The Sweetwater Cultural Center, is dedicated to promoting the education, health, and welfare of Indigenous or Native Peoples, and to preserve their cultures and ceremonial practices locally, regionally, and around the western hemisphere.
Celebrations…
Celebrations and gatherings are an important part of Indigenous Peoples cultures. The Sweet Water Cultural Center continues to host equinox and solstice ceremonies as well as other events designed to promote Indigenous Cultures and bring people together in peace and harmony.
More to come…
Please watch this page below for news of ceremonies and educational programs to come! You can support our work by making a financial donation. We thank you in advance!
News & Announcements
Sacred Split Rock Mountain bought from sewer authority, donated to Ramapough Indians, April 9, 2023
Governor’s Ball, Citi Field, September 24, 2021
Summer Solstice 2021: Three Historic Events
Sweetwater Cultural Center: The First Steps to Repentance and Reconciliation, December 3, 2019, By Robert Trawick
The Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation has partnered with ROCA to host their first Indigenous Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10am - 3pm. Items being sold, include (but not limited to): handmade jewelry, clothing, beadwork, woodwork, re-finished items, cups, clothing, drinks, oils, etc. and SO much more! This will be a great day for the family! Come out and support local Indigenous Artisans!
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has purchased the Ramapough Indians' sacred Split Rock Mountain, or Tahetaweew, straddling parts of Hillburn and Ramapo, New York, on the Mahwah border, and donated it to the Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance. Read full article here.
A representative of Sweetwater Cultural Center will provide a land acknowledgment for the Grammy Award Winning Band, Portugal.The Man. Check out the band’s foundation here.
Solstice Ceremony with Chief Perry, Mahwah, NJ, Online: World Unity Week, 5.30 AM EST
Peace Treaty with The Mohawk Tribe, Mahwah, NJ, Contact for Press, 10.30 AM EST
Ramapough Munsee Museum Opening, Sweetwater Cultural Center, Stony Point, NY 1 PM EST
On November 20, 2019, the Presbytery of Hudson River formally transferred the title of the former Stony Point Presbyterian church and associated property to the Sweetwater Cultural Center, a newly formed organization dedicated “to promote the education, health, and welfare of indigenous or native peoples and to preserve their cultures and ceremonial practices locally, regionally, and around the western hemisphere.” This exciting new mission is the result of a confluence of two historical moments, one in the life of a local congregation and one in the life of the PC(USA).
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation wins big court victory, November 15, 2018, By Acee Agoyo
"The two other state-recognized tribes in New Jersey whose status was undermined will have it reaffirmed," the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation said in the public statement of gratitude.
Federal, state rulings favor Ramapough nation in Mahwah, March 18, 2019. By Marsha A. Stoltz
Support for the Ramapough Lenape Nation to Protect Lands, Waters, Burial Grounds, and Sacred Places, 2017
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a "statement of interest" Monday in U.S. District Court in New Jersey supporting a lawsuit by the Ramapough Mountain Indians saying the township violated the tribe's rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 by "interfering with religious assembly on property the tribe owns in the township."
Read the full article
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) supports the Ramapough Lenape Nation's legal efforts to protect land, water, cultural and religious rights; and
Read the full Resolution here