Cultural Preservation

Programs:
NAGPRA
Section 106
Museum
Library
Delaware Big House
Princess Program

Mission Statement:
The NAGPRA/Cultural Preservation Office is committed to the preservation and protection of Lenape archeological sites, tribal heritage, culture, language, and religion. Our office is concerned with language and preservation, Section 106 consultation, the Delaware Nation Museum, the repatriation of Lenape objects, remains, and artifacts, and related Lenape archeological sites.

Our office is currently divided into four programs: NAGPRA, Section 106, the Library, and the Delaware Nation Museum. Please visit the links to learn more about each of the programs.

Individual Programs

NAGPRA
NAGPRA is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. It is a federal Law that was passed in 1990 to provide a process for museums and federal agencies to return certain Native American cultural items (human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony) to lineal descendants, culturally affiliated Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. To learn more about the National NAGPRA program please click on the following link: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra/

The Delaware Nation NAGPRA program works to preserve and protect Lenape archeological sites, heritage, culture, language, and religion. The Lenape area of interest covers 15 states stretching from Connecticut to Oklahoma along the forced migration path westward.


Library

The Delaware Nation Library is currently the only library in the Oklahoma area with the primary focus of preservation of the Delaware/Lenape culture and history. The Delaware Nation NAGPRA/Cultural Preservation Office staff have worked diligently to build a strong library infrastructure. Provisions developed include: policies and procedures, collections inventory, donation registration, and a database.

The Delaware Nation Library program has a large collection of books ranging from juvenile to adult. It also includes general reference books and ethnic specific collections. Being a federally recognized tribal entity there is also an extensive collection of federal registers and state reference books. The Delaware Nation also has a collection of Lenape related books that give aid to research on this culture.



Section 106

Section 106 refers to the federal review process designed to ensure the historic properties are considered during federal project planning and execution. The advisory council on historic preservation, an independent federal agency, administers the review process with assistance from the state historic preservation office.

By law, the SHPO and the Delaware Nation have a maximum of 30 days for most types of reviews. Currently the staff of the Delaware Nation NAGPRA/Cultural Preservation Office averages 10-20 days of response time.

For consultation fee amounts please contact our office at (405) 247-2448. Or by fax at (405) 247-9393.


Museum

 

The Delaware Nation Museum is committed to representing the historical and cultural heritage of the Lenape people. The museum showcases photographs, cultural items, maps and various religious objects to explain the history of the people along with the present efforts to preserve the Lenape heritage. The museum’s collection documents the history and heritage of this Native American group originally located in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Pennyslvania. The collection represents the 19th, 20th, 21st centuries, and subjects range from documentary to purely aesthetic art pieces.

Hours: 9am -5pm, M-F, Closed Holidays and Weekends.

 

Princess Program

Each year, the Delaware Nation selects a Princess and a Director to represent the tribe at events throughout the year. The application for 2010 is now available and can be found below. Please return the application to tribal headquarters.

 Princess Application

Contact Information:
Delaware Nation
NAGPRA/Cultural Preservation
P.O. Box 825
Anadarko, OK 73005
Phone: 405-247-2448
Fax: 405-247-8905