In the early 1600s, however, it was part of a network of paths that connected dozens of seasonal settlements throughout the area, giving the local native population access to shores for fishing bass and sturgeon, clamming, and harvesting oysters; woods for hunting deer and other games and fields for planting maize, beans, squash, melons, cucumbers and tobacco.

The Canarsee was one of the largest Native American bands to live on the land that they called Seawanhaka, today’s Brooklyn. The name Canarsee has several meanings, including “the community” or the assembly place.” Over five hundred years ago, the Canarsee were among the thousands of inhabitants of what now includes southeastern New York State, western Long Island, New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware. They called themselves Lenape, “People,” and were comprised of autonomous groups ranging in size from twenty to fifteen hundred.

The Lenape organized their clans maternally- through the mother’s ancestors- and the children belonged to their mothers’ clans. Older women in the extended family, such as grandmothers or older aunts, directed family activities. Husbands moved into their wives’ households. Political positions were inherited through the maternal side. The sachems- the Lenape word for leaders- were generally men chosen from the sons of the old sachem’s sister. In the absence of a suitable male heir, women assumed leadership positions in their clans.

Families lived together in the grass or bark-covered longhouses, simple wood dwellings that could be constructed and razed easily. Daily life revolved around the seasons and access to food sources. In the spring and summer, clans moved close to fishing sites; in the fall and winter, they returned inland to be closer to firewood and game for hunting. Regardless of the campsite, labor was defined by gender. Women were responsible for farming, gathering wild plants, cook, and childrearing; men hunted and fished.

The Lenape’s religious practices were guided by a complex belief in spirits related to the natural world. The Lenape beloved in a single, all-powerful “Creator” who created the spirit helpers who lived in and controlled the forces of nature. The sun and the moon were regarded as “Elder Brothers” and Endowed with the power to provide light.

The Lenape believed that every individual as well as all aspects of the environment - animal, plants, weather- had guiding spirits. Out of reverence, the Lenape did not undertake any journey or other significant endeavors without first consulting the spirits.