Proceed back on the Minquas Trail from the Deer Impact Monitoring Plots about 20 yards and you will see a large rock formation on your left. This is Indian Rock, named by early Rose Valley residents and featured during a 1998 Minquas Trail Walk. Despite the name, scholars agree that the location, being near the floodplain and entirely exposed, would not have been suitable for a campground.

The formation, about 15' X15', is composed primarily of gneiss, a light colored crystalline rock. You can observe the layers (mineral grains) are now vertical, although they were originally horizontal and formed by extreme heat and pressure. The large horizontal fissures and exposed cracks indicate the rock fell from a higher elevation on the ridge and settled here.

The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania is not recognized by the Commonwealth f Pennsylvania, although there are many Lenape Tribes, like the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation of New Jersey, that have state and/or national recognition.

In support of their effort at gaining state recognition, here is a letter from the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania and information about how individuals can sign a petition and support them

After decades of trying, we are finally seeing progress in our struggle for state recognition—but we need your help! We have the attention of lawmakers, but it is now crucial that they hear from you—our members, treaty-signers, and supporters. You are an important part of this historic occasion; please take at least one of these steps (or all if possible) to urge Pennsylvania lawmakers to recognize the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania:

Step 1: Click here to sign the petition (https://chng.it/J6Y2mZpZ) and share the petition widely.

Step 2: Write your local & state legislators. Attached to this email is a sample letter with talking points you may copy and paste into your letter if you choose.

 Send your letters to at least these five people:

1.Governor Shapiro: Phone: 717-787-2500 E-mail: governor@state.pa.us

2.Attorney General Michelle Henry: Phone: 717-787-3391 Email: info@attorneygeneral.gov

3.Lt. Governor Austin Davis: Phone: 717-787-3300 E-mail: LGoffice@pa.gov

4.Your State Representative

5.Your State Senator​

 If you live in PA, it is important to contact your specific Pennsylvania State Representative and State Senator. Click here  to find your legislators and their contact info (https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/)

 Step 3: If you want to do even more, you can call these officials and tell them that it is past time to recognize the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania.

 More information is available on our website and in the attached letter, and don't hesitate to contact us with questions.

 As always, we are very grateful for your support!

-Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania Council

 Sample Letter Below:

To Pennsylvania Legislators:

I hereby offer this letter of support for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, a long-established

tribal entity whose members are all direct descendants of Lenape ancestors who remained in

Pennsylvania, in their endeavor to achieve formal recognition by the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania. It is inconceivable that our Commonwealth has yet to bestow the proper

recognition and rights that the Lenape Nation of PA members are far overdue as the first people

of this land. They alone possess unique history of the Lenape who remained behind, honoring

their ancestors and their descendants, and retaining the vast amount of culture and tradition that

has been passed down from Lenape elders here in our Commonwealth.

It is well past due for Pennsylvania to join our neighbor states of New Jersey and Delaware in

recognizing their own Lenape descendants. For many years the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania

has worked diligently as stewards and caretakers of the Delaware River, the land, and the people.

Their high appreciation and protection of the natural environment and the watershed is a valuable

asset to the Commonwealth. For over 20 years they have been engaged in partnerships with over

130 organizations who work together to reach these goals. Partners include environmental

organizations, faith-based organizations, youth groups, elders’ societies, historical societies,

businesses, government officials, and others. The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania generously

shares Lenape language classes, education programs about the Delaware river, and history and

culture - not just with their members, but with all who are interested.

The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania has struggled for over 30 years attempting to garner

recognition as the remaining indigenous people of Pennsylvania. They have sent delegations and

representatives to stand before various committees seeking recognition, beginning in the 1990’s

with Chief William Thompson, and continuing as recently as May 1st 2023, when they held a

rally on the capitol steps in honor of Tamanend Day. Several Senators, House Representatives,

and other officials have pledged their support of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, but

this has yet to lead to action.

As the most minor act of reparations for the harm that was historically done to the Lenape people

who remained and suffered persecution, discrimination, and forced assimilation within their

Pennsylvania homeland for hundreds of years, Pennsylvania should recognize the existence and

legitimacy of its indigenous people still residing in the state. Don’t we, as Pennsylvanians

collectively, owe our Lenape neighbors at least that much? These indigenous keepers of the lands

and waters were forced to hide for much too long and deserve to be recognized and given rights

of self-determination as outlined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights for

Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007. The work the LNPA is doing to not only preserve the true

history of the Lenapehokink (Lenape Homeland) but to also invite us all into a more harmonious

and peaceful relationship with these lands is crucial at this point in our collective human history.

Our Pennsylvania State Legislators MUST affirm the rights and acknowledge the legacy of the

Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania.

, PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Delaware County Rock-Type Map, LNPA. Accessed October 25th, 2023. dcnr.pa.gov/geology/geology of pa.

, Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. State Recognition: Petition & Sample Letter, Lenape Nation of PA. Accessed October 25th, 2023. lenape-nation.org.