Why Should Delaware Care?
The Nanticoke Tribe has been recognized by the state of Delaware since 1881, and it currently has about 600 active members, mostly concentrated in the Millsboro area of Sussex County. For nearly 50 years, the tribe has put on the popular Nanticoke Powwow to enjoy their dance, culture and food, and provide more awareness of the tribe to Delawareans.
The 48th Nanticoke Powwow brought a celebration of community and cultural tradition to Sussex County this past weekend.
The “powwow,” which means a dancing and social gathering in many Native American languages, was held at Hudson Fields in Milton on Sept. 12 and 13.
The event featured a Grand Entry, where tribe members carried flags, sang, danced and recognized the diversity of tribes in attendance.
The Nanticoke members, who are mostly based in Millsboro where they have a museum and cultural center, were joined on stage by members of the Lenape Tribe, based in New Jersey, and the Unkechaug Tribe from Long Island, NY.
The two-day event also featured a variety of traditional Native American dances and drum circles; popular foods, including fry bread and “succotash” sweet corn; and vendors from around the country selling Native jewelry, clothing and crafts.
Dancers, vendors and attendees alike described the festival as a meaningful way to celebrate Nanticoke culture and history, while sharing the Nanticoke tradition with the other tribes at the powwow.
Spotlight Delaware compiled a gallery of photos highlighting moments from the 48th annual Nanticoke Powwow:
A man and a young boy participate in an intertribal dance during the powwow. An intertribal dance is one where people of any tribal affiliation, gender and age can participate. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Photographs of members of the Nanticoke tribe over the years on display in the history tent at the powwow. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Attendees filled the arena seats, waiting for the beginning of the Grand Entry, where tribe members enter the arena in traditional attire, dancing and singing. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Louis Campbell stands preparing for the beginning of the powwow “Grand Entry.” Campbell was the lead male dancer for the event, so he led all of the other men in the various dances of the day. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Vincent Cruz from New York City travels to powwows and other Native American festivals around the country, selling items made by his tribal community, the Quichua people in Ecuador. Among the items he sells is a “Make America Native Again” shirt. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
A bird’s eye view of the Grand Entry, which filled the arena with dancers from the host Nanticoke Tribe and tribe members from as far as New Jersey and North Carolina. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Dancers jingle their ankle bells during the men’s traditional dance. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
The smallest participant in the powwow’s opening procession. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Volunteers press the dough to make fry bread, a classic in Native American culinary culture. The women said they made roughly 3,200 individual fry breads during the powwow weekend. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
Nanticoke Tribe members walk in a circle during a slower dance signifying the passing down of tradition from one generation to the next and carrying on the once forgotten Nanticoke language. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS 
The flag-bearers led the way as the singers and dancers filled the stage for the beginning of the powwow performances. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY MAGGIE REYNOLDS
