Wallenpaupack South Elementary School launched the spirit of its newly installed Lenape exhibit with a live presentation by Barbara Michalski, known as Chief Bluejay. Her April 15 presentation, ”The Past and Present of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania,” piqued the interest of the elementary and visiting secondary students as they expanded their understanding of the Lenape Nation, whose ancient lands, called Lenapehoking, included the Pocono Mountains.
Chief Bluejay’s talk coincided with the unveiling of the Greene-Dreher Historical Society’s permanent Lenape exhibit in the lobby at the school. The exhibit features instructional posters and local artifacts. Sondra Rosenthal constructed a replica wigwam for the display. “The wigwam turned out beyond my expectations!” says one of the project coordinators, Bernadine Lennon. Sondra also painted a replica dugout canoe and several arrowheads made by students at Wallenpaupack High School. Students in David Heckman’s engineering technology class used 3D print technology to reproduce the items, using as models several ancient artifacts from the Historical Society’s collection. Sondra and Collections Chair Suzanne Urton wove pine needle baskets using techniques and materials similar to what the Lenape would have used.
GDHS book author and graphic artist Diane Smith created the large-format posters that provide the backdrop for the artifacts displayed in the glass-fronted wall cases. She brought artwork, maps, photos, historic prints, and text to the display with her posters explaining Lenape culture and history.
Later that afternoon, Chief Bluejay gave a presentation at Peggy Bancroft Hall to a large attendance. Her talk coincided with a new display at the Hall that was recently installed to support the large interpretive poster entitled, “Welcome to Lenapehoking.” The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania has struggled to keep their heritage, culture, and community alive, and Barbara “Bluejay” Michalski’s presentation to a full audience at GDHS was another step in that quest. From their time before European settlers, to the destruction of their culture in the 1700s, to their journey “underground” to hide their identity, the Lenape have emerged to reaffirm their identity. The Nation has partnered with over 130 organizations to preserve their culture and language and to preserve the land they once called home.
Barbara Michalski was given the name Bluejay by her grandfather, Bill Thompson, the late Chief Whippoorwill of the Unalachtigo (people near the ocean) Tribe of the Turkey Clan. As a member of Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, Chief Bluejay serves on the tribal council and as tribal secretary. She participates in educating the public by attending events and festivals in Lenapehoking. Most importantly, as Keeper of the Culture, she teaches children the history of the Lenape Nation through crafts, storytelling and artifacts, as she did with the Wallenpaupack South Elementary students.
