{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 188 Debra Beal, Woman of the Ramapough Lenape Nation","description":" My guest today is Debra Beal. Debra was one of the women featured in Lisa Levart\u2019s photography exhibit \u201cWomen of the Ramapough Lenape Nation\u201d. Debra shares her own assimilation experience of how her parents initially downplayed their Native American culture when she was a child, only to pursue and embrace a relationship with her Lenape tribe when she was a young teenager. As her father\u2019s bumper sticker read \u201cI was Indian before it was cool to be Indian\u201d. Debra has recently retired from her 33 year career in NY State\u2019s Office of Mental Health and is exploring the ongoing delicate balance to integrate the fullness of who she truly is.  Her Indian name \u201cWalela\u201d translates as Hummingbird, which symbolizes Debra\u2019s desire to create harmony in the world, by building genuine, compassionate relationships, helping people and being a conduit for healing. Check out the show notes for links to see Debra featured in Lisa\u2019s photography exhibit at Bergen Community College, opened through November 24th, as well as in Myles Aronowitz's documentary. I hope this inspires you to learn of the Native people of your land; let\u2019s make Thanksgiving more meaningful, by educating ourselves and our extended family of our true history with American Indians. Enjoy the podcast! Links: Women of the Ramapough Lenape Nation Bergen Community College Gallery Exhibit IG: @goddessonearth IG: @debra.powell.7587 ","author_name":"Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire","author_url":"http:\/\/www.enlighten.nyc","html":"