“주권은 물속에서 시작한다”…뉴욕 선주민의 해조류 양식 전통

The Shinnecock Kelp Farmers community in New York’s Hampton’s region, renowned for their kelp farming, emphasizes the importance of collaboration with non-indigenous individuals. Community elder Rebecca Jennifer explained that very few people can now reach the sea from the remaining houses within Native American protected areas.

So, how do these individuals manage their life of caring for the sea if it is not easy to approach it? The Sisters of St. Joseph have been residing near Shinnecock land since the 19th century. They accommodated kelp farmers by allowing them to use convent dormitories and beach access points during summer pilgrimages. The convent knew they were living on Shinnecock land.

When Shinnecock women approached them for beach access and use of the pilgrimages dormitory, Sister Joan said, "The name of that place is their name." The sea's access was considered natural. This coexistence became possible because kelp grows in winter. Kelp farmers sow the spores in November and harvest them in May, allowing them to avoid working in summer when tourism is at its peak.

Kelp farmers sow their Sugar Kelp in November and can harvest it in May, aligning their work with the life cycle and natural seasonal rhythm of the kelp. To start farming, kelp farming techniques are required. Initially, they received filtered seawater from the New York State Stony Brook University Marine Science Research Institute.

However, the process of driving to the sea twice a week for several hours to transport dozens of liters of seawater was exhausting. The community ultimately built their own filtration system. While this was a small change, they considered it a significant turning point. The Nature Conservancy and the non-profit organization GreenWave, a kelp farming NGO, provided funding and technical support, respectively, which were crucial for the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers' beginning and operation.

Kelp farming is growing slowly but steadily across the U.S., but its scale is very small compared to industrial-scale farming in China, Japan, and the U.S. However, this kelp farming is much more gradual and participatory, close to grassroots activism. It focuses on water conservation, nitrogen cycling, and sustainability due to the decreasing availability of domestic well water and the emphasis on food security and sustainability.

The story of Shinnecock Kelp Farmers began with a documentary film titled "Conscience Point" (2019), which depicted the complex relationship between golf development, South Hampton town government, and the Shinnecock tribe. Government representatives expressed frustration at the "hundreds of billions of dollars" the area was worth if developed, and it was the community elder Rebecca Jennifer's mention of the tribe's historical connection to the sea that piqued their interest.

They decided to challenge themselves and embarked on the path of kelp farming. Recently, Shinnecock efforts to regain self-sufficient living through the sea have focused heavily on oysters. Initially, oyster farming in Shinnecock involved techniques learned from the Lummi Native American shellfish school in Washington, where five male Shinnecock farmers studied clam farming.

However, overfishing, sewage treatment plants, and lawn fertilizers had significantly increased nitrogen levels in the sea around Shinnecock, disrupting the community's knowledge of the sea and ending traditional practices. Today, only a few remnants of the abandoned clam beds remain, and the once vibrant clam and eelgrass communities have vanished.

While these are remnants of lost dreams, they serve as a reminder of how the community's relationship with marine life has been severed. Now, within the protected area, Shinnecock people cannot return to the sea. This loss highlights the fragility of the tribe's connection to the sea. The process of reviving the sea life traditions is ongoing, and the knowledge passed down to younger generations must continue to evolve and adapt, finding new forms of life and revitalization.