Native American Heritage Month during November celebrates the diverse and rich culture, history, and traditions of Native people. American Indian pictures, words, names, and stories are a crucial part of American history and help mold our life today.
Northwest Philadelphia and the broader Delaware Valley are rich in Lenape names because the Lenni-Lenape (the “original people”) inhabited and managed this region for over 10,000 years before European colonization.
The Unami language that the Lenape spoke is still reflected in many of our streets, towns, and stations including five station stops on the Manayunk/Norristown Line.
Manayunk comes from a word that means Place to Drink to describe the nearby Schuylkill River. The bars and breweries on Main Street keep the meaning behind Manayunk’s name surprisingly accurate!
Allegheny translates to Fine River. Wissahickon means Catfish Creek. Miquon translates to quill or pen. And Conshohocken means Pleasant Valley.
Today is dedicated to honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native Americans and serves not only as a reminder of the past but also as an opportunity to promote awareness, healing, and respect for Indigenous cultures.