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WHYY RTL: They Came Before Columbus "So, how did you spend your summer vacation?" I spent the summer reading and learning more about American Indians in the Philadelphia area. One way to learn first-hand about American Indians is to attend a pow wow and experience the vibrant culture. At some pow wows, you may see a variety of Indians like, Lenapes (sometimes called "Delawares"), Cherokees, Nanticokes, Powhatans, Apaches, Lakotas, Shinnecocks, Sminoles, Iroquois, Crees from Cananda and others. When you hear the pounding heartbeat of the big ceremonial drum, and watch the dancers step proudly into the sacred circle, dressed in full regalia, you are witnessing a living history that cannot be captured in the pages of a book. This is a culture that loves the earth, nurtures its children and honors its elders. These are not Indians of a dusty, bygone era. As one little girl said with awe: they are "real, live, Indians." Yes, they are. And they're still here.

"Indians," or "Native Americans?" Many descendants of America's aboriginal people seem to prefer "Indian," or "American Indian." Some use these and other terms like "native people," interchangeably. Although the term "Indian" is neither culturally nor geographically correct, it has now been in use for over five hundred years. When Columbus arrived, the estimated Indian population was perhaps 5 million or more. By the beginning of the 20th century, there were only 250,000. Their population had decreased by 95%, due to war, diseases brought to the new world, and the implact of colonialism. Today, there are over 263 separate tribes or bands, and about 2 million Indians speaking at least 200 different languages. Many live on reservations but at least half live in the general population. Living in the "melting pots" of large cities, far from ancestral homelands, often makes it more difficult to maintain their cuture and identity. Ancestors of the Lenapes (Leh-`nah-pays) were the first inhabitants of this region, arriving over 10,000 years ago. Some still reside here, along with descendants of other tribes. About 12,000 Indians live in the Delaware Valley. June 26, 1995 was officially proclaimed by Mayor Ed Rendell as "Tamanend Day," part of the week-long "Welcome America" celebration. Tamanend was a prominent Lenape chief who, along with other local chiefs, made treaties with William Penn. The festivities, co-sponsored by the City of Philadelphia and the united American Indians of the Delaware Valley, included the unveiling of a new statue of Chief Tamanend, at Front and Market Streets. The Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy of Pennsylvania, Inc., is another active group. The Confederacy's "Earth Band," led by Chief Buffy Red Feather Brown, held a number of important ceremonies this summer. Members of the Earth Band can be seen year-round at locl public events. Under the leadership of the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokees are now the second largest tribe in North America. Museums, cultural centers, libraries, bookstores and special events are places where everyone can learn more about American Indian cultures. On TV12, adults can view programs like, THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "The Way West." And children can watch Reading Rainbow and THE PUZZLE PLACE which also feature American Indian books, people and characters. by Samuel M. Lemon, M.S. Manager, Community Education Services.