Storytellers can be both animate and inanimate. Many of our ancestors were not able to tell their stories to their children; many never had the chance to have children to whom they could pass these stories. Yet their spirits live on—first and foremost in these lands, with the descendants of their kin, and through the shared reclaimed cultures and arts that were outlawed as recently as 50 years ago. History need not be told only orally, but also through the many art forms, both traditional and contemporary.
Each entry within this exhibit was created by youth from our communities, including those with Lenape and Nanticoke roots, as well as those who have been adopted into the community (including White Mountain Apache, Upper Mattaponi, Taíno, and Rappahannock). The artists range in age from five to twenty-five years old.
About the Indigenous Youth of Lenapehoking and the Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project & Native American Advancement Corporation:
Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project (LRP) is geared towards the promoting of Lenape awareness, supporting of tribal youth, & public relations. Lenapehokink (pronounced Lenapehoking and thus reflected that way in the spell of this project) is the name of the land or our (Lenape) ancestors, encompassing all of New Jersey, and parts of DE, PA, and NY.
Started by citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, the (LRP) is an entity working outside of the capacity of the originating Nation. It prides itself on existing for the people, by the people.
One of our primary goals is to assist goals set forth by Tribal Youth of different Nanticoke and Lenape nations, both in and outside of Lenapehoking. The Indigenous Youth of Lenapehoking is comprised of young Nanticoke Lenape people, as well as adopted family of other nations, such as Taino, White Mountain Apachee, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi, ranging from ages 5 – 25. They are our future, and the most important focus as of now. With them, it is an ultimate goal to bring these youth of underserved communities as much exposure and as many opportunities as possible; to allow them to be the best versions of themselves, and prepared to pass on traditions.
Indigenous Youth of Lenapehoking Artists:
Aiden Allen, Aiden Ford, Aiyana Pierce, Alaina Ford, Allie Mosley, Anastaysia Cooper, Braiden “Bright Spirit” Gould, Chitanitehe “Strong Heart” Ridgeway, Dallas Macmahan, Gavin “Dancing Hawk” Satterfield, Jayana Bailey, Jesse Gould, Julian Harmon, Kai’Lyn “Strong Spirited Hummingbird” Ellis, Keely Perez, Kiyleen Kenton, Li’Ana “Little Yellow Bird” Ellis, Maehawiaki “Gathers Plenty” Ridgeway, Mathyias “Laughing Wolf” Ellis, McKenna Ford, Ōpalanié Mpisunkikewinen Conaway, Xander “Looking Turtle” Satterfield
Collection by Ty “Dancing Wolf” Ellis & Lia “Watching Sparrow” Gould
To learn more about each artwork, click here.
The Education Gallery at Grounds For Sculpture is supported, in part, by Stark & Stark, Inc.
