Artful spotlight on Eastern Native Americans who are "still here".

NANTICOKE FOLK

Welcome to this Eastern Woodlands world of assimilation;
Where we meet at Powwow time, without hesitation.
Up and down this coast, from South to North;
We mingle unseen - but occasionally step forth.

In this area of mid-Atlantic Coastal Region folk;
We call ourselves the "Nanticoke".
Although expedient alliances have distorted history regarding our kin;
Studies and stories place us among the wide-spread Algonquin.

"Lenape" and"Lenni-Lenape" are also terms some use.
Such terms were in use before the European abuse.
Lenni-Lenape means "original people" in the language of their day.
"Grandfathers" of the Algonquin people described themselves that way.

Exploring Europeans called the Lewes locals "Siconese";
Because they lived in villages along "Sickoneysincks Creek"
near Cape Henlopen.
There followed a period of much land groping;
Resulting in the Siconese failing with their coping.
So the name remains simply as a kind of token.
Certainly today's Lewes population believes:
There are no longer any existing "Siconese".

By logic and language, we are the "Nanticoke"
Translated from the Algonquin: "Nentego or Nantiquak".
"People of the tidewater" are those of whom the language spoke.
In English we often, simply say: "Our folk".

Of course the newcomers called us "Indians", mind you;
Even though, as we know, the term has never rung true.
Sailors from the West sailed eastward toward India;
But our Turtle Island continent failed to let them through.
Yet, the term "Indian" has stuck like glue.

Today, in these Eastern Woodlands and on these Mid-Atlantic shores, do such so-called Indians, in ever expanded - mixed and remixed groups - really exist? Or have they been assimilated to the point of invisibility .... maybe even extinction?

Well now! . . . (with an active drum roll, please) . . . and the answer is: Yes! Yes, there is still a genetic as well as a psychological imprint of generally termed "Indian" people on these Mid-Atlantic shores and in these Eastern Woodlands.

My NATIVE AMERICAN east ART works are dedicated to those who know of their indigenous heritage from these Eastern shores and wish to honor and celebrate it; as well as to those who wish to respect the history of a vibrant people continuing the struggle begun centuries ago; continuing to express their humanity; continuing to express their right to simply "be".

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EASTERN WOODLANDS MEMORIES

In thoughts, in memories, in whispered comments;
in discovered connections and in deathbed revelations,
there is an insistence upon existence.
So what
if there are no buffalo here in these Eastern Woodlands!
The people remain . . . !

"N O B U F F A L O"

No Buffalo; no wide-open plains; no buckskin daily wear.

No wampum, no wigwams, no feathers in the hair.
Still, to be found, here and there,
In groups large and small.
All gathered to say: "Recognize us this way.
We exist after all".

Thus . . .