Category: Delaware Tribe

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Independence National Historical Park has withdrawn the review of a draft proposal to rehabilitate Welcome Park in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, which included removing the William Penn statue.

Officials say the preliminary draft proposal — which suggested the permanent removal of Penn’s statue and the Slate Roof House model — had been released prematurely and had not been subject to a complete internal agency review.

Because of this, it is being retracted. No changes to the William Penn statue are planned, according to park authorities.

After the proposal was withdrawn, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that his office had spoken with the Biden Administration about the possible statue removal.

“I’m pleased Welcome Park will remain the rightful home of this William Penn statue – right here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Penn founded,” said Shapiro.

Welcome Park at 2nd Street and Sansom Walk is located on the site of William Penn’s former home — the Slate Roof House — and is named after the ship, Welcome, which brought Penn to Philadelphia.

The site, funded by the Independence Historical Trust, was completed in 1982.

Park officials say they are still committed to rehabilitating Welcome Park as the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

“Upon completion of all the necessary internal reviews, the park looks forward to engaging in a robust public process to consider options for refurbishing the park in the coming years,” said the Independence National Historical Park in a news release.

Before the proposal was withdrawn, some residents across Philadelphia had mixed feelings about the potential changes coming to the 41-year-old park.

Pennsylvania House Representative Leader Bryan Cutler thought that taking away Penn’s statue would be an attempt to erase history.

“Let’s start with the…

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CORRECTION, Jan. 8, 2024: The statue of William Penn targeted for removal is on the ground in the “Welcome Park” in Philadelphia. An earlier version of this article confused it with another statue of the Pennsylvania founder atop City Hall.

The Biden administration is continuing its efforts to reshape American history.

In a news release Friday, the National Park Service, which is governed by the Department of the Interior, said it would remove the statue of Pennsylvania founder William Penn from the Welcome Park in Philadelphia in order to “rehabilitate” the area and “provide a more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience for visitors.”

“The park is located on the site of William Penn’s home, the Slate Roof House, and is named for the ship, Welcome, which transported Penn to Philadelphia,” the release said.

The statue, which was erected to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Penn’s founding of the colony of Pennsylvania, will be replaced by educational offerings about the history of Native American tribes, the NPS said.

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“The proposed rehabilitation of Welcome Park includes expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia and was developed in consultation with representatives of the indigenous nations of the Haudenosaunee, the Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma,” it said.

“The Penn statue and Slate Roof house model will be removed and not reinstalled,” the park service said.

“In a separate and future effort, new exhibit panels will be installed on the south site wall to replace the Penn timeline,” it said.

Members of the public were encouraged to provide feedback on the plans through a controlled…

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The National Park Service (NPS) has withdrawn the review of a renovation plan that included the removal of the statue of William Penn from the site of his former Philadelphia home.

The NPS asked for input on the future for the park, located near the intersection of 2nd and Walnut Streets off Sansom Walk in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, and they certainly received it — at least online.

The online site where the public was supposed to provide comment on the Welcome Park proposal on Monday—the first day of a 14-day period where the NPS were going to receive public input on the plan.

By 6:30 p.m. Monday night, the NPS said the public comment period was closed.

“The preliminary draft proposal, which was released prematurely and had not been subject to a complete internal agency review, is being retracted. No changes to the William Penn statue are planned,” the NPS said in a statement.

My team has been in contact with the Biden Administration throughout the day to correct this decision. I’m pleased Welcome Park will remain the rightful home of this William Penn statue — right here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Penn founded. https://t.co/awSTpcyrNp

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) January 8, 2024

A social media post noting the proposed renovations had thousands of comments on the plan. The majority of online opinion seemed to oppose the idea with commenters focusing on the part of the plan that mentioned the proposed removal of the William Penn statue from the site of his former Philadelphia home, the Slate Roof House.

You’re removing the statue of William Penn – a paragon of religious liberty and self-government who influenced our U.S. Founding Fathers – from the site of his home in the city he founded.

Shame. Scrap…

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Joe Biden’s National Park Service under Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will remove the statue of William Penn from the park erected in 1982 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of his founding of the colony of Pennsylvania. The park is on the site of his original home in Philadelphia.

