Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe to perform at Millsboro library
The Millsboro Public Library will host the Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at 217 W. State St., Millsboro.
The collective of Native American dancers will share their cultural traditions accompanied by music and storytelling.
The Nanticoke Indians are the native people of lower Delaware. The first European contact with the Nanticoke Tribe was recorded by Capt. John Smith in 1608 when he was exploring the Chesapeake Bay and sailed up what is known today as the Nanticoke River.
After treaties failed and settlers seized their land, some tribal members left the area, but others moved east near the Indian River, where the largest concentration of Nanticoke people still lives. In 1881, the tribe was recognized by the state, and in 1922, the association was granted nonprofit status the year after it was formed. The Nanticokes also had their own school.
Today, there are about 700 members of the Nanticoke Indian Association and more than 2,000 people who can trace their heritage back to the tribe.
The tribe operates a museum, resource and cultural center, and Indian Mission United Methodist Church. Plans are underway to enlarge and renovate the center and museum. The yearly Nanticoke Powwow attracts thousands of spectators to the area.
