November is Native American Heritage Month, a month nationally dedicated to celebrating Native American identity and tradition while amplifying Native American voices. Native American Heritage Month is a time for individuals to cultivate a deeper knowledge and appreciation for Native American contributions — both modern and historic — and can be a great point from which to continue year-round education and recognition of Native American cultures. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, here are four locations in and around Philadelphia providing opportunities for education about Native American history, identity and culture.
The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania Cultural Center and Trading Post
Open most Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania Cultural Center and Trading Post hosts an array of educational artifacts and pamphlets about the Lenape. The Lenape are the Indigenous people of the “Lenapehokink,” or “land of the Lenape,” which includes areas like southern New York, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. The center is home to the University of Pennsylvania-hosted exhibit “Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past and Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania,” which features historical Lenape family heirlooms, traditional art and much more.
The National Constitution Center
Throughout the month, the National Constitution Center, located in Philly’s historic district, is offering a variety of programs celebrating Native American communities and their pivotal roles in U.S. history. Some featured activities are available daily, like a tribal mapping activity where visitors can find which Native American tribes lived or continue to live in their hometown. Other opportunities are on specific dates, like a Nov. 29 lecture titled “Scholar Talk: Native Americans’ Fight for Civil Rights and Sovereignty Featuring Professor Paul Rosier,” which discusses Native American advocacy for tribal sovereignty and civil rights post-World War II.
On Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m., Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul, story keeper of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, will be leading an evening of storytelling aimed at amplifying Indigenous voices. Story keepers, also known as storytellers, are transmitters of oral history, traditions, values and wisdom. The event’s stories will pertain to the Lenape community and center around their history, culture and language. Held annually, the event is hosted at the Woodmere Art Museum and is a collaboration between the museum, the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania and Penn’s Morris Arboretum. Tickets to this event cost $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Hosting over 200 old and new cultural objects from shields to dolls, as well as digital interactive elements and video and audio recordings, the Penn Museum’s “Native American Voices: The People—Here and Now” exhibition explores Native American identity, culture and history, specifically in a context of self-governance. According to the online description, the goal of the long-term exhibition is to challenge Native American stereotypes and highlight the ways current Native American leaders uphold independence politically, artistically and linguistically.
