their reservations. But the Shinnecocks want a larger casino off their reservation with a wider selection of casino gambling. That requires state and federal approvals.

“We finally see light at the end of the tunnel,” Randy King, chairman of the Shinnecock trustees, said from his weathered double-trailer headquarters on the reservation Wednesday. “It’s been a 30-year, arduous journey for many of our elders, living and deceased. We finally have it in our grasp.”

A spokeswoman from the Bureau of Indian Affairs didn’t return repeated calls for comment Wednesday, and a spokesman for the Justice Department, which also signed the agreement, declined to comment. But one government source said, “It looks like this is going to speed [recognition] up for them.”

A lot riding on tribe status

There’s much at stake. Federal status means access to Housing and Urban Development funds, educational and health care grants, and programs and subsidies to form a reservation police force and court system. As it now stands, said King, banks won’t write mortgages for home renovation or new construction, and the 500 tribal members who live on the reservation do so without access to town or county police and other essential services.

“We’re surrounded by one of the wealthiest communities in the country, and they’ve been hard-hit,” King said. “Just imagine what we’ve been going through.”

Whatever the social benefits for the tribe, discussions quickly turn to where and how the Shinnecocks would open a downstate casino.

Letter to the governor

In a letter to Gov. David A. Paterson on Tuesday, Shinnecock trustees said, “We trust that you will recognize that it’s time for the state of New York to sit at the table with us and conclude earnest negotiations to ensure that our quest for economic justice is not delayed any longer.”

They added, “We are fully prepared to pursue that economic justice, including gaming opportunities, so that our people have the housing, health care, schools and jobs that we need.”

Paterson’s response Wednesday was noncommittal. Spokesman Morgan Hook said the governor would “monitor” the petition’s status. “At this time, it is premature to discuss New York’s position with respect to a possible casino for the Shinnecock Indian Nation,” he said.

Shinnecock trustees said the tribe at this point was not focusing on any location for a casino.

King said the Shinnecocks’ preference is to open any casino in a region that wants it, including as far away as Belmont or Aqueduct racetracks as well as in Suffolk. Other locations discussed have included the EPCAL facility in Calverton and the scrapped Shoreham nuclear power plant. Tribal leaders said they had not heard Shoreham mentioned before and laughed at the suggestion.

Suffolk leaders appeared ready to push for a casino on their home turf, pointing to the thousands of jobs and tax income it would draw.

“They’re a Suffolk tribe and this belongs in Suffolk,” said Suffolk Legis. Wayne Horsley. He formed a task force to look at the gambling issue with the hope of keeping a operations in Suffolk.