简体中文
EnglishWhat is the Delaware Tribe of Indians website?
Updated
delawaretribe.org is the official website of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, a federally recognized tribe of the Lenape people headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It serves as the tribe's public information hub, carrying announcements, upcoming events, and details on services and programs. If you are a tribal member looking for notices, forms, or program information, or a member of the public trying to confirm the tribe's identity and current activities, this is the primary source to check.
Who the tribe is
The site's own history section explains the name and identity behind the organization:
- Name origin: "Delaware" was the name given by Europeans to the people living along the Delaware River, which was itself named after Lord de la Warr, governor of the Jamestown colony. The name later came to be applied to almost all Lenape people.
- Self-designation: In their own language, which belongs to the Algonquian language family, the people call themselves Lenape (len-NAH-pay), meaning something like "The People."
- Historical role: The Delaware were called the "Grandfather" tribe because other tribes respected them as peacemakers who often settled disputes among rivals. The site also notes their reputation for fierceness and tenacity as warriors when fighting was necessary.
- Early contact and treaties: Ancestors of the tribe were among the first Indians to encounter Europeans (Dutch, English, and Swedish) in the early 1600s. According to the site, many early treaties and land sales were understood by the Lenape more like leases, since the idea that land could be sold was foreign to them — land belonged to the Creator and was only used to shelter and feed the people. The tribe signed the first Indian treaty with the newly formed United States government on September 17, 1778.
What you can find on the site
The homepage is organized around a few recurring content areas:
| Area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Announcements | Tribal notices, including an absentee ballot request for the 2026 tribal elections, a cultural education department survey on community needs for a future Lenape Language Program, and a Climate Adaptation Plan |
| Upcoming events | Event listings such as Delaware Days 2026 (October 2–3) and a 3rd Annual 10K on 10/03/2026 |
| Services and programs | Program information, including LIHEAP applications |
| Resources and downloads | Items such as the Lenape Word A Day Calendar (October 2026), a 2026 calendar, and a vacancy notice for Teton Trade Cloth by the Lenape Board |
How to use it
- Start with Announcements if you need time-sensitive information — election deadlines, program sign-ups, or surveys are posted there.
- Check Upcoming events for dates and details on gatherings; the site points to a full events page for the complete list.
- Look under services and programs for assistance programs and application downloads, such as LIHEAP.
- Use the downloads for calendars and forms; the site presents these as direct download links.
What to keep in mind
The site describes the tribe as federally recognized, which is the key fact for anyone verifying its official status. Content is oriented toward both tribal members (notices, ballots, program applications) and the general public (history, events). Details such as event times, application windows, and program eligibility are posted on the site itself and can change, so confirm specifics there rather than relying on a summary.