The Thunder Mountain Lenape Nation has taken its story to the United Nations. Now, it wants to hear the stories of others.
A few years ago, Thunder Mountain created its rhythm totem pole exhibit. Besides being taken to numerous schools in the region to be used as an educational tool, the exhibit was shown at the United Nations in 2001-02.
The American Indian group knew the arbor poles that surround the celebratory dance area at its festival grounds needed to be replaced. Members of the group decided that instead of getting more plain ones, they would paint them in the manner that is unique to their group.
So far, 12 regional groups have signed on to paint an arbor pole, which will become part of Thunder Mountain’s annual festival and powwow near Saltsburg, Indiana County, in August.
As Clan Mother Pat Selinger said, the poles “tell our story.”
Totem poles are historically part of Pacific Northwest Native American history, but the idea worked so well that Thunder Mountain members decided to use the idea to give their nation’s history.
“We used that as a canvas to tell our story,” Selinger said. “It was an empowering project to work on.”
Several groups are working on painting the 6-foot poles: The Saltsburg Senior Citizens Center; the Ronald McDonald House, of Pittsburgh; Bruderhof, of Farmington, Fayette County; the Alle-Kiski Heritage Museum, in Armstrong Township, Indiana County; Burrell Township Library, in Indiana County, and Scenery Hill Manor, in Tarentum, Allegheny County.
Groups from Indiana Borough include ARC, The Common Place coffee house, The Newman Center, Chevy Chase Community Center, the Alice Paul House, and the Unitarian Church.
Two other groups are interested but haven’t committed yet, Selinger said. Aging Services Inc. also is participating.
“It’s the same concept. But instead of telling our story, we’ve invited those groups to tell their story,” Selinger said.
The groups must finish painting their poles by the end of the month so they can be treated for weather resistance. A pole-raising ceremony and picnic will be held July 10.
“I think they’ll be amazed at how human beings read pictures,” Selinger said. “This kind of has them come together and translate their words into pictures.”
Nineteen poles need to be replaced, but one is being reserved. That pole will be dedicated during the festival to veterans, who will be invited to sign the pole. Veterans’ families may sign for them, Selinger said.
Thunder Mountain is a nation of Lenape Indiana families, either by ancestry or adoption, living in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
By: Joyce Shannon, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Read more: Volunteers help area’s Lenape Indians paint vivid story – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_197564.html#ixzz1JSPtMjcy
