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Lenni Lenape

Millionaire left fortune to his CAT after pledging home to tribe

Late NYC millionaire broke promise to leave $5M West Village property to a Native American tribe – but instead bequeathed $50,000 to his CAT Mali

  • Jean-Louis Goldwater Bourgeois promised to leave his Manhattan home to the Lenape Indian tribe in 2016
  • Despite claiming to be ‘disgusted’ that the property had been ‘taken by whites’, the tribe never received it following his death in December 
  • The author and son of famed sculptor Louise Bourgeois did leave $50,000 to his cat as part of his expansive $15 million estate

By Will Potter For Dailymail.Com

Published: 18:40 EDT, 25 March 2023 | Updated: 20:54 EDT, 25 March 2023

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A Manhattan millionaire broke his promise to leave his $5million West Village home to a Native American tribe – but did bequeath $50,000 to his cat.

Jean-Louis Goldwater Bourgeois pledged in 2016 to give his historic home to the Lenape Indian tribe, the original Native American nation in Manhattan, after claiming he was ‘disgusted’ the property had been ‘taken by whites’.

But while there was no mention of the deed following his death in December, Bourgeois did remember to leave a massive sum for the care of his favorite feline.

Bourgeois’s U-turn…

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Delaware Tribe

Operation Clean House set for April 22

Staff Writer  |  Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

Operation Clean House, a free countywide recycling event, is set for April 22, providing residents a chance to safely dispose of electronics and household or automotive waste such as cleaners, yard-care products, oil- and aerosol-based paints, pharmaceuticals, motor oil, tires and car batteries.

Organizers said since the event began in 1989, Operation Clean House has safely disposed of over 1 million pounds of waste that otherwise could have ended in local landfills or waterways.

On April 22, more than 100 local volunteers will help collect items for recycling at two area drop-off sites from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the Phillips 66 parking lot, just west of the railroad tracks on Adams Boulevard, volunteers will collect electronics and hazardous household waste such as cleaners, yard-care products, oil- and aerosol-based paints, pharmaceuticals, fluorescent bulbs and more.

Meanwhile, at the Dewey Washington County District 2 barn (two miles east on 9th Street off U.S. Highway 75), volunteers will collect motor oil, antifreeze, automotive batteries, tires and appliances.

One of the most commonly disposed of items at Operation Clean House is electronics, such as old TVs, cell phones and computers.

Operation Clean House also accepts a wide range of household chemicals, and typically every year volunteers collect around 550 gallons of motor oil, 175 gallons of antifreeze, 400 tires, 88 automobile batteries and 6.4 tons of household hazardous waste.

Non-hazardous items, such as general trash, alkaline batteries or latex paint, can go to regular trash pickup and will not be accepted at the Operation Clean House event.

Sponsors of the event include Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips, ChevronPhillips, City of Bartlesville, Washington County, Bartlesville Community Foundation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Delaware Tribe, Dink’s BBQ, KWON, Cunningham Graphics and Truity Credit Union, Daylight Donuts, Weeze’s Café, Chik Fil A and Transco.

Those interested in volunteering can sign up using the organization’s…

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Unami

Hornets, Keep this Storm in Charlotte

Hornets fans, there’s a storm that I really hope never leaves Charlotte. The storm I speak of brings guidance, advice, maturity, and leadership to our very young team. What storm is this that I speak of? It’s none other than T$unami Papi, aka Kelly Oubre!

With an organization like the Hornets, it seems as though we always talk about things the team needs, and half the time, our needs are already here. In this particular case, we always talk about when we have a team full of young talent, we need a young veteran that can be a leader, mentor, and friend for these young guys. We have always seemed to get veterans on the team to mix with the youth, but not always the young vets that can relate to the young players.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that veterans on a team of youth are a good thing. There’s something about having a guy that’s a few years older than the rookies and sophomores, that have been in the league for a few years, that can help develop those guys into key parts of the team. In an interview Kelly had post-game, he spoke of Kai Jones needing to get on the court, make mistakes, and learn from them. He talked about Kai getting to figure out what parts of his game to perfect, as well as other aspects that he needs to work on improving.

