"Elan Kumankw" - "We Are All Related"
A Community Outreach & Healing Arts Mural
The "We Are All Related" mural was created under the supervision of Marietta Dantonio with the assistance of Joel Keener during "The Peoples Gathering" in Drums, Pennsylvania where Native American Indians from the Eastern Delaware Nations gathered in an effort to reunite and unify the remnants of their once noble and proud peoples. 75 members including men, women, children, clan mothers elders and even tribal chiefs came tohether in unity to show their commitment to the cause and help create this mural.
"Elan Kumankw" is a 6 panel mural spanning 24 feet in width and has a height of eight feet. The entire mural is bordered with the Walum Olum, a pictograph chronicle of the Delaware Indians. The original pictographs were carved onto wooden sticks outlined with red paint and all were commited to memory by the Elders.
The first panel of this massive mural was designed by a twelve year old girl who got all the children involved. This panel was called "The Creator's Dream" and features the legendary dream catchers.
The second and third panels explain the Creation Story. Looming over the scene are representations of the Turtle, Turkey and Wolf clans. The second panel shows the creation of the First Woman who came from the top of the Tree of Life. The Turkey or "Ground Eagle" who is so majestic and useful yet exceedingly humble, peeks out from behind the tree.
Respect is shown to the Turtle, who's shell is always made up of thirteen plates, a reminder of the thirteen moons of every year. The Turtle holds the earth upon his back, hence our name for the North American continent, "Turtle Island". A multitude of plant and animal life continually springs from the fertile Mother. Another messenger of the Thunderbirds, the Red Tail Hawk, holds out its wings in a sacred way, ready to receive and deliver the blessings of the Creator.
The third panel shows the creation of First Man, who comes from the roots of the Tree of Life, surrounded by the Plant Nation, the Four-Leggeds and other Two-Leggeds who share the blessing of Mother Earth with us. The powerful Wolf totem keeps a steady watch.
The fourth panel is called "The Mother Earth". It shows us where we come from and the gifts the Mother gives to sustain life, such as the nourishing sacred Corn and all-essential Water, also known as the "blood" of Mother Earth. The elements of earth, air, water, and fireare in balance with the colors of the four directions and their respective teachings of illumination, healing, introspection and wisdom.
In the fifth panel, called "The Feast and Celebration", the People dance to give thanks to the Earth Mother for all she so lovingly provides. We see the bounty of corn, beans and squash, three of theSacred Plants given to us by the Creator and provided by the Mother.
The sixth and final panel is "The Spirit of the Elders". It shows the Elders teaching the children all aspects of life. The Spirit of the Ancestors can be seen behind the child. The handprints of the Elders and the children intertwine when the panels are all arranged in a circle, showing unity as well as the Cycles of Life.
The Eastern Delaware Nations is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to gather back together the native peoples scattered in 1790, to reunite and unify the remnants of these once noble and proud people.
"Elan Kumankw - We Are All Related" Commorative Print PosterInterested in a print of this mural? Prints(pictured above) are available
and a portion of the proceeds go to the Eastern Delaware Nations (EDN)
to help them continue their good works of help and healing.
Printed on 20 3/4" wide by 19 1/8" high paper,
the actual image is 17 7/8" wide by 16 1/8" high.
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