In Mr. Fulton’s Middle School History class, students have been busy learning about the history of New York’s Hudson Valley, and more specifically, the native people who once lived on the lands surrounding Storm King Mountain before the first European settlers arrived. “The class covers world history and explores how geographers would view the world continent by continent,” explained Mr. Fulton. “We started with North America while using the Hudson Valley as a historical lens, beginning with Native American history.”
According to Mr. Fulton, the students used their investigative skills to delve into the stories of the Lenape peoples, the original inhabitants of Hudson Valley and its surrounding areas. The unit resulted in the class gaining a better understanding of the land and how the Lenape lived in harmony with nature without exploiting its natural resources. To demonstrate what they learned, the class worked together to write a Land Acknowledgement for the campus of The Storm King School.
“The assignment allowed us to show our appreciation for the land where we now reside and learn, acknowledge the injustices that occurred, and pledge to take care of it as its original owners once did,” continued Mr. Fulton, who was very pleased with his students’ work.
Tribes living in New Amsterdam, circa 1685 | Wikipedia
“The project was fun and I learned about the different tribes who spoke a similar language, but in different dialects,” explained Jingyeong L. ’28, referring to the Lenape peoples who lived in the Delaware River Valley, northern New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley.
“I really liked working in groups and giving my ideas to write collaboratively,” commented Ines V. ’28.
Maria Jose L. ’28 said that she “liked how the Lenape respected and lived together with nature,” and Charles M. ’28 added that “many of the trails the Lenape created are now interstate highways.”
“The class was very engaged with this topic and the assignment improved their fact-finding, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills,” concluded Mr. Fulton. “We are very fortunate here at The Storm King School to be able to incorporate our beautiful campus and the history of our local area into our curriculum.”
The Storm King School Land Acknowledgement
Lapowinsa, chief of the Lenape, the tribe that first populated the Delaware River Valley | Wikipedia
We acknowledge with gratitude that The Storm King School is situated on the ancestral home of the Lenape people, who thrived in the shadow of our mountain and cultivated this bountiful land long before they were driven away by the forces of colonialism.
In honoring the Lenape people, we commit ourselves to learning from their history, traditions, and wisdom, and to fostering respect for the land and its original caretakers.
We offer this acknowledgement as a step toward justice and healing.
Researched and created by Mr. Patrick Fulton’s 2023-2024 Middle School History class: Dayana C. ’28, Cathy C. ’28, Jingyeong L. ’28, Yushen L. ’28, Maria Jose L. ’28, Charles M. ’28, Alexander S. ’28, Ines V. ’28, Pengbo W. ’28, You W. ’28