The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey are a band of Native Americans residing throughout Southern New Jersey and Delaware. Tracing their roots back to the Nanticoke(Tidewater) and Lenape(Delaware) peoples, the Lenni-Lenape are among one of the oldest band of Indian peoples, with its history expanding over 10,000 years.  The two tribes remained independent until the mid 1600’s when Nanticoke Indians migrated from Eastern Maryland to the Delmarva Peninsula, uniting with the Lenape people and becoming what are known today as the Lenni-Lenape people.

The Lenape were among one of the first tribes to come into contact with European settlers, and in turn was one of the first to build peaceful relationships with them. In fact, the first treaty that the United States signed (Treaty of Fort Pitt) was signed with the Lenape people. This treaty established the sovereignty of the Lenape people and guaranteed territorial rights, both of which were not fulfilled by the American government.

With the implication of the Indian Removal Act, large numbers of the Lenape people were ordered to move West to Oklahoma or Wisconsin, where they re-established their tribes, however, a large number of the Lenape did not leave their homeland in the Delmarva Peninsula and can be found today.

Many of the Lenape people have already received Federal recognition, such as the Delaware Nation of Anadarko, Oklahoma, the Delaware Tribal Nation of Indians in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and the Stockbridge-Munsee community in Bowler, Wisconsin. Although many Lenape people have been granted Federal Recognition and First Nation status (Canadian recognition), two populations of Lenape people in New Jersey(the Naticoke Lenni-Lenape & the Ramapough Indian Nation) have not received federal recognition.  I have contacted President Obama to inquire on why my tribe, with clear ties to both the Lenape and Nanticoke people, has not received recognition. In response, I received a vague email touching on Native American issues and ways that he is working to improve life on reservations. It provided no clarity and seemed oddly impersonal as the name of my tribe was not mentioned and not a single question that I inquired on was answered.  

Upon receiving Federal recognition the tribe would become sovereign and would be free to practice its traditions and govern its people without interference from state government and would maintain an active government-to-government relationship between the US and the tribal leaders. In addition, members of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribal nation would gain access to many beneficial resources such as scholarships that are provided to those who are apart of a federally recognized tribe.

The Lenape people need your help. We deserve the same federal recognition and benefits that were provided to our sister tribes. Join me in petitioning congress for federal recognition.