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Nanakoke tribe outlines museum expansion, federal‑acknowledgement work and powwow plans
Summary
Bonnie Hall of the Nanakoke tribe presented tribal history, museum and cultural‑center renovation plans, an exploratory federal‑acknowledgement effort supported by university interns, and invited the town to partner on signage and a Native‑themed park; the tribe scheduled its 47th annual powwow for Sept. 6–7.
MILLSBORO, Del. — Bonnie (presenting for the Nanakoke tribe) delivered a broad presentation to the Millsboro Town Council on July 7, recounting tribal history and laying out plans to renovate a historic schoolhouse into a cultural center, expand museum programming, and pursue federal acknowledgement.
Hall said the tribe is state‑recognized since 1881 and has organized an exploratory committee to research federal acknowledgement. She said the tribe has four university interns this summer helping compile the documentation needed for any federal application. Hall described ongoing language‑revitalization work, a recently published language book and classroom lessons, and plans for a living‑shoreline project at Thompson Island to protect an ancestral burial ground.
The presentation included plans to restore and expand the National Register–listed Indian Mission School on John J. Williams Highway with a commercial kitchen, meeting spaces and classroom areas that would support events, a proposed partnership with the Delaware Food Bank for a public pantry, and a capital campaign for the museum.
Hall invited Millsboro to explore partnerships including town signage recognizing Nanakoke lands and a Native American–themed park. She also extended an invitation to the council and public to attend the tribe’s 47th annual powwow on Sept. 6–7 at Hudson Fields; grand entry was announced for noon each day.
Council members thanked Hall for the history lesson and asked staff to follow up on potential collaborations.
The presentation highlighted the tribe’s cultural programs, museum operations and community outreach; council members and staff committed to continued discussion about joint projects and signage.
