Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware
Welcome!             

The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware represents the citizens of a Lenape Tribal Community concentrated in central Kent County, Delaware.

Our mission is to protect the cultural identity of the Lenape people of Delaware through educational, social and cultural programs and to promote the physical and economic health of our citizens through specialized health and economic development programs tailored to our needs. We also advocate for the civil and human rights of our community and our citizens.
Principal Chief, Dennis J. Coker

 The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware

Principal Chief, Dennis J. 'White Otter' Coker

Chief Dennis Coker has been involved with the Tribal Leadership of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware since 1996. Because of his collaboration with the Delaware State Historic Preservation office and the Federal Census Bureau, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware was awarded a "State Designated Tribal Area' status Tribal Citizens to include their Tribal affiliation for the first time in history. At Chief Coker's urging, on August 4, 2016, Delaware's Governor, Jack Markell, signed legislation officially recognizing the long and continued history of the Lenape Community in the state of Delaware.


Chief Coker continues to serve on several boards focusing on the Humanities and the Environment which has allowed him to effect progress towards recognition of the Native Human Rights of all tribes within the region, while continuing to honor the mission of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware.
Native American Heritage Month Activities  - Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware attended the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Farmers Conference, hosted by Delaware State University at the DSU farm in Smyrna

The First State African American Farmers’ Association (FSAAFA) partnered with Delaware State University College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (CAST) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)- to create a conference that addresses the Needs of Today’s Bipoc Farmer.


Attending the first day, along with Tribal Citizens, Chief Coker was invited to provide Keynote Session remarks and participate in a panel discussion.  Alongside representatives from the First State African American Farmers Association and Hispanic Association, Chief Coker spoke about the Lenape People, who prior to Colonization, were the First Farmers of the First State, the importance of regeneration of soil and the current struggles with obtaining land and having resources needed to farm.


The special guest and keynote speaker was Dr. John Boyd, Jr, a fourth-generation farmer and the founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, which advocates for Black farmer’s rights in America. Boyd had actively lobbied congress in support of both the Native American and Black farmer rights during a time with both groups were involved in legal cases. He spoke of the commitment that is needed to be a farmer, the importance and significance of acquiring and maintaining land ownership, and ended with encouraging the young people in the audience to never give up.


The conference was a two-day educational forum that featured tours, panel discussions, interactive demonstrations, and concurrent workshops.
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH ACTIVITES -  MILFORD LIBRARY  
The Milford Library invited Chief Coker to present the History of the Lenape Indians in Delaware. 

While there, and to our surprise, we were honored to connect and meet family that traveled from Philadelphia to be present for the presentation.

It was a  full house, standing room only!
OCTOBER DEERFIELD PROPERTY BLESSING of THE LAND

It was a bright sunny day when Chief Coker, Walter Durham and a few Tribal Citizens went to the Deerfield Property to Officially Bless the land during a brief ceremony. 

We will soon begin the work detailing the protocols for appropriate use of the property and meet our Tribal mission, goals and honoring of our ancestors.
Research Workshop held in Cheswold
INCLUSIVE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION with THE LENAPE INDIAN TRIBE OF DELAWARE
A Delaware Sea Grant Project workshop on Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation with the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware was held at the Cheswold Fire Hall on January 29. 

Participants included Lenape Tribal Council members, Lenape Tribal Citizens, different Environmental Stakeholders and UD Students who are part of environmentally focused student organizations taking part in research activities based on findings from this project. 

One of the goals for the workshop was to help diversify environmental literacy and increase understanding of climate change by hearing from multiple perspectives, including the Lenape Peoples.

In 2021 the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware began the work to create a vision and detailed concept for the
Lenape Cultural Center.

Click the image below learn the details.
Rendering Cultural Center
Rendering of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware Cultural Center
"The First People of the First State"
FOLLOW US ON:
Official Website
The Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware
A State of Delaware Recognized
American Indian Tribal Nation
2024
Wreaths Across America

On December 14, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware along with Tribal Citizens and volunteers participated in Wreaths Across America, a national day of remembrance in honor of veterans, held annually, with a focus on wreath placement, education, and volunteer engagement fostering a sense of community and respect.