Lenape Descendants Reflect on Reclaiming Indigenous History, America’s 250th, and More

Andy Jacobs remembers visiting Sam’s Point in Minnewaska State Park along the Shawagunk Ridge in Ulster County for the first time – an area where Lenape people lived for hundreds of years. She recalls it as an emotional moment.

“This is the first time ever being somewhere my legs were shaking so bad that I had to just stand there and hang on the edge of the mountain,” said Jacobs, a member of the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown in Ontario, Canada.

Lenape communities were native to what is now New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey before they were forcibly removed or displaced by war, colonization, and broken treaties.

Now, members of the Lenape diaspora live around the world, including among federally recognized Delaware tribal nations in the United States and First Nations in Canada.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Indigenous leaders are calling for their stories to be included.

Michelle Kelly-Woodard, a member of the Delaware Nation in Anadarko, Oklahoma, said preserving and sharing Indigenous history and traditions are important for future generations, especially since public schools often don’t provide thorough educational offerings about Indigenous history.

“Being younger and seeing the depictions of Native Americans, we see that at a young age, even with cartoons. They picture us as a character, not being real,” said Woodard. “We’re not those stereotypic[al] characters that you see in cartoons or in movies.”

READ: Ulster County Historian Reflects on Visit to Rebuild Relationships with Lenape Descendants

The Lenape Women’s Group focuses on Lenape descendants returning to their homelands and participating in activities that center their way of life, like planting and picking medicine, and practicing their ceremonies alongside their sister tribes.

“They’re all my family. It’s like I can’t wait to get back to see them and us get together ‘cause we’re always joking… laughing.. teasing, and it’s the best part,” said Jacobs.

She says that the 250th anniversary commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence is not a day of celebration for her. “Our land was taken away, so it still can be hurtful.”

Still, Kelly-Woodard said it’s a moment to expand the country’s understanding of Indigenous history.

“ All of our tribes and all of our nations are different. I think the inclusion part is important,” said Kelly-Woodard. “I’m thankful that they’re giving us that platform to be able to tell our stories and to tell our past and let them know that we still are here.”

Historic Huguenot Street will host its annual New Netherland Marketplace: Living History event on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, New York. Kelly-Woodard and Jacobs will join visitors in sharing their craftsmanship and cultural traditions during this event.

Image: Delaware Nation tribal members visit historical Moraviantown landmarks in Ontario, Canada (Photo Credit: Andy Jacobs)