Re: Delaware tribe(s)
Jackie Brown (jacbrow@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu)
Tue, 3 Aug 1993 06:56:39 EDT
Dear Erica:
My name is Jackie Brown and I am an archivist at the University of
Florida and a Lenape (Delaware) descendant. The Lenape were originally
in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York when the Europeans landed.
They were forced West along with many others and lived in Ohio, Indiana,
Missouri, Kansas and finally Oklahoma. Some fled to Canada and their ancestors
are still there. Many others assimilated along the way. I believe the main
body consisted of about nine hundred when they were on the Kansas reserve.
After the loss of the Kansas land they were forced to Oklahoma and incorporated
into the Cherokee Nation. The government recognizes us as Cherokee and our
white cards say Cherokee but there is a Lenape Tribe in Oklahoma. Their
address is Delaware Tribe of Indians, 108 South Seneca, Bartlesville, Oklahoma,
74003, Telephone 918-336-5272. The Chief is Lewis Ketchum. The Lenape in
Oklahoma are doing a lot to preserve their heritage including language lessons
and elder interviews. They have an annual powwow that has been held in Copan,
Oklahoma for the past 29 years. I hope this information is of some use.