September events set to explore Delaware's Native-American heritage

The Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs will be sponsoring special events during September to explore the First State’s rich Native-American heritage and culture. These programs are free and open to the public.

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

This tradition of seasonal travel continues in today’s Native-American communities with September serving as a time when families come together and celebrate their heritage. One of Delaware’s most well-known Native-American celebrations is the annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow that will take place this year Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13, east of Millsboro.

Saturday, Sept. 5, The First People of the First State: A Celebration of Heritage, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fourth annual celebration featuring the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware as they honor Mother Earth and Native-American culture with dancing and demonstrations.

Monday, Sept. 7, Preserving a Delaware Community: The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, 1 p.m. Elected Chief Dennis Coker discusses the past, present and future of central Delaware’s Lenape Indian community including its relationships with the royal family of Sweden, the State of Delaware and surrounding cultural communities over time.

Saturday, Sept. 12, The First People of the First State: A Celebration of Heritage, 9 a.m. to noon. Participatory program in which visitors will learn how to play traditional Native-American children’s games.

Saturday, Sept. 19, Lost and Found: Native-American Identity in Delaware’s Public Schools, 1 p.m. Panel discussion examines the challenges that Delaware’s Native-American students faced during segregation and the subsequent integration of the public schools.

Saturday, Sept. 26, The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware. At 1 p.m., elected Chief Dennis Coker discusses the progress made by the central Delaware Lenape Indian community. Highlights include overcoming adversity, tribal survival and passing on the cultural legacy to the next generation. At 2 p.m., Dr. Cara Blume will discuss her decades-long research on the Lenape community. The six programs on the above dates will be held at The Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. Call 302-744-5054.

Saturday, Sept. 26, The Nanticoke, lecture by William H. Daisey, chief of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, 2 p.m. Zwaanendael Museum, 102 Kings Highway, Lewes. Admission is free, but,  due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Sept. 25.

Administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the five museums of the state of Delaware - the John Dickinson Plantation, the Johnson Victrola Museum, the New Castle Court House Museum, The Old State House and the Zwaanendael Museum - tell the story of the First State’s contributions to the history and culture of the United States.

Through displays, exhibits and special programs, the museums explore how the state's distinctive physical environment, in combination with the people who came to live here, gave Delaware an identity that is different from any other place.

For a comprehensive, long-term calendar of division-sponsored events, go to history.delaware.gov/exhibits/calendarofevents.shtml.