The park, located in Philadelphia near the Delaware River at Sansom and Second Streets, will be “rehabilitated” and that proposal will include an “expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia.” The plan was “developed in consultations with the representatives of the indigenous nations of the Haudenosaunee, the Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.”

While much of the original design of the park will remain, the statue of Penn and the model of his original home “will be removed and not reinstalled.” The Park Service claims that at some later date, which is not currently funded, there will be a new exhibit that mentions Penn and his work founding what became the state named for him as well as the city of Philadelphia.

The National Park Service, led by National Park Service Director Charles Sams III, who boasts Native American ancestry as does his boss Haaland, runs a substantial portion of Philadelphia’s historic sites. This agency is in charge of nearly 54 acres of historic sites in the Old City neighborhood, where the Penn home once stood. The Biden administration praised Haaland when she was appointed for becoming “the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary.” Equity, as the Biden White House recently stated, has “always, always” been “at the center of every policy.” 

These sites include Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution drafted and debated, the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall,…

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A man from northeast Oklahoma has been indicted for alleged child sex crimes.

According to the Northern District of Oklahoma, 43-year-old Lance Douglas Roark, of Bluejacket, a member of the Delaware Tribe, is charged with knowingly engaging in sexual contact with the intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse with a child under 12-years-old.

He faces Abusive Sexual Contact with a Minor Under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country; Assault with Intent to Commit Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor under 12 Years of Age in Indian Country (superseding).

The FBI and Rogers County Sheriffs Office are the investigative agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Hockenbury and Chantelle Dial are prosecuting the case.

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Fort Pitt Museum to close during January for maintenance, updates | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette >> 0; var thisArg = arguments.length >= 2 ? arguments[1] : void 0; for (var i = 0; i this.length) { return false; } else { return this.indexOf(search, start) !== -1; } }; }else{ console.log(“DON’T POLYFILL INCLUDES”); } ]]> Continue reading

The Delaware Indians are a Native American tribe indigenous to the northeastern woodlands of the United States. Also known as the Lenape, they have a rich history, vibrant culture, and a lasting impact on the region. In this article, we will delve into their origins, explore their way of life, and examine their enduring legacy.

Origins and Migration

The Delaware Indians can trace their origins back thousands of years. Scholars believe they were among the first indigenous peoples to inhabit the Northeast, with evidence of their presence dating back over 10,000 years. They originally occupied an expansive territory covering parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

As European colonizers arrived, the Delaware Indians faced significant pressures, including land encroachment and conflicts. Over time, they were forced to migrate westward, eventually settling in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

Culture and Way of Life

The Delaware Indians had a complex and diverse culture characterized by strong social organization and spiritual beliefs. They were skilled hunters, gatherers, and farmers, relying on the abundant resources of their environment. Community was highly valued, and decision-making was based on consensus within clans or tribal councils.

Their spiritual beliefs were centered on a profound respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all things. Rituals, ceremonies, and storytelling were integral to their cultural practices, serving as a means of passing down knowledge and preserving their heritage.

European Contact and Impacts

When Europeans arrived in the Delaware Indians’ ancestral lands, their way of life changed dramatically. As trade and colonial expansion intensified, the tribe faced numerous challenges including warfare, disease, and the loss of their lands.

Despite these adversities, the Delaware Indians maintained their resilience and adapted to the changing circumstances. They often formed alliances with European powers, such as the British and Dutch, in an attempt to protect their interests and cultural autonomy.

