The state of Delaware now recognizes two tribes within its borders.
Gov. Jack Markell (D) signed
HS 1 into law on Tuesday. The bill recognizes the
Nanticoke Indian Association although that status was made retroactive to 1881.
On Thursday, Markell signed
HB 345 into law. The bill recognizes the
Lenape Indian
Tribe, whose leaders and members traveled to Dover, the state capital, to celebrate.
“I’m just very happy,” Chief Dennis J. Coker told Delaware State News. “This is a major, major milestone for us as a community, so our people can stand up and be very proud of who they are and their ancestry and not have to worry about the naysayers who may argue otherwise.”
Neither group is recognized by the federal government. The
Nanticoke Indian Association was one of the first to file a petition with the
Bureau of Indian Affairs but it has been on hold since 1989, according to a
2013 document from the agency's
Office of Federal Acknowledgment.
The Lenape Indian Tribe does not appear to have submitted a petition but Chief Coker sent a
letter to the BIA in 2013 to support the
Part 83 reforms to streamline the federal recognition process. The agency finalized the reforms in June 2015 but
Republican lawmakers are trying to halt the new rule through a funding bill.
More on the Story:
Lenape Indians get historic recognition by state
(Delaware State News 8/4)
AUDIO: Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware is now state recognized
(Delaware 105.9 8/4)
Bureau of Indian Affairs Final Part 83 Documents:
Final
Rule |
Policy
Guidance |
Fact
Sheet
Federal Register Notices:
Hearing
Process Concerning Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (August 13,
2015)
Requests
for Administrative Acknowledgment of Federal Indian Tribes (July 1, 2015)
Federal
Acknowledgment of American Indian Tribes (July 1, 2015)
Hearing
and Re-Petition Authorization Processes Concerning Acknowledgment of American
Indian Tribes (June 19, 2014)
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Lenape
Tribe finally wins formal recognition in state of Delaware (8/4)
