Protection, recognition, promotion, and practice of the abundantly rich culture and offerings of the Ramapough Munsee Lenape people.

Vision

To support, preserve, and share the rich cultural heritage of the Ramapough Munsee Lenape people, who are the original Keepers of the Pass, in the Ramapough Mountains.

Mission

• Strengthen Community

  • Our relationships are one of the foundation stones of our Community. Our relations include our Munsee and indigenous ancestors, our indigenous neighbors, new neighbors, and our environment including Ramapo Mountains and Rivers.

  • The RMI Center strengthens community through providing facilities and support to programs such as Genealogy and the Workforce Investment Program. These programs directly service the Ramapough people through membership applications, communications, job training and educational support.

• Promote Education

  • The RMI Center hosts classes in a variety of arts and crafts for children as well as serving as a gathering place for the community.

• Remember History

• Practice and Embolden Tradition

• Food Sovereignty

• Support Sacred Sites

  • Scholars, Indigenous people, and Ramapough elders support and are supported by the Center in the dialogue regarding sacred sites, practices, and knowledge.

Goals

The Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation are the original ‘Keepers of the Pass.’ Our homeland once extended from Western Connecticut to Eastern Pennsylvania, and from the Northern bank of the Raritan River North to Albany N.Y., inhabiting all boroughs of Manhattan with custodianship of what is now the Hudson River amongst the broad Ramapo Mountain river valley, otherwise known as ‘the Pass.’ Ramapough Timeline

Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc. (otherwise RMI). 501(c)(3).

Of the Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation.

What's in the name?

• Ramapough (also Ramapo)

  • Micro-region (Physical Mountains)

• Munsee

  • Meso-region (Language)

• Lenape

  • Macro-region (Algonquin Affiliation)

• Nation

  • A recognized politically-sovereign collective, or tribe

Our Work

Board of RMI

Dwaine Perry · Charlene DeFreese · Antonio Powell · Poppy Jones · Luanne Powell · Kristi DeFreese · Jacqueline Kumar · Peyton Powell

Team at RMI

Vince Morgan

Vince is the Executive Director at Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc.

vincemorgan@ramapoughmunseenation.org

Tony Powell

Tony is the Treasurer at Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc., sitting on the Board Committee.

Charlene DeFreese

Genealogy Manager at Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc., Charlene has kept the fire burning since a child and now sits on the Board Committee.

cdefreese@ramapoughmunseenation.org

Genealogy Inquiries: ramapoughgenealogy@gmail.com

Steve (Owl) Smith

Owl is Legal Advisor and Grant Writer at Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc.

Tybee Jennings

Tybee works with Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc. in service-partnership with Rhode Island Indian Council Program Manager for human resource development in areas specific to education, skilling, and workforce.

Garland Smith

Garland is Administrative Assistant and Content Manager at Ramapough Mountain Indians Inc.

garlandsmith@ramapoughmunseenation.org

Your help is INSTRUMENTAL in providing native people resources to live and protect life.