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If I have to think of one word I would send as a message to our youth, it would be the word "mëshatàm". In our language it means "I remember." ~ Chief Urie "Fox Sparrow" Ridgeway

WORSHIP SHARING: Queries 

Worship sharing is a Quaker practice, open to everyone, of reflecting on questions and readings. Through this practice, we encounter each other in new ways. (extracts from FCNL)

  • How do I embrace the call for social witnessing as an act of faithfulness? What sustains me in this work? What experiences can I share as we find and raise our collective voice?
  • There are many challenges and beauties within the present moment. When thinking about them, what situations require me to be brave and constant? How are we collectively responding to those situations?
  • In which ways can our action be and remain grounded in the transformative power of love? In which ways are we creating space to listen to the Spirit as we engage in our personal and social transformation?
  • How are we re-creating our commitment to peace, justice, and earth restoration, and how are we supporting one another in that journey?
  • Looking forward to the next few years, what are your aspirations for our FCNL community? How do we welcome difference and grow in the Spirit as we experience change? How can we best build a unified, loving and faithful community? What would help us to advocate even more successfully for a peaceful, loving and just society?
Faith is...acting on the knowings that we have, in full recognition that they may be misguided or incomplete. ~Jan Wood

MINUTES of CONSCIENCE  APPROVED by SALEM QUARTER

Minute of Unity Refuting the 1626 Schaghen Letter –

When Manhattan Became European - The New York TimesWe stand in support of Lenape leaders refuting Pieter Schaghen’s 1626 letter to the Dutch West India Company, which mentions a supposed purchase of the Island of Manhattan, approximately 22,000 acres, in a trade for goods contemporarily valued around $24. We find this alleged purchase to be myth-based and causative of historical and ongoing harm. Thus, we stand in unity with Chief Urie Ridgeway (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Bridgeton NJ), Chief Dwaine Perry (Ramapough Lenape, Mahway NJ), and Brent Stonefish (Munsee-Delaware, Ontario CA).

Our discernment, grounded in experiences and respect for the Lenape People, acknowledges that they have their own systems of rules, laws, and ways of living beyond spirituality; their lifeways govern Lenape society with a deep cultural stewardship of Mother Earth, making the concept of owning land inconceivable. Furthermore, the Lenape are a matriarchal society where matters of importance are overseen by women. However, Schaghen’s letter lacks any evidence of a matriarchal voice, an oral treaty, a wampum belt, a written treaty, or signatories, all of which were customary cultural practices of the time.

Today, the Dutch West India Company is recognized as a trade company which included the slave trade. These enslavers established a feudal system in Lenapehoking, granting land to colonists who brought 50 individuals to this land, thereby marginalizing Lenape voices, creating myths about the original people of this land, and commodifying the land, Mother Earth.

Early contact with Western European diseases is estimated to have reduced the Lenape population by 90-95 percent. Despite surviving massacres, forced removals from Lenapehoking, restrictions on cultural lifeways, forced assimilation, and the removal of children to Indian Boarding Schools and child welfare systems, the Lenape Nations endure and are still here.

Therefore, Salem Quarter (NJ) finds The Schaghen Letter to be a tenacious untruth that has contributed to subsequent historical and ongoing contemporary myth-based harms endured by the original people of Lenapehoking and widespread practices that continue to impact Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, as well as other colonized lands. We hear the Lenape leadership, both those who have been removed and those who have remained, seeking inclusion and equity.

To this measure, we, Salem Quarter (NJ) Religious Society of Friends, seek the following, with accountability:

  • Recognition of the diverse gifts of Spirit within all creation.
  • Relationship building with the original inhabitants of this land, Lenapehoking.
  • Harmony, living and honoring all life by stewarding Lenapehoking.
  • Mutually beneficial decision-making with Lenape Nations.
  • Restoration with and for Lenape Nations/People on whose homeland we benefit.

