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As a child, Roberta Jones Flores of Bridgeton remembers being admonished not to reveal her identity; “My great-grandmother would always say, ‘Don’t tell them you’re Indian, or they’ll take away what you have.’ ” Since the 1960s, it has become possible for Indians in New Jersey and Delaware to publicly celebrate their heritage at powwows. Roberta is a member of the combined Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape tribe. She is skilled at traditional beadwork, developing new designs as well as drawing on those of the past. Roberta’s beaded costumes are an important part of contemporary tribal culture.
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At powwows, Roberta often wears brightly beaded “pan-Indian” costumes. Although more ornate than traditional Lenape dress, she feels the public anticipates and enjoys such displays.
Each summer, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians host an annual powwow that is open to the public. The powwow presents an opportunity to join with neighboring Indian tribes to display, practice and share their skills acquired through their rich heritage. The Nanticoke Lenape have also worked with cousin tribes in Oklahoma and Canada to revive their language, rituals and traditional arts such as drumming, beading, dancing and singing.
Each year, the tribe designates an exemplary young woman as “Junior Princess.” Roberta makes the Princess’s beaded crown, designed with the tribal symbol (the turtle of their creation myth) and floral motifs. Applying each bead by hand and appliquéing pieces to create flowers, she spends months making each one. They are the crowning touch to a long struggle for cultural recognition.
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