Munsee

MADISON – The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (METC) will host a program titled “Lenape Lifeways: Introducing the First People of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25.

This family-oriented program is free with regular museum admission. Pre-registration is recommended and can be found at www.metc.org.

As many as 10 million Native Americans lived in North America by the end of the 15th century.  Many thousands lived in “Lenapehocking,” the vast homeland of the Lenni Lenape, who were the first inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

This program explores the life and times of these peaceful, progressive people, comparing and contrasting their social customs, history, religion, family life, agriculture, hunting, healing practices, arts and crafts, past and present contributions (and much more) with those of the Europeans and Colonial Americans of their time.

Carla Messinger of Native American Heritage Programs will lead this interactive program. She is the founder/director of Native American Heritage Programs and a descendant of the Lenape people, with 35 years of experience in educating the public about Lenape culture.

The organization’s mission is “to present, preserve, and perpetuate the history, lifeways, culture, and contributions of the Lenape and other Native American groups.”

The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts explores American history with a focus on the life and stories of 18th- and 19th-century craftsmen and artisans.

Drawing on its rich collection, METC seeks to connect the lives of people and their stories, while providing a bridge from the past to the future. Housed in a Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building donated by D. Willis James to the people of Madison in 1900, METC offers something for visitors of all ages.

Regular METC admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children…

Continue reading

People turned to Delaware Tribe Chief Chet Brooks for his knowledge of the past. He could recite every treaty the United States ever made with the Delaware. 

When his tribe’s federal recognition was imperiled in the 1970s, Brooks met the Secretary of the Interior on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. He brought with him a list of 26 treaties that proved the Delaware existed.

“He was really proud about knowing the history of the Delaware Tribe,” said his brother, Larry “Joe” Brooks. “He knew it like a book.”  

Chester “Chet” Brooks was in his second term as chief when he died Sunday, Aug. . He was 78. He had spent 35 years helping to lead the tribe in Bartlesville, in the same town he was born. He served on the Delaware Tribe’s council and trust boards before he was elected chief in November 2014.

He also was the tribe’s de-facto historian. His institutional and historical knowledge is irreplaceable, said Acting Chief Brad Kills Crow. Brooks had worked with younger leaders to pass on what he knew. 

One lesson that resonated most with Kills Crow was Brooks’ ability to respect decisions made by the tribal council and move forward.  

“Whether we agreed or disagreed, he ended our conversation with a smile,” said Kills Crow, who served alongside Brooks for three years as assistant chief. “It is up to us to continue moving along the path he has set for us.”

COVID-19 pandemic: Oklahoma tribes redouble vaccine efforts amid coronavirus resurgence

The Delaware Tribe, with about 11,000 citizens, is one of three related Delaware nations recognized today by the U.S. government. The others are the Delaware Nation in Anadarko and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community in Wisconsin. Their homelands in the Northeast meant they were among the first pushed out by European colonists, who referred to the people as…

Continue reading

Division: WJFL Continental

Division opponents: Eastern; Kingsway; Rancocas Valley; St. Joseph (Hamm.); Washington Township

Key players: Brandon Boria, RB, Jr.; Aiden Geisenheimer, OL, Sr.; Mike Muckenstrum, LB, Sr.; Bill Westerby, DL/LB, Sr.; Tom Nigro, DL, Sr.; Dom DeChurch, DL, Jr.; Antonio Campbell, DB, Sr.; Tyler Kellenberger, WR, Sr.; Ayden Nelson, LB, Sr.; Holden Wolfort, WR, Sr.; Sean Cole, RB/S, Jr.; Roman Dougherty, LB, Jr.; Jake Ellis, OL, Jr.; Brian Mitchell, DB, Jr.; Tom Pajic, WR, So.; Cam Burti, WR, Jr.; Ryan Bender, QB, So.

Outlook: The Chiefs lost several key players to graduation but return a talented young group looking to compete for a division title and make another postseason run.

They lost their final two games of last season by a combined four points – a three-point overtime setback to district rival Lenape in the WJFL Pod A semifinals and a one-point loss to Non-Public power St. Joseph (Mont.). Those setbacks will surely motivate this team as it navigates what looks to be a highly competitive regular-season schedule.

Cherokee will feature one of the state’s top returning running backs in Brandon Boria, who rushed for 888 yards and 11 touchdowns in six games. He collected a career-high 267 rushing yards on 35 carries along with two touchdown runs, a 3-yarder and a blistering 82-yard jaunt, in a loss to district rival Lenape.

Expect this group to be strong along the lines and complete on a weekly basis. There’s no reason why Cherokee can’t be in the conversation for division honors and a postseason berth.

2021 schedule:

Sept. 2: Lenape

Sept. 10: St. Joseph (Hamm.)

Sept. 24: Washington Township

Oct. 1: at Eastern

Oct. 8: Shawnee

Oct. 16: at Rancocas Valley

Oct. 22: Kingsway

TBA: Seneca

The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and…

Continue reading