Lenape Nation - A Tribal Community

A Tribal Community

United Effort, for 7 Generations

On August 24, 2002 an historic event took place at the Pennsbury Manor, the former estate of William Penn in Morrisville, Bucks County Pennsylvania, that marked a new beginning of friendship between the Lena'pe Indian Tribe and the people that neighbor the Delaware River. A treaty of renewed friendship was signed by the Lena'pe and a number of organizations: environmental groups, churches, historical societies, and sincerely committed individuals, who wish actively to support the Lena'pe culture and to help sustain their people, language, and way of life. The signing was prefaced by an equally historic and monumental three-week canoe journey, which began at the top of the Delaware River in Hancock, N.Y. and culminated in Cape May, NJ. It was agreed that the re-signing of the Treaty, as well as the River Journey, would take place every four years. Many wonderful individuals joined us on the river. And a number of committed individuals and organizations joined our "Rising Nation" and signed the Treaty. We are deeply grateful to those persons who have partnered with us and and offered their spirits, talents, and support.

Goals of the Rising Nation River Journey

To journey down the Lena'pe Sipu (Delaware River) in a joint effort to raise awareness, awaken the spirit, and bestow the past, environmentally, culturally and historically, to the future.

To promote the awareness that the Lenape people living in Pennsylvania are carrying on their traditions, culture and spiritual beliefs, and that they are 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.

To promote the awareness that the state of Pennsylvania is one of only a few states in this country that does not recognize its Indigenous people and to invite citizens and Political representatives to sign this treaty 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.

Partners may support the Lena'pe people in one or more of the following ways: Hosting cultural/educational programs, Creating support for a Lena'pe cultural center, Assisting in Lena'peLanguage revival projects, Assisting in displays/exhibits of Lena'pe culture, Helping Lena'pe people to obtain and/or protect sacred land sites, Encouraging updated curriculum in public schools, Attending Lena'pe functions, Distributing information, Financial assistance, Assisting in obtaining state recognition for the Lenape people of Pennsylvania, Volunteering to assist with traditional gardening, youth camps and environmental projects.

In 2016 we will make that wonderful journey, both physically and in Spirit, once again!

The 2010 trip began in Callicoon, N.Y. on Saturday, July 31, 2010 and culminated approximately 2 weeks later in Morristown, PA. The Treaty signing took place on August 21st at the University of Pennsylvannia Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where the Treaty had been housed for the past two years, at the Lenape Nation Exhibit. The wampum was passed on to Penn to hold for the next four years. The signatures that have been collected at the exhibit, along with those of other partners, new and old, were validated at the Treaty Signing.

Download 2010 Flyer

2010 Itinerary (updated July 28, 2010)

Download 2010 Press Package

...the river itself is one long endless song...

2010 JOURNEY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Rising Nation Coordinators :

Jim Beer
267-424-3557

George Bushy
knapbear@hotmail.com

Publications and Media:
Press Package

Robin Hoose
robin.hoose@villanova.edu

Fundraising and Donations:

Shelley DePaul
depaul@ptd.net