Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative

NJ AG Recognizes 3 Tribal Nations

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In November 2018, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation’s lawsuit with Attorney General Gurbir Grewal was resolved; the Tribal Nation is once again recognized/ reaffirmed by the state of New Jersey. On March 18, 2019, New Jersey AG announced historic recognition of the Powhatan Renape Tribe and Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation. These Lenape Tribal Nations are seated on the NJ Commission on American Indian Affairs. The following original story and individual settlement agreements are posted -https://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases19/pr20190318b.html

TRENTON – Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced today that New Jersey has entered into separate settlement agreements with the Powhatan Renape Nation and the Ramapough Lenape Nation by which the State acknowledges it has officially recognized the two tribes as American Indian Tribes since 1980.

Under the settlements, the State agrees that New Jersey’s recognition is intended to qualify the tribes for all federal and state benefits and services for which State-recognized tribes are eligible. Among those benefits and services are “all privileges provided by the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.”

The State also agrees going forward that it will not deny the status of the Powhatan Renape and Ramapough Lenape nations as State-recognized American Indian tribes, and revokes any past denials of recognition. In addition, both tribes specifically disclaim any interest in casino gaming rights under the settlement, and the parties agree that official State recognition does not provide the tribes with federal casino gaming rights.

“Let there be no ambiguity. Through this settlement, New Jersey affirms the status of both the Powhatan Renape Nation and the Ramapough Lenape Nation as American Indian Tribes recognized by the State,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Tribal rights are significant rights, and we are glad that, through good faith negotiation, we’ve been able to reach an accord with both the Powhatan and Ramapough nations. These two tribes can now move forward without concern that state-level recognition issues will in any way impede their progress.”

Under the settlements announced today, the State has agreed to notify all relevant state and federal agencies of the newly-formalized recognition status of Powhatan and Ramapough nations within 30 days. Among the federal agencies to be notified are the Indian Arts & Crafts Board, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development.
With the agreements announced today, state-recognition issues pertaining to all three “New Jersey tribes of American Indians” referenced in statutes passed by the New Jersey Legislature in the 1990s are resolved.

In November 2018, Attorney General Grewal announced that New Jersey had entered into a similar state-recognition settlement with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation.

While neither the Powhatan nor Ramapough pursued litigation, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Nation had filed state and federal lawsuits in 2015.

Those lawsuits alleged, in part, that ambiguity regarding the Lenni-Lenape’s recognition status in New Jersey had caused it to be denied the right to label and sell traditional arts and crafts as “American Indian-made,” lose access to federal grants and scholarships, and lose contracts previously obtained by tribally-owned businesses.
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Photo credit: https://www.state.nj.us/state/njcaia.shtml

One Book, One Community: Book Review

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Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer was the selection for the One Book, One Community read-in sponsored by the Salem Quarter Indian Affairs Committee. The discussion took place over the winter in the comfort of our own homes through dial up and/or log in access called Zoom.

When I googled this title, I found two interesting things. One is that 4,182 people liked it well
enough to write a review for Goodreads, with a 4.6 out of a possible 5 rating. That seemed
quite good to me for a nonfiction book.

Even more appealing, I noticed when I googled the book that Longwood Gardens featured
Braiding Sweetgrass in 2015 as its Community Read selection. On the Longwood Gardens
website, go to events/blogs and enter Braiding Sweetgrass in the search box. You will find a
beautiful description of the book, complete with gorgeous photos of Longwood Gardens, and
quotes from the author, Robin Wall Kimmerer. This recommendation alone makes it worth
checking out the book.

What is fascinating to me about this book is that while it is primarily considered a work of
nonfiction written by a science professor, it is extremely readable. It weaves together many
genres. The author tells of personal experiences with nature as a type of memoir. She brings in
myths and legends about the environment. Throughout the book are references to the Citizen
Potawatomi Nation of which she is a member. She describes scientific facts about ecology in a
way that is easy to understand. Spirituality, poetry and even history can be found within the
pages. The full title of this book is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific
Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.

Considering this book’s relevance to Quakerism, one of the main queries Braiding Sweetgrass
addresses is Stewardship of the Environment. The book was published in 2013, and it took
seven years to write. It seems even more important today with looming environmental
challenges. The importance of the Quaker tenets of simplicity and community are well
documented as well.

I close with a quote from the publisher, Milkweed Editions:
“The awakening of ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our
reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of
other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our
own gifts in return.”

