Nescopeck (North Branch): The borough of Nescopeck, just across the Susquehanna River from Berwick, derives its name from a creek of the same name that flows south from the river on the edge of town. “Nescopeck” comes from a Lenni Lenape (Delaware tribe) word meaning “deep black water.” The current community of Nescopeck occupies the original site of the Dela- ware tribe’s village. Shickshinny – Greenway River Town (North Branch): Conflict- ing interpretations state that Shickshinny means either “a fine stream” or “five mountains.” Either name would suit this Green- way River Town, which is situated along a small creek and ringed by five mountains. Shikellamy State Park (Confluence): One of the most recog- nized Indigenous names in the Susquehanna River Valley is that of Chief Shikellamy, the namesake for Shikellamy State Park, which is situated at the confluence of the North and West Branches of the Susquehanna River. Shikellamy was a leader of the Haude- nosaunee Confederacy who lived in modern-day Sunbury in the mid-18th Century and served as an emissary from the Haudeno- saunee in New York to the colonial government in Philadelphia. Susquehanna River: The Susquehanna River is named for the Susquehannock people who inhabited the Susquehanna River Valley and surrounding areas at the time of European contact. Variations on the suffix “hannock” are commonly found through- out the Susquehanna Greenway—its meaning in the Algonqui- an language is “moving water” or “river.” Sources conflict on the full meaning of Susquehanna, with interpretations ranging from “oyster river” to “muddy river.” Tiadaghton State Forest (West Branch): Tiadaghton is the name the Haudenosaunee gave to Pine Creek, a major tributary that runs into the West Branch of the Susquehanna. The Pine Creek Path, which passes through Tiadaghton State Forest, connected Native villages along the Susquehanna River with other Haudeno- saunee communities in New York. A rail line was later construct- ed along its route, which has since evolved into the popular Pine Creek Rail Trail.
Towanda is located near a Nanticoke burial site. The Nanticoke’s traditional homelands lie around the Chesapeake Bay; howev- er, in the 18th Century, some members of the Nanticoke people moved North into Pennsylvania, seeking the protection of the powerful Haudenosaunee. Tunkhannock – Greenway River Town (North Branch): The name of the Greenway River Town of Tunkhannock has various interpretations; some maintain that it signifies “small stream,” while others have traced it to mean “a bend in the river,” referring to a sharp upriver bend known as “the Neck.” Wapwallopen (North Branch): Another community on the North Branch, Wapwallopen, has two potential indigenous name origins. The first being, “the place where the messengers were murdered,” though no reference has yet been found as to the reason for this translation. Any reason for that meaning is most likely lost in history. The other meaning is given as, “the place where the white hemp grows.” This translation seems more like- ly, since in the Delaware language, the prefix Wab, Wapsu, and Whap, translated into English, all mean white. And “halahpink” can be translated to mean “wild hemp.” It is definitely known that a kind of wild hemp did grow in the area. From this plant, fish nets, coarse clothing, and bedcoverings were made by the Delaware. - Information from “A History of the Wapwallopen Region” White Cliffs of Conoy (Lower Susquehanna): The White Cliffs of Conoy, located in south central PA, are named for the Piscat- away Conoy Tribe, a group of Nanticoke people who traditional- ly lived along the Potomac River. They moved North with other Nanticoke people in the early 1700s, seeking land and protec- tion. These cliffs are actually a limestone deposit which can be explored just off of the 14.2-mile Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. Indigenous voices are essential to understanding our relationship with the land. When visiting one of these spots along the Susque- hanna Greenway, take some time to consider its importance to the Haudenosaunee, Susquehannock, Nanticoke, and others who previously called it home. While the Susquehannock people are no longer active in the area, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy is an important force in the Northeast today. For more information, visit their website at haudenosauneeconfederacy.com. •
Towanda River Walk (North Branch): Towanda means “burial ground” in the Algonquian language and, indeed, the town of
A view of Wapwallopen and the Susquehanna River
The White Cliffs of Conoy Photo by: Mark Kissinger
The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor of connected trails, parks, river access points, and communities, link- ing people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River. The mission of the Partnership is to continue to grow the Greenway, inspiring people to engage with the outdoors and transforming communities into places where people want to live, work, and explore. Learn more: susquehannagreenway.org
15
Powered by FlippingBook