PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Luke Boyd, Director of Education and Public Programs at Historic Richmond Town
2:04:11
ยท
3 min
Luke Boyd from Historic Richmond Town advocates for financial support for cultural organizations and indigenous artists, scholars, and presenters. He discusses the creation of a native encampment exhibit at Historic Richmond Town to illustrate Lenape lifeways and educate visitors about indigenous history on Staten Island.
- The native encampment project has been developed in phases, including a wigwam, oyster midden, and palisade wall, with plans for a longhouse in the third phase.
- Over 20,000 students have visited the encampment, and it serves as a gathering place for the native community.
- Historic Richmond Town hosts an annual Hearth and Harvest Festival featuring indigenous artists and cultural programming.
Luke Boyd
2:04:11
Good afternoon, chair Rivera.
2:04:12
On behalf of Historic Richmond Town, my name is Luke Boyd.
2:04:15
I'm the director of education and public programs at New York City's Living History Village.
2:04:20
I'm here today to advocate for the financial support of cultural organizations and indigenous artists, scholars, and presenters who chronicle the life of our city and its peoples.
2:04:30
Historic Richmond Town is located in the geographical center of Staten Island within the ancestral home, of Lenape people, of Lenapehoking in within the Northeast Woodlands.
2:04:40
Guided by the city council and the department of cultural affairs, Historic Richmond Town has refined its mission to embrace the totality of human history on Staten Island.
2:04:50
And the history of the original stewards of this land, the Lenape, is at the center of this initiative.
2:04:56
To address this gap in the historical narratives presented, the museum has been building a native encampment, an outdoor exhibit that illustrates the lifeways of Lenape people.
2:05:08
This installation recreates a homestead of native peoples in the 17th century that visitors can see and touch.
2:05:15
Since 2021, the project has evolved in stages from the construction of a wigwam or a summerhouse, an oyster midden, lean to structures, and recently completed a palisade wall, evoking defense fortifications made during colonial conflict.
2:05:33
With the support of the private sector donations and grants, HRT has funded phases 1 and 2 of this project.
2:05:40
We are seeking a funder to support the 3rd phase of this installation, which would include the creation of a long house, a winter structure, so that visitors can encounter the native Encampment with robust structures all year round.
2:05:55
I wanna talk a little bit about the impact of the Encampment.
2:05:59
The site has been a fulcrum for education and engagement on Staten Island.
2:06:03
More than 20,000 visiting students have encountered the encampment so far with dialogue and activities facilitated by a museum educator.
2:06:12
Hundreds of students participate in HRT's CASA programs have also taken part in Lenape themed activities and lessons informed by the installation.
2:06:22
And every year, as commissioner Cumbo indicated, we host a hearth and harvest festival 4 years running in which we engage more than 25 artists from the Pan Indian community across the New York City area, and this includes storytellers, dancers, musicians, and singers, and the connection to our audience has been immense.
2:06:42
This program has grown every year, and it will continue to, to grow, as the years go on.
2:06:49
But a deeper impact of the Encampment is that within the native community itself.
2:06:54
The scope of the installation set within the bucolic campus of historic Richmond Town is unique among the 5 boroughs of New York City.
2:07:03
Not only is it a place for visitors to learn about native American culture and heritage, but it is a place for the native community to convene.
2:07:10
The encampment will serve and has served as a catalyst for community ceremony, connection, and healing.
2:07:18
The encampment attests not only to the challenging history of colonization and dispossession of native lands, but to the continuous presence of native people on this continent through the present.
2:07:30
The council's support for this work and the indigenous artists is critical.
2:07:35
The commitment to understanding and preserving native history and culture goes beyond a yearly commemorative event or milestone.
2:07:43
It is a perpetual practice that is ongoing, and in many ways, we have just begun.
2:07:49
Thank you for your time.