The signing of a Treaty of Friendship was held in the River Sanctuary Pavilion at Shawnee Inn on Aug. 12.

A sign in the pavilion read: "The Indians considered this valley a sanctuary to which they returned each year. While here, they were peaceful and reverent. The Great Spirit had provided such beauty and abundance."At 4 p.m. an Indian song, "Gotcha," floated down the Delaware River ahead of the canoes and kayaks that were bringing the Lenape to Shawnee. The singer was Dan Reese, a professional singer with a drum (musical group) in New York.It was a trip that had begun in Hancock, New York, and was to end at Cape May, New Jersey.Conservation organizations were invited to participate in the treaty signing and individuals were welcome. There was a stop at Lackawaxen and the following day there would be one in Easton.Originally, when the signings were first begun 12 years ago, there was a treaty signing only in Philadelphia. By holding them at various stops along the river it gave more people the opportunity to participate.Roseann Whitesell of the Shawnee Preservation Society helped organize the trip. The organization's vice president, Jeremy Wo, had been a Times News paperboy in Jim Thorpe and won an essay contest for paper carriers.Whitesell said she provided a place for the overnight stay in her nearby Stony Brook Inn with some sleeping accommodations indoors and some at camp sites.The second group to participate was the Roxbury Historical Trust.Shelley DePaul, a chief of the Lenape tribe, said the Lenape used this stretch of the river for so long and it was an honor for the many generations to continue to use it.Among the individuals was Isaac Teeple with his wife, Michelle. Isaac was a 10th generation descendant of Nicholas DePue, one of the earliest settlers in Delaware Water Gap.DePaul said each organization would have a representative to tell briefly what they did and then sign for the organization. The ones who traveled the river were the Sojourners. Some brought children with them.She said, "This is only a smidgen of our tribe. People think all the Lenape moved west, but those who remained are the Lenape of Pennsylvania."Delaware Water Gap was the most sacred site, and anyone who passed through the area on the river had to have a Lenape companion.DePaul opened with a prayer said first in the Lenape language and then in English. She teaches Lenape linguistics. It began "Dear father, whose breath we hear on the four winds, watch over us and these people who care for the land and culture."Reese sang an honoring song.In 2002 the Lenape of Pennsylvania formalized their relationship with a Treaty of Friendship. No treaty had been signed in 300 years. That covered a lot of history with some animosity, said DePaul. The new treaties, it was hoped, would bring increased friendship.The original treaty was to last as "long as the sun shines and the grass grows." That was not realistic, she said.In 2010 it was opened to individuals because so many asked to participate. This is the first year the treaty was carried down river with them."We tried for national or state recognition but found that wasn't the way to go. You are the way," said DePaul.