Brownbag: The Lenape and the Delaware River–Past and Present

Please join us Wednesday, April 27th from 12-1 pm in 108 Van Wickle Hall when we will hear from Shelley DePaul, Assistant Chief of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. Ms. DePaul will be speaking about the Lenape people and their relationship to the Delaware River. Lunch will be provided.

The Lenape natives have been caretakers of the Delaware River for thousands of years. This presentation will convey the significance of the Delaware River to the Lenape people – both past and present – and will relate their ongoing efforts to partner with other organizations who are involved with the river’s preservation.

Shelley DePaul serves on the Council of the Lenape Nation of PA. She teaches Lenape Language classes and workshops and has presented lectures and educational programs on the subject of Lenape History and Culture to schools and universities, environmental organizations, churches, historical societies and youth groups. She has worked for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania since 2004 as Genealogy Researcher, Historical Researcher, Lenape Language Specialist, and Educator, and in June of 2009 she was appointed Assistant Chief.  She has developed the Lenape Language Curriculum for use in schools,  universities and home school associations. DePaul has transcribed a variety of works into the Lenape Language and composes original music and poetry in the language as well.  She is co-curator of the current exhibit, “Fulfilling a Prophesy: The Past and Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania”, which tells the long-hidden story of the survival of the Lenape in their homelands.  Organized by the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, the exhibit features never before displayed objects from the private collections of Lenape people in Pennsylvania. DePaul also curated the Lenape exhibit at the Sigal Museum in Easton. DePaul is a Pennsylvania State Certified teacher and has taught English, History and Music in public schools and universities throughout Eastern PA. She also teaches private music lessons in piano, guitar and Native American flute. Shelley is currently teaching courses in the Lenape Language at Swarthmore College.