IN PERSON-Valley Talk: Native Plants in Lenape Language, Legend, and Practice with Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania Clan Mother Dr. Ann Dapice, Clan Mother Shelley DePaul, and Chief of Education Adam Waterbear DePaul

Valley Green Inn

Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania Clan Mother Dr. Ann Dapice, Clan Mother Shelley DePaul, and Chief of Education Adam Waterbear DePaul will discuss the use and significance of specific plants in Lenape culture. Topics will include Lenape language names of plants, food justice, medicinal plants, cooking customs, dietary concerns, and cultural stories surrounding plants and agriculture. Visit the LNPA table, where you can purchase Lenape books containing medicinal plants, recipes, and language, and other educational and cultural items. 

Ann Dapice (Lenape/Cherokee) received a PhD in psychology, sociology and philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as elder, clan mother and non-profit president of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. She has taught and/or served as administrator at a number of universities including the University of Pennsylvania, Widener University, Penn State University, and Goddard College, teaching courses in the social sciences, philosophy and Native American Studies. She is Director of Education and Research for T.K. Wolf, Inc., a 501(c)(3) American Indian organization. She consults with the University of Pennsylvania on Native American Programs. She chaired the Committee on the UN Declared Decade of Indigenous Peoples and is recipient of the Dr. Ralph Dru Career and Professional “Dreamkeeper Award” presented by the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission (2011).  

Shelley DePaul serves on the Council of the Lenape Nation of Pa. She teaches Lenape Language classes and workshops and has presented lectures and educational programs on Lenape History and Culture to schools and universities, environmental organizations, churches, historical societies, and youth groups. She has worked for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania since 2002 as Genealogy Researcher, Historical Researcher, Lenape Language Specialist, and Educator. In June of 2009 she was appointed Assistant Chief, and in 2015, she was appointed Chief of Education and Language. She now serves as Clan Mother for the Lenape Nation PA. She has developed the Lenape Language Curriculum for use in schools, universities, and home school associations. DePaul has transcribed a variety of works into the Lenape Language and composes original music and poetry in the language as well.  

Adam Waterbear DePaul is Chief of Education and Tribal Storykeeper of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. He collaborates with academic institutions on initiatives related to the Lenape people, including land acknowledgements, mascots & representation, programming, and curriculum development. Adam is a PhD candidate at Temple University and a Scholar-in-Residence at Arcadia University, where he teaches classes in World Mythology, Lenape Legends, and Punk Rock. Adam co-curates the Lenape Cultural Center in Easton PA and the exhibit Enduring Presence 2022: Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania Art at Haverford College. 

Valley Talks are presented by our friends at Prentiss Smith.

This event will be held in-person and online. 

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Photo by Charles Uniatowski