UNITED EASTERN LENAPE NATION
SMOKE SIGNALS NEWSLETTER
January 2019 VOLUME 108
UELN SCHEDULE 2019
December
1 Children of the Earth Meeting
7 Youngstown = 6 – 8 pm (ask Coyote Dave for school & directions/address) POSTPONED by the school
9 ROMF invites all villages to holiday celebration. Finger Foods & beverages @ Dancing Woman’s @ 1 p.m. White Elephant gift exchange & finger foods to share.
12 Prison Ministry
19 Family Circle
21 Longest Night - Big House – 6 p.m. to Sunrise (Pipe Ceremony @ sunrise) Bring hand drum, rattle, food & drinks to share. The effort is to stay awake through the night to greet the new season.
January
5 Children of the Earth Village Meeting
12 High Council Meeting
13 ROMF Village Meeting
16 Family Circle
February
2 Children of the Earth Village Meeting
9 High Council Meeting
10 ROMF Village Meeting
16 Winter Social – Round Dance and Trade Blanket – Natives invited. (LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED)
20 Family Circle
Please note: High Council Meetings will be held on Saturday. This allows High Council to have an
Executive meeting without interruptions. Take notice of the location.
Any additional events…please bring it to my attention.
Social Drumming Friday evenings 6:00 p.m. @ Cortland Avenue &
DANCE PRACTICES…. Call 440-992-7397 to verify that you are attending.
Rapid Rivers Drum Practice....Sundays 10 a.m. - Noon @ Cortland Avenue We need to learn a Flag Song and some other songs.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES -- Graduates …What are they doing now?
Plans to do a craft and/or game and lesson at every ROMF (River of Many Fish) Village meeting. Including drumming & dance lessons for anyone who wants them. We need to attract some of the younger people to attend meetings and activities. What do you suggest?
Grandmother Morning Dove's Corner
This is one of the postings from Facebook. There are some good posts everyday.
When God created woman he was working late on the 6th day.......
An angel came by and asked." Why spend so much time on her?"
The lord answered. "Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her?"
She must function on all kinds of situations,
She must be able to embrace several kids at the same time,
Have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart,
She must do all this with only two hands,"She cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a day"
THE ANGEL was impressed "Just two hands.....impossible!
And this is the standard model?"
The Angel came closer and touched the woman
"But you have made her so soft, Lord".
"She is soft", said the Lord,
"But I have made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome."
"Can she think?" The Angel asked...
The Lord answered. "Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate."
The Angel touched her cheeks....
"Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her"
"She is not leaking...it is a tear" The Lord corrected the Angel…
"What's it for?" Asked the Angel..... .
The Lord said. "Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her suffering and her pride."...
This made a big impression on the Angel,
"Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything.
A woman is indeed marvellous"
Lord said."Indeed she is.
She has strength that amazes a man.
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.
She holds happiness, love and opinions.
She smiles when she feels like screaming.
She sings when she feels like crying, cries when happy and laughs when afraid.
She fights for what she believes in.
Her love is unconditional.
Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies but she finds strength to get on with life"
The Angel asked: "So she is a perfect being?"
The lord replied: "No. She has just one drawback
She often forgets what she is worth."
-author unknown
Love & Blessings to All…
Morning Dove
The smallest good deed
Is better than the grandest intention.
Author: Unknow
Special greetings & congratulations
Belated Happy Birthday for those I missed and Happy Birthday to all who have birthdays in December and January. I hope this year has been a good one for you…as you work towards next year.
I am going to discontinue this section until I have birthdays listed for everyone. Maybe we should make an effort to do the telephone contacts once again. Let’s talk about it.
UELN Adoption Promises:
I promise to uphold our Aims & Goals and By-Laws.
I promise to support my nation in all ways.
I promise to honor all Chiefs, Clan Mothers , Elders & Youth.
*** *** ***
Newsletter ARTICLES needed! Deadline: by 25th of each month.
Email to:
NO FACEBOOK SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
RECIPES
Lenape Molasses Crumb Cake (from Searching Eagle's Grandmother)
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, softened crumb topping.
2 cups sugar
4 cups flour
Mix above ingredients and set aside ¾ Cup of mixture for topping
Add:
1 cup molasses
2 cups hot water
1 tablespoon baking soda (mix in with hot water)
Blend well, pour into a 9 x 13 greased and floured pan.
Sprinkle crumbs (that you set aside) on top evenly.
Bake in preheated oven @ 350°F (325°F for glass pan)
Bake for 40-45 minutes.
I haven't published this recipe for a very long time. Thought you may appreciate having it again.
I’ve learned that life is like a book.
Sometimes we must close a chapter and begin the next one.
Author: Hanz
Hanz was age 13 when he made this statement. He is from Regina, Sask., Canada.
Sakima Quiet Wolf
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. Reassuring you that I am doing fine……taking care of myself.
Weli Kishku…………………………Sakima Quiet Wolf
The LENAPE: The Original or Grandfather People....continued....
SOCIAL DANCES:
A distinct characteristic of the Lenape is the performance of their dancing: dances are performed in a counter-clockwise manner for the most part, contrary to the belief that all dancing, particularly those done at powwows or festivals, is done clockwise. The primary instrument carried by a Lenape was a small hand drum, also known as a water drum. These were made from a small hollowed out log, with water placed at the bottom to create the resonating sound. Some tribes even made drums out of pottery or even a cypress knee, which was also hollowed out. Other instruments utilized by the Lenape were rattles made from gourds, bark, horn and turtle shells; inside the gourd itself and turtle shell would be beads or corn kernels to make the proper sounds. The following were some of the dances performed: Alligator Dance, Bean Dance, Corn Dance, Raccoon Dance and Duck Dance. The songs that accompanied the social dances covered an immense area, but the basic songs are used from tribe to tribe. Also, most of these songs have vocables rather than words.
THE MORAVIANS AND THE LENAPE
One of the most influencial groups of Europeans was the Moravians and the interaction they had among the Lenape people. The primary purpose of the Moravian contact was to civilize and Christianize the Indians, yet they also demonstrated the ability to accept and respect Lenape culture. There was more of a cooperative work among the two diverse cultures and as a result some of the most important ethnographic data are Moravian records from the observations of David Zeisberger and John Heckewelder. Both individuals had a good grasp of the Lenape language. One aspect of the Moravian missionaries was their emphasis on temperance. They provided comfort when necessary and in many instances they saved lives, especially since alcohol abuse was becoming a problem among the Indians. Many Lenape were looking for support, not conversion, which was a complex issue because Native American religion and culture are inseparable. Even though the relationship between the Lenape and the Moraian missionaries was a complex one, the ultimate goal of the Moravian was to Christianize and that meant the destruction of the Lenape spiritual tradition. To the Lenape both the spiritual and cultural traditions are so closely connected that to sacrifice one is to sacrifice both.
LANGUAGE AND PRONUNCIATION
The language is called Lenape just like the term referred to the people. It is by current standards an almost extinct language with very few elders, those 90 years of age and older, who speak it fluently. Some younger Lenape people are attempting to learn the language but it is a difficult task. Some common Lenape words and their English meaning are as follows: Lenape (Original Peopls), Sakima (chief), Wikwam (House), Wanishi (Thank You). The early Europeans who came to America concluded that the native tongue was less developed than those of the civilized people. William Penn once stated that the Lenape language is lofty, yet narrow…one word serves in the place of three, the rest are supplied by the understanding of the hearer. He made it his business to understand the language as best as he could. What he did not realize was that this language that he learned was a jargon. Since the grammar was simplified, the sentence structure itself was similar to the language spoken by the Dutch, Swedish and English.
In the attempt to civilize the Indians, the Europeans felt this could be accomplished by the eradication of the native tongue. A number of Indians were punished even for speaking their own language. In hopes of preserving the Lenape language were the endeavors put forth by such Lenape elders as Nora Thompson Dean, Edward Leonard Thompson, and Lucy Blalock. The language classes were taught under the suspices of the Delaware Tribal Culture Preservation Committee in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
In more recent times the government has taken steps to preserve Native languages. In 1989 Senator Daniel Inouye authored a bill, passage of which occurred in 1992, and is now known as the Native American Languages Act and is a policy declaration of the United States. It provides and promotes rights and freedome of Indians to use, practice and develop their native tongue. It encourages schools to include Indian languages as a part of their curriculum. There is also funding by the Secreatary of the Interior for schools that utilize the native language as a means of instruction for the students.
The Native language was a means of transaction from the earliest contact with the Europeans. It was a small part of the total human experience and was an integral part of the picture of humankind. It was and still is important to the maintenance of the culture of the people who speak it. Many Indian words are a part of our English language. Therefore, the Indian language has left an indelible mark on our current standard of speech.
Let’s test our knowledge of the Lenape.
1. What was the primary instrument usually carried by the Lenape?
2. How were the Moravians different from other groups of Europeans who made contact with the Lenape?
3. How did the Indian language affect the current standard of speech in America?
Regalia
This is the time to make new regalia or repair and embellish the old regalia.
If regalia is torn, seams coming out or faded, it should be repaired or replaced. Sometimes the ribbons need to be replaced or trimmed and protected with Fray Check.
Let’s test our knowledge of the Lenape Language.
My name is ntëluwènsi sounds like: nay lu ensay
Morning Dove (use your name) alàpaèk sounds like: alah poick
mamèthakemu sounds like: ma me ta kem’ u
I am a Delaware, are you a Delaware? Ni Lënape, Lënape hèch ki?
Sounds like: Nee Lenape. Lenape hetch kee
My home Ashtabula, Ohio Wikia – Ashtabula, OHIO
To check out your personal information:
Did you try this on your own? Let’s introduce ourselves in Lenape.
Best of luck to your studies. If you need help with language: Call Dragonfly.
***The opinions expressed in this newsletter are entirely and solely those of the authors of each article. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the United Eastern Lenape Nation. The UELN, its writers and contributors, disclaim any and all liability that may arise out of the use of any of the information in this newsletter for any purpose whatsoever.
UELN or Lenape Native Path , PO Box 328, Ashtabula, OH 44005-0328
Answers to Questions: (The Lenape: Original people)
1. Water Drum.
2. The Moravians accepted and respected the Lenape culture.
3. Many Indian words have been added to the current English language.
HELP NEEDED:
ORGANIZE THE TRADING POST ITEMS.
ADD NEW ITEMS TO THE TRADING POST.
Reminder: Each of us (kids included) are asked to make 1 item for the T.P. monthly.
PREPARE A GIVEAWAY FOR ITEMS NOT BEING SOLD OR USED.
American Indians in Ohio
Did you know the name "Ohio" is an Iroquoian Indian word? It came from the Seneca name for the Ohio River, Ohiyo, which means "it is beautiful." The Senecas were not the original inhabitants of Ohio, however. The Indian tribes of the Ohio Valley were decimated by smallpox and other European diseases before the Europeans had even met them, and Algonquian and Iroquoian tribes from neighboring regions moved into Ohio as European colonization forced them from their original homes. Only a few of the tribes who were living in Ohio before 1492 still survive today.
The original inhabitants of the area that is now Ohio included:
About Our Maps
The Erie tribe
The Kickapoo tribe
The Shawnee tribe
Other Indian tribes who migrated into Ohio after Europeans arrived included:
The Delaware tribe
The Miami tribe
The Ottawa tribe
The Ohio Seneca tribe (Mingo)
The Wyandot tribe
There are no federally recognized Indian tribes in Ohio today.
Most Native Americans were forced to leave Ohio during the Indian Removals of the 1800's. These tribes are not extinct, but except for the descendants of Ohio Indians who escaped from Removal, they do not live in Ohio anymore. They were moved to Indian reservations in Oklahoma instead. If you click on the link for each tribe above, you can find more information about them.
Non-recognized Indian tribes and communities in Ohio include:
Munsee Delaware Indian Nation of Ohio:
70463 Hopewell Rd
Cambridge, OH 43725
Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band:
PO Box 162
Dayton, OH 45401
Teaching and learning activities about Ohio Native Americans:
Feel free to print these out for classroom use!
Ohio Tribes Word Search: Printable puzzle hiding the names of Ohio's Indian tribes.
Ohio Language Greetings: Learn to say "hello" in several Native Ohio languages.
Ohio Native Animals: Learn the Native American names of Ohio animals.
Ohio Indian Facts for Kids: Answers to frequently asked questions about the tribes of Ohio.
We currently have pages for the Kickapoo, Shawnee, Miami, Seneca, Ottawa, Wyandot, and Delaware Indian tribes.
Recommended books about Ohio Native Americans:
Ohio's First Peoples:
Good book on Ohio Indian culture and history.
Ohio Native Americans:
Simple book introducing Ohio's Indian history and culture to kids.
Ohio Native Peoples:
More in-depth book about Ohio Indian tribes for kids.
Encyclopedia of Ohio Indians:
Thorough reference book about the Native American tribes of Ohio.
A Country Between: The Upper Ohio Valley and Its Peoples:
Book on the culture and history of Ohio Indian tribes in the 18th century.
Ohio Archaeology:
An illustrated book on Ohio's ancient American Indian cultures.
The First Peoples of Ohio and Indiana: Native American History Resource Book
A good book on the Native American tribes of Ohio and Indiana.
The Ohio Frontier:
History of the Ohio Indian Wars and removals of the 1700's and 1800's.
Indian Artifacts of the Midwest:
Collection of photographs of prehistoric paleo-Indian arrowheads and other artifacts.
Other resources about American Indian history, culture and society in Ohio state:
Mound Builders:
A good article on the pre-Columbian Native American people of the Ohio Valley.
I stumbled onto this article when I was looking for Native American cartoons or comedy. Couldn’t find anything appropriate and saw this…….so, I am sharing it with you. Morning Dove
See you next month.