I mention this because Kelly has grown and matured on this team. He speaks like a vet, like a coach, and like a player that has “been there and done that.” Kelly has point-blank said he wants to remain a Hornet.

In my last post, I mentioned some of the free agents we will have at the end of the…

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Munsee

DATELINE STOCKBRIDGE: The foundation story

Ephraim Williams’ house in Stockbridge, built 1750-1760. Photo courtesy of Carole Owens.

Dateline Stockbridge: I came to the village 50 years ago. In a half-century I learned its old ways and watched them change. Norman Rockwell images made Stockbridge America’s hometown. The intervening 50 years made Stockbridge a microcosm of America—an echo of old America coping with change.

Sheffield was founded in 1733. Shortly thereafter, the notion of a mission in the westernmost part of Hampshire County was discussed. (Before 1761, Berkshire County was part of Hampshire County).

From 1734, there were negotiations with the Stockbridge-Munsee band of the Mohican Nation about land ownership and embracing Christianity. In March 1736, the General Court in Boston delineated six square miles (23,040 acres) and identified it as “Indian Town.” The land was north of Sheffield along the Housatonic River. A charter was drawn up in 1737. Finally, in 1739, the village was incorporated and named Stockbridge.

That year, John Stoddard surveyed the township. The population was six “English” families and fewer than 50 members of the Stockbridge-Munsee band. Stoddard laid out 32 meadow lots along the river for the Stockbridge-Munsee band. The lots were between two and ten acres each.

The six white families, called “the English,” were John Sergeant, Timothy Woodbridge, his brother Joseph, Ephraim Williams, Ephraim Brown, and Josiah Jones. Each was granted 400 acres totaling 2,400 acres, or 10 percent of the 23,040 acres. The Stocbridge-Munsee retained 90 percent.

Stockbridge was divided between The Hill and The Plain. (Today they are called Prospect Hill Road and Main Street). Generally, the English lived on The Hill; they believed the air was better the higher one lived and good air was the secret to good health.

Generally, the Stockbridge-Munsee band lived on the…

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Mohegan

A giant ‘casting call’ at Mohegan Sun; Fishing Outdoor Show starts up

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The show is all indoors, the objective is to get everyone outdoors. The 2023 edition of the Connecticut Fishing Outdoor Show has begun at Mohegan Sun’s Earth Expo and Convention Center with a focus on families and getting kids hooked on outdoor sports like fishing and hunting.

“We have kayaks, we have animal adventure programs, fly casting, the “hog trough” (a giant fish tank where experts hold seminars), just really something for everyone,” Kristie Gonsalves, the show producer.

Al Gagliaducci, known around fishing circles as “Al Gag” is famous for making lures, a craft he has been working on for nearly half a century. Gag said the purpose of the show is to encourage kids to get out on the water – and beyond. 

“Our motto is buy your kid a tackle box, not an X-Box,” Gag then added, “keep kids away from electronics, keep them outdoors, keep them fishing and hunting, in baseball and football but get outside,” said Gagliaducci.

Matt Wettish, who hosts a popular YouTube show called Real Outdoors TV was looking forward to the weekend from his well-appointed booth on the Expo Center floor. 

Wettish said of the Fishing and Outdoor show, “this is an invitation with the outdoors; The comradery, the connections with being outdoors and just enjoying what the state has to offer.”

The Connecticut Fishing Outdoor Show runs through Sunday, March 26. To learn more, click here. 

Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com

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Nanticoke

Toddler dies after being left alone, parents charged

James Kasisky, 26, and Valentina Varela-Luis, 25, were arraigned in Nanticoke Monday afternoon.

LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A mother and father are locked up in Luzerne County after their 19-month-old daughter died after being left alone for more than a day.

