Luxury development in Southampton and its impact on the Shinnecock Nation was the focus of a recent screening of the documentary “Conscience Point” at Stony Brook University. The event, held on October 15 as part of the Humanities Institute’s Pressing Matters lecture series, included a discussion with filmmaker Treva Wurmfeld and members of the Shinnecock Nation.
The documentary, released in 2019 and aired on PBS, follows Shinnecock activist Rebecca Genia and others as they challenge the disturbance of ancestral burial grounds and environmental harm linked to real estate development in Southampton. The film highlights the economic divide in the region, described as “the largest gap between rich and poor.”
Wurmfeld said that throughout the production, she relied on Genia’s perspective to guide the film’s direction. “Every decision came back to Becky, how she saw her community, how she wanted their story told,” Wurmfeld said. She noted that Genia’s long history of activism shaped the film’s emotional core.
Other speakers at the event included Kelly Dennis, an attorney and former tribal leader; Dennis’ parents, who are active in both the Shinnecock Nation and preservation efforts; and Shane Weeks, an artist and cultural ambassador for the Nation. Weeks described the documentary as a unique opportunity for Indigenous voices to share their experiences: “It’s one of the only films that talked about our perspective,” he said.
The discussion also covered the passage of the New York State Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act in 2022, which was influenced by years of activism featured in the film. Dennis described the ongoing challenge as “living in two worlds at all times,” referring to balancing cultural identity with advocacy.
Wurmfeld emphasized that “Conscience Point” is about more than land issues. “The fight to preserve ancestral sites, to protect water, to be heard, these are all connected,” she said, highlighting how Indigenous sovereignty and environmental concerns intersect in the film.
Shane Weeks concluded by mentioning his upcoming exhibition at the Queens Museum, “Of The Earth: Connections,” which will explore themes related to Shinnecock traditions and the relationship between water and earth. He stressed that preservation is not only about remembering the past but is essential for survival.
