When people think of Native Americans, few think about the Lenape Nation here in Pennsylvania. Fewer still know the Lenape as environmental educators.

William Penn encountered the Lenape (pronounced Le-nop-a) when he first arrived in Penn’s Woods and it was the Lenape from whom he bought eastern Pennsylvania. The treaty between the Lenape and Penn was said by Voltaire to be, “the only treaty made by the settlers with the Indians that was never sworn to, and the only one that was never broken."

The Lenape today are organized into three clans wherever they live in the world — the Turtle, Wolf and Turkey—and each is lead by a Clan Mother.

“We’ve always had a cultural view of being caretakers of the earth and caretakers of each other,” said Pat Selinger, Turtle Clan Mother, from Saltsburg, Indiana County. “20 years ago few people identified themselves as having a native heritage, but now more do, although they may not know specifically what they are.”

To educate the public about the culture and philosophy of the Lenape Nation, over 40 volunteers put on educational programs for schools, communities, organizations, colleges and even malls.

“We tailor our programs to the audience, and many want an environmental theme,” said Selinger. “Our tradition is to respect both people and the environment and teaching responsibility for the environment is a part of our heritage.”

The Lenape in Pennsylvania have formed a non-profit educational organization called Thunder Mountain Lenape Nation to help organize programs about their culture and the environment. They put on about 25 programs a year, at least 10 of which are focused on the environment.

“Our approach is very hands-on with arrowheads, pottery and furs,” explained Selinger. “We explain how something is made, how any waste is used. Sometimes this is the first time kids have ever seen things like a real fur.”

“We also teach about farming and the lesson of the Three Sisters that’s also part of our tradition” Selinger said.

The term “Three Sisters” refers to corn, beans, and squash that give a lesson in environmental cooperation. The corn provides a climbing stalk for the beans; the beans provide nitrogen to the soil to nourish the corn; and the squash leaves spread out, preventing competition from unwanted vegetation and shade for corn’s shallow roots.

The “Three Sisters” lesson and the environmental education resources of the Lenape were featured as part of the Earth Day 2003 activities by the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education.

Through Thunder Mountain, the Lenape have developed significant educational partnerships with the Westmoreland County Conservation District, St. Vincent College, the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Saltsburg School District, the Kiski Basin initiative and other partners.

Prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Lenape had a cultural center located at the Conemaugh Reservoir in Westmoreland County, however, after the attacks the Federal Government closed access to the reservoir. They are now trying to acquire a more permanent facility near the site of their annual festival in Saltsburg.

Each year the Lenape Native American Festival is a showcase of their cultural heritage that typically attracts over 6,000 people. This year the Festival is August 20 and 21.

“In Native society, we cannot separate culture from spirituality. Everything is sacred, and everything in nature is alive with its own spirit,” said Selinger. “We need to celebrate all of our parts, and take responsibility for treating everything with respect.”

The programs offered by the Lenape are a unique, engaging way to educate groups of any age about respecting the environment and are just one of thousands of environmental education resources available in Pennsylvania.

It is very appropriate to think about the contributions the people of the Lenape Nation have made and continue to make in Pennsylvania’s development, since we celebrate Charter Day, the founding of Penn’s Woods by William Penn on March 4.

For more information about the programs offered by the Thunder Mountain Lenape Nation, contact Pat Selinger, Turtle Clan Mother, at 724-639-3488 or email to: jpswood@kiski.net .

4/1/2005