Nanticoke Indian Tribe holds 45th Annual Powwow

Kalen Anderson leads a group of dancers during the tribute to veterans at the 45th annual Nanticoke Indian Tribe Powwow. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

September 14, 2023

The Nanticoke Indian Tribe held its 45th annual Powwow Sept. 9-10 at Hudson Fields, where hundreds of visitors learned of the tribal community who shared their voices, customs and traditions to all in attendance.

Many vendors were on hand for food, music, jewelry, souvenirs, regalia supplies, arts and crafts, beadwork and leather belts and bags. A bird show and a car show was a highlight of the weekend. A church service started off the second day.

The grand entry was held at noon both days. Professional Native American dancers from around the country displayed their tribal music and dances.

Sponsors helping to make this year’s powwow a success are: University of Delaware, State Historic Preservation Office, Sussex County Council, Amazon, Beebe Healthcare, Carl M. Freeman Foundation, Chuck Hall Insurance, Community Bank, Compassion & Choices, Delaware State University, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Juan Johnson State Farm, Short’s Marine, Tony Street & Sons Septic Services, and many other sponsors of ads for the powwow book.

For more information about the Nanticoke, go to NanticokeIndians.org.

Dallas MacMahan dances through the dance during the grand entry.

Ivanette Morris-Yearsly, center, and Jasmine Burton look to perform in the grand entry.

Prior to the blessing of the dance circle, the participants are cleansed. Nanticoke storyteller Ragghi Rain, left, is cleansed by Herman Jackson.

The drummers and singers perform during the dances of the grand entry.

A unique wolf T-shirt was popular from the vendors in attendance. The wolf is a very important animal to the Native Americans since a lot of their spirits came from the wolves, which is very spiritual to them. “Many Native Americans viewed the wolves as the pathfinder or the teacher because it has always been a guide for them, a guide to the spirit world and to this world.”