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Native American heritage spotlighted at Delaware museums during September

August 29, 2017

During September, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring events that explore the First State's rich Native American heritage and culture.

Nena Todd, site supervisor for the state's downtown Dover museums, said, "September is a time for Native American people to gather in their homelands. Traditionally, the coming of cooler weather provided a signal for native peoples to transition from a summer of hunting and fishing to more secure winter lodgings." 

First People of the First State: 12,000 Years, 300 Years and One Year will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 2, on The Green and in the Old State House in Dover. Grand Entry is at noon. This seventh annual event features the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware as they celebrate their heritage and the first anniversary of their formal recognition as a tribe by the State of Delaware. Programs will feature singing, drumming, dancing and demonstrations.

A Test of Time: What Does State Recognition Mean? will be presented at 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 4, at the Old State House in Dover. Elected Chief Dennis Coker will discuss the long process that led to official state recognition of the Lenape Indian Tribe.

Hunting for Hudson: A Quest to Understand the Explorer and his Connection to the Delaware Bay will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes. Historic-site interpreter Kaitlyn Dykes will present the lecture. Reservations for the lecture are required due to space limitations. To register, call 302-645-1148 by Friday, Sept. 8.

Reflections From a Tribal Chief is set for 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Old State House in Dover. Tribal member and former Elected Chief Dick "Quiet Thunder" Gilbert will speak about his life, his community and his challenges growing up as a Lenape.

The Lenape Indian Tribe Today, an open forum discussion by Lenape community members, will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Old State House, Dover. They will address contemporary issues facing Indian communities today and how that impacts other Delaware communities.

Nanticoke, a lecture by Sterling Street, coordinator for the Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes. The program will be on the museum's second floor with entry via staircase; there is no elevator. Reservations for the lecture are required due to space limitations. To register, call 302-645-1148.

Native Ways, demonstrations presented by archeologists, modern practitioners and other experts, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, in front of the Old State House, Dover. Activities will showcase ancient technologies and lifeways from Delaware spanning over 14,000 years. 

How Do You Know if You're Indian? Expressing Indian Identity, a presentation by archeologist and ethnographer Dr. Cara Blume, will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Old State House in Dover. She will focus on the use of archival and other research techniques to identify American Indian heritage.

A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat: The Early-American Whaling Industry, a lecture by historic-site interpreter Andrew Lyter, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes. The program will be on the museum's second floor with entry via staircase; there is no elevator. Reservations for the lecture are required due to space limitations. To register, call 302-645-1148.

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