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Massacre
The worst event in relations was the slaughter at Pavonia on February 25, 1643. The director-general of New Netherlands ordered "an assault on a large group of Indians encamped at Pavonia, to wipe their chops and drive away and destroy the savages." at the end he added "... spare as much as it is possible their wives and children. “The soldiers forgot to spare the women & children. It was a horrible massacre. (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
Census
The population of the "original people" was probably only one fourth of what it was when the Dutch arrived (from about 2000 down to about 500)...the fog of alcohol consumption and the decimation of their ranks from diseases like smallpox, measles and tuberculosis. (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
Fate
Like the rest of the Algonquin Nation, the Lenni-Lenape hoped to push the "whites" out of their land by siding with the French in the French & Indian War. It did not work out the way they had hoped and they were a defeated nation. (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
Burlington County
The New Jersey Assembly in 1758 established a permanent home for the Lenni-Lenape in Burlington County. It was the first "Indian reservation". The tribe had relinquished all rights to New Jersey, except for hunting and fishing privileges. About 200 of the "original people" gathered to make their home under the benevolent supervision of John Brainerd. (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
Leaving Home
In May of 1802, Elisha Ahhataina (Lashar Tamar), last chief of the Brotherton Indians, led his people in their twelve rented wagons to New Stockbridge (Home of the OneidaTribe), New York. A few stayed behind, some becoming integrated into the local communities of South Jersey and some taking to the hills of North Jersey and Pennsylvania. (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
What was left of The Brotherton Reservation
The Brotherton Indians stayed with the Oneida (of New York) until 1832, when they ask the New Jersey Legislature for the balance of the money from the sale of the Brotherton Reservation. They were appropriated $3,551.23. The remaining 40 members of the tribe resettled in Statesburg, Wisconsin. (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
"An Eye of Pity"
In 1832, Bartholomew S. Calvin (Shawuskukukung - "Wilted Grass") came east as a representative of the "original people." Hunting and Fishing rights had never been bargained away by the tribe and there was some subtle reference to using the courts. The legislature voted "by fair and voluntary purchase and transfer," to pay $2000," as a memorial of kindness and compassion to a once powerful and friendly people." (http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/state/Lenape.htm#The worst event) -
Persons Within the Meaning of the Law
1879: U.S. Federal Court decision have American Indians been considered "persons within the meaning of the law" (http://www.nanticoke-lenape.info/history.htm) -
Recognized Citizens
1924: Congress recognized Native American people as citizens of the United States (http://www.nanticoke-lenape.info/history.htm) -
The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey
1978: Congress signed into law the "American Indian Religious Freedom Act," giving the Native Americans the right to practice their religious beliefs. The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe established a tribally governed 501(c)3 non-profit community benefit agency, "The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey," which is chartered exclusively for educational, social, and cultural purposes, to promote the welfare of Native Americans who reside in the Delaware Valley. -
The New Jersey Commission on Native American Affairs
1995: The New Jersey Commission on Native American Affairs was created by P.L.1134, c. 295, and signed into law on December 22, 1995, by Governor Christine Todd Whitman. It was placed within the New Jersey Department of State. (http://www.nj.gov/state/programs/dos_program_njcaia.html) -
Commision's First Meeting
1997: First meeting of The New Jersey Commission on Native American Affairs was held on April 18, 1997 and it continues to meet regularly in Trenton, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. The Commission is covered by the Open Public Meetings Act. (http://www.nj.gov/state/programs/dos_program_njcaia.html) -
Lingering Discrimination
2007: A report by the New Jersey Committee on Native American Community Affairs said “lingering discrimination, ignorance of state history and culture, and cynicism rather than shining celebration of the state’s tribal members” still exists. It outlined several ways to fix these issues, but few have been implemented. (http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/bill-to-recognize-indian-tribes-in-new-jersey-stalls-amid/article_d5aaa03e-25f7-11e1-9b59-001871e3ce6c.html) -
2010 Census
There are about 29,000 people in New Jersey who identified themselves as American Indian or Alaska Natives in the 2010 census. About 5,650 of them are in the census-designated tribal area of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape. (http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/bill-to-recognize-indian-tribes-in-new-jersey-stalls-amid/article_d5aaa03e-25f7-11e1-9b59-001871e3ce6c.html) -
Reaffirmation of Citizenship
2011: State Recognition for Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe passes Assembly vote. A bill reaffirming the official State Recognition of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribe passed in the New Jersey General Assembly on Thursday by a final vote of 51 to 17. (http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2011/02/state_recognition_for_nanticok.html)
