Category: Lenni Lenape

NYC Parks are celebrating Native American Heritage month with free events throughout the city – Learn more about the Lenape of Staten Island on Sunday November 26th. Via the Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation

During Native American Heritage Month, explore the past and present experience of Native Americans. Learn about the Lenape, as we connect the cultural significance of various flora and fauna in the park to the heritage of native people.

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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch,…

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A screenshot of LenaGPT, an AI powered language platform designed to translate indigenous Lenape languages.

A Penn student has co-created LenaGPT, an AI-powered platform designed to translate indigenous Lenape languages. 

Engineering first-year Ashmit Dewan, along with West-Windsor Plainsboro High School North senior Shiva Tripurana, created the translator. Most existing translation websites, such as Google Translate, do not offer English to Lenape translations. Tripurana and Dewan sought to address this gap by developing a translation model for the languages. 

“I started to realize that you could use computational linguistics to preserve language, information, and culture of the Lenape. And that’s kind of when we streamlined into LenaGPT,” Tripurana said.

LenaGPT allows users to pose questions and receive comprehensive answers, drawing on expertise and collaboration with the Lenape community. The platform facilitates learning and communication by providing translations of Lenape phrases and words.

“It’s really important that people understand that a language is a tremendous part of culture,” Tripurana added.

Tripurana and Dewan began developing the program approximately six months ago, meeting at least twice weekly to brainstorm and create a model akin to ChatGPT that offers both translation services and historical information. 

Unlike most translation models that rely on coded algorithms scanning a set of words, LenaGPT employs a large, sophisticated language model, necessitating extensive information coding. 

Tripurana is also the founder of LenaLingua, a non-profit created in 2020 that promotes the preservation and understanding of Lenape language and culture through computational linguistics. 

According to Tripurana, LenaLingua can be “a catalyst for people who don’t know anything about Indigenous cultures to kind of start learning about indigenous cultures.”

The site contains up-to-date information…

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If You go You’ll find this in Battery Park in Lower Manhattan Dutch monument – a 1926 work by Dutch sculptor Hendrik van den Eijnde and one of the many structures in New York that perpetuate the myth of this island being sold. In all its glory, you can see Dutch colonial governor Peter Minuit “purchasing” the land with wampum beads worth a staggering $24 from a “Lenape native” whose name no one seems to know. This native wears a headdress typically worn by Plains natives hundreds of miles away. You don’t get the impression that van den Eijnde struggled to get the details right.

The only evidence of the “sale” of Manhattan is a small section in one letter written by a colonist in 1626. TThere are no mentions of pearls or jewelry here, nor a purchase certificate, just a quoted passage from the Dutch National Archives that reads: “Our people are in good spirits and live in peace. They bought the island of Manhattan from the savages for sixty guilders.”

The problem here is that the Lenape peoples, like most indigenous peoples, are inextricably linked to the land as stewards and do not share the concepts of money or land ownership like the Europeans. And so they were still strategically expelled from their ancestral homelands Grace shown to the Shouwunnok, also known as the Saltwater People (pronounced white people).

This displacement of the Lenape peoples was a major motivation for Mary Kathryn Nagle’s play “Manahatta“,” It tells the story of Jane Snake, a Lenape woman who moves from Oklahoma to Manahatta for a banking job during the 2008 financial crisis – reconnecting with her ancestral homeland. “When I return to our country, I feel a connection…

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NOTE: These teams were selected by coaches from the Olympic Conference, not members of NJ Advance Media.

