Indigenous communities have stewarded the land and waters across Sewanhacky for millennia, the traditional Algonquin place name of Long Island, meaning “land of the shells”.

Coastal heritage shaped the culture, economy, and politics of daily life on Sewanhacky through whaling, wampum shell artisans, maritime travel, and kelp farming to name a few.

Inspired by the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, a multi-generational collective of Shinnecock women restoring local waters with sugar kelp, Indigenous Sea Stories celebrates the role of kelp in this over 10,000 year-old relationship with the sea. Expanding on the conversation, featured artists share their connections to kelp and the sea through video, painting, weaving, leatherwork, and photography.

Visitors are invited to join in the celebration of kelp and learn more about the Shinnecock traditions by exploring the artworks and reading interpretive texts on the history and science of kelp.

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This exhibit was developed in collaboration with the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, (Donna Collins-Smith, Rebecca Genia, Danielle Hopson Begun, Darlene Troge, and Tela Troge) and made possible thanks to the generous support and collaboration with the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center.

Indigenous Sea Stories was supported in part by a National Maritime Heritage Grant administered by the National Parks Service, Department of the Interior.

Indigenous Sea Stories was co-organized by Ma’s House Founder Jeremy Dennis and Director of Curation Brianna L. Hernández.