Land being cleared at the Thunder Mountain Lenape Nation site

Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation will receive $3,000.00 to support expansion of the group's annual Native American Festival from a Pennsylvania Rural Partners in the Arts (PRPA ) grant through the Rural Arts Alliance in 2004.

The group received a congratulatory letter from PA Rep. Dave Reed concerning the award in which he praised their "outstanding community involvement and dedication to excellence" through the festival. Thunder Mountain Lenapé Nation is a nonprofit group of Native American families by ancestry or adoption committed to preservation of Lenapé heritage and culture and to fostering cultural understanding through sharing with others.

The group is in the process of acquiring property to build a Heritage Complex on 200 acres of land along the Kiskiminetas River in Conemaugh Township where the Annual Native American Festival was held last month. This permanent festival site includes a Living History Village of authentic sapling and bark wigwams.

PRPA funds will be used to attract presenters and performers from more diverse American Indian tribes and groups. Doing so will provide visitors opportunities to compare artistic and cultural similarities and differences and begin to understand the diversity of Native American tribes/groups. Funds will also be used to improve the dance circle arbor, the storytelling area in the living history village, help with technical costs such as sound, lighting, and help defray administrative costs.

Thunder Mountain Council Member Pat Selinger estimated approximately 5,000 people attended the festival this year, having a significant positive economic impact on Indiana County's economy. For more information call 724-459-5276, email thundermountain@questpublish.com, or explore the newly redesigned website at www.questpublish.com/thundermountain.