PARK RIDGE—The Pascack Historical Society is delighted to host a special presentation by Chief Barbara Bluejay Michalski of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in the museum’s lecture hall, 19 Ridge Ave.
Learn about the past, present, and future of the Lenape, who were the first people to set foot in the ancient woodlands of the Pascack Valley. Evidence of their presence persists in the names of our places and roads (the oldest of which began as hunting trails), and in the stone tools they left behind.
Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania’s Chief Barbara Bluejay Michalski, Keeper of Culture, was taught to keep heritage and culture alive. The Lenapes, the original caretakers of the land, will share the unique story called the Prophecy of the Fourth Crow. This story is about the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania’s decades-long struggle to survive and to keep their community and culture intact. She will share Lenape traditions and stories, as well as discuss living in today’s world. She will have culture items for display and answer questions from the audience.
The presentation is open to everyone, and children are welcome to attend in the company of an adult. Admission is free for PHS members, $5 at the door for non-members. PHS volunteers will provide complimentary refreshments.
Chief Barbara Michalski was given the name Bluejay by her grandfather Bill Thompson, late Chief Whippoorwill of the Unalachtigo (people near the ocean) Tribe of the Turkey Clan. She is a member of Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania (LNPA) and she has immersed herself in the activities of the Nation. In October 2022 she was appointed Chief Keeper of Culture.
Bluejay serves on the Tribal Council and was the Tribal Secretary until May 2024, at which time she was elected vice president and one of the Storytellers of the Nation. She has been participating in educating the public by attending events or festivals in the Lenapehokink (Homeland of the Lenape).
Bluejay has also been involved in environmental issues, particularly working for clean water, and the study of medicinal plants. She attends Lenape Language class in Unami Dialect through LNPA to help keep the endangered language alive.
For more information call the museum at (201) 573-0307 or email info@pascackhistoricalsociety.org.
Stone tools, pieces of pottery, arrowheads, and other Lenape artifacts are on permanent display at the Pascack Historical Society. The museum will open at 1 p.m. on the afternoon of Chief Bluejay’s presentation.