Daniel StrongWalker Thomas
(Delaware Nation (Lenape), b. 1979)
Transgenerational Wealth and Trauma, 2022
Paper created from books, maps, land deeds, and historical documents;
cotton from prayer ties; cedar; tobacco
Commissioned with funding from a Lehigh University partnership between: The Institute for Indigenous Studies, The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, The College of Health, Library and Technology Services, and Lehigh University Art Galleries
LUG 2022 1115
Inspired by our new partnership with Delaware Nation - who along with the Delaware Tribe of Indians and the Stockbridge Munsee Community are the U.S. federally recognized nations of Lenape people indigenous to the Lehigh Valley - Lehigh University commissioned artist Daniel StrongWalker Thomas (citizen of the Delaware Nation) to create this work illustrating our shared past, present, and future. Lehigh University aims for this piece to serve as part of our ongoing efforts to recognize the Lenape on whose lands we now reside, and our intention to continue collaborative relationships between faculty and staff from the university, Delaware Nation, and Lenape people.
The human-looking face in the center of this piece represents the Mesingw (pronounced Misink). One of Great Manitou’s (or Creator’s) helpers, the Mesingw spirit received the ability to communicate with animals, and was tasked with protecting them, along with the woods and land. Mesingw are traditionally associated with the colors red and black. Red represents the masculine aspects of Lenape (Delaware) tradition, the blood that is often spilled when warriors protect their people. Black represents traditionally feminine aspects, indicating the womb, the unknown, and everything in the natural and supernatural worlds. Often employed in Lenape (Delaware) ceremonies—specifically the Big House Ceremony—Mesingw masks are placed at the four cardinal directions. In this particular work, the Mesingw represents the land, as well as the combined histories and futures of the Delaware Nation and Lehigh University.
The material that comprises this work is primarily red and black cotton cloth—from prayer ties—that has been compressed together. The prayer ties contain sprigs of cedar and tobacco, as well as the prayers of the person who created them. Prayer ties are often strung together and hung in trees or left outdoors as an offering to Great Manitou and other benevolent beings in the Spirit World who might hear the prayers of the petitioner. These prayer ties were created by the artist and two of his family members.
Throughout the work, the three Lenape (Delaware) clans are represented – Turtle clan (upper left), Wolf clan (center right), and Turkey clan (lower center). On the back (unseen) is the Bear clan. The Bear clan is comprised of members from the three other clans and only exists when they come together. There are quite a few traditions surrounding the Bear clan, and as such, information about it is not often shared with outsiders.
In the upper right corner, we see the Lenape’s first meeting with William Penn. To the left of that is a piece of map showing Bethlehem. In the lower left corner, we see Anadarko, Oklahoma, the current home of the Delaware Nation, the community to which Daniel StrongWalker Thomas belongs. Maps of eastern Pennsylvania, as well as railroad lines tied to the area, make up the remaining images.
Translated by Mr. Nick Logan, member of the Delaware Nation, and one of the few remaining speakers of the Unami dialect of the Lenape language.
Ntayaxkunhehëna wëskënu hapi Lënape – hitamich awénik xinkwi pahsayék – Lehigh shkul wtuxtawoo Daniel “Chitanesu Weluxwe” Thomas, hitai pikchëlhe ók nétëwatëwes elánkumukw, mónitawoo yun. Wëntamulën lilómëwe, yukwe ók xuch.
Mata wëlamëweokán shitako, pëmëtunhétit knënai éhénta wehikiyánkw Lënapeokun. Lehigh shkul ók Lënni Lënapé kwëtéli kishitéhe pili kéku. Yushe pikchëlhe na kishixtun wënchixën ulánkúntin mehëmikëmósit ta shkul hitai pikchëlhe ók Lënni Lënapé amënchi Oklahomink ók nithákeyok awen linakwsu wëshkinkunk lelai shé yun Mësinkw. Mësinkw nataépu aésësák ók hitwike.
Máxke ók sëke ehëliksikën. Máxke wëntamao ila mhukw sukahëlekamó elankumachi. Sëke wëntamao xkweyók lehëlexeokan, ketanichanit kwila lësuwakán, entalelëmukónk ók chipilis.
Yun pikchëlhe pétuneyo Mësinkw hapi háki hitantëliteokán Lënni Lënapé ók Lehigh shkul ksultuwák xuch.
Wëlitaonu wënchi maxke ók sëké patámweokán tahkoptu shkwiskha. Manitun hapi nisha tëwénamawii. Wémi yu tali naxa mimënsiak, Púkuwánku (tëlamënánchixën), Túkwsit (lelamayai), Pële (shaionke lelai) Tëlamayai puchék, nemënén Lënni Lënapé ók William Penn kiskawtihtit wënchi nétami ahpami. Amemánchi tánkiti pampil hitantëliteokán máxkám Bethlehem. Mënánchixën shaionke nemënén Nadahko, Oklahomink wikihtit yukwe Lënni Lënapé. Daniel Thomas’ nithakeyok.
Listen to the audio recording of Nick Loagan reading the statement in the Lenape language.
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Daniel StrongWalker Thomas is Turtle clan of the Delaware Nation Lenape people who are in diaspora in Anadarko Oklahoma. StrongWalker is a fierce advocate for Land Back to the Lenape people, proper consultation, and reconciliation whenever possible. He is Director of the United Lenape Land Trust, Chair of the Board for the Global initiative for Indigenous Advancement GIIA) and is Director of the American Indian Movement NE Woodlands chapter. StrongWalker has attended Phillips Academy Andover, and Salem State University where he was Chair of the Multi-Cultural Student Association, Student Trustee, a member of the Honors Society, and recipient of the Charlotte Forten Distinguished Scholar Award.