Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1931-12-02
NAHTICOKE INDIANS HOLD
. THANKSGIVING DAY POW-NOW
ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED IN
1921 UNDER CHIEF WYNIACO
Annual Event Featured by Visiting
Chiefs, at Reservation on Indian
River-Dressed in Native Garb

Z
war paint, feathers, beads, buck
skins, blankets-and the beating of
tom-toms and giving war whoops
which echoed throughout the wood
land and across the waters of the
famous Indian river, descendants of
the once powerful tribe of Nanti-
coke Indians, who inhabit the ter
ritory in the vicinity of Warwick
and Oak Orchard and have banded
themselves in what is known as the
Nanticoke Indian Association
Thursday afternoon held their
tenth annual Thanksgiving Day
powwow and ceremonial on the
banks of the Indian river, at the
home of their leader, Chief SeagulI,
known to his neighbors as Ferdin-
and Clark. The place where the
pow-wow was held, commencing at
2 o'clock, is known as River Dale
Park, half mile north of Oak Orch
ard, popular resort on the Indian
river bay which connects with the
Indian river in the vicinity of River
Dale. The Nanticoke Indian Asso-
citation, operating under a charter
| granted by the state,was organized
in 1921 through the efforts of the
late Chief Wyniaco civilian Rus
sell Clark, father of Chief SeagulI.
He had much difficulty in getting
recognition; and it was largely
through Dr.Frank C.Speck, head of
the Department of Anthropology
of the University of Pennsylvania,
that it was obtained. DR.. Speck
sponsored the cause of Clark, and
finally recognition was obtained
and the Nanticoke Indian Associa-
ton was founded. Clark at once
set about to rally the clan together
and get them into the Association.
Since that time they have been a
separate unit in Indian River Dis
trict. Chief Wyniaco was the name
given to Clark as first chief of the
clan. He died on October 8, 1928,
and was succeeded by his son Chief
Seagull. Among the prominent
Indians present were: Chief White
Horn, member Of the Omaha Tribe,
now living in Philadelphia; Lacey
Oxendine, Cherochee, of Will
mington, Del, formerly Of North
Carolina; Kardelanche Takotah
(Herbert r. Davis Of Wilmington,
Del, Dakota Indian from the
Pine Ridge Reservation and mem
Der of Ogallala Sioux nation; Ethan
Allen Roe, part Chippewah; Chief
Ga-Yen-Twa-Ga Games H. John
SOM Of Baltimore, Md, member of
the Rappahanock Tribe of Indian
Neck, Va; whose Indian name
means corn planter. Assistant
Chief Mawett (Robert H. Clark1 of
the Nanticokes, living at 1920 w.
Clearfield street, Philadelphia:
Field Chief Little Owl (Charles G.
Clark Of the Nanticokes, living at
1920 Sizgler street, Philadelphia;
Joseph Mcfarland, Jr., student of
anthropology under DR.. Speck at
the University of Pennsylvania,
who is an honorary member and
has the Indian name of Shummo-
tut. Among some of the promin-
ent members of the Nanticoke As
ISOLATION who will participate in
the ceremonials will be Sequino
Carrie Wright; Laughing Water
wilma A. Harmon; Koolom pa
thence Harmon; Rus Hos (R. L.
Harmony; Kitty Cawndigsqua (Os-
car Wright; Little Horn Isaac
w. HARMONY; Red Fox (Geathew
Clark, of Philadelphia. Little Ow
MaWett and Red Fox are brothers
of Chief Seagull. Princess Madac-
anna, mother of Chief Seagull was
not able to participate because of
having suffered a stroke of parays-
is some months ago. Chief Sea-
gul, who last week was confined to
the Milford Emergency Hospital,
for treatment, did not take an ac-
tive part Thursday, although he
planned for the entertainment of
the visiting Indians. Assistant
Chief Mawett (Robert H. Clark
of Philadelphia, was master of GER
emonies. He made the invocation
to the Great Spirit after which the
pipe of peace was smoked. Chief
Seagull briefly welcomed the trib-
esmen and visiting Indians. The
dances of the afternoon included
the welcome dance, greeting dance
to the chiefs, round dance, harvest
dance, green corn dance, square
dance, duck dance, snake dance,
turkey dance, war dance and fare
well dance. The ceremonial lasted
from 2 to q, and at $50 o'clock
there was a big dinner served to
the visitors and the Association
members. Thursday night there
was council meeting in the pavil
ion. Friday was spent in hunting
in different sections for relics, and
mounds will be excavated. Friday
night there was a big raccoon hunt
in which all of the men, and some