“Friends of Lenape Everywhere” – A Presentation by RuthAnn Purchase James

The South Jersey Quakers would like to help promote and get F/freinds to join us at the Greate Egg Harbour Township Historical Society October 21st. We are excited to announce a special cultural event that delves into the rich history and legacy of the Lenape Native Americans.

Join us for:

Friends of Lenape Everywhere
Presented by RuthAnn Purchase James, a linguist turned sociologist of Lenape-Welsh descent
Date: Monday, October 21, 2024
Time: 7 PM
Location: EHT Community Center, Large Auditorium (5045 English Creek Rd, Egg Harbor Township, NJ)

RuthAnn Purchase James, founder of Friends of Lenape Everywhere, will lead this insightful presentation focusing on the history, forced removal, and cultural resilience of the Lenape people. With a lineage deeply rooted in the region RuthAnn’s work is personal, academic, and spiritual. She honors her ancestors who were displaced from their homelands in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, particularly her mother’s mother’s people, who were relocated to Meniolagomeka, a Moravian-established “Indian Town” in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania.

RuthAnn has dedicated her life to the restoration of the Unami dialect of the Lenape language as a vital path to reclaiming the dignity and cultural heritage of her people. Her work spans nearly every continent, seeking universal truths that guide us to live harmoniously with All Our Relations, a concept central to Lenape worldview. RuthAnn’s efforts focus on healing the historical traumas of her people while advocating for sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and cultural restoration. She lives out the Lenapae belief, “We are all related.”

This event will feature a  presentation and discussion of The Original People, co-authored by Greg Vizzi and Chief Richard “Quiet Thunder” Gilbert, a revered elder of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribe. Chief Quiet Thunder dedicated over three decades to educating communities throughout the Delaware Valley about Lenape history and traditions through oral storytelling, famously reminding us, “The earth is our mother, and we all have a sacred obligation to learn to live in harmony with her and protect her for future generations.”

Event Details:

• Members: Free
• Adults: $2 Donation
• Students: $1 Donation
• Light refreshments will be served

For those interested in learning more, RuthAnn Purchase James’ work on Lenape language restoration and cultural heritage draws inspiration from historical figures such as Chief Richard “Quiet Thunder” Gilbert and Greg Vizzi, co-authors of The Original People. Chief Quiet Thunder, a Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape elder from Woodbury, NJ, spent decades educating the public on Native American culture and the importance of living in harmony with the earth.

This event and RuthAnn’s presentation will build upon these contributions, offering a space to deepen our understanding of the Lenape’s journey and their enduring legacy in South Jersey and beyond. For more information on this event, contact the South Jersey Quakers or the Greate Egg Harbour Township Historical Society.