Carmine said the land will be used for an array of Nanticoke activities, including hiking, lacrosse games and its annual powwow celebration.
“We renew and refresh our spirits,’’ Carmine said of the powwow, which has been held on leased lands. “We remember our ancestors. We share our culture and customs with the public, and we have tribal communities that come together with us.”
The Nanticoke tribe’s annual powwow is a celebration of its culture and customs. (Nanticoke Indian tribe)
An official at The Conservation Fund said the bulk of the money for the deals came from Mt. Cuba Center. Known for its botanical gardens on a former du Pont family estate a few miles from President Biden’s home, the nonprofit also focuses on land conservation.
Downing said the properties “were two parcels that were of great cultural and historic significance to our Delaware tribes.”
Restoring the lands to the tribes “just seemed like such a great way to give back to the community,’’ Downing said. “Part of our mission is conserving or fostering biodiversity because it enhances resilience. So it just seemed like helping to support Native American communities was one way that we could help support the diversity of our community.”
Dennis “White Otter” Coker, the principal chief of the Lenape tribe, recently told The Washington Post they might turn part of the 11 acres into an “edible forest garden” that would include berry-producing plants, along with shad and spice bushes that were once used by Native Americans and are native to the area.
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