Presented by the Indian Affairs Committee to Salem Quarter, 9th day Sixth Mo. 2024, Lower Alloways Creek Meetinghouse; accepted and approved by Salem Quarterly Meeting 9th day Sixth Mo. 2024

IAC’s Backstory:
After reading The Schaghen Letter, we queried: From whose point of view was this letter written; to understand this event more completely, what information is needed; how does this account shape what we understand about the land exchange that took place on Manhattan in 1626? We further read Lenapehoking: The Tenacious Myth of the Purchase of Manhattan and we reflected on personal conversations with Chief Urie “Fox Sparrow” Ridgeway (Nanticoke-Lenape) about their Lenape constituency trip to Amsterdam, Autumn 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPISTLE: NANTICOKE LENNI-LENAPE POW-WOW 2023

Posted by Salem Quarter News, Summer 2023, pp. 12-13, with appreciation to the Tribal Nation and Powwow Committee –

 

 

To Friends Everywhere:

Greetings from a group of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting F/friends in attendance with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation’s Annual Pow-wow, held June 10th & 11th, 2023, on their traditional territory, a region known as South Jersey.

During 2020 and 2021 the pow-wow was cancelled given concern for COVID-19. This year, 2023 is “counted” as the 42nd Annual Pow-wow with the theme History: Here To Stay. Both Salem Quarter and PYM First Contact Reconciliation Collaborative supported the pow-wow with two booster ads, in celebration of the tribe and with the tribe.

We find remarkable over the course of the two day event the inter-tribal, all-encompassing welcome, expressed by genuine smiles and gentle nods of gratitude for gathering. During the Grand Entry, we were invited to honor all veterans of service – Indigenous and non-indigenous – who have served to protect this homeland. Reverently, receiving lines supported two families for their loved ones who transitioned this year; and we remember many others who have served their community well, now “called home” by Creator.

We heard “final words” from the outgoing Chief, Mark “Quiet Hawk” Gould, “leading words” from Chief Urie “Fox Sparrow” Ridgeway, and customary/ ceremonial words of guidance from Master of Ceremonies Keith Colson (Tuscarora/ Lumbee). Surrounding the main circle were tribal leadership, Native Nations’ citizens, dancers in waiting, artisans, and food vendors, all gifting stories.

As we reflect on the 2 day event, our awareness of being on Indigenous land is heightened, specifically with People that we’ve given our historic and contemporary word of perpetual peace and friendship. We notice a range of our own pow-wow attendance – first timers, returnees (after a period of being away), and regulars. We wonder about our contemporary relationship with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, and we asked ourselves, what might be sensed as a keepsake or story that mutually benefits this Tribal Nation and non-indigenous communities? Our hearts and minds are refreshed as we’ve departed, holding diverse Pow-wow memories:

  • open invitation, public event
  • diverse regalia
  • acts of respect shown to elders
  • heritage encouragement provided to children and youth
  • two-step and social dancing
  • farmland/ native seed project
  • Spirituality as a way of being
  • Language retention/ emersion
  • fellowship/ relationship building, and
  • strength of Lenape who have remained on their homeland.

We wonder what love might require of us? Individuals have made commitments to engage in learning and standing with the tribal nation on issues of their concern, with actions. We are convinced by Light that there is mutual benefit in visiting the tribe’s store (Turtle Trading Post) and the Native American Church (St. John UMC Fordville), as well as returning to a future Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation Pow-wow. As published in the Program, we hold true the intentions of the mural by artist Layqa Nuna Yawar, “ESTA ES TU CASA * WE BELONG.”

We extend our appreciation to the 2023 Pow-wow Committee, MC, Tribal Nation leadership, drummers, dancers, chefs, venders, artists, elders, cultural retention officials, tribal citizens – the whole of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation and “extended family”; the pow-wow has lovingly called Friends to be attentive to community, family, and self, “as long as the sun shines….” Wanishi.

Addressing the DELAWARE NATION‘s (Lenape of Anadarko, OK) Resolution 2023-114 (viewable here) – Plea for the Practice of Peace: Unity Toward Decolonizing – A letter to Friends, supporting the duty of critical examination required toward verifying a Native Nation’s self-professed identity. When standard Federal/ State criteria are lacking, verification for government to government relations are not applicable. Inherent in this era of self-determination, authentic indigenous voices of leadership are overdue their sovereign rights.

To Friends Everywhere:

During this time that calls for decolonizing our mindset of ill-founded cultural lifeways, within individuals and corporations, we find an imperative condition of recognizing truths and acknowledging & affirming Nation to Nation relations between indigenous and non-indigenous communities, toward healing.