NATIONAL DIVISION

Champions: Camden Catholic

FIRST TEAM

• Josette DeGour, Bishop Eustace, Sr., F
• Sophia Stazi, Camden Catholic, Fr., F
• Sydney Kowalczyk, Moorestown, Sr., F
• Ava Thomas, Seneca, Jr., F
• Isabella Moore, Camden Catholic, Jr., M
• Tatum Woods, Cherry Hill West, Jr., M
• Kyleigh Welusz, Seneca, Sr., M
• Reagan Stauts, Camden Catholic, Sr., B
• Riley McClelland, Seneca, Sr., B
• Maddie Stillwell, Seneca, Jr., B
• Madeline DiLemme, Bishop Eustace, Sr., G
• Emily Nicholls, Camden Catholic, Sr., G
• Rebecca Armstrong, Cherry Hill West, Sr., G
• Soph Mazza, Moorestown, Jr., G

SECOND TEAM

• Isabella Farnoly, Paul VI, Sr., F
• Fiona Sokorai, Seneca, Fr., F
• Anna Marquat, Bishop Eustace, Jr., M
• Lauren Iaccio, Camden Catholic, So., M
• Madison Logan, Camden Catholic, Jr., M
• Addison Petti, Cherry Hill West, Jr., M
• Adelae Chierici, Moorestown, Jr., M
• Rosie Rockell, Moorestown, Sr., M
• Kylee Donegan, Seneca, Sr., M
• Julianna Racobaldo, Bishop Eustace, So., B
• Olivia Stazi, Camden Catholic, Sr., B
• Ailani Ubarry, Cherry Hill West, Jr., B
• Olivia Montgomery, Seneca, So., B
• Raign Ridley, Winslow, Jr., G

AMERICAN DIVISION

Champions: Eastern, Lenape, Shawnee (Three-way tie)

FIRST TEAM

• Olivia White, Eastern, Sr., F
• Savannah Freeland, Lenape, So., F
• Mikayla Simmons, Rancocas Valley, Sr., F
• Liv Martino, Shawnee, Sr., F
• Brynn Somers, Eastern, Jr., M
• Brooke Halfpenny, Lenape, Sr., M
• Carly Seal, Rancocas Valley, Sr., M
• Abby Davidson, Shawnee, Jr., M
• Ellie Gipe, Cherokee, Sr., B
• Chloe Yoder, Eastern, So., B
• Caroline Cristella, Lenape, Sr., B
• Kasey Abbott, Shawnee, Jr., B
• Erin O’Brien, Cherokee, So., G
• Charlotte Kent, Shawnee, Sr., At-Large

SECOND TEAM

• Tessa Connor, Eastern, Fr., F
• Sydney DePativo, Lenape, Sr., F
• Julia Moon, Lenape, Sr., F
• Angie Cooker, Shawnee, Sr., F
• Victoria Geissler, Cherokee, Jr., M
• Allie Beckendorf, Cherokee, So., M
• Paige Gray, Rancocas Valley, Sr., M
• Laney Errickson, Cherokee, Sr., B
• Sarai Morrison, Cherry Hill East, So., B
• Melanie Mosier, Eastern, Jr., B
• Julianna Palumbo, Lenape, Sr., B
• Madison Krieger, Cherry Hill East, Jr., G
• Gabby Hoffmaster, Eastern, Jr., G
• Maddie Guerry, Lenape, So., G

Brian Bobal may be reached at bbobal@njadvancemedia.com.

The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days…

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Elizabeth Frances and Enrico Nassi in the New York premiere production of

Elizabeth Frances and Enrico Nassi in the New York premiere production of “Manahatta,” written by Mary Kathryn Nagle and directed by Laurie Woolery, at the Public Theater.

Ifyouwalk through Battery Park in lower Manhattan, you will find the Netherland Monument — a 1926 piece by the Dutch sculptor Hendrik van den Eijnde, and one of the many structures in New York that perpetuate the myth of the sale of this island. In all his glory, you can see Dutch colonial governor Peter Minuit “purchasing” the land with wampum beads, worth a staggering sum of $24, from a “Lenape Native” whose name no one seems to know. This Native man is wearing a headdress of the sort typically worn by Plains Natives hundreds of miles away. One doesn’t get the sense that van den Eijnde tormented himself trying to get the details right.

The only proof of the “sale” of Manhattan is a small section in a letter written by a colonist in 1626. There’s no mention of beads or trinkets, and no deed of sale, only a passage cited from the Dutch National Archives that reads: “Our people are in good spirit and they live in peace. They have purchased the island of Manhattes from the savages for the value of sixty guilders.”

