Thunder Mountain Turkey Clanmother Shellie Reed (L seated on ground) and Lisa Deemy (seated in chair) talk with visitors at Perryopolis Pioneer Days.

Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation, a non-profit group, is working toward a variety of new goals related to recent long range planning accomplished with input from Community Development Coordinator Jill Taylor of USDA, and Deputy Director MJ Smith of the Indiana County Planning Office. Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation is a group of Lenapé Native American families, either by ancestry or adoption, based in southwestern Pennsylvania. The group is committed to preserving Lenapé spirituality, heritage and culture, and fostering cultural understanding through sharing with others.

Working toward that goal, Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation presenters will launch a series of workshops at the Old Salt Center (the Old Saltsburg High School), Market & Pine Streets in Saltsburg in January.

The first workshop will be held Jan. 18 on Lenapé Culture & Spirituality. This session includes a panel presentation called "Today's Indians: What it's like to be Indian in today's society." Activities include drumming and dancing. Reproductions and actual artifacts and crafts will be available for participants to examine. The snow date for this session is Jan.25.

Genealogy: Seeking Your Native American Ancestors is the topic of the second workshop, Feb. 15. Participants will explore ways to document their family tree through traditional means and using the Internet. Different ways to identify physical characteristics of Native ancestry will be discussed. Health issues of concern to those of Native descent of will also be presented. The snow date for this session is Feb. 22.

The third workshop March 15, will focus on Lenapé history and artifact identification. Collectors are invited to bring Native American artifacts along for Archeologist Robin Van Auken, adjunct professor of Lycoming College to identify. A flint knapping demonstration is also planned. The snow date for this session is March 29.

Plant Uses and Food is the topic scheduled for a workshop May 3. This session focuses on traditional recipes, gardening techniques, food storage and plant identification. If the weather permits, a plant identification walk will be included in this session.

The last workshop presenting primitive living skills will take place outdoors at a rural location May 10 & May 17. A rain date may be scheduled once the sessions are filled. Included in this workshop will be a choice of brain tanning or building a wigwam; making twine (cordage) from plant material, making a leather pouch or bag and a variety of other topics. These sessions are active and hands-on, participants should dress accordingly.

All workshops will include morning sessions from 10 a.m. to Noon. Lunch will be provided. Afternoon sessions will run from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Part of the proceeds from the workshop series are earmarked for purchasing property near Nowrytown where the group plans to build a museum/cultural community center and a living history village.

During the past year Thunder Mountain members have been active throughout the region, participating in the dedication of Westmoreland County Conservation District's new facility in Greensburg, Saltsburg Canal Days, DEP Kiski River Sojourn, and the opening of the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy Trail in Saltsburg. They partnered in presenting a highly successful day camp pilot program in July with Westmoreland County Conservation District and the Wachtshu Ehachping (Mountain Place) environmental education program.

Over the past few years Thunder Mountain has partnered with the American Diabetes Foundation, worked with incarcerated Native Americans, young men at Cresson Secure Treatment Center and traveled to three states presenting storypoles created through the Totem Rhythms project which were exhibited at the United Nations in Manhattan.

The group holds an annual Native American Festival scheduled for Aug. 16 & 17 this summer. The festival includes traditional drumming, storytelling, dancing, foods, art, clothing and crafts.

For more information call 724-459-5276, email thundermountain@questpublish.com, or explore the newly redesigned website at www.questpublish.com/thundermountain