AGENCY TESTIMONY
Missed opportunity: Nora Thompson Dean's visit to Mayor Koch
0:32:39
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75 sec
Joe Baker recounts a story from 40 years ago about tribal elder Nora Thompson Dean's attempt to meet with then-Mayor Ed Koch at City Hall. This anecdote illustrates the historical challenges faced by Lenape people in gaining official recognition.
- Nora Thompson Dean drove from Oklahoma to New York City, initially to present a paper at Seton Hall University
- She waited at City Hall to meet with Mayor Koch, but the meeting never happened
- Instead of meeting the mayor, she was given a souvenir pin of New York City
- Baker reflects on how different the Lenape experience in New York could have been if that meeting had taken place
Joe Baker
0:32:39
I also want to share since I'm in city hall a story for my community.
0:32:45
A story that happened 40 years ago when tribal elder Nora Thompson Dean drove her little Ford Falcon station wagon from Oklahoma here to New York City.
0:33:00
The reason for the trip was she was presenting a paper at Seton Hall University.
0:33:05
But a legend grew up around her trip into the city to meet with the then mayor, Ed Koch.
0:33:14
So she was in this very building waiting waiting to meet with the mayor.
0:33:21
This would have been a historic moment.
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The meeting never happened.
0:33:28
After waiting in the chamber, his assistant presented her with a souvenir pin of the city of New York.
0:33:38
And I share that story with you because I think about how different our present day experience of New York City could have been had that meeting happened.
