I don't know the whole of the treaty. I THINK the Ramapoughs are recognized owners of that portion of the Bergen COUNTY park, and that park is administered by the state and county.
But I THINK that the treaty states that the park is in fact Ramapough reservation.
I'd like someone who really knows to answer.
I DO know that the tribe has been gathering there, and riding ATVs, for decades.
I was on the freeway the other day and was directed off by a patrolman. It was a detour due to construction. I did not challange the patrolman, even though I had full legal rights to drive there. I guess I could have challanged him, forced escalation to the point he had to shoot me. I chose not to. That is why we have courts, and an Indian should feel REAL GOOD going to court against a white eyed devil.
The area, which really is not large, used to be owned by the catholic church. What wasn't, was and is own by 'the tribe'.
When I was a kid a little know secret was you could get access to fish on the church's property, but had to go see the monsenior for a pass. Once on the grounds, usually the only people you saw was from the 'tribe'. Scarey in looks. Scarey because they packed weapons.
The church sold off a lot of land to the state, used to create the Ramapo Reservation (Park). Other acres were used to expand Ramapo college.
Don't confuse 'reservation' with indian reservation. Bottom line: Once church owned, now state owned. What's not, was and is private land owned by individuals of the 'tribe'.