Native American Documentary to Premiere in Muncie

The Lenape on the Wapahani River Documentary Premieres Saturday, April 12

A new documentary produced by students at Ball State University explores the source of names like “Muncie,” “Delaware County,” “Anderson,” and “Wapahani High School” and the interesting history of the Delaware Native Americans in Muncie, Indiana and will premiere on Saturday, April 12 at the Minnetrista Cultural Center at 1:00 p.m. 

The Lenape on the Wapahani River is the product of an immersive learning project taught by Chris Flook, Instructor in the Department of Telecommunications.  The documentary film was produced by students from the Departments of Telecommunications, Digital Storytelling, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and Anthropology.  The project provides educational resources about the Delaware (or Lenape) Native Americans during their time in east central Indiana from the 1790’s through 1821. 

Partnering with the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park in Fishers, Indiana, the project’s documentary and associated Web page provide a rich account of the Delaware’s often overlooked experience in Indiana.

The documentary will also broadcast on WIPB-TV on the following dates and times:

·         Sunday, April 13 at 12:30 p.m.

·         Monday, April 14 at 11:30 p.m.

·         Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m.

·         Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m.

The project was generously funded by the Hamer and Phyllis Shafer Foundation and was supported by the Building Better Communities Fellows program.  For more information about the film, please contact Chris Flook at 765-285-1480.