As I live just an hour
away from Moraviatown I thought I'd try and obtain more information
about this area and its people. From what I have been able to
discover the people of Moraviatown were Christian converts of the
Delaware Nation and due to persecution by the American people they left
the US to come to the Thames River area of Kent County in Ontario,
Canada. Their spiritual leader was David Zeisberger from what is now
known as the Czech Republic. The Lanapi was the original name of the
Delaware and so have also looked for information on that name as well.
I have been digging
around to see what books I could find on the Delaware and also on David
Zeisberger and here is the list of books I have found all in pdf format.
Diary of David Zeisberger Book 1
Diary of David Zeisberger Book 2
The
Delaware Indians by Richard C Adams
This is a very short book but most
interesting and tells of their Thanksgiving ceremonies.
Delaware Indian Legends by Richard
C. Adams
Essay
of a Delaware-Indian and English Spelling Book
History of the Delaware and Iroquois Indians
The
Indian Chief, Journeycake
Legends of the Delaware Indians and Picture Writing
The
Lenâpí and their Legends
Memorial of the Delaware
The
Moravian Indian Mission of White River
Religion and Ceremonies of the Lenape
A
Study of Delaware Indian Medicine Practice and Folk Beliefs
Lenape
from Wikaperia
Delaware
Religion
Videos of the
Delaware Indians
Contributions on
the Early History of the North-West
Including the Moravian Missions in Ohio by Samuel P. Hildreth M.D.
(1861)
The History of the Moravian Mission
Among the Indians in North America from its commencement to the present
time with a preliminary account of the Indians, compiled from Authentic
sources by a member of the Brethern's Church (George Henry Loskiel).
History of the Mission of the United Bretheren
among the Indians in North America
By George Henry Loskiel (1794) translated from the German text.
Ancestral Lands returned to First Nations
Article from the Chatham Voice Newspaper
The return of the Fairfield settlement lands to the
Delaware First Nation people by the United Church of Canada on Friday
was historic in more ways than one.
The signing ceremony between the Eelunapeewi Lahkeewiit
(Delaware) First Nation Chief Denise Stonefish and the United Church of
Canada was many years and many discussions in the making. Both sides of
the table will tell you they met with patience and mutual respect, and
the people who first settled that piece of land in 1792 were not walking
away until their ancestral lands were once again under the Delaware
Nation banner.
The hurt and damage left behind from residential schools,
where First Nations children were forced to give up their traditions,
culture and spirituality to conform to Christian beliefs and values will
never be forgotten, but the Call to Action of the federal Truth and
Reconciliation Commission has made a start in healing relationships.
The United Church of Canada has shown its commitment to
healing and forging a new, mutually respectful relationship with First
Nations neighbours with the signing over of the Fairfield settlement
lands – putting words into action – and they set an excellent example
for all religious denominations about living in peace with all people.
With plans for an interpretive centre that will chronicle
the journey the Delaware Nation people took to arrive in this area, our
entire community – and visitors – will get a better understanding of the
deep roots the Eelunapeewi Lahkeewiit have on that stretch of land on
the banks of the Thames River between Thamesville and Bothwell.
Most people weren’t aware that the name Moraviantown was
not in reference to the Delaware First Nation settlers. The Moravian
missionaries travelled to this area and helped settle the village with
the First Nation people – and with the name change to Eelunapeewi
Lahkeewiit, the community has taken back its ancestral heritage along
with the land.
Much respect to both sides at the signing ceremony for
patience, understanding, communication and goodwill in righting a wrong
from many years ago, that forges a strong bond based on mutual respect
for the future.
Delaware Nation at Moraviantown is closing off community to battle
COVID-19
Apr 01, 2020 |