An organization with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe of NJ recently purchased 63-acres of land in Salem County, NJ, to establish the Cohanzick Longhouse Sanctuary to serve as a cultural education center and ceremonial site for the Tribe. However, township officials have so far refused to issue the necessary permits to open the site to the public. Despite the fact that officials readily issued continuing use permits to various Christian groups who purchased the property in the past, officials are requiring Indigenous leaders to begin the whole zoning and permitting process from scratch, which will cost a great deal of time and money.

WHYY interviewed Mark Clatterbuck, Professor of Religion and co-director of Native American and Indigenous Studies, to delve into the controversy and offer insights into the challenges surrounding understanding and respecting Indigenous practices.

Read the full article here!