Maddie Yang ’27 Presents Comenius Project on Lenape Ethnobotany to International Audiences

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Maddie Yang ’27, who recently represented Moravian Academy at Homecoming 2025: The Lenape Speak, an international conference bringing together participants from across the U.S. and Canada to learn about Lenape culture, language, and traditional practices.

Over the past year, Maddie has conducted plant identification and ethnobotany research at the East 40 Gardens and Nature Area at Northampton Community College for her Comenius project, Exploring Ethnobotany: Indigenous Agriculture Practices for a Healthier Society and Planet, mentored by Moravian Academy’s Sustainability Director, Mrs. Burd. Maddie worked under the apprenticeship of Lenape Clan Mother Shelley DePaul, with support from the East 40 staff, and continues to advance her research in collaboration with the gardens.

Maddie was invited to present her findings at Homecoming 2025, highlighting her work with Lenape agricultural practices and ethnobotany. Building on this achievement, she will also present her research virtually at the American Anthropological Association conference, joining global scholars who were selected to share their work online.

Her participation in both conferences underscores Maddie’s dedication to sustainability, cultural preservation, and scientific research.

For more information about the conferences Maddie attended: