Delaware legislators commemorate November as Native American Heritage Month

State Rep. Danny Short, R-Seaford, recently reminded Delawareans that November is Native American Heritage Month in the state.

Short had the privilege of hosting members of the Lenape Indian Tribe and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe at Legislative Hall in June, during which the General Assembly passed House Concurrent Resolution 25 to commemorate November as Native American Heritage Month.

Representatives from the Lenape Tribe, headquartered in Kent County, and the Nanticoke Tribe, headquartered in Sussex County, were recognized on the floor of the House by Short and other legislators for their continuing efforts to preserve and promote their culture. The group also had the opportunity to meet Gov. Jack Markell and share with him the issues and concerns that were important to the Native American community in Delaware.

According to the House resolution, these interrelated, self-governing tribal communities “have continued in their homeland from ancient times to the present” and, to this day, “carry on the rich traditions of their heritage as an ever-present living legacy in our region.”

Both the Lenape and Nanticoke tribes have been historically recognized as indigenous tribes in state laws and were clearly defined State Tribal Areas in 2010 in the U.S. Census.

Short said, “It was an honor to sponsor the House resolution with Sen. [George] Bunting and host these two tribes in our state’s capitol at the end of June. On behalf of my constituents, I am pleased to recognize the immeasurable contributions the Lenape and Nanticoke tribal communities have made to both our state and nation.”