Public Art installation at Many Trails Park to Celebrate the Enduring Legacy of the Lenape, Munsee and Mohican people
Left to Right: Lisa Austin, National Museum of the American Indian; Laura Vookles, Hudson River Museum; Mayor Mike Spano; Richard Haas, artist; Congressman George Latimer; Shawn “Standing Eagle” Stevens; Robin Alcantara, artist. Photo by Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers
On August 6, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced the City’s commissioning of a new public mural at Many Trails Park commemorating United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on August 9.
This mural, to be created by acclaimed muralist Richard Haas and artist Robin Alcantara, will honor the rich history, culture and enduring legacy of the Lenape, Munsee and Mohican people whose ancestral homelands include present-day Yonkers.
“Yonkers is proud of its diversity, and that begins with recognizing the first people who called this land home,” said Mayor Spano. “This mural will serve as a lasting tribute to the Indigenous communities whose history is deeply woven into our City’s story. It is a place where residents and visitors alike can reflect, learn and appreciate the cultures that helped shape Yonkers.”
The mural will be painted on the prominent wall overlooking the Many Trails sculpture at the park, located at 2 Mill Street. Last November, the park, containing a portion of the daylighted Saw Mill River, was re-dedicated in honor of the City’s Native American heritage to Many Trails Park. Native American artist Al Wadzinski created a metal sculpture to tell the story of Yonkers’ first beginnings.
Together, the sculpture and mural will tell the story of the Indigenous peoples who lived, traveled and thrived along the banks of the Hudson River long before Yonkers became the City it is today.
“I am both proud and challenged by the City of Yonkers’ decision to ask me to design a mural dedicated to the history of the Indigenous people who inhabited this area,” said muralist Richard Haas. “I honestly hope that I can do some justice to this rich heritage and that through this mural, the people now living in Yonkers and beyond will reflect on and better appreciate the importance of and great contributions the Lenape, Munsee and Mohegan tribes made to our history.”
Artist Robin Alcantara said, “Our goal is to create a mural that honors the memory of the Indigenous people who called this place home, and whose descendants continue to preserve that heritage today.”
The announcement coincided with the City’s observance of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a global recognition of the cultures, traditions, languages and contributions of Indigenous peoples around the world.
Many Trails Park was created to acknowledge the deep historical connection between Yonkers and the Lenape, Munsee and Mohican people. The addition of the mural will further transform the park into a space for education, reflection and cultural appreciation while reinforcing the City’s commitment to preserving and sharing Indigenous history.
The mural is expected to be completed early next year.
The Hudson River Museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, served as as the backdrop for this announcement. This award-winning museum has been a proponent in promoting Native American art and culture in exhibits such as Smoke In Our Hair: Native Memory and Unsettled Time.