According to court papers, the mother and father of this toddler both told police they thought the other was taking care of the child, but no one checked in on her for more than 24 hours.

James Kasisky, 26, and Valentina Varela-Luis, 25, were arraigned in Nanticoke Monday afternoon.

Troopers say that in December, the pair never checked on their 19-month-old daughter in Newport Township for more than 24 hours.

Court papers show she had been left in a warm room and had no food or water.

Varela-Luis blamed her daughter’s father for their child’s death, and Kasisky had no words for reporters as both were arraigned on manslaughter and endangerment charges after their 19-month-old daughter was found dead in her room on December 23, 2022.

“On the eve of Christmas Eve, very bitter cold night, the investigation revealed that this baby was left unattended for a period greater than 24 hours,” said Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Shana Messinger.

Court papers say police responded to a home in Glen Lyon near Nanticoke after Varela-Luis called 911 when she found her daughter not breathing in her bedroom.

First responders found that the child showed signs that she had been dead for an extended period of time.

“Through our extensive investigation, which involves both forensic and medical teams, we proceeded with charges, and with that, we’re ready to proceed with the prosecution,” Messinger said.

After interviewing Varela-Luis and Kasisky, state police determined both parents claimed they thought the other would check on the child after she was put to bed…

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Lenni Lenape

Millionaire’s Deception: Native American Tribe Betrayed, Cat Inherits Fortune

A New York City millionaire, Jean-Louis Goldwater Bourgeois, broke his promise to leave his $5 million West Village property to a Native American tribe. Instead, he bequeathed $50,000 to his cat, Mali. This is a peculiar turn of events, given Bourgeois’s history of advocating for Native American rights.

The 2016 Promise to the Lenape Indian Tribe

In 2016, Bourgeois pledged to give his historic home to the Lenape Indian tribe, the original Native American nation in Manhattan. He claimed to be “disgusted” that the property had been “taken by whites” and expressed his sense of guilt for profiting from what he considered a “major theft.”

Bourgeois first considered returning the land after meeting Joseph Scabby Robe, a Cree Indian from Manitoba, Canada, during an Occupy Wall Street protest in 2011. Bourgeois was introduced to Native American chief Anthony Van Dunk, but their relationship eventually soured, and the deal fell apart.

The Cat’s Inheritance and Bourgeois’s Remaining Estate

Despite the broken promise, Chief Van Dunk praised Mali the cat, who received a $50,000 inheritance for her care. Bourgeois left the money to a close friend in Queens, who would look after Mali. The rest of his $15 million estate was distributed among friends, his adopted son, and his mother’s charity, the Easton Foundation.

Unfulfilled Commitment and Current Property Status

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Bourgeois’s will did not mention the West Village property he had initially promised to the Native American tribe. Purchased in 2006 for $2.2 million, the three-story home’s value has since soared to at least $5 million. Bourgeois’s brother Alain has said that “no decision has been made” on the property.

Concluding Commentary:

The situation is a disheartening one, as Bourgeois had once been a passionate advocate for Native American rights. His failure to honor his commitment to the Lenape…

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Delaware Tribe

Libraries to host virtual Wikipedia editathon focusing on Native American women

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In celebration of Women’s History Month, Penn State University Libraries will host a virtual monthlong Wikipedia editathon focusing on Native American women activists and environmentalists from March 27 through April 18.

Wikipedia editathons are organized events held with the intention of increasing representation on Wikipedia of identified underrepresented groups and providing basic training to new editors. First-time Wikipedia editors are welcome to join the virtual event regardless of level of technology knowledge or experience. Experienced editors will be on hand to answer questions and suggest articles to edit and references to use.  

Links to all event programs, including those listed below, will be available on the Penn State Libraries Wikipedia Editathon Dashboard. Participants can access the dashboard and contribute to the selected pages anytime throughout the period.

