Ramapo Nation reclaims Split Rock Mountain
Thanks to a historic transfer of the Tahetaweew, commonly known as Split Rock Mountain — sacred Indigenous ancestral lands make a long-awaited return to the Ramapo Munsee Lunaape Nation.
Earlier this year, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey announced the historic transfer of the Tahetaweew, commonly known as Split Rock Mountain — a long-awaited return of sacred Indigenous ancestral land to the Ramapo Munsee Lunaape Nation.
The Land Conservancy of New Jersey raised private funds to purchase the 54-acre property from the Rockland County Sewer District and donated it to the Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance, a newly formed land trust that will allow the Nation to have full ownership and decision-making over their lands while honoring their culture and traditions.
Split Rock Mountain offers stunning views — including of the New York City skyline — from its nearly 800-foot summit. It’s part of the Ramapo Mountains, which straddle northeast New Jersey and southern New York.
“This site, much like that of Mount Sinai, is where our holy people went to deliberate peace and understanding among other peoples, hence the moniker The Grandfather Tribe,” said Ramapo Munsee Lunaape Nation Chief Dwayne Perry. “A decision of great importance would be found by tribal elders and brought back down to the fields below, where two long houses stood to welcome the decisions inspired by the energy and the sacred knowledge they had gotten at the Tahetaweew — The Gate That Opens a Learned of the Elders.”
“This has been a complex process, but The Land Conservancy was up for the challenge,” said David Epstein, president of The Land Conservancy. “It remains inspiring to help the Ramapo Nation lead this movement striving for environmental justice, and to see how many people are joining us in this historic effort."