Therefore, the wisdom of the National Congress of American Indians defines clearness that authentic Indigenous voice may be identified by both Federal and State relations with Native Nations, given conditions. These conditions include assurance of historic existence, among interrelated familial community, continually, and maintaining self-governance. When a self-ascribing group verifies these conditions beyond doubt, we, as citizens of the United States, find that Federal and/ or State recognition and relationship is rightly ordered.

Given formative relations toward perpetual peace and friendship, we are called to advocate for truths and healing. From relationship with historic, interrelated, continual, sovereigns, these neighbors who remain, having hidden in plain sight, acclimating in relationship with relative States, we recognize these (5) sovereign nations: Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe (Bridgeton, NJ); Powhatan Renape Tribe (Rancocas, NJ); Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation (Mahwah, NJ); Lenape Indian Tribe (Cheswold, DE); Nanticoke Indian Tribe (Millsboro, DE); and we recognize Lenape (Delaware) People of the diaspora who remain in community and maintain relationship with the United States and Canada Federal governments: Stockbridge Munsee (Bowler, WI); Delaware Tribe of Indians (Bartlesville, OK); Delaware Nation (Anadarko, OK); Delaware Nation at Moraviantown (Thamesville, Ontario) and Munsee-Delaware Nation (Muncey, Ontario).

We recommend that those affiliates of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (thirteen regional Quarters, 100 Monthly Meetings, 10,000 individuals) before taking up treaty actions or philanthropy, seek the basis of truths upon which groups other than those listed above, make sovereign claims to their original homelands/ indigenous identity/ tribal nation status. If the aforementioned Indigenous prescribed paths of identity remain elusive, might we better leave the process to those who profess such Nationhood to present themselves most forthrightly and transparently with verifiable evidence, such as prescribed by the Office of Federal Acknowledgement or similar State Commission processes.

Meanwhile, there are recognized communities we know who have rights, deserving our loving intentions, attention toward living peace. Might we listen with assurance, responding to Light within. We call for Friends unity in faithful service.

Peace be with you

AFFIRM & REAFFIRM

In 2011, Salem Quarter petitioned the State of NJ to Reaffirm the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation. The state failed to bring the concern out of committee for a vote by the end of session. Subsequently, relationship with the state continued through the NJ Commission on American Indian Affairs, seated by three Lenape tribes and one historic group. Years later, Cultural Heritage Partners brought suits in federal and state courts against New Jersey’s Attorney General for violations of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribe’s civil rights and due process when the state withdrew prior recognition of the tribe–securing the full restoration of recognition and a financial settlement. The suit was settled out of court by Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. Read about the Cultural Heritage Partner’s civil rights litigation on behalf of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation against the Attorney General of New Jersey – SQ IAC member was an amicus brief signatory. Members of the SQ IAC accept invitation to the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe’s Victory Celebration. Chief Gould writes a “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.”

Supporting the Establishment of a Federal Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the U.S. , now under this 118th Congress as proposed bills, S.1723 & bill H.R. 7227 (Friends’ actions posted by FCNL)

Supporting the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation’s NJ State Reaffirmation (subsequently an amicus brief signatory and NJ State Settlement)

Supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

Supporting the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation 

Supporting the formation of a SQ Indian Affairs Committee, members named

EXAMINING TRUTHS & DECONSTRUCTING STEREOTYPES

DOCTRINES OF DISCOVERY

Overview by the UPSTANDER PROJECT

Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code Documentary by Sheldon Wolfchild and Steve Newcomb. This DVD is available for screenings; contact sacredwovenword@yahoo.com.

Parliament of the World’s Religions Official Statement Responding to the Vatican’s Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery

Revoke the Doctrine of Discovery (5 min YouTube) Indigenous rights activist Steve Newcomb discusses how the Doctrine of Discovery has enabled the subjugation of Native peoples for hundreds of years.

By 2012, the World Council of Churches (inclusive of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Salem Quarter Friends’ “umbrella” organization) denounced the “Doctrine of Discovery”.

