DELAWARE - When European colonists arrived in the 1600s, the land that became Delaware was already a thriving homeland for two major Algonquian-speaking nations: the Lenape in the north and the Nanticoke in the south. Today, these vibrant communities continue to preserve their heritage and govern their people within the First State.

First State, First Peoples: The Native Roots of Delaware

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The Lenape (Lenni-Lenape)

Known as the "Original People," the Lenape are considered the "Grandfathers" of many other East Coast tribes. Their ancestral territory, Lenapehoking, once covered the entire Delaware Valley.

• The "Keepers of the Land": While many Lenape were forced west to Oklahoma and Canada, a resilient community remained in Delaware. They are often called the "Keepers of the Land" for maintaining their ancestral connection for over 10,000 years.
• Cheswold Roots: The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware is centered in the town of Cheswold in Kent County. Under the leadership of Principal Chief Dennis Coker, the tribe works to restore the environment and educate the public on their deep history as the state's first farmers.

The Nanticoke

The Nanticoke, or "People of the Tidewater," were skilled merchants and mariners who lived along the rivers of the Delmarva Peninsula.

• Early Resistance and Survival: First recorded by Captain John Smith in 1608, the Nanticoke were known for their expert trading skills. Despite centuries of displacement and legal challenges, the community successfully organized to protect their identity and education.
• Millsboro Hub: The Nanticoke Indian Association is based in Millsboro, Sussex County. They operate the Nanticoke Indian Museum—a National Historic Landmark—and host one of the region's largest annual Powwows, drawing visitors from across the country to celebrate Indigenous culture.

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A Legacy Reclaimed

For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Delaware’s Indigenous people were often misclassified or "hidden in plain sight." In 2016, a landmark legislative moment officially recognized both the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and the Nanticoke Indian Association as sovereign tribes with formal governing bodies.

Today, these nations are active leaders in Delaware’s cultural and environmental landscape. They are currently working on major initiatives, including expanding community centers and developing new educational curriculum to ensure that the story of the "First People of the First State" is never forgotten.

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