Post by blackcrowheart on Dec 27, 2005 6:14:39 GMT -5
DRBA donates $12,386 to Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Cultural Center
Saturday, December 24, 2005
By KAY RUDDEROWStaff Writer
BRIDGETON -- A check for $12,386 from the Delaware River and Bay Authority will go far to enhance the services of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Cultural Center, tribal members found out Friday.
Gary Simmerman, commissioner of the DRBA, and state Assemblyman Douglas Fisher presented the check to Tina Pierce Fragoso, "Little Wildflower," who is tribal administrator, during a ceremony held Friday morning at the American Indian tribe's cultural center located at 18 E. Commerce St.
The grant will be used to hire more staff to further efforts by the center to assist clients who qualify for social services, educational and employment opportunities.
Tribal Chief Mark "Quiet Hawk" Gould said the money would serve to extend the services of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians to more who may be eligible.
"When we first became organized in the early 1970s there were only about 800 people who were tribal members," he said.
According to Fragoso, there are close to 2,000 people in this area who have at least one quarter of their ancestry from the Nanticoke and Lenni Lenape tribes, making them and their families eligible for such assistance.
"There are probably about 1,000 more who could be eligible," she added. The center serves Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester counties.
"People can come here to learn about their heritage, which has been erased from the history books," she said.
The tribes trace their roots back to the 16th century, representing about 16 or 17 generations, she said.
According to Fragoso, "Many of the people are still fearful of the government and are just now learning of the benefits they can receive."
"Our job is to help them learn how they fit in," Fragoso said. "We research and tie details together for records of bloodlines."
As members of the tribes, the people can obtain educational scholarships, social services, job training, even assistance with fuel costs, she explained.
Simmerman, presenting the check, noted its appropriateness to the holiday season, and how it would help the organization. Its amount was kept secret until Fragoso opened the envelope in which it was presented.
"The NLLI has a great presence in South Jersey, researching and providing valuable ancestral and heritage information to the thousands of people who are of Native American descent," Fisher said. "The Nanticoke-Lenni Lenape Indian Center is not only a center of cultural activity, but also a center for job assistance and education. This grant will ensure the continuation of their good work," he said.
According to Fragoso, there are still many people of native American descent who are completely unaware of the cultural center and its outreach program.
"We offer help not to just the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape, but to others who are members of recognized tribes, she said.
Pat Rossello, another tribal member, noted that the local tribe has the only Native American Church in the area, St. John United Methodist in Fairfield Township.
"We have had that stronghold since 1841," Rossello said. "We are not the last of the tribe, like some people believe, but we need to get the story out to those who still live here and need to know more about their ancestry."
Also represented during the ceremony were Lewis "Gray Squirrel" Pierce Jr., representing the N.J. Commission on American Indian Affairs, and tribal member Herb Pierce.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
By KAY RUDDEROWStaff Writer
BRIDGETON -- A check for $12,386 from the Delaware River and Bay Authority will go far to enhance the services of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Cultural Center, tribal members found out Friday.
Gary Simmerman, commissioner of the DRBA, and state Assemblyman Douglas Fisher presented the check to Tina Pierce Fragoso, "Little Wildflower," who is tribal administrator, during a ceremony held Friday morning at the American Indian tribe's cultural center located at 18 E. Commerce St.
The grant will be used to hire more staff to further efforts by the center to assist clients who qualify for social services, educational and employment opportunities.
Tribal Chief Mark "Quiet Hawk" Gould said the money would serve to extend the services of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians to more who may be eligible.
"When we first became organized in the early 1970s there were only about 800 people who were tribal members," he said.
According to Fragoso, there are close to 2,000 people in this area who have at least one quarter of their ancestry from the Nanticoke and Lenni Lenape tribes, making them and their families eligible for such assistance.
"There are probably about 1,000 more who could be eligible," she added. The center serves Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester counties.
"People can come here to learn about their heritage, which has been erased from the history books," she said.
The tribes trace their roots back to the 16th century, representing about 16 or 17 generations, she said.
According to Fragoso, "Many of the people are still fearful of the government and are just now learning of the benefits they can receive."
"Our job is to help them learn how they fit in," Fragoso said. "We research and tie details together for records of bloodlines."
As members of the tribes, the people can obtain educational scholarships, social services, job training, even assistance with fuel costs, she explained.
Simmerman, presenting the check, noted its appropriateness to the holiday season, and how it would help the organization. Its amount was kept secret until Fragoso opened the envelope in which it was presented.
"The NLLI has a great presence in South Jersey, researching and providing valuable ancestral and heritage information to the thousands of people who are of Native American descent," Fisher said. "The Nanticoke-Lenni Lenape Indian Center is not only a center of cultural activity, but also a center for job assistance and education. This grant will ensure the continuation of their good work," he said.
According to Fragoso, there are still many people of native American descent who are completely unaware of the cultural center and its outreach program.
"We offer help not to just the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape, but to others who are members of recognized tribes, she said.
Pat Rossello, another tribal member, noted that the local tribe has the only Native American Church in the area, St. John United Methodist in Fairfield Township.
"We have had that stronghold since 1841," Rossello said. "We are not the last of the tribe, like some people believe, but we need to get the story out to those who still live here and need to know more about their ancestry."
Also represented during the ceremony were Lewis "Gray Squirrel" Pierce Jr., representing the N.J. Commission on American Indian Affairs, and tribal member Herb Pierce.