I am Tsibelenti okwa "Carry the Sky Woman". I belong to the Munsee clan. I am from the Delaware Nation of Moraviantown, Ontario, Canada. I am Metis. I have European and First Nations ancestry,
The Lenape, also called the Lenni -Lenape and Delaware, are Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands, who live in Canada and the United States. The name Lenni Lenape means "Original People". We were named "Delaware" for Lord De La War and our first contact with the Europeans was in 1524.
Lenape historical territory included New Jersey, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania along the Delaware River watershed, New York City, western Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley. There are three clans: Turtle (Unami). Turkey (Unalachtigo), and Wolf (Munsee). The clans are matrilineal based on the mother's line.
In the United States, there are two Federally recognized Delaware Tribes in Oklahoma-Delaware Tribe of Indians in Bartlesville, OK and Delaware Nation in Anadarko, OK. There also are unrecognized communities in Idaho- Delawares of Idaho and the Nanticoke-Lenni Lenape Tribe in New Jersey.
In Canada, there are two reserves- Delaware Nation at Moraviantown and Munsee-Delaware Nation and some Delaware live on the Six Nation Reserve in Ontario
My people call North American "Turtle Island" as legend says our land was formed on a turtle's back. Lenape Creation Story
You can find more Lenape stories at Lenape Talking Dictionary with Nora Dean Thompson
