Dr. Favian Martin, associate professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Kevin Revier, assistant professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, attended the Lenape Indian State Recognition Rally in Harrisburg last week. 

The rally served to help persuade legislators to give the Lenape tribe legal status as a recognized tribe. 

Arcadia and the Lenape tribe have a proud and strong relationship. In August, the University signed a land acknowledgement statement recognizing that the Lenape People were the first caretakers of the land where the University now sits. The statement notes that Arcadia honors the Lenape’s “historical legacy and vibrant culture” and is “committed to collaborating with the Lenape, as neighbors and friends.”

In Harrisburg, Martin reaffirmed Arcadia’s partnership with the Lenape People. 

Below is the text of his statement:

Good Afternoon,

I am Favian Alejandro Martin, an associate professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arcadia University. I come here today, as a representative of Arcadia University. In recent years, the university has made strides in recognizing that the campus sits on land in which the Lenape Indians were the original caretakers. I was honored to head a group of individuals that were tasked with creating the land acknowledgement statement of the university. In addition to this, we have built a relationship between the PA Lenape Indians and the university by holding educational events with the hopes of educating the university community about their culture and historical legacy. I urge the Pennsylvania State Legislature to pass legislation that recognizes the PA Lenape Indians as a tribe within the commonwealth. By acknowledging the Lenape Indians at the state level, provides them the visibility needed to preserve their culture, history, and legacy. Although it doesn’t address the historical mistreatment of the Lenape Indians, it is a step in the right direction by granting them state recognition of a tribe within the state of Pennsylvania.