LenapeTappan

LenapeTappan is a contemporary initiative that seeks to foster dialogue and cooperation between the Lenape people of the Delaware River basin and descendants of the Tappan tribe of the Hudson Valley. The project was launched in 2018 by a coalition of Lenape tribal elders, historical societies, and cultural heritage organizations. Its stated goal is to recognize shared histories of displacement and resilience while promoting joint cultural preservation efforts.

The Lenape, also known as the Delaware, historically inhabited lands that now span New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and parts of New York. Their culture is known for its matrilineal clans, basket weaving, and medicinal plant use. The Tappan, who lived in areas of modern-day Westchester and Rockland Counties, were among the first Native American groups encountered by Dutch colonists in the early 1600s. The Tappan were part of the larger Munsee branch of the Lenape, but they maintained distinct local practices and place names.

LenapeTappan organizes biannual conferences, exchange workshops, and community projects such as joint trail restoration, educational curriculum development, and co-managed museum exhibitions. The initiative also collaborates with state agencies on land restoration and provides scholarships for students in Lenape, Tappan, and surrounding communities. By building on shared heritage, LenapeTappan aims to strengthen cultural identity while creating a model for intertribal cooperation in the northeastern United States.