Families can spend the day immersed in Lenape culture on Saturday, Nov. 9, when Barbara “Bluejay” Michalski, a storyteller and tribal secretary of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, will lead an afternoon of activities in celebration of Native American Heritage Month at Woodmere Art Museum.
Youngsters and their parents will listen to Lenape stories and play traditional Lenape games such as Jackstraws (aka Pick Up Sticks) and Dice Game (Mamantickan). Children will learn to make their own hoop stick for a game of Hoop and Stick and also participate in Friendship Dances. The event is free.
Michalski was given the name by her grandfather, Bill Thompson, the late Chief Whippoorwill of the Unalachtigo (people near the ocean) Tribe of the Turkey Clan. As a member of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, Michalski serves on the Tribal Council and was recently appointed chief of culture, teaching the history of the Lenape Nation through crafts, storytelling, and artifacts.
Later this month, the museum and Morris Arboretum and Gardens will co-host an evening of Lenape storytelling at the museum. Tickets for that event are $25 ($20 for members).
The Nov. 9 event will be from 3 to 5 p.m. For information and to register, visit woodmereartmuseum.org. The museum will co-host a Lenape storytelling event on Nov. 21 with Morris Arboretum & Gardens. The museum is at 9201 Germantown Ave.
