HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 98

RECOGNIZING NOVEMBER 2018 AS "NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware joins with the nation in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, the 2010 United States Census demographic profile states that 4,500 American Indian or Alaska Natives reside in the State of Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is the ancient home to the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, headquartered in Kent County, and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, headquartered in Sussex County; and

WHEREAS, both of these interrelated, historically well-documented, self-governing tribal communities of Lenape and Nanticoke people have continued in their homeland from ancient times to the present; and

WHEREAS, both the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe have been historically acknowledged as indigenous tribes in State laws, in the actions of the State Legislature and State agencies, and were clearly defined with State Designated Tribal Areas in the 2010 United States Census; and

WHEREAS, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe continue to preserve and promote their culture and carry on the rich traditions of their heritage as an ever-present living legacy in our region;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that we honor and celebrate the heritage of all Native Americans residing in the State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives and Senate recognize and affirm the immeasurable contributions to the State and the country from Delaware’s two historically acknowledged tribes of Native Americans, the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the House of Representatives and Senate hereby recognize November 2018 as “Native American Heritage Month” in Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Delaware schools are encouraged to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and inform their students of the importance of the Native American heritage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitably prepared copy of this resolution be sent to the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware (4164 N. DuPont Highway, Suite 6, Dover, Delaware 19901) and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe (27073 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro, Delaware 19966).

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes November 2018 as "Native American Heritage Month" in Delaware.