The Lenni Lenape, or Delaware Indians

In this engaging address the speaker invites listeners into the world of the Lenni Lenape, the people once known as the Delaware Indians who claimed the forests, hills and river valleys of what is now New Jersey. He explains how the tribe’s own names for the land—such as “Shéjachbi”—and for the river, “Wihittuck,” reveal a deep connection to the region long before European names took hold. The talk also clears up a common misconception about the origin of “Delaware,” tracing it back to the English noble family of De La Warr.

The narrative then turns to the Lenape’s internal organization, describing the three sub‑tribes—Minsi, Unami and Unalachtigo—each identified with a distinct totemic animal. Listeners learn of their rich oral traditions, including the creation myth of Kitanitowill and the legendary Walam Olum, a wood‑carved record of ancient stories. The address offers a vivid portrait of a people whose cultural legacy still echoes across the New Jersey landscape.