Sterling Street, left, is recognized for his work with the Nanticoke Indian Museum.
Coastal Point • Susan Canfora
His hope, Sterling Street said as he was honored as retiring curator of the Nanticoke Indian Museum, is that the community always remembers what a treasure that repository is.
In his humble way, Street, standing beside his wife, Mary, on the grounds of the Millsboro-area museum, acknowledged supporters for their kind words and gifts during Nanticoke Heritage Day on Saturday, May 6.
“Thank you all for your kind words. It’s an honor to be honored,” Street said, recognizing family members including his daughters, Esa Street Perkins and Felicia Street, and quoting the Native American saying, “We are all related.”
Urie Ridgeway, tribal secretary of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe and guest speaker, asked everyone to remove their hats and stand in a display of respect for Street, who worked at the museum for 13 years before announcing his retirement. Ridgeway then formed a line to shake Street’s hand or hug him.
“This is a special day for us,” said Bonnie Hall, past tribal council member and chairwoman of the Nanticoke Indian Commemoration Committee, as she addressed the crowd, gathered in a circle on the grass. Nearby, vendors sold bracelets, toys, T-shirts, Indian tacos, fry bread and other delicacies and crafts, and the museum was open for tours.
The building, once a school for American Indians, before integration into the public school system and transformation to a museum, was where Street welcomed guests from all over the world and built a positive collaboration with local and state government representatives, Hall said.
In her travels, she is regularly asked about Street, who has been instrumental in researching and teaching the history of the Nanticoke tribe, she said.
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