Lenape people focus on passing their history to their youth

Colorful handmade skirts dotted the grounds at the Gnadenhutten Historical Park when two buses carrying members of the Delaware Nation visited the area for the annual Day of Remembrance.

The ceremony, held March 8, remembered the 96 victims of the Gnadenhutten massacre who were brutally killed by the Pennsylvania Militia on that date in 1782. The event ensures the tragedy is not forgotten and also provides a moment of unity for those gathered.

In attendance were many Delaware Nation members from Eelunaapeewii Lahkaawilt, also known as Moraviantown, Canada; members from Anadarko, Oklahoma and Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and representatives of the Kansas Munsee. Also invited were members of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans and members of the Munsee-Delaware Nation.

Angel Lascelles of Moraviantown attended with her daughters.

“I was here when I was about 14, when they had the apology, and it was really good,” Lascelles said. “I’m proud and glad that I brought my daughters to learn about this.”

The girls made their own traditional-style Lenape skirts to wear for the ceremony. More Delaware youth attended this year’s ceremony than any other event previously.

“I thought today was really beautiful. I liked (Jeremy Johnson’s) singing and amazing prayers. I love hearing them speak the language, and I think what they’re doing for the youth is really good by giving us this opportunity to come here and learn more about our history,” Ayesha Lascelles, 14, said.

Her sister Serena Peters, 21, also was impressed.

“It’s so great to see everybody get together and recognize what happened here and not forget about it,” Peters said.

Kamryn Whiteye of Moraviantown spoke directly to the youth in attendance. Prior to attending university, Whiteye was active in her community organizing events for Delaware youth.

“I had the urge to do that because I knew what it was like growing up on reserve, and I had my own struggle,” Whiteye said. “I wanted the youth to know that they were safe and that they were supported, and they had peers that knew what they were going through.”

Whiteye was pleased to see the Delaware youth embracing their history.

“I see the ribbon skirts and the shirts, and I am so proud, not just because it mimics our traditional clothing, but because we are proud of who we are,” Whiteye said. “This trip is for you, the youth, so that you can pass these stories to your children and their children.”

The importance of the trip to honor their ancestors in Gnadenhutten will grow as the years pass.

“This particular area that I’m standing on is the village where our ancestors lie, where our children once played, where the women took care of their families and where the men hunted and provided for their families,” Whiteye said.

Due to the many upheavals forced upon the Delaware, those living in Gnadenhutten were transitioning to a different life and a life with missionaries and following a Christian way of existence.

“We were learning how to walk in both worlds. This particular village wasn’t given that opportunity. Their lives were taken from them, and this was the end of their journey in this physical space. As we lay down the tobacco on their burial grounds, may we let them know that it is OK to rest because we are here. We have survived. We are healing, and we will remember their sacrifice,” Whiteye said. “We will continue to speak the language, and we will raise our children up to know their history and ancestors that have come before them. We are a living, walking love letter to the souls that are here today — that they can rest peacefully because we are here.”

Jeremy Johnson of Bartlesville, Oklahoma says their history is important to the future of Delaware Nation.

“I feel like they are still taking care of us today by bringing us together and uniting us, and that’s what’s important today, that we continue on and we continue our traditions and our cultural ways in each of our communities,” Johnson said.

Visit the GHS website at gnadenmuseum.com or on Facebook at Gnadenhutten Museum and Historical Park.