In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) kicks off its November meeting on Wednesday 11/8 at 7 pm with a talk by Adam Waterbear DePaul, “Lenape Past, Present, and Places to Visit in Philadelphia.” He is a Chief of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, where he serves as Tribal Storykeeper and Director of Education. Come early for dinner and drinks! The meeting will be held in person at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks, 114 Market Street, and also offered on Zoom.

Chief Adam will discuss the past and present of the Lenape people in Pennsylvania. This will include pre-colonial life, relationships with William Penn, the era of Penn’s sons and the Walking Purchase, the Lenape diaspora and where they are today, the Lenape who remained in their homeland and how they remained, and what the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania is doing today to revitalize Lenape culture and continue their role as caretakers of the environment. He will also discuss Philly-area Lenape-related sites to visit, such as the K&T Trail, the CASAA exhibits at Arcadia University, the Lenape Garden at the University of Pennsylvania, the “Looking West” monument, arboretums, museums, and more! Discussion and questions from the audience will be welcome and encouraged.

Chief Adam collaborates with academic institutions on initiatives related to the Lenape people, including land acknowledgements, mascots and representation, programming, and curriculum development. He is a PhD candidate at Temple University and a Scholar-in-Residence at Arcadia University, where he currently teaches classes in Indigenous Studies, World Mythology, and Punk Rock. He co-curates the Lenape Cultural Center in Easton PA and the Lenape “Enduring Presence” exhibit, now traveling from Haverford College to Arcadia.

Following the presentation will be a short business meeting and some social time.

APT meetings are open to aspiring and working tour guides as well as anyone with an interest in Philadelphia-focused history. Attend one meeting for free and then it is $60 to join the association for the year or $10 per monthly meeting in-person event. (The 2024 membership drive will open on October 1 with a $40 discounted yearly fee until Dec. 31.) Zoom meetings are free. Please join us for convivial company, good food, fascinating presentations, and lively discussions.

The meeting will also be livestreamed on Zoom. The link will be shared in the APT President’s email the week of the meeting. Non-members should email Marianne at no later than 5 pm the day of the meeting to receive the Zoom link.