TUKA/2KAA'S New Book for Children!

The Lenape (Delaware) people traditionally lived in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, upper New York State along the Hudson River, Manhattan Island, and part of Long Island. Later they moved through Ohio, Illinois, Kansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas, and into Canada. This full color book based on the cycle of the seasons depicts both the traditional and modern Lenape family life. When the Shadbush Blooms is designed to be read and seen by the children. It is good for young children, created for those just earning to read, including ESL students. In addition, there are Parent/Teacher pages with Lenape words, meanings, and pronunciation guide. Recommended for Pre-K through 6th grade.

Told by Traditional Sister and Contemporary Sister, each from her own time, this is a book about tradition and about change. Then and now are not so very different when the Shadbush blooms.

Excerpt: “My grandparent's grandparents walked beside the same stream where I walk with my brother and we can see what they saw.' Today when a Lenape Indian girl ventures to the stream to fish for shad, she knows that another girl did the same generations before. Through the cycle of the seasons, what is important has remained: being with family, knowing when berries are ripe for picking, listening to stories in a warm home.”

Tuka /2Kaa (Carla) says, When the Shadbush Blooms demonstrates how much Lenape children share with children of every other heritage: family relationships, seasonal activities, work and play. At the same time, it shows how similar all of those activities and relationships today are to those experienced by Lenape children centuries ago. My ancestors invented their own calendar based on the local environment. This was a long time ago, and we still use the calendar today. It is but one element that serves to remind Native children of their contributions and instills cultural pride. It's not easy being a Native American, especially a child, as the discrimination is so subtle and pervasive. I hope that showing the continuity of Native culture and its commonality with other cultures will give non-Native children a better understanding of our past and present, and of the humanity we share. I hope, too, that the book will be useful to Lenape children. They are our future leaders and need to be reminded that we are still &dquo;The Peopler&dquo;. We have endured; we are still here.

Price: $14.92. Autographed by author, if you wish. To purchase this book, contact Tuka by email or call 610-434-6819 to make arrangements for delivery.

For more information about the Lenape (Delaware) Indians and information on programs about them, see Tuka's Web site, Lenape Programs

Return to Home Page