I write this review of Braiding Sweetgrass to encourage others to tell us about books they have
read that would have interest for our wider Quaker audience. Books with examples of our
Quaker tenets would be especially welcome, in addition to books about Quakersim in general.

submitted by Friend and librarian, GH

Nanticoke-Lenape Legal Resolve: Victory Celebration & Acknowledgement

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Six years ago, finding unity, Salem Quarter Friends began a political letter writing campaign seeking justice – New Jersey state reaffirmation of Tribal status for the Nanticoke-Lenape People. Three years ago the Nanticoke Lenape sought legal resolve, and SQ sent a letter of support to their legal council, Cultural Heritage Partners. That letter and a personally signed amicus brief were included in their legal portfolio. With newly appointed state Governor and Attorney General the case has come to a resolve; the Nanticoke-Lenape Tribal Nation is once again recognized by the state.

Grateful for the part that friends and allies played in their victory, Chief Gould sent invitation to two SQ Indian Affairs Committee members to attend their “Victory Celebration.” Other guests included family and members of legal council – Greg Werkheiser, Eden Burgess, and Frank Corrado. Everyone is graciously thanked for their time and efforts in “keeping our Tribal family secure.”

During this “Victory Celebration” Chief Gould acknowledged their long hard struggle. We heard that with the Creator, combined prayers, combined efforts, and honesty, success has been achieved. In a letter to his Family, he further states, “keeping a positive prospective, our needs will always be met. Our work is not complete. Please come and join us as we prepare for the next seven generations.”

UPDATE: Neshaminy HS Redsk*ns Hearings

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Caption: Donna Fann-Boyle being questioned by the Neshaminy School District attorney during the hearing about the Neshaminy Redsk*ns Mascot, January 10, 2019

The hearings at Bucks County Community College went on for five days. This Friend, member of PhYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative, was able to attend on the fourth day when Donna Fann-Boyle (Chocktaw/ Cherokee) was questioned. Afterward, Donna responded to how she felt now that [testimony] was over. She said, “I felt more empowered by the amount of support I received. I feel like I can breathe now and that the hard part is over. The public is now more aware. I feel good about what happened during the hearings but it is still up in the air. Nothing is set in stone.”

The use of Native names, slurs, images and symbols is a stark reminder of how our communities are still colonized. Donna has persisted for over four years to educate the Neshaminy community about the true meaning of the R-word. The Conqueror Mentality: we took their land, we took their resources, we took their lives when they got in our way, we took their children and the latest version through the mascots – we take their identity and tell them what it means.

Testimony of a Neshaminy HS teacher and a community member occurred before Donna’s testimony. The teacher who advises their Student Council talked about the students coming up with a “Mr. Redsk*ins” event and didn’t say anything to them about the deeper meaning of the name. The community member, a lawyer, father of students in Neshaminy Schools, and also a coach in the community, said he knows lots of young people. He supported the greatness of the school district and saw no problems with the mascot and its effect. Though, when asked if he was aware of the meaning of “redsk*ns” he said he never did any research into the subject and saw no negative effects in the schools.

One of the more disturbing reports from the hearings was the testimony on day 5 by Stephen Pirritano, a school board member. When asked if he felt the information about scalp bounties to be true–his answer: “I’m sure it happened you know–just like any other races through history you know [have] been eradicated. My parents came from Italy. When the Africans came over went to Sicily and Italy and killed all the men and impregnated all the women, the world’s full of that.” The Spencer Phips Proclamation of 1755 spells out the details of such bounties – money paid for “redsk*ns” or scalps.

The Neshaminy School District hired as its expert witness Andre Billeaudeaux, a self-proclaimed amateur historian who wrote a children’s fictional book about how the Washington r–skins got their name. He is also the executive director of NAGA, an organization that supports the use of native mascotry and promotes harassment of natives and allies who work on changing harmful mascotry in their schools. He travels the country trying to convince school districts with Native mascots that it is to honor them. (See NAGA, http://www.naguardians.org/.)

It is remarkable that the school district is willing to spend precious educational monies to defend such an indefensible mascot. And ironic that the most vehement Euro-American community members, who say the mascot is an honor to Native peoples, are the most disrespectful to actual living Native peoples. This Friend contends that the fierce connection between symbol and identity has its roots in our Euro-American loss of ancestral territories. On a cellular level many of us long for our tribal identity and connection, long lost through early migration and or intense cultural mixing. Tragically, Native culture is very compelling to appropriate when you long for tribal identity.

Leading Native American tribal organizations condemn the use of Native mascots and many studies have shown the negative impacts. These negative impacts are also on the non-native students – increasing divisions, attitudes of superiority, and racism. Research led by psychology professor Chu Kim-Prieto (The College of New Jersey) showed that exposure to Native American team mascots, increases a person’s negative stereotyping of other races. When society condones stereotypes, youth and adults think it is okay to use other stereotypes –
which ultimately leads to more bias and discrimination.