  • Monday, March 27, 1 to 2 p.m. —Julie Reed and Cathleen Cahill, faculty members in the Department of History in the College of the Liberal Arts, will provide a Zoom training session covering the basics of Wikipedia editing and best practices for writing about Indigenous people and reading and using sources.
  • Wednesday, March 29, 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. — Nicky Michael, a member of the Lenape, a.k.a. Delaware Tribe of Indians, and interim president and executive director of Indigenous Studies and Curriculum at Bacone College, will speak in Foster Auditorium. Her talk is co-sponsored by the Department of History.
  • Although participants can edit at their convenience throughout the month, there will be four virtual drop-in meet-ups where participants can edit alongside others:
    • Wednesday, March 29 — 1–3 p.m.
    • Tuesday, April 4 — 10 a.m.–noon
    • Wednesday, April 12 — 1–3 p.m.
    • Tuesday, April 18 — 10 a.m.–noon

For information about getting started with a Wikipedia account, visit the Wikipedia meetup page for the…

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Unami

Author Anita Wills announces Book Reading & signing of latest book Minqua Unami Okehocking & The Down River Nations

Anita Wills Author of Minqua Unami Okehocking & The Down River Nations returns to her Chester County Hometown in May

I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud, and was buried in the blizzard. A people’s dream died there. It was a beautiful dream . . . the nation’s hoop is broken and scattered.”

— ― Black Elk, Black Elk Speaks

CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES, March 26, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Author Anita Wills will be signing copies of her book Minqua Unami Okehocking & The Down River Nations in Chester and Lancaster Counties. The signings will take place in West Chester Coatesville and Lancaster at various locations. Minqua Unami Okehocking & The Down River Nations is the Authors 7th book and details her afro/indigenous and how Colonial Laws redesignated Natives and those of mixed race to Mulatto Colored Negro and Black. It is a historically accurate book that deals with issues of Colonial Laws that Affect Communities of Color to this day.

Ms. Wills was born and raised in Chester County and grew up Berks County before moving to California. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was her mothers oral history that sparked the desire to prove the history by researching and documenting their family lines. The project took over 30 years and went back to Africa, Europe and South America. In Westmoreland County Virginia she connected her lines to Mary Bowden a Mulatto Indentured Servant to George Washington’s father and brother. Mary Bowden was born on February 20, 1730 (her birth was recorded in the Courthouse), Her father was William Monroe Junior and her mother was Mary Monroe. They entered into a marriage the year before Mary Bowden was born without knowing it was illegal. Mary was taken to court…

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Mohegan

Tom Sandoval of ‘Vanderpump Rules’ to perform at Mohegan Sun

Sandoval has been on reality show “Vanderpump Rules” for 10 seasons, and has most recently come into the spotlight after a intra-cast cheating scandal emerged. Sandoval had been dating co-star Ariana Madix for nine years when news broke on March 3 that he was involved in a months-long affair with his other co-star Raquel Leviss.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 14: Raquel Leviss attends 'Legends Ball 2022 BravoCon' at Manhattan Center on October 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 14: Raquel Leviss attends ‘Legends Ball 2022 BravoCon’ at Manhattan Center on October 14, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

Vulture reported that a show by Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras was met with heckling fans and pro-Maddix chants after revelation of the affair. Mohegan Sun was not immediately available for comment on whether organizers felt the news would affect the performance or if they would be taking any precautions amid the turmoil. 

Fans of the show know that infidelity is not unique a happening on “Vanderpump Rules,” but Sandoval and Leviss’ relationship was happening apparently right under the noses of producers without being caught, which shocked those involved and viewers of the show alike. Additionally, the most recent season of the show portrayed that Leviss was romantically interested in costar Tom Schwartz — a storyline some have speculated is a cover-up for her real affair with Sandoval. The scandal was additionally as shocking as it came shortly after Leviss broke off an engagement to another “Vanderpump” costar, James Kennedy.

Since…

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