Westchester

Westchester County, New York (often just called “Westchester”) is a suburban county located immediately north of New York City in the southeastern part of New York State. It’s part of the Hudson Valley region, known for its mix of urban energy, historic charm, upscale suburbs, and natural beauty.

Westchester County is historically the ancestral homeland of several Native American groups, primarily part of the Lenape (also known as Delaware) people, specifically Algonquian-speaking bands within the broader Wappinger confederacy (or Wappingers).

These included subgroups such as:

• Wecquaesgeek (or Wiechquaeskeck/Wickquasgeck): Occupied areas along the Hudson River in southwestern Westchester (e.g., around Dobbs Ferry, Yonkers area) and extending into the Bronx.
• Kitchawank: In northern Westchester (e.g., around Croton-on-Hudson, where evidence of ancient settlements dates back thousands of years).
• Siwanoy: Along the Long Island Sound coast in southern Westchester (e.g., near Pelham Manor, White Plains, extending into the Bronx and Connecticut).
• Other related bands like the Wappinger proper, who spanned much of the county and beyond.

These groups have lived in the region for thousands of years before European contact, with archaeological evidence (e.g., oyster shell middens on Croton Point) showing occupation as far back as 7,000 years. They have hunted, fished, farmed, and used trails that have later became modern roads (like parts of Broadway tracing old Wickquasgeck paths).

• Tribal Council of the Siwanoy Nation ( www.siwanoynation.org ) claims descent from the Siwanoy people, states that many descendants still reside on ancestral lands in the region (including Westchester), and has enrolled members worldwide. This appears to be a modern organization focused on cultural preservation rather than a federally recognized tribe with land sovereignty.
• There are also Facebook groups and community pages (e.g., for Siwanoy descendants) where people connect over shared ancestry from these bands in the Bronx, Westchester, and nearby areas.

In summary, while the original tribal entities as autonomous communities still exist in Westchester, their cultural legacy persists through place names (e.g., Croton from a sachem, Ossining from Sintsink-related terms), archaeological sites, and living descendants who honor their heritage. If you’re researching genealogy, specific sites, or modern cultural events related to these groups, more details could help narrow it down!