The problem here is that Lenape peoples, along with most Indigenous peoples, are inextricably connected to the land as stewards, and did not share the concepts of money or land ownership as Europeans did. And so they were strategically displaced from their ancestral homelands, despite having shown graciousness to the Shouwunnok, otherwise known…

Continue reading

If you walk through Battery Park in lower Manhattan, you will find the Netherland Monument — a 1926 piece by the Dutch sculptor Hendrik van den Eijnde, and one of the many structures in New York that perpetuate the myth of the sale of this island. In all his glory, you can see Dutch colonial governor Peter Minuit “purchasing” the land with wampum beads, worth a staggering sum of $24, from a “Lenape Native” whose name no one seems to know. This Native man is wearing a headdress of the sort typically worn by Plains Natives hundreds of miles away. One doesn’t get the sense that van den Eijnde tormented himself trying to get the details right.

The only proof of the “sale” of Manhattan is a small section in a letter written by a colonist in 1626. There’s no mention of beads or trinkets, and no deed of sale, only a passage cited from the Dutch National Archives that reads: “Our people are in good spirit and they live in peace. They have purchased the island of Manhattes from the savages for the value of sixty guilders.”

The problem here is that Lenape peoples, along with most Indigenous peoples, are inextricably connected to the land as stewards, and did not share the concepts of money or land ownership as Europeans did. And so they were strategically displaced from their ancestral homelands, despite having shown graciousness to the Shouwunnok, otherwise known as salt water (read: white) people.

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This displacement of the Lenape peoples was a huge motivation for Mary Kathryn Nagle’s play “Manahatta,” which tells the story of Jane Snake, a Lenape woman who moves to Manahatta from Oklahoma during the 2008 financial crisis for a banking job — thus reconnecting with…

Continue reading

On Saturday, November 18th, you are invited to the William Trent House for the premier of a compelling new project, “Native American Government and Sovereignty”. The day’s activities will begin at 1pm at the Trent House Visitor Center, located at 15 Market St, Trenton, NJ 08611. If you plan on driving, there is plenty of free parking available to guests  across from the Hughes Justice Complex. This program is free to attend, so be certain to bring the whole family for an engaging afternoon of education.

The host for the afternoon, Brianna Dagostino, is a member of New Jersey’s state-recognized Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe. Ms. Dagostino recently received her Master’s Degree in history from Rowan University, submitting “Tribal Rights Are Important Rights”: The Origins, Travails, And Impact Of The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe V. The State Of New Jersey” as her thesis. Brianna lectures throughout the east coast about her people, cultivating an appreciation of the Nanticoke Lenape people all throughout the country.

The day’s presentation, “Native American Government and Sovereignty”, is a premiere screening of a new series intended to inform teenagers ​and adults about the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Lenape people of New Jersey. This video series has been produced and funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. A massive asset to public education, these videos will no doubt be foundational in continuing to share the lives and cultures of our nation’s indigenous population.

This event is hosted by the William Trent House Museum, a destination for history in the Capital City. The Trent House is instrumental in telling the full story of Trenton history, sharing the perspectives of all those present at the start of this nation, including Indigenous populations, European settlers, and people of African descent, both enslaved and free. At the…

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The state formally recognizes November as Native American Heritage Month.

Gov. John Carney, joined by members of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and Nanticoke Indian Tribe, signed a proclamation Tuesday.

The U.S. officially began recognizing National Native American Heritage Month in 1990. Delaware trailed behind, with lawmakers first introducing a resolution for the monthin 2011.

Carney says it’s important for Delawareans to learn more about the history and heritage of Native Americans.

“How important they were to the settling of the State of Delaware. To celebrate those who carry on those traditions. To recognize our responsibilities to help them with lands that have been set aside- buildings, museums. And the people, most importantly the people themselves,” said Carney.

The Lenape Tribe wasn’t formally recognized by the state until 2016.

