Poospatuck Reservation
Poospatuck Reservation is a small Native American reservation in Mastic, Suffolk County, New York. It belongs to the Unkechaug people, who are descendants of the Quiripi-speaking Native Americans who once lived across southern New England and central Long Island. The Unkechaug language was Algonquian. Today, many residents are mixed with African Americans. The reservation is the smallest in New York and one of two in Suffolk County (the other is the Shinnecock Reservation).
The current reservation covers about 55 acres (roughly 0.22 square kilometers) in the southeast corner of Brookhaven Town, on the north side of Poospatuck Creek, near Poospatuck Lane and Eleanor Avenue. It was originally set aside in 1691 as a 175-acre tract granted by William "Tangier" Smith after buying land from Unkechaug John Mayhew.
As of the 2020 census, 436 people live there. In 2000 there were 271 residents, mostly Native American, with a mix of other races. The state recognizes the Unkechaug as Native American, but the federal government has not granted federal recognition. A 2009 court ruling found they meet the Montoya criteria for a tribe, giving them sovereign immunity from lawsuits.
Economically, the community has faced poverty. In 2000, the median household income was about $13,000, and a significant portion of residents lived in poverty, including many children.
The reservation is about 70 miles east of New York City.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 15:59 (CET).