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Q&A
Joe Baker discusses the need for a permanent Lenape Center in New York City
1:02:03
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90 sec
Joe Baker, Executive Director of the Lenape Center, responds to Council Member Rivera's question about the center's vision for the future. He emphasizes the critical need for a permanent physical space for the Lenape Center in New York City.
- Baker highlights the lack of a dedicated space for learning about the original people of the area, despite millions of visitors to the city each year
- He stresses that the Lenape culture is much more expansive and rich than what is often reduced to powwows or craft fairs
- The permanent space is seen as crucial for properly representing Lenape history and culture in the city
Joe Baker
1:02:03
Thank you.
1:02:04
Thank you for, for your comments and your questions.
1:02:09
And looking ahead for Lenape Center, we are looking to identify a permanent physical space within the city of New York.
1:02:21
We feel that we have an important place and role to play in the future of this city.
1:02:29
650,000,000 visitors per year, they come to this city.
1:02:34
We at the Lenape Center field questions all the time from international visitors asking where do we go to learn about the original people of this place.
1:02:48
We can't direct them anywhere because there is no one place, one center for art and culture for the Lenape people.
1:02:58
And let me say that as a Lenape man, I have much more to offer than a powwow or a crafts fair.
1:03:12
There is so much more to say and to learn and to share about our history.
1:03:22
It it's it's much more expensive than what we are often reduced to and categorized as as Lenape people.