During Easton's recent Heritage Day celebration, the public had a chance to become acquainted with the Leni Nation's new cultural center, situated in the 18th century tavern, Bachmann's Publick House, at 169 Northampton Street.
Beginning in September, 2010, The Leni Nation Cultural Center and Trading Post--its full title--will be open every Saturday afternoon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to anyone wishing to know more about American Indian culture--or at least about the culture of the Leni, the most prominent nation of indigenous peoples in the Forks of the Delaware area. General admission for docent-led tours is free, although freewill offerings are gratefully accepted.
Special programming, with a charge of $10, also will be offered weekly, on a four-week cycle. The cycle runs as follows: First Saturday, Leni language classes; Second Saturday, children's story circle; Third Saturday, Leni cultural presentation, and Fourth Saturday, Leni arts and crafts.
This group's website, which as I write does not seem to be completely set up, is at www.lenapenation.org
I hope to highlight other American Indian institutions and events, in the hope of providing you with the means of understanding what these people's experience has been like. "What is it like to be you?" is the question underlying all true education. In too many settings it is no longer even being asked.
If I have offended anyone by using the term "American Indian," I will be very happy if you let me know--but only if you can suggest a workable alternative. "Native Americans" invites the unanswerable rejoinder that anyone born in North or South America is a Native American. Right now "Indigenous Peoples" seems to be popular--but its problem is that it does not describe anybody in particular. Every continent and large island has its own group of indigenuous humans.
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