A scene from a Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation powwow. Photo from Facebook
The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation is seeing local support as it battles Gov. Chris Christie (R) for recognition in New Jersey. The tribe will acquire 24 acres with the help of $40,000 from Cumberland County. The land in Fairfield Township will be used for powwows and a replica Lenape village. "We want to do whatever we can do to help the Lenni-Lenape Indians to preserve their culture, be able to grow and thrive and continue to actually be an attraction for our county," Joseph Derella, the director of the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders, told NJ.Com Officials and residents in the county support the tribe's efforts to clarify its legal status. Christie has refused to acknowledge that New Jersey is home to three state-recognized tribes. "The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape are going to court to regain something they had already been given," author Gil Bean said in an opinion for The South Jersey Times. "It's an old and unfortunate story." The lawsuit was filed in federal court last month. Get the Story:
N.J. American Indian tribe fighting for recognition gets new pow wow land (NJ.Com 7/31)
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe Suing NJ State Officials (SNJ Today 7/31)
Local Native American Tribe Holding Summer Camp (SNJ Today 8/3) An Opinion:
Gil Bean: Treatment of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape a special kind of shame (The South Jersey Times 8/2)
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Editorial: New Jersey governor quietly
obliterates three tribes (7/27) Editorial: Respect the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation (7/24)
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation sues in New Jersey (7/21)
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