Published Sunday, August 18, 2002
Herald Staff Writer
Tucked back on Snyder Road in Hermitage is a store called The Crow's Nest Trading Post. As you enter the store you are greeted by the sweet smell of drying herbs and Ila Temë, a Malamute dog.
As you shop through an assortment of hand blown glass beads, animal skin pouches and hand-crafted, authentic dream catchers, you will most likely be greeted by Windwalker, one of three owners of the store.
Windwalker has direct lineage from the MicMac tribes from Maine, Eastern Cherokee and Lenape Eastern Woodland tribe, she said. Lenape is better known as Delaware Indian.
"The Delaware name started when Lord Delawar claimed the land (which is now Delaware) and the river in the name of England," she said. "And, when he saw all the 'savages' on the other side of the river he had named Delaware, he said 'these will be my people' and thus named our tribes the Delaware Indians."
Windwalker co-owns the establishment with her fellow clan member, Billy Blue Feathers, the chief of the entire United Eastern Lenape Nation. Windwalker is the nation's turkey clan chief.
There are three main clans of the Lenape people: turkey, wolf and turtle. Each clan has a role: the wolf is the hunter and warrior, the turtle is the historian and house builder and the turkey clan is to be the ceremonial leader and the maker of food.
Another co-owner is Spirit Buffalo, Windwalker's husband. He is the turtle clan chief, and until he can fill the position with someone of direct lineage, he is also the second chief.
The three run The Crow's Nest, which, because crow represents family to the Lenape, means family home or meeting place.
The business, started in February, offers a variety of Eastern Woodland Indian crafts. From naturally dried herbs made into teas and bath salts, to glass bead jewelry and handmade baskets made of sweet grass, willow and bark,
The store also has running co-operations with Native Americans in prisons who handcraft leather wallets and other items to sell in the store.
Windwalker and Billy also travel to George Junior Republic in Pine Township once a year to teach crafts, drumming and tradition to students who have had excellent behavior for the year.
Besides these programs, The Crow's Nest owners have also traveled to bone marrow fund-raising drives and work with local Boy Scouts.
Windwalker said they are often requested to play their drums at shows and programs. They perform in full regalia and have even done so in front of the United Nations in New York City in 2000, where they were the lead family drummers, she said.
"In our culture, we use pohonasins (or drum beaters) to feel out the heart beat of the drum and player. We offer these drummings in mixed pairs, meaning both the man and woman will play," she said. "Because our people are matrilineal, we are very equal and respectful in everything we do. We drum together to offer prayers to be heard by the Eagle, who in turn takes our prayers to our Creator."
A compact disc is available at the store which offers the music of live shows that Windwalker and Billy Blue Feathers have done.
The Crow's Nest has many unique items.
"We make our dream catchers by hand in the night only in times of new and full moons as our people believe that the moon is our grandmother," Windwalker said. "This is the ceremonial way."
She explained that she and Billy Blue Feathers are "traditionalists," meaning they follow their people's ceremonies, history and language to keep all three alive.
The owners speak both English and their native tongue, Unami, which means turtle in their language. They also speak in a Algonquin dialect, which is one of many within the Delaware Indian clans.
The Crow's Nest Trading Post is located at 230-1a Snyder Road in Hermitage and can be reached at (724) 981-8011. Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.