WELCOME TO LENAPEHOKINK PLACE OF THE LENAPE

Lenapehokink, ancient homeland of describes Lenape staying behind as Lenape is also spelled Lenapehoking. acculturating to “western constructs.”: Although new immigrants from  Some live in communities around Scandinavia and Europe changed “Indian” towns, schools & churches names of landscapes, water ways, and  Some memberships are based on even the First People themselves, genealogical descent alone culture survives. The English called the Lenape “De La War Indians,” as though  Some require ¼ blood quantum and they were French speaking people “of are constitutionally governed the war” in India! Others used the term  Some groups have Sate or Federal “Moor” for some mysterious reason. recognition; many self-identify Many Lenape were forced to move  All Lenape dialects belong to the north toward Canada or west toward Algonquian family tree of languages Oklahoma. Some settled down along the way, keeping pieces of their culture alive along their diaspora routes. Those who stayed behind are called “Keepers of the Land” or “Keepers of the Pass.” Through family reunions, churches and private meetings, they stayed connected and re-organized formally during Civil Rights movement. In 2001diaspora cousins came from all over the continent, celebrating their heritage together saying simply, “We are Still Here”. In 2009 Federal Census Districts were assigned to some Lenape communities. In 2016 Gov. Jack Markel signed laws protecting the self rule of Lenape and Nanticoke people. We are Still Here by John Norwood describesQuery: Lenape How staying is self behind,-determination different from sovereignty? CELEBRATING

ALL OUR RELATIONS

The Lenape had three dialects with life is the Tribal Nation of PA including all those ways unique to their geography, and who can prove some Lenape ancestry. DE animal totems. Historically Wolf Clan spoke has no commission, but does have two Munsee in the northern mountains and state codified Tribes: the Lenape Indian then on reservations in Canada. The Turtle Tribe of Delaware and Nanticoke Indian Clan spoke Unami along the rivers and Association of Millsboro. eventually in Oklahoma, but they moved Protocol Suggestions: south to the Unilachtigo speaking Turkey  Demonstrate you are an honoring Clan along the big salty waters. The Unami person by honoring your own ancestry; dialect remains in southern groups. this is the sign of a good citizen in any Three Sister Tribes living around the Tribe. Understand your own family’s southern bay are literally related. Two part in colonization & decolonization. created the Confederation of Sovereign  Ask local parks, libraries, and clubs to Nanticoke Lenape Tribes of the Delaware present Native Life Ways with local Bay. The Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes Tribes sharing their stories art and forms. (ACET) also gathers to protect and support legal protection and cultural revitalization.  If you have very little native ancestry, find a group that recognizes your The NJ Indian Commission on American lineage; be a good cousin. Indian Affairs has two representatives from each of the following groups: Nanticoke  Before contacting a Tribal office read Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, Powhatan their web site. Use proper titles as listed. Renape, Ramapough Lenape Indian Learn all you can. Imagine how many Nation, and Inter-Tribal People. “Inter-Tribal calls Tribal offices get from people who People” refers to those residing in one did not do their own homework. state, but members of federally or state-  Always ask Tribal leaders for etiquette recognized tribes in other states. and ask whose example to follow. Connecticut has an Indian Affairs Council  To help Lenape cousins find each other, honoring Lenape cousins; Mohegan and to support revitalization, start or join a Peaquot are on the mainland of CT & NY. “Friends of” group, such as Friends of Long Island is home to Shinecock and Nanticoke-Lenni-Lenape,18 East Unkachaug Nations. CT & NY have State Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302; and Federally recognized tribes. PA has no Friends of Lenape Everywhere, PO Box Commission, does not recognize any local 242 Cheswold, De 19936. NOTE: Friends Tribe and sorely needs a directory of the of Ramapo is for Ramapo College, but many PA Tribal groups. not for the Ramapough Tribe. The most active in the Philadelphia area