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Who Are The Lenapé?

The Lenapé or Lenni Lenapé were a loose confederacy of Algonquian bands
living in their homeland of Lenapehoking. This land encompassed parts of
what is now New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylania, Northern Delaware, Long
Island, Staten Island, and other portions of New York at the time of
European contact. Our stories tell us that we came to this land in the far
back times from the West and many tribes respectfully call the Lenapé
"Grandfather". We lived in this homeland for thousands of years.

Lenni Lenapé means "real people" or "common people". The English
called us Delaware after Lord De La War, and to this day, many of us
go by that name.

The Lenapé lived in small communities and were fiercly independent.
Each band was governed by a chief or sakimâ advised by council. While
chiefs, warriors, and others with special skills were respected for
their abilities, they also were expected to use those skills for the
common good. As William Penn wrote, "Tis admirable to consider how
powerful the kings are, and yet how they move by the breath of their
people." Any who disagreed with the policies were free to move to
another community, or form one themselves. While there were no such
things as laws, honor was paramount.

The Lenapé at the time of contact were not nomads. They lived in a
type of longhouse or wigwams. They grew crops, especially the Three
Sisters; corn, beans, and squash.

Women held a more influencial and respected place in their community
than there European sisters. One is born into the clan of the mother.
Women, not men, owned the house and land. If there was a divorce, the
mother kept the children. Women also were a political influence and
several female signatures appear on various treaties.

As a generous people, we at first welcomed the European newcomers. The
Europeans' ways were so different, that it was inevitable that
conflict would arise. The Lenapé believe that Kishelamŕkânk, the
Creator, gave us this land to use, care for, and share.

Lenapé warriors were skilled and fierce when necessary, but preferred
to live in peace. Despite diplomacy and signed treaties, war broke
out. For two and a half centuries, we were at the forefront of
virtually every important battle between the Indians and the
encroaching settlers. Slowly we moved through Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and finally to Oklahoma (Indian Territory).

Today, many of our cousins live on the reservations in Oklahoma.
Throughout these centuries, however, many remained, intermarrying and
assimilating into the dominant culture. These ancestors hid their
Native heritage to protect their children from persecution, and at
times, death. In Native culture, decisions are made with the future
generations in mind. Only in the last few decades has it been possible
for the decendents of those ancestors to begin to practice their
religion and culture again. It is a tribute to our ancestors and their
efforts to ensure our survival that today many say, "There are no
Indians here in the East." In truth, there are thousands of us, and we
have begun to reclaim our heritage.

The people of the Thunder Mountain are proud to be a part of this
effort.

For additional information on the Lenni Lenapé, here are a few related
web sites maintained by our relations:

Delaware Tribal Homepage

Lenni Lenapé Historical Society & Museum of Indian Culture

Delaware History

The Lenapé: A Study of Hudson Valley Indians

The Lenni Lenapé: Original People of the Schuykill Watershed

Moravian of the Thames - Delaware Nation

Nanticoke Lenni-Lenapé Indians of New Jersey

Keepers of a Lost Culture

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