SUBSCRIBE TO THE LENAPE NATION NEWSLETTER!

NATION MEMBERS: Subscription to the Lenape Nation of PA Newsletter is free for all enrolled members of the Nation. In order to eliminate mailing costs and to go as "green" as possible, the newsletter is only available in pdf format. It is posted on the Lenape Nation newsgroup each quarter. All previous issues can be accessed here as well. Click on the following link to register for the newsletter.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lenape_newsletter

NON-MEMBERS: The subscription fee for non-members is 25.00 per year. To subscribe to the Lenape Nation Newsletter, Please contact Robin Hoose: robin.hoose@villanova.edu

The Lenape Nation Newsletter is designed to keep members and friends to date on the latest news regarding the Nation and upcoming events...but it contains much more:

.....Unique articles on Lenape History relating the history of the people from the Lenape perspective and containing much information never before published regarding the Lenape in Pa.
.....Letter from the Chief in each issue.
..... Articles regarding our Sacred Sites.
..... Stories told by our Lenape Elders never published before...some with complete translation into the Lenape Language.
..... Medicinal Herbal Remedies with recipies and directions describing how the Natives used these plants to cure illness.
..... Lenape Geneology in the Pa region and tips for researching your ancestors.
..... Features of current Lenape Tribal members telling the stories of their lives and family history.
..... Wisdom of the Elders.
..... Remembrances of our veterans and Elders who have passed.
..... Recipies, word games, Lenape Language games, original Lenape poetry, birthday greetings.

Sample Newsletter click here

******************************************************************************

Lenape Language Class at Swarthmore

Lenape Exhibit at the University of Pennsylvannia

Exhibit Articles:

Indian Country Today

Morning Call

Lenape Host Native Languages in Crisis Conference

Lenape Nation Memorial Project

The Lenape Nation Seeks State Recognition  

The Lenape wish to be recognized by the state of Pennsylvania as it's indigenous people so that our children and their descendents may take pride in their heritage. So that we may pratice our religion freely. So that Pennsylvania and those who come to visit Pennsylvania may take pride in us in return: In the cultural center, libraries, and archives we hope to build... in cultural and historical progams we conduct... in the goods, produced by our artists, musicians and craftspersons, that may be offered as "made by the Natives of Pennsylvania"... in the pow wows and other events we plan for them to attend... in the youth camps we will run for our children and all children... in the organic and Native gardening projects we will operate on our farm... in the knowledge that we hold Pennyslvania to be  our sacred homeland and that we have always been and will forever be its caretakers, engaged in numerous projects to provide practical ways for all citizens to respect and protect our homeland and the health, welfare and future  of the next seven generations of our children.  

It is true that the Walking Purchase was a shameful part of our history.  But we don't want to go backwards.  It is time to move into the future finally honoring the words and intentions of our Founding Fathers.  We do not believe in the possession of land. It cannot be bought and sold.  We are caretakers.  The land is in our souls as it has always been and no law can give or take it away.  THIS is what needs to be "recognized" by Pennsylvania.  There is room for all.  

For the Native, there is no separation between the land of the ancestors and the people themselves.
In the words of Chief Robert Red Hawk Ruth:

When the first people from Europe came here and met our people they wanted to find out how many people we had. They asked us how many people are there in your tribe. We didn't understand their question. We said the deer are part of our Nation as are the birds, trees, and hills. Even the stones beneath our feet are a part of our people. We can't give you a number. The Europeans just shook their heads and wondered at how they would ever come to a understanding of our people.  

It is time now for Pennsylvania to come to an understanding of our people, and to come to an understanding of all that the word "indigenous" means to us.   

During our many meetings with state representatives, we have been told that the issue is "too confusing".  This sort of rhetoric is negligent.  We are their constituents. We have identified ourselves as the indigenous people of Pennsylvania.   We can produce the bloodlines to prove this. Pennsylvania has the responsibility of researchng it's own history, taking pride in it and giving recognition to its own indigenous people.

THIS is the issue facing Pennsylvania.

As caretakers of our homeland, it would be inconsistent with our beliefs to use land in Pennsylvania for gambling purposes. We have always stood against gambling, have continually expressed this to the state representatives, and have drafted legislation which clearly renounces any intention or privilege to do so. There are other groups who vie for land to do this.  This is one reason that the Lenape Nation will not sit in Council with those groups as part of a "Blanket Policy" proposed by the state.  The goodness in our hearts and that which we wish to do for our culture, land and people would be eaten up with such a venture. This is not the legacy we would leave to our children. State recognition would help to provide us with the means to provide more constructive ways for our children to work and live. 

Throughout history the Lenape have been a peaceful group. We are the Lenape who welcomed the Europeans and taught them how to plant, cure their illnesses, and survive on and care for this land.  We wished then and wish now to live together with the people of Pennsylvania. Any person claiming to be Lenape who seeks to "own" or use land for purposes other than as caretakers or to spread our culture dishonors our culture and our ancestors.

  We are the Lenape of Pennsylvania, and we will continue to spread our culture and act as caretakers of our homeland.  We have concluded from meetings with state officials, that our State Representatives possess a lack of understanding of and concern for the indigenous people, and, therefore, the very history of Pennsylvania.  We shall continue to gain recognition from the people of this state, many of whom have shown much understanding and have provided much support, and from the many organizations who have partnered with us in the enrichment and protection of our mutual history, culture and environment.  

We invite citizens and political representatives to promote awareness of this issue, so that we may fulfill the dream envisioned by our founding fathers, William Penn and Chief Tamanend, put the fear, pain and humility of the past once and for all behind us, and walk together into the future."

- The Lenape Nation Council