Charlie Fineran’s Photo of the Week dates back a few years and depicts the presentation of gifts from the Munsee-Delaware Nation to MRMC (Musconetcong River Management Council) & Winakung Indian Village located at Waterloo Village.

On July 8, 2011 the Musconetcong River Management Council conducted dedication ceremonies at two sites, Hampton Borough, and Hackettstown, along the Musconetcong River.  Prior to 1715, Lenape Indians had settlements there. The Lenape Plaques were part of a project by the MRMC’s Historical & Archaeological Committee to inform the public of our areas rich and diverse cultural heritage.  Our project also wanted to include present day members of the Lenape Nation in this celebration.  We were honored by the presence of Chief Patrick Waddilove and members of the Munsee Delaware Nation’s Council, direct descendants of these Indian Nations. They traveled from Ontario, Canada to participate in the ceremonies at their ancestral homelands.

The remaining goals of this project are to develop a relationship with the Munsee Delaware Nation, in order that we may accurately depict how their ancestors lived along the Musconetcong River.  We also would like to learn about and appreciate, how the modern Nation is living in present day times.  One way we hoped to achieve this goal was through promoting and assisting the Lenape Indian Village replica “Winakung” located at Waterloo Village in Allamuchy Mountain State Park.  Over the years since, Winakung has developed into a dynamic cultural and learning center, celebrating the Native Culture of the Lenape Indians.  Today, many schools partake in daily visits, viewing and learning about the Lenape Culture along the Musconetcong River, literally, only a few miles from the original ancestral homes of the Lenape Nation.

At the conclusion of the two ceremonies unveiling the plaques, guests were treated to a luncheon at Waterloo Village.  Gifts were exchanged in respect for new friendships while honoring both of our rich cultural heritages.  A full tour of Winakung was enjoyed by all.

This important and enjoyable day ended with new found friendship, with a mutual sense of respect and commitment for our rich cultural past and with a determination to continue to learn from our heritage how to properly enjoy, yet preserve this beautiful Scenic & Wild River so future generations will also benefit from its bounties.

NOTE:  2018 is the 50^th Anniversary for the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act – also keep in mind that we have two of those partner Rivers right in our backyards The Musconetcong and Delaware Rivers!!

Your photo tours at my Flickr sites will introduce you to all the sites mentioned above and will also give you some ideas of other places to visit, celebrating our regions diverse Native American Sites.

Please go to my Flickr sites for photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157688748893994

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157627033259417

https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157625931564440

Enjoy Your Open Space, Charlie Fineran