Since then, they have established a strong relationship.

That’s according to Lenape Chief Dennis Coker, who says the tribe is working closely with the Delaware Department Of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

“Which has been most recently evidenced by a joint use agreement that we have signed with the Fork Branch Preserve,” explained Coker. “It is a state property holding very close to our community and the Fork Branch area where we have several environmentally focused projects that we’re working on right now.”

The Lenape have also partnered with the Office of Historical and Cultural Affairs to continue to explore pre-contact history and have their perspectives heard in that conversation.

And while the state’s relationship with both the Nanticokes and Lenape has grown over the past few decades, the Office of Historical and Cultural Affairs recognizes more work needs to be done to amplify Native American voices, support their economic development, and address the challenges they face.

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NEWLIN — What some say was the last living Lenape Indian in Chester County, Hannah Freeman, sometimes known as “Indian Hanna,” was honored on Nov. 5.

As part of an Outstanding Women in American History Ceremony, the Chester County Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution honored Freeman.

The event was attended by about 120 history lovers at the site of hallowed ground where Freeman was likely buried. Many of the bodies at the site were moved to make way for the Embreeville complex.

A marker in Newlin Township where Indian Hannah Freeman might have been originally buried. (BILL RETTEW/MEDIANEWS GROUP)

A 1909 marker on a large rock at the site reads: “Here rests Indian Hannah the last of the Lenni-Lenape Indians in Chester County who died in 1802/Marked by the Chester County Historical Society 1909.”

Freeman was a healer, artisan, farmer, basket weaver and herbalist who was born in 1731 and died in a poorhouse in 1802.

According to an agreement with land developer, and namesake of Pennsylvania, William Penn, the Lenape would own a piece of land along the Brandywine Creek until the last Lenape died. Freeman was likely incorrectly cited as the last Lenape.

Freeman acted as a placeholder of traditions and customs for the Lenape Indians who wandered, according to Marilyn Konicky, chair of the PSSDAR American Indians Committee.

Konicky said that Freeman was intelligent, strong, independent and a survivor.

“She was well respected by the Lenape community and her neighbors,” Konicky said.

Artist Adrian Martinez painted a rendering of Freeman that was displayed at the ceremony, Walking by the Light of the August Moon. No one knows precisely what Freeman…

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Off-Broadway News Upcoming New York Premiere of Manahatta Extends Off-Broadway at The Public Theater

The new play from Mary Kathryn Nagle begins performances November 16, with Laurie Woolery at the helm.

Mary Kathryn Nagle

Off-Broadway’s The Public Theater has extended the upcoming New York premiere of Mary Kathryn Nagle‘s Manahatta, with performances now set to run through December 23 at the company’s Anspacher Theater. Previews begin November 16 ahead of a December 5 opening night. Director Laurie Woolery is at the helm.

The cast will include Rainbow Dickerson as Toosh-ki-pa-kwis-i and Debra, Elizabeth Frances as Le-le-wa’-you and Jane, David Kelly as Jonas Michaelius and Michael, Jeffrey King as Peter Minuit and Dick, Enrico Nassi as Se-ket-tu-may-qua and Luke, Joe Tapper as Jakob and Joe, and Sheila Tousey as Mother and Bobbie. Jessica Ranville and Rex Young will round out the company as understudies.

Manahatta follows a young Native woman with an MBA who reconnects with her ancestral Lenape homeland after moving from Oklahoma to New York for a banking job in 2008. The piece was written as part of The Public’s Emerging Writers Group, and returns to The Public for a full production following earlier runs at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Yale Repertory Theatre.

The production will feature scenic design by Marcelo Martínez García, costume design by Lux Haac, lighting design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, sound design and composition by Paul James Prendergast, fight and intimacy direction by Kelsey Rainwater, and movement direction by Ty Defoe. Amanda Nita Luke-Sayed will be the production stage manager, and Janelle Caso will be the stage manager. Lenape Center Executive Director and Cofounder Joe Baker is serving as cultural consultant.

Visit PublicTheater.org.

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