The Paddlers of the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign launched from Mothers Lap in Croton Point Park the morning of August 7 at 10 am.
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Courtney
They headed to their next stop at Nyack/Piermont. Several safety vessels were with them in very choppy waters.
I want to thank all of you for your participation in many ways.
Thanks to all of you who were there and ready in the park.
John Phillips of Croton and Director of the Croton Nature Center was absolutely invaluable in smoothing the way for access to the park, encampment setup and the difficult task regarding the park fee demanded by the Westchester Parks Commission. All the county and village parks from Albany to NYC have waived the fee or asked a small token payment understanding the special historical nature of the Two Row Indigenous history of this effort. Not so, for the Westchester Croton Point Park.
In the past 3 weeks Linda Conte has worked in our community to cover the park fee and was successful raising over $1,000 covering the fee. Many, many thanks Linda.
Croton Mayor Weigman participated in the Croton paddle leg and flying the Dutch and American flags from his canoe when he arrived with the flotilla.
He later made a colorful presentation to Two Row Wampum Onondaga organizer Hickory Edwards of a local proclamation of support. (Note Croton Mayor Leo Weigman with top hat to the right in photo.)
Thanks to Legislator Catherine Borgia for sending a representative and to Assemblywoman Sandy Galef for attending and welcoming the paddlers and allies. Thanks to Nathan Bruttell of the Cortland Daily Voice for his coverage.
Freida Jacques, Onondaga Clanmother and Educator and other speakers were generous in their offering of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) history.
It was good to see so many of the Croton Dog Walking Society people, a Black Cow youth group and a British family delegation.
August 9 at 10 am at Pier 96 on W. 57th St. in NYC hundreds of paddlers concluded our two week journey from Albany.
The paddlers were welcomed by local dignitaries, the Dutch Counsel General Mr. Rob de Vos and a Thanksgiving Address by Tadodaho Sid Hill (Onondaga).
The march departed at 11:30 am for the United Nations. We received a greeting from the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at 1:30 pm at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 1st Ave. and 47th St.
A Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign delegation attended the United Nations formal program to honor the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9) later that afternoon.
Thanks to all of you and stay tuned for the full slide show coming up.
Andrew Courtney
See link for more info: http://honorthetworow.org/
