"Still Here: Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation,” is an outdoor installation of photographic portraits by artist Lisa Levart.
RIVER HOOK PRESERVE
611 North Midland Ave. Upper Nyack, NY
June 18 - September 30, 2022
Every woman shown in this installation has heard directly a call to honor our Ancestral Matriarchs.
A’ho.
Kiiloona Lunaapeewak - We are all one People
Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk
Ambassador Ramapough Lenape Nation
"Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation" is an
on-going series by artist Lisa Levart created with the guidance of Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk.
Mission
The goal of “Still Here” is to prompt visitors of River Hook to reflect upon and honor the Lenape people who have cared for and stewarded this land long before the Dutch and English settled on the Hudson shores, and remember that their ancestors still live amongst us.
Vision
When we reach back into the early myths and stories of all cultures, we often have more similarities than differences. By sharing contemporary re-interpretations of the Lenape mythology as a part of the Upper Nyack's 150th Anniversary, we hope that viewers will gain a deeper mindfulness of the indigenous people who have been here long before this century and a half marker, as well as an appreciation for their ancestors that are still here in the Hudson Valley.
Cyclone Woman
Portrayed by Nakia Powell
Cyclone Woman is a powerful storm spirit has the capability to destroy, but is still considered a kindred spirit – she never intentionally harms the Lenape people.
Grandmother South
Portrayed by Cheyann Kumar
Grandmother South is one of the four Keepers of Creation. She controlled the power of fire and gave the Lenape people, summer and warmth, a fierce inner spirit, and bestowed fire to the sun.
Corn Woman
Portrayed by Ashlynn Kumar
Corn Woman left the natural world because a group of young men took her gift of a good harvest for granted. When they honored her with the gift of oyster shell earrings, she returned and brought corn back to her people.
Hawk Woman
Portrayed by Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk
The Hawk is considered a guardian of the Earth. Ever vigilant and flying continuously, the Hawk is admired for its speed, endurance and sharp eyesight.
Rainbow Crow
Portrayed by Autumn Lorraine
In a time long ago, snow covered all the land. Rainbow Crow traveled to the Heavens to ask the creator for help. By bringing the gift of fire back to her fellow animals she lost her wondrous voice and vibrant colors
Thunder Beings
Portrayed by Marci Copeland
Thunder Beings are storm spirits that live in the sky and cause thunder and lighting. Their enemies are the horned serpents that live in the rivers and streams, and sometimes rescue the Lenape people from those dreaded monsters.
Hummingbird
Portrayed by Debra Beal
The spirit animal Hummingbird is an energetic little bird that helps shamans keep nature and spirit in balance.
Dragonfly
Portrayed by Carla Alexander
Dragonflies symbolize maturity and going past self-determined illusions that prevent our ability to grow and change.
Three Sisters
Portrayed by Lisa Tyner, Tiffany Tyner and Natalie Tyner
Known as a companion planting technique the Three Sisters are: corn, which provides a structure for beans, beans, which provide nitrogen to the soil, and squash, whose leaves provide shade to the soil.
Kukna
Portrayed by Pointsetta
The Earth, we call Kukna is our Mother and all life is nourished from her breast.
All Videos
All Videos
Sister Bird - Mwisa Chulën
Three Sisters
KUKNA_Great Mother
STILL HERE
Installation and Photography - Lisa Levart
Project Manager - Mark Rubinsky
Film - Myles Aronowitz
THANK YOU!
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community
Regrant, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the
Governor’s office and the New York State Legislature and administered by ArtsWestchester.
As well as Friends of RIver Hook and the Village of Upper Nyack.
Special thanks to Mayor Karen Tarapata, Bill Batson and Paul Curley
For information on the Ramapough Lenape Nation, please visit:
https://ramapomunsee.net