Opinion

Editorial: Delaware Tribe working on plans for property in Kansas

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

A sign at the Delaware Tribe's headquarters in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Photo from Delaware Tribe of Indians / Facebook

The Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma will be reaching out to the public regarding plans for 90 acres of ancestral land in Kansas:

For the last two years, discussions about how the property would be used have occurred privately between the Delaware tribal leaders and local officials. According to a press release issued last week, the tribe now plans to move forward with more public discussions about its plans. “There will be more formal planning and a much more public conversation about what they might like to pursue on that property that’s both exciting to them and potentially exciting to the people of Lawrence,” Douglas County Commissioner Nancy Thellman said last week.
There seem to be many opportunities for the Delawares and Douglas County to work together on this project. For instance, the current issue of the Delaware Indian News has a story about efforts to establish a seed bank and plant traditional Delaware crops like Delaware Blue Corn and “Pigeon Beans.” Using the land north of Lawrence to further those agriculture efforts likely would draw enthusiastic local support.
It also would be great to see the Delawares partner with Haskell Indian Nations University on projects that celebrate and foster a better understanding of American Indian history and culture. Current Haskell leaders are working hard to build a stronger relationship with the community, and the Delaware property could be used to help further those efforts.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Land plans (The Lawrence Journal-World 7/20

Also Today:
Delaware tribe takes next step in development plan for North Lawrence property (The Lawrence Journal-World 7/8)