There is a great deal of evidence about the cyber-bullying and backlash on Donna Fann-Boyle over the years: death threat phone calls and a great deal of nasty social media attacks. None of this evidence was brought up at the hearings, as it was up to the Neshaminy lawyers to bring it up, which they wouldn’t do given the negative light it would shine on the community. It is part of what the judge and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) panel [may] have to examine.

One of the lawyers for PHRC (https://www.phrc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx) is about to give birth and is taking maternity leave. This means that the findings will be delayed until July 1st. It will be an 11-member panel who makes the final decision.

How might Friends move faith into practice, act to decolonize our communities? If a racist mascot exists in your community, speak to the negative effects it holds over everyone – Native and non-Native Peoples alike; and/or support any CHANGE THE NAME effort, including the Washington D.C. NFL team. With Spirit, toward community unity, wonderings and comments may be shared with PhYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative, https://www.pym.org/first-contact-reconciliation-collaborative/. Wanishi (Lenape, thank you)

Appreciation of Public Service

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Friends have been in relationship with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; we celebrate with them upon hearing Chief Gould’s message of gratitude (PYM News “Public Statement of Gratitude” posted 11.15.2018.) In addition to the multitude of media releases, direct word is shared by NJ State Attorney General Grewal, who “Announces Settlement of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Lawsuits”

This author’s elders’ instructions are to be humble and grateful; Friend Parker Palmer urges us to find the growing edges and acknowledge commonalities; during civil discourse, FCNL demonstrates expressing sincere thanks. Might Friends join First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative members in finding the following resources helpful toward expressing (rightly ordered) appreciation of public service to NJ Phil Murphy, and NJ Attorney General, Gurbir S. Grewal.

Public Statement of Gratitude

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Many people affiliated with PhYM have been aware of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation’s lawsuit, against the state of NJ, toward “reaffirmation.” This Friend, ascribed by the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe as “extended family,” member of PhYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative and Salem Quarter Indian Affairs Committee, joyfully shares the following words from Chief Gould; his “Public Statement of Gratitude By the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation Upon Resolution of its Long-Standing Civil Rights Litigation Against the Attorney General of New Jersey, November 15, 2018.”

Dear Tribal Members:
I write with joyous news.

As you well know, the state of New Jersey officially recognized the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation as an American Indian tribe thirty-six years ago, in 1982. State recognition is important to tribes because it affirms that our people and culture are both part of the story of humanity’s shared past and that we are present and valued in the modern world. State recognition also provides opportunities for tribes to advance our communities’ wellbeing through access to essential federal grants for health, education, and workforce development, and by certifying our traditional arts and crafts as Indian-made.

In 2012, members of former New Jersey Governor’s Chris Christie’s administration acted to undermine our state recognition, causing our Tribe significant harm. State officials acted based on racial stereotypes about Indian tribes and gambling. Our Tribe is one of many that prohibits gambling as a source of our livelihood. We had no choice but to sue the state in federal and state courts alleging violations of the Tribe’s rights under the United States and New Jersey Constitutions.

We are pleased that after six years of preparing for and conducting litigation against his office the new Attorney General of New Jersey has settled our legal claims. He has reaffirmed, in no uncertain terms, that New Jersey has indeed formally recognized the Tribe since 1982 and that the state reaffirmed that official recognition in multiple independently valid ways throughout the subsequent thirty-six years. Further, the Attorney General withdraws and nullifies any prior statements questioning the Tribe’s recognition status. In addition, the state is required to send letters to every relevant state and federal agency affirming our long-standing recognition. Also, the state will compensate the Tribe for a portion of our significant economic losses suffered by our tribal government contracting company during this battle, which will be used to both restore the company for the betterment of our tribe’s economic future and also to fund goals set in our previously approved tribal strategic plan.

Beyond our Tribe, this outcome has significant implications throughout Indian Country. The two other state-recognized tribes in New Jersey whose status was undermined will likely have their recognition reaffirmed through separate agreements in the near future. And tens of thousands of members of the more than sixty state-recognized tribes in other states may rest more easily. This settlement establishes that states may not retroactively undermine tribal recognition by violating a tribe’s rights to due process and equal protection of the laws.

We will immediately begin to reinvigorate cultural and community-building efforts for our people, hand-in-hand with partners old and new. We will be aided in this effort through the continuing assistance of our legal and policy counsel at Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC, and with the prayers and support of neighbors near and far.

We hope and believe that this resolution will set the stage for the restoration of a positive, mutually respectful, and collaborative relationship between the Tribe, the State of New Jersey, and the government of the United States.

The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation gives thanks the Creator for his blessings. We also express our profound gratitude to the following people and institutions whose efforts made this day possible:
*Our Tribal elders, who fought for recognition decades ago, and who mustered the strength to fight for its restoration in their twilight years.
*For their tireless and skillful efforts over six years to defend our civil rights, our legal counsel: Greg Werkheiser and Eden Burgess and their colleagues at the firm of Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC, and Mr. Frank Corrado and his colleagues at the firm Barry, Corrado & Grassi, PC.
*For filing court briefs in support of our cause as Amici Curiae(Friends of the Court): The National Congress of American Indians, The Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes, The Indian Law Resource Center, the Salem Quarterly Meeting of the Society of Friends, The Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church, and these parties’ legal counsel in this matter, Joseph A. Patella at Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP.
*For their fair, impartial, and thoughtful administration of justice: The Hon. Renee Marie Bumb, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; the Hon. Joel Schneider, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey; and the Hon. Mitchel E. Ostrer, George S. Leone, and Francis J. Vernoia, judges for the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey.
*For his effective services as a mediator, the Hon. Dennis Michael Cavanaugh, United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (ret.).
*For their expertise in assessing financial damages: Edward A. Gold, Stephen Holzen, and Scott Jones and their colleagues at the firm of Stout Risius Ross, LLC.
*For their work championing the recognition of American Indians in New Jersey in decades past: the late Hon. W. Cary Edwards, former Attorney General of New Jersey, Jack F. Trope, former assistant General Counsel to two New Jersey Governors, and other honorable public servants in the state and federal governments.
*For their wisdom in seeking resolution of this controversy: the Hon. Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, and the Hon. Gubir S. Grewal, Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, and his colleagues.
*For their neighborly love and encouragement: the people of Cumberland County, the Cumberland County Freeholders, the Hon. Mayor Albert B. Kelly and The City of Bridgeton, officials of Fairfield Township, the faculty and students at Monmouth University, and the staff of the Penn Museum.
*For their constant well-wishes, individual supporters throughout New Jersey, the United States, and Indian Country.
*For providing additional legal guidance in Indian Law, attorneys Judy Shapiro and Michael Anderson.
*The news outlets and reporters whose regular, in-depth, and accurate coverage helped to shine a cleansing light, including, in alphabetical order: Tristan Ahtone for Aljazeera America; Thomas Barlas and Tyler R. Tynes for The Press of Atlantic City; Alex Bauer forRYOT; Cleve Bryan and David Madden and for CBS Phillyand KYW Radio Philly; Michael Booth for New Jersey Law Journal; the Editorial Board and Stephanie Maksin for South Jersey Times; Lisa J. Ellwood for Indian Country Today; Vince Farinaccio for SNJ Today; Chris Fry and Nick Rummell for Courthouse News; Bill Gallo Jr., Albert B. Kelly, Anna Merriman, and Don E. Woods for com; Aaron Kase for Vice Media; Vidya Kauri, Adam Lidgett, Jeannie O’Sullivan, Christine Powell, and Andrew Westney for Law 360; Cara McCollum for SJ Today; Kate Morgan for The Progressive; Geoff Mulvihill and Staff for the Associated Press, as published by the Washington Post, the New York Times, and many others; Jacqueline L. Urgo for Philly.com; Megan Pauly for Delaware Public Media; Dr. Joseph Schuldenrein for VoiceAmerica; Staff forIndianz.com; and Staff for Native News Today.

Gratefully,
Chief Mark Gould

Dawnland – Native American Heritage Month

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On Nov 5th, WHYY PBS / Independent Lens aired DAWNLAND, directed by Adam Mazo – a documentary of the “untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation’s first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission,” the investigation of the devastating impact of Maine’s child welfare practices on the Wabanaki people. The presumption being that “assimilating into white society would improve [Wabanaki children’s] quality of life and give [the Wabanaki children] a better future.” This is the first time a film focused on WABANAKI people has been nationally televised. In recognition of National Native American Heritage month, DAWNLAND is now available to stream in the United States on PBS.org and via the PBS app through the end of November!

Denise Altvater (Passamaquoddy,) coordinator of AFSC’s Wabanaki Youth Program, courageously tells her story and is featured in DAWNLAND. A friend of Arla Patch (Doylestown MM) and other members of PhYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative (FCRC,) Denise joined Young Friends during a recent retreat, hosted by West Chester Friends Meeting.

We invite you into the relationship building, essential for beloved community. After viewing DAWNLAND, consider the suggested questions: How much did you know about this story going in? What aspects of it are relevant today? Does your family’s own cultural identity remain intact?

Promised Land

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On Friday, November 2, 2018, members of the First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative (FCRC) attended the screening/ panel discussion of Promised Land, hosted by the National Museum of the American Indians, D.C., and sponsored by the National Congress of American Indians and Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes.

Promised Land “is a social justice documentary that follows two tribes in the Pacific Northwest as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights that have been denied,” as told by members of the Duwamish and Chinook Tribal Nations. Viewers heard stories and saw cultural features of these Peoples, lending to the depth of their indigenous identity, and witnessed the push-back against these indigenous communities, undermining self-determination.

Following the screening, a panel of these tribal members, filmmakers, and sponsors discussed the relevance of the film and entertained questions. We were reminded that the first step in being an “ally” of indigenous peoples is to listen; listen to their leadership.

Pastor JR Norwood (Nanticoke-Lenape, seated with NCAI and ACET) introduced us to the filmmaker team, Vasant and Sarah Salcedo – directors, writers, cinematographers, editor, and producer. We noted, that aside from geographic distance, the story is one that mirrors many tribal nations throughout the country, including those of “early contact” with W. Europeans/ colonization along the east coast, such as Pastor Norwood’s Tribal Nation in southern jersey.

The PhYM FCRC web page “Structural Resources” – https://www.pym.org/first-contact-reconciliation-collaborative/structural-resources/ – contains links to several local tribal nations, where Friends may learn of needs and, with respect, listen to indigenous leadership; listen to tribal nations’ “righteous fight(s).” The FCRC web presence hosts our contact information; we are available to walk-the-walk with Friends at various entry points.

Promised Land

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Love and labour within Salem Quarter was released into our wider religious Society of Friends with  PYM’s First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative. During the kick-off workshop at Annual Sessions 2017, participants leaned in toward understanding Tribal Sovereignty. Recently, following the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) convention in Denver, outreach was initiated by “extended family,” Rev. Dr. JR Norwood (Nanticoke-Lenape), co-chair for NCAI’s task force on federal recognition, to tribal allies, the SQ Indian Affairs Committee. Pastor Norwood brings to Friends’ attention the Nov. 2nd screening of PROMISED LAND, hosted by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in conjunction with the NCAI and the Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes (ACET.) The documentary is an award-winning social justice documentary that follows two tribes as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights they’ve long been denied. In following their story, the film examines a larger problem in the way that the government and society still looks at tribal sovereignty. Pastor Norwood will be part of a post screening panel discussion at NCAI; details are posted on the PYM calendar. Coming First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative events will continue to help shed light on denials of tribal sovereignty, human rights, and social justice. The FCRC website offers a variety of “growing edge” opportunities; we are open to hearing how we might further serve Friends.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly 2018

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Blessings from Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly 2018, a two-day celebration within Lenapehoking! Members of Indigenous organizations in Philadelphia came together providing a second year’s acknowledgment & celebration of their Indigenous cultures, shinning light on their unique presence in Philadelphia.

During the Friday evening Teach-In at Friends Center, Chief Brooks (Delaware Tribe of Indians, Bartlesville, OK) and Rev. Dr. J.R. Norwood (Nanticoke-Lenape, Bridgeton, NJ) spoke of Lenape Tribal history, culture, religion, and contemporary concerns; Christina Marie González spoke of Taíno identity and cultural development among Puerto Ricans and their homeland Borikén/ Puerto Rico; Peruvian musician, Richie Olivera, performed Andean Music using native South American instruments accompanied by a backing track; the short film “First Light,” an Upstander Project, focused our witness of genocidal “removal” practices – Indian children being taken from their homes and its inherent trauma; and finally, Felicia Teter closed the Teach-In with intentional reflective inquiries toward “breaking the cycles of abuse…so that we may all finally be free.”

The following day, in Hunting Park, during a mini-powwow, prayers and celebrations of cultural beauty unfurled – Nanticoke-Lenape Tribal Nation drummers, hoop dancer, grass dancer, womens’ fancy dancer; Andean musician; Taíno dancers and table display of cultural lifeways; Aztec dancers; Inter-tribal dances where all were invited to participate.

We can say WANISHI (Lenape) to express our gratitude for the work bringing everyone together. Being present, building relationship, matters. As way opens…may love and light guide a potential IPD Philly 2019!

Photo: Nanticoke-Lenape Fancy Dancer c) 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED s, o’scheyichbi

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