Conscience Point

Treva Wurnfeld's sympathetic documentary examines a specific location that doubles as a microcosm for the entire country. There are about 500 Shinnecock Indian Nation people living in the Hamptons. Starting in the 1850s, wealthy New Yorkers have taken over, reducing their holdings and chipping away at their economic options. Conscience Point is the spot where the Shinnecock first met the Pilgrims in the 1640s. According to Tribal Trustee Lance Gumbs, "Sixty percent of our people are below the poverty line," and yet they live among homeowners who can afford $25 million mansions. Worse yet, these aren't permanent residences, but vacation homes maintained by workers who can't afford to live in the area. Joe Farrell, a real estate developer, dismisses concerns about over-development since demand shows no signs of stopping. The Shinnecock Hills Golf Course was even built on top of an ancient burial ground. The ceaseless development has also wreaked havoc on the environment, adversely affecting the livelihoods of professional baymen like Chip Moran through toxic runoff that has decimated the scallop population. Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman argues that high property taxes combined with world-class events like the US Open help to make the town livable. When the Shinnecock tries to get into the casino business, though, the town rises up against them. After almost three decades spent protesting the theft of their property, they file a land claim in 2005. They also propose a graves protection law to prevent the desecration of other burial sites. Though their struggle continues, the film ends with a small, but significant victory, confirming that their efforts haven't been in vain. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)