Eugene Chief Cuffee: A Shinnecock Legacy Forged in Wood and Metal Born in Southampton, New York, in 1866, Eugene Chief Cuffee’s life was inextricably linked to the Shinnecock Indian Nation, a resilient community rooted on Long Island's eastern shore. More than just an artist, Cuffee represented a vital thread in the cultural tapestry of his people – a skilled craftsman and storyteller who channeled his heritage into exquisite decoy sculptures that continue to captivate collectors and art enthusiasts today. His work isn’t merely decorative; it’s a tangible link to Shinnecock traditions, hunti…