The Legacy…

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Legal Notice 2025-2050 Northwest RPO Long Range Transportation Plan Update The Northwest PA Regional Planning & Development Commission, Planning Partner for the Northwest Rural Planning Organization (RPO) covering the counties of Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango, and Warren, has prepared an update to the 2025-2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. A hard copy of the plan will be on public display at the Commission’s office located at 395 Seneca Street in Oil City, PA, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The document has been sent to each of the five counties’ planning offices; the offices of the two transit agencies (Crawford Area Transportation Authority and the Transportation Authority of Warren County), the following townships: Brady, Clarion, Knox, Madison, Monroe, Paint, Piney, Redbank, Washington, Beaver, Conneaut, East Fallowfield, Fairfield, Rockdale Sparta, Spring, Steuben, Summit, West Mead, West Shenango, Green, Harmony, Hickory, Howe, Jenks, Kingsley, Clinton, Oakland, President, Columbus, Conewango, Eldred, Freehold, Mead, Pittsfield, Sandycreek, Sheffield, Southwest, Spring Creek, Sugar Grove, and Triumph; the following boroughs, Callensburg, Clarion, New Bethlehem, Rimersburg, Sligo, Strattanville, Cambridge Springs, Centerville, Conneautville, Hydetown, Saegertown, Springboro, Venango, Clintonville, Emlenton, Pleasantville, Polk, Utica, Bear Lake, and Clarendon; and the Cities of Meadville, Titusville, Franklin, Oil City, Warren and Youngsville. The documents were also sent the following eight tribal nations for display: Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Delaware Tribe, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Seneca Nation of Indians, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Shawnee Tribe, and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. The Plan will be on display from December 18, 2023 January 16, 2024. The plan will also be distributed and available electronically to all other municipalities and available to view on the Northwest Commission’s Transportation webpage at (https://northwestpa.org/community_ development/transportation/. A public informational meeting will be held at the Northwest Commission office on January 10, 2024, from 10-11:30…

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Summary:
The Delaware Indian Tribe, also known as the Lenape, has a rich history that predates European colonization. This article explores the origins of the tribe, their significant contributions to American history, their culture, and their legacies. Additionally, frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Delaware Indian Tribe are answered, providing a comprehensive understanding of this important indigenous group.

Introduction:
The Delaware Indian Tribe has a long and complex history that intertwines with the formation and development of the United States. From their origins on the eastern coast to their encounters with European settlers, the Delaware Indians played a crucial role in the shaping of American history. This article delves into their culture, traditions, and contributions, shedding light on their enduring legacy.

1. Origins and Migration:
The Delaware Indians, or Lenape, were part of the Algonquian language family and resided in what is now known as Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and parts of the surrounding states. They were among the first Native American tribes encountered by European explorers and settlers in the 17th century.

2. Influence on American History:
The Delaware Indian Tribe interacted with various European groups, including Dutch, Swedish, and English settlers. Their alliances and conflicts with these early settlers left a lasting impact on the region. The Delaware Indians played a significant role in the fur trade, acted as intermediaries between European settlers and other Native American tribes, and were instrumental in establishing diplomatic relations.

3. Cultural Traditions:
The Delaware Indian Tribe possessed a rich and diverse culture that encompassed art, language, social structure, and spirituality. They were skilled hunters, farmers, and craft workers. Their social organization was matrilineal, and tribal identity was passed down through the mother’s line. The Delaware Indians held elaborate ceremonies, revered nature, and had a complex spiritual system that included the worship of a Great Spirit.

4. Legacies…

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Indianz.Com > News > Native America Calling: The Native role in America’s War of Independence All Episodes on Spotify | More Options

Native America Calling: The Native role in America’s War of Independence

Monday, December 4, 2023

The Native role in America’s War of Independence

The American Revolution is mostly portrayed as an epic struggle between the colonies and the British. But Native tribes and individuals played a significant role in the historic War of Independence. It was a difficult choice for tribes, who were neither British subjects nor supporters of the encroaching colonies. Tune into Native America Calling to get the Native perspective on America’s first war. Joseph Louis Cook, or Akiatonharónkwen, served as commissioned officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He was born to an African father and an Abenaki mother. After he and his mother were taken captive, they were adopted into the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake in present-day Canada. Image: Yale University Art Gallery

Guests on Native America Calling

Chairman Tehassi Hill (Oneida), chairman of the Oneida Indian Nation from Wisconsin Peter Jemison (Seneca [Heron Clan]), artist and Historic Site Manager (retired) at Ganondagan State Historic Site in New York JoAnn Schedler (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians), retired Army Major and author of the Official National Park Service Handbook American Indians and the Civil War Curtis Zunigha (Delaware Tribe of Indians), co-director of the Lenape Center

Native America Calling

Listen to Native America Calling every weekday at 1pm Eastern.

Alternate Links: Native Voice One | NAC