I humbly ask forgiveness, not only for the offences of the church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America. ~Pope Francis, Bolivia, 2015

 

FRIENDS’ ROLES IN INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS

Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report 2022, (Department of the Interior)

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act (National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, NABS) – 118th CONGRESS – UPDATE: the proposed bill is now known as S.1723 and H.R. 7224

Resources for Self-Care and Trauma (NABS)

Quaker Statements on Indigenous Justice and Indian Boarding Schools (Friends Committee on National Legislation)

Quaker Indian Boarding Schools: Facing Our History and Ourselves (Friends Peace Teams-Toward Right Relations) and TRR recording & materials posted by Beacon Hill Friends House

Viewpoint: Quakers, Indian Boarding Schools, and Indigenous Justice Today, Friends Journal, by SQ congregant

Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center Archives & Special Collections by Dickinson College. A digital format, a variety of resources that are physically preserved in various locations around the country; a major site of memory for many Native peoples, as well as a source of study for students and scholars around the globe.

The National Indian Boarding School Digital Archives (NIBSDA) – hosted by the Native American Boarding School (NABS) Healing Coalition, NIBSDA serves as a national digital platform and digital repository for boarding school archival collections throughout the United States. Through a NABS grant, we now have internet access to an abundance of Friends archives of Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College and Quaker and Special Collections of Haverford College.

 

INDIAN CHILD WELFARE

Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

National Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

  • Codify ICWA: The Lakota People’s Law Project view, post SCOTUS ruling, urging state codification of ICWA toward intented protections, with regional representatives’ contact information and resources.

Dawnland, a documentary of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation’s first-ever government-endorsed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Maine) – What is the relationship between taking the land and taking the children?

Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center Dickinson College, is bringing together, in digital format, a variety of resources that are physically preserved in various locations around the country. 

Carlisle Indian Boarding School Project giving voice to the legacy. Trauma. Triumph. Pain. Resilience. Loss. Survival.

Home from School: the Children of Carlisle, a PBS Independent Lens documentary. “Kill the Indian in him, and save the man.” This was the guiding principle that removed thousands of Native American children and placed them in Indian boarding schools.

 

STEWARDING THE “PERSONHOOD” OF ALL CREATION – Land and Water

 

Stewardship of Lenapewihituk, currently under  examination –  Denouncing the Transport of Liquified Nitrogen Gas (LNG) across Lenapewihituk, now known as the Delaware River, and land where Salem Quarter congregants call “home”. Background, resources,  and letter of action provided by Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

 

Voluntary Reparations: Land Taxes and Land Back compilation examples

 

Children who learn the truth of the past will be better positioned to take preventative actions, form new relationships, and build a proud future together. ~Nemattanew Chief Roy (Crazy Horse) Johnson, Powhatan Renape Nation (Dec. 7, 1924 – Nov. 11, 2004) Chief, civil rights activist, Executive Director of the Coalition of Eastern Native Americans in Washington, D.C.

 

HARMFUL MASCOTRY

Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation FAQ post

Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes Statement

Coalition of Natives and Allies (CNA) – Advocacy within Pennsylvania

Fighting Indians documentary – showing the many forms of pushback against the Indigenous People of Maine and their words of experience which changed the use of harmful mascotry in ME. This DVD is available for screening; contact sacredwovenword@yahoo.com.

UNITED NATIONS

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

 

 

UPHOLDING GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Organization of American States (OAS) document INDIGENOUS AND TRIBAL PEOPLES’ RIGHTS OVER THEIR ANCESTRAL LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES Norms and Jurisprudence of the Inter‐American Human Rights System

MISCELLANEOUS

PYM News (Action UPDATE) contributed by SQ member and contact representative for First Contact Reconciliation.

Truth and Healing: A Report on “Quakers Seeking Right Relationship with Indigenous Peoples” Conference at Pendle Hill – May 3-6, 2018 By Rachel Yordy and Barbara Heather (Note: member of the SQ IAC was seated on the planning committee for both PH Truth and Healing Conferences, 2018 & 2020)

Finding Right Relations : Quakers, Native Americans, and Settler Colonialism,

by Marianne O. Nielsen & Barbara M. Heather, published 2022; Colonialism has the power to corrupt. This important new work argues that even the early Quakers, who had a belief system rooted in social justice, committed structural and cultural violence against their Indigenous neighbors.

 Provenance / Love Thy Sovereign Nation Neighbor / Allyship / Call To Action

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