Lenape Nation of PA

Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania

and the "Prophecy of the Fourth Crow"

​Who are the Lenape?

​​     The Lenape people are the original inhabitants of Delaware, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Southern New York. For over 10,000 years they have been the caretakers of these lands and of The River of Human Beings, more commonly known as the Delaware River.

Multiple Select

The Lenape are the original residents of which states? (Check all that apply)

• Delaware

• Pennsylvania

• California

• New Jersey

​Over a period of 250 years, many Lenape people were forced by European immigrants to move out of their homeland. Some Lenape people were taken in and helped by other tribes in the west. A large number of Lenape families stayed in the homelands and continued the traditions of their ancestors. Today the Lenape people from all over Turtle Island (North America) are revitalizing their communities.

Multiple Choice

Why did many of the the Lenape people leave their homeland?

• European Immigrants forced them to leave

• The Lenape people wanted to explore

​    Many place names in Pennsylvania are derived from the Lenape Language, such as Manayunk, Conshohocken, and Neshaminy...to mention only a few. In the city of Philadelphia stands a statue of Chief Tamanend, a revered leader among the Lenape, who signed many treaties with William

Penn. The history of the Lenape is truly the history of Pennsylvania. 

​

The name Wyomissing is from the Lenape language meaning "the land of flats".

​Neweneit Na Ahas

The Prophecy of the Fourth Crow

​"The Prophecy of the Fourth Crow," is an ancient story of the Lenape of Pennsylvania passed down for generations. This story describes the ways in which Lenape people have struggled to survive and to keep their community and culture intact. 

​Neweneit Na Ahas

The Prophecy of the Fourth Crow

Long ago it was said that a fox will be loosened on the earth.

Also it was said four crows will come.

The first crow flew the way of harmony with Creator.

The second crow tried to clean the world, but he became sick and he died.

The third crow saw his dead brother and he hid.

The fourth crow flew the way of harmony again with Creator.

Caretakers they will live together on the earth

Lomewe, luwe na okwes xu laxakwihele xkwithakamika.

Ok nen luwe newa ahasak xu peyok.

​Netami ahas kenthu li guttitehewagan wichi Kishelemukonk.

Nisheneit ahas kwechi pilito entalelemukonk, shek palsu ok ankela.

Nexeneit ahas weneyoo ankelek xansa ok koshiphuwe.

Neweneit ahas kenthu li guttitehewagan lapi wichi Kishelemukonk.

Kenahkihechik xu withatuwak xkwithakamika.

​Meaning of the Prophecy:

Chief Red Hawk explains the Prophecy of the Fourth Crow:

1. ​First Crow: the prosperity of the Lenape people before Europeans arrived

2. ​Second Crow: the death and destruction of Lenape culture

3. ​Third Crow: Lenape people going underground and hiding

4. ​Fourth Crow: the Lenape people taking back their role as caretakers of this land.

​This prophecy describes Lenape history and explains their hope for the community's future.

Open Ended

Why did the Lenape people struggle to keep their communities and culture alive?

Multiple Choice

Who or what does "the fourth crow" symbolize?

• birds in Pennsylvania that have changed over hundreds of years

• The Lenape people becoming caretakers for the land again

• The Lenape people celebrating an important holiday