ANADARKO, OK — Native American Choctaw artist DG Smalling​ honors Delaware Nation once again through his incredible fine art skills with an illustration of the Wolf featured in the design of Coaquannock in acrylic. The top right-hand corner of the map’s border is where you can find the Wolf design that filled Mr. Smalling with artistic inspiration. DG and his business colleagues collaborated to digitize the historic map into a vector format so that every detail can be manipulated, scaled, or reproduced. This allows the Nation to use elements from Coaquannock for cultural marketing and awareness. These graphics could even be used in the gaming industry to create visuals for the Tribe’s casinos! Imagine seeing an incredibly detailed turtle, like the one in Coaquannock, scaled 100 times on a wall with bright colors. A fascinating vision can be conceived from the thought of the historic artifacts Delaware Nation obtains and that is what artist DG Smalling portrayed at the meeting with the Executive Committee.

Mr. Smalling’s contribution to the Nation is an invaluable display of cultural awareness! It honors the tribe by illustrating visuals that were created by those residing here long before us.

Coaquannock is a visual representation of the Lenape homelands, confirming its existence. Every piece of artwork crafted by inspiration of Lenape historical artifacts is another way of saying they were here long before the arrival of the Europeans.

Wanìshi, DG!

Story & Photos by Public Relations Officer Wesley Boone 1/17/2023

YARDLEY, PA — Tribal Citizen Barton Standing Elk Cartwright Sr. is once again making strides in spreading Delaware Nation’s culture and awareness to the Northeast region of the Country. Artist John Guarneri has been commissioned to colorize a portrait of Mr. Cartwright Sr. drawn by Harold Willard, a native veteran who served in the Navy, that will be displayed on the wall of the Borough Hall of Somerville, New Jersey.

At the time the portrait was taken, it was a Celebration Dance for Native American Heritage Month during the first week of November 5th, 2022. Bart’s attendance at the Celebration Dance was to promote awareness of the Indigenous people and let the public know, “WE ARE STILL HERE!”

Mr. Cartwright Sr. stated that his portrait being artistically portrayed was humbling. His illustration will portray Lenape culture once it is completed and displayed on the Wall of the Borough Hall of Somerville, NJ. Barton is grateful for the opportunity to represent this great Nation through tradition and to spread the history of Lenapehoking.

Barton Cartwright Sr. resides along the Delaware River across from Trenton, New Jersey, in Yardley, Pennsylvania; The Lenape ancestral homelands.

Wanìshi for the incredible contributions Mr. Cartwright Sr. has made to establishing Lenape cultural awareness!

Story by Wesley Boone, Public Relations Officer 2/22/2023 | Photos provided by Barton Cartwright Sr.

ANADARKO, OK — A recent front line hero story got me thinking of how well and proactive the local township, community, and fire departments have been during these uncertain times. Today, we recognize the 25 years of service Tribal Citizen Eric Lopez has completed as a volunteer firefighter and chief for New Hope Fire Department.

Under Chief Eric Lopez’s guidance, his volunteer firefighters did many proactive things to help keep the staff and residents safe and healthy. Residents, from what I have seen, are super grateful for New Hope’s volunteer firefighter department. I, among many others, wanted to say thank you for being there! Oklahoma can be a busy region to maintain, especially during the dry phases of each season.

Eric started as a volunteer firefighter for New Hope in 1997 and remained by their side until his recent retirement in December 2022, a proud moment for New Hope Fire Department as they were led by dedication