Delaware

The Block

This block, created by Shirley Baker, Mary C. Whiteye, and Marilyn Tobias from the Delaware Nation, Moravian of the Thames band, depicts the three clans of the Lenni Lenape (Delaware): Wolf, Turtle and Turkey. At the top is a wampum belt, and in one corner, a clothing art pattern showing a thunderbird. Wampum belts were historically created as records of agreement between Nations, or to document special events. Part of a Delaware land belt has been reproduced in purple and white wampum beads at the bottom of the block, which is bordered with traditional ribbon-work. A wide variety of materials, including leather, deer hide, wampum beads, glass beads, birch bark, turkey feathers, fur and satin ribbons were used in the creation of this piece.

Cultural Profile

The Delawares were also known as the Lenni-Lenape, which means “Original People” in their Algonquian language. They first encountered Europeans in the early 1600s. The area the Delawares lived in can today be described as the entire State of New Jersey, the eastern part of New York State (including New York City), the northern parts of Delaware and Maryland, and the eastern part of Pennsylvania. The name Delaware comes from the “English title” Sir Thomas West (governor of the Jamestown colony) carried, which was “Lord De-la-Warr”. When he named the Pennsylvania River the “Delaware River,” the Lenni-Lenape, who lived on it, became known as Delawares.

The Lenape were known as the “Grandfather” tribe among Algonquian-speaking peoples. They were well-respected as peacemakers and often called upon to mediate conflicts between other tribal groups. Their preference for peace however, did not diminish their skills as warriors, when such action was deemed necessary.

The Lenni Lenape relied heavily on agriculture for their food sources. The women planted and maintained fields–which sometimes measured over 200 acres–of corn, squash, beans, sweet potatoes, and tobacco. Traditional fare often included corn soup, corn bread, fried pickerel, and roast venison. Some traditional “social dance songs”, sung to the resonant beat of a water drum, were named after specific crops. “Social dance songs” were often shared with neighbouring tribes, but songs of a ceremonial or religious nature were never permitted to be used by other groups. Traditional social gatherings include the Delaware Grand Council of North America Gathering, Delaware Confederacy Gathering, Fall Gatherings, Elders gatherings, and Pow wows.

In the 1600 and 1700s, land sales and wars with colonials forced most of the Lenni-Lenape to move west and north; consequently they now they live in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kansas, Idaho, and many other states, as well as in Ontario, Canada. Today, the Lenni Lenape (Delaware) number over 20,000 people. 1,500 members live in southern Ontario in three locations: Delaware Nation, Moravian of the Thames Band, Munsee Delaware and Six Nations.

Sponsor: Pam and Paul Lamarche