Officials pay tribute to local Native Americans

County commissioners at their meeting made the proclamation on behalf of the Thunder Mountain Lenape Nation, a county-based group dedicated to preserving the heritage of local Native Americans.

The group several years ago established a center at Conemaugh Dam near Saltsburg that contains artifacts and other reminders of the Native American influence on the area.

The group also holds a festival every year in late summer at the dam to celebrate Native American heritage.

This year's event will be held Aug. 18 and 19 and begin with a ceremony at 11 a.m. the first day to honor those who have supported the group, said Pat Selinger, a group leader.

Group members have also been involved in a project that involves painting totem poles with scenes that trace the history of local Native Americans.

She said the poles have been exhibited at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and in Southampton, N.Y.

Selinger said the group has also been invited to exhibit the poles at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City for Indigenous Peoples' Day, planned for Aug. 9.

During the meeting, group Chief Joe Newhouse presented a turkey feather - a symbol of friendship - to each commissioner and to M.J. Smith, deputy director for the county office of planning and development, for their support of the group.