On August 24, 2002 an historic event took place at the Pennsbury Manor, the former estate of William Penn in Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that marked a new beginning of friendship between the Lenape People of Pennsylvania and the people that neighbor the Delaware River. The Treaty of Renewed Friendship was signed by the Lenape and a number of organizations and committed individuals who wish to actively support Lenape culture and to act as good stewards of their sacred Delaware River and homelands.

In order to commemorate and promulgate the treaty, the signing was coupled with an equally historic and monumental three-week canoe journey, which began at the top of the Delaware River in Hancock, N.Y. and culminated in Cape May, NJ. Members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania welcomed any committed individuals to paddle along with them, and they stopped all along the river to hold signings of the Treaty and offer programs about Lenape culture and presence. Treaty-signers were welcomed to offer presentations on their initiatives in stewarding the environment and promoting awareness of Lenape culture. 

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It was agreed that the re-signing of the Treaty, as well as the River Journey, would take place every four years, and did so again in the years of 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. 

As of the 2022 Rising Nation River Journey--which marked the 20 year anniversary of the Journey and Treaty--over 130 organizations--including environmental groups, colleges and universities, mayors, faith-based organizations, historical societies, and others--and over 300 committed individuals have signed the Treaty of Renewed Friendship. These wonderful relationships have resulted in continuous collaborations to help combat the erasure of the Lenape People in their homelands and protect the lands, wildlife, and waterways of the Lenapehokink. 

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The next Journey and Treaty Signing will take place in the summer of 2026. All are welcome to join us on the river, and all committed individuals and organizations are invited to join our "Rising Nation" and sign the Treaty of Renewed Friendship!

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If an organization would like to become a treaty signer prior to the next River Journey, we are happy to discuss setting up a private or public Treaty-Signing event; however, we do ask that your organization attend a signing during the next Journey to show your support and enter into the full four-year term of the Treaty.