The Conestoga Susquehannock people are a Uriscoian speaking tribe indigenous to the Susquehanna River Valley and its tributaries which encompasses parts of present-day Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland according to tribal historian, Michael Mantooth.

“Our oral history and the historical record support that we started in New York, and we actually traveled down the Susquehanna River. So periodically through time, as you track our people and where our villages were located, we move up and down the Susquehanna River throughout, you know, the seasons and throughout the years, and when, you know, a particular site would become depleted or unsafe, we would move to the opposite side of the river or further north or further south.”

Present day, there are under 100 members remaining of the Conestoga Susquehannock people today. According to Mantooth, most of the tribe are over 70 years old.

“So, you know, it puts us in a situation where it's now or never in terms of recognition of our tribal history. It's now or never in terms of return of our treaty guaranteed land in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. You know, it's interesting that today there's a prevailing myth of our extinction, despite 175 plus years of documented history of asking for that land back, not just as indigenous people, but specifically and consistently identifying as Conestoga people over this period of time. You know, so today we're really in a push. You know, we're reaching out to politicians. We're trying to rebuild those relationships to try to preserve our history because it is like every major source still lists us as extinct despite all of this documentation.”

Listen to the podcast to hear more about the tribe, how colonization impacted the tribe, and the five common myths about Native Americans that Mantooth addressed.

The <a href="https://www.conestogasusquehannocktribe.com/home">Conestoga Susquehannock people</a> are a Uriscoian speaking tribe indigenous to the Susquehanna River Valley and its tributaries which encompasses parts of present-day Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland according to tribal historian, Michael Mantooth.
&ldquo;Our oral history and the historical record support that we started in New York, and we actually traveled down the Susquehanna River. So periodically through time, as you track our people and where our villages were located, we move up and down the Susquehanna River throughout, you know, the seasons and throughout the years, and when, you know, a particular site would become depleted or unsafe, we would move to the opposite side of the river or further north or further south.&rdquo;
Present day, there are under 100 members remaining of the Conestoga Susquehannock people today. According to Mantooth, most of the tribe are over 70 years old.
&ldquo;So, you know, it puts us in a situation where it's now or never in terms of recognition of our tribal history. It's now or never in terms of return of our treaty guaranteed land in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. You know, it's interesting that today there's a prevailing myth of our extinction, despite 175 plus years of documented history of asking for that land back, not just as indigenous people, but specifically and consistently identifying as Conestoga people over this period of time. You know, so today we're really in a push. You know, we're reaching out to politicians. We're trying to rebuild those relationships to try to preserve our history because it is like every major source still lists us as extinct despite all of this documentation.&rdquo;
Listen to the podcast to hear more about the tribe, how colonization impacted the tribe, and the five common myths about Native Americans that Mantooth addressed.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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