The name Lenape translates to “real person” or “original person,” depending on the dialect being spoken. Although they have been colonially referred to as the “Delaware,” that name was imposed by European settlers and does not reflect how the people have historically identified themselves.
The ancestral homeland of the Lenape people—known as Lenapehoking—spans what is now parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and all of New Jersey. This vast territory supported thriving Lenape communities long before colonization. Because their homelands were so expansive, three distinct dialects of the Lenape language developed across the region.
Toward the end of the 18th century, most Lenape people were forcibly removed from Lenapehoking. Over the course of many years, families were displaced to what is now Oklahoma and Wisconsin in the United States, as well as to Ontario in Canada. This prolonged and traumatic removal scattered Lenape families across the continent—a legacy that continues to shape community connections today.
Despite centuries of displacement, Lenape Nations remain vibrant, sovereign communities. Today, there are five federally recognized Lenape (Delaware) Nations in the United States and Canada:
- Delaware Nation (Anadarko, Oklahoma)
- Delaware Tribe of Indians (Bartlesville, Oklahoma)
- Stockbridge-Munsee Community (Bowler, Wisconsin)
- Munsee-Delaware Nation (Ontario, Canada)
- Delaware Nation at Moraviantown (Ontario, Canada)
In addition, Lenape citizens are members of the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, alongside the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Lenapehoking is not simply a historical reference—it is a living homeland with living people whose cultures, languages, and governance systems continue today. Learning this history invites us to understand our relationship to place more deeply and to recognize the ongoing presence and sovereignty of the Lenape people.
Source: Original Map of Delaware Removal by the Delaware Tribe of Indians (Red dots signifying current federally recognized tribes were added by IPD Philly.)