The Rising Nation River Journey 2006, a three-week canoe/paddle trip down the Delaware River, will again link the culture of the Lena’pe Indian Tribe, the people and communities along the Delaware and culminate in a reenactment of the signing of Penn’s Treaty of Renewed Brotherhood on William Penn’s estate in Bucks County.

The first Rising Nation River Journey was held in August of 2002, and like last time, the 2006 Journey will begin in Hancock, New York and end in Morrisville, Bucks County.

The mission of the Journey is “to bring like-minded groups and communities together from the Upper Delaware River Region and the Lower Delaware River region; and to work in conjunction with those groups to form partnerships, projects and programs that move us toward our common goals of protecting and celebrating Pennsylvania’s cultural identity, natural resources and beauty; and to acknowledge our place in this Great Life as Human Beings and as caretakers of this land, keeping in mind what is in the best interest of the next seven generations.”

The canoe/paddle trip portion of the Journey will last from August 7 to 17. The Treaty of Renewed Brotherhood will be signed at Pennsbury Manor at noon on August 19.

The Treaty will again be signed by the Lena'pe, environmental groups, churches, historical societies, and sincerely committed individuals, who wish actively to support the Lena'pe culture and to help sustain their people, language, and way of life.

Sponsors of the Rising Nation Journey this year include: Judy Wicks - White Dog Café, David E. Hess - Former Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsbury Manor, John James Audubon Center, Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit, First Student Inc., Richard McNutt, Suzanne Forbes and Marion Kyde.

Other support was provided by: Virginia Kennedy, Marianne Barbaro, Al Nelson, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Andy Smith, Central Baptist Church from Wayne PA, Buck County Native American Alliance, David Tersenson and Door to Door Organics.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, registration for the canoe trip, schedule of activities along the Journey and more, visit the 2006 Rising Nation River Journey webpage or call the Lena’pe Nation Council at 215-257-0389.

8/4/2006