The Leni-Lenape The Leni-Lenape TribeTribeBackgroundBackground

Station AnswersStation Answers

BackgroundBackground

Name meant “original people”Name meant “original people” Believed to be first tribe of the Algonquin Believed to be first tribe of the Algonquin

peoplepeople Lived in the Eastern WoodlandsLived in the Eastern Woodlands Eventually they lost their land and became part Eventually they lost their land and became part

of the Cherokee tribe but were recognized as of the Cherokee tribe but were recognized as their own tribe in 1996. their own tribe in 1996.

Approximately 11,000 members todayApproximately 11,000 members today

LocationLocation

3 Clans – Unami, Unalachtgos, Monsey3 Clans – Unami, Unalachtgos, Monsey Shared hunting ground with the Shared hunting ground with the

Shawnee, Conoy, and NanticokesShawnee, Conoy, and Nanticokes Enemies were the 5 Nations of the Enemies were the 5 Nations of the

IroquoisIroquois Located in what today is NJ, DE, and PALocated in what today is NJ, DE, and PA

FoodFood

Ate fish, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, Ate fish, corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, nuts, and berriesnuts, and berries

They hunted deerThey hunted deer Slash and burnSlash and burn – cut trees and then burnt – cut trees and then burnt

them, planted their crops in the ashthem, planted their crops in the ash

Dress and LanguageDress and Language

Women – wore their hair in braids or Women – wore their hair in braids or buns, wore long leather dressesbuns, wore long leather dresses

Men – shaved their head with one lock, Men – shaved their head with one lock, wore knee length shirts and leggings wore knee length shirts and leggings made of leathermade of leather

Spoke Algonquin and IroquoianSpoke Algonquin and Iroquoian

FamilyFamily

Men – hunt, protect, clear the fieldsMen – hunt, protect, clear the fields Female – farm, make clothing, gather Female – farm, make clothing, gather

nuts and berries, ground corn, watch nuts and berries, ground corn, watch childrenchildren

Lived in small villages of 10-50 peopleLived in small villages of 10-50 people Oldest woman held position of Oldest woman held position of

importance (matrilineal)importance (matrilineal) Made their wigwams of bark and polesMade their wigwams of bark and poles

GovernmentGovernment

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a toothAn eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth Land, air, and water owned by everyone Land, air, and water owned by everyone

and no oneand no one Great SpiritGreat Spirit

TransportationTransportation

Mostly went by footMostly went by foot Canoe was sometimes usedCanoe was sometimes used