Lenape Lifeways: Introducing the First People of Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware At the time of Columbus, as many as 10 million Native Americans lived in North America. 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. Admired and respected by William Penn, the Lenape were later betrayed and forced from their villages by the policies of Penn’s sons and the infamous Walking Purchase. 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. This program features a lecture/demonstration and hand-on interactive exhibits. Needed: 4 long tables for exhibits, depending on the room a microphone might be needed.
Lenape & Moravian Fashions
Native American Contributions
Introduce your g Though many of us never knowingly encounter Native Americans, they and their legacy are everywhere, adding color and value to the tapestry that is America. Place names…words…foods…sports… clothes… health practices–many gifts have come from the First People. What’s more, they have contributed greatly to our might and success as a nation. This program will surprise you!! This program includes lecture/demonstrations and interactive exhibits and a question and answer session. Needed: 4 long tables for exhibits, depending on the room a microphone might be needed.
NOTE: Military groups can opt for a customized version. Patriotic Native Warriors explores in fascinating detail how highly-skilled indigenous
soldiers played a major role in U.S. wartime victories.
How Native Americans Saved Football!
In 1912, a Native American football team, led by Jim Thorpe & coach “Pop” Warner, defeated the U.S. Military Academy on the fields at West Point, trouncing a team that included Eisenhower and Patton. The astonishing winning streak of the Carlisle Indians changed American football into the strategic, thinking man’s game it is today. In another startling turn of events, the Oklahoma Hominy Indians football team defeated the Giants. Find out more of this exciting forgotten history! Adult audiences.
AMERICA’S ORIGINAL PEOPLE—KEEPERS OF THE LAND AND WATER
A 1996 public service announcement introduced Americans to the unforgettable image of a noble Native American watching the destruction of the environment with a tear in his eye. Powerfully projecting Native Americans’ traditional respect for the land, that image came to be synonymous with the Environmental Movement’s commitment to protecting and preserving the earth.
When the worlds of America’s first people and Eurocentric newcomers collided, their deeply-contrasting beliefs and behaviors inevitably led to conflict that drove Natives from their homelands and greatly reduced their numbers. Fueled by self-interest and justified by misconceptions and myths embedded in America’s founding documents, the divisive racialized emotions of the dominant white culture led to environmental racism that continues to seriously impact Native Americans everywhere in the form of environmental injustice.
Aggravated and accelerated by climate change and the expanding carbon infrastructure, the threats to the land and water Natives have always fought to protect are now mainstream issues impacting all of us. The ongoing resistance of the “protectors” to such man-made catastrophes. Adult audiences.
Native Americans NOW!
This overview cites often-surprising facts to profile the socioeconomic, health, education and legal status of contemporary Native American children, adults, elders and military personnel. Intended for health care, social services, education & government personnel, this presentation can be customized to focus in-depth on topics of special interest. Adult audiences.
The Role of Women In Native Society – NATIVE AMERICA’S “BETTER HALF ”: STRONG WOMEN, STRONG NATIONS
The role of Native American women in Native life and their contribution to our nation’s history has always been elusive and greatly underestimated, because early European writers were unwilling to accept and value women in roles other than the limited ones allowed in their own culture. Reservation life forced men to abandon their traditional roles as hunters and warriors and to conform to European social customs, leading them to usurp female roles. In contemporary Native American life, what women try to accomplish is often distorted or ignored. Exploring the roles and achievements of women in Native society through the eyes of a Native woman and a historian, participants will also view exhibits, such as the visual creative arts contributions of Native Women – Their “Beautiful Visions” which were handed down through many generations. Needed: 4 long tables for exhibits, microphone and electric, depending on the room a microphone might be needed. Adult oriented.
What You Know That Isn’t So:
Unstereotyping America’s Original People
Exploring—and exploding—the myths and stereotypes that have shaped our perception, portrayals, and policies toward “The First People,” this program exposes and corrects some of the false notions we cling to in order to justify the slaughter of 1 to 4 million Native Americans, the theft of 1.5 billion acres of their land, and the continuing social injustice harming the 6 million now living in over 570 Native nations or residing unseen in American cities. Sign on for an eye-opening experience that swaps what isn’t true for what is!!!
PENN’s WOODS: THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM
Wampum Belt & Tomahickan (Tomahawk)
Featuring the dramatic story of Indian Hannah, this is an in-depth look at the cordial relations of the Lenape, Quakers, and Moravians during the early settlement of Pennsylvania and at the later conflicts arising with other Euro cultures. Once respected “Grandfathers” who counseled for peace and arbitrated among the Native Nations, the Lenape were forced to negotiate desperately in a bid to maintain their values and relationship to their part of “Turtle Island.” Adult audiences.
In Remembrance of the Treaty of Shackamaxon
From the Children of Tamanend, Lenape
To the Children of William Penn,
First Proprietor of Pennsylvania.
For we were ever sworn to be friends, and we will walk together like brothers.
NEW for 2021 Native Americans in the Comics!!!
This enjoyable foray into literature we all have loved explores Native American characters ranging from the bloodthirsty barbarians and noble savages in the dime novels to formulaic heroes and she-roes, secondary characters and sidekicks, and protagonists not juxtaposed with a paternalistic white hero. Coverage includes comic strips and comic book series by Marvel and others. This deep dive examines how and why Natives have been marginalized and misrepresented in comics and explores how NA artists are now attempting to reach and uplift young readers with heroic characters and storylines that address challenges confronting Natives today.
NEW for 2021 Native American Heroes and She-roes
Beings honored in creation stories…chiefs who battled to save their lands and people…woman warriors who fought for their own and tribal rights…gifted public figures—all those were and are the shining lights of America’s First People. You’ll meet a generous sampling of these extraordinary Natives in the fascinating stories shared in this presentation.
Warriors in Uniform
Beginning with the Revolutionary War Native Americans have served in the American military in every national conflict – often in numbers higher than other ethnic groups. Some achieved fame; others served in quit valor. In WWII,
Navajo Code Breakers were key to U.S. victory in the Pacific. After helping to raise the flag at Iwo Jima, Ira Hayes, a Pima, toured the U.S. as a national hero. In all, 25 Native warriors have earned the nation’s highest military award: the Medal of Honor. Learn more about the patriotic men and women warriors who have served with distinction throughout our history. Adult audiences.
Also Available: Current issues challenging Pennsylvania’s First People, Environmental and Contemporary Issues, Diversity Day programs and more. Additional in depth programs focusing on the special topics you are studying in your school / scout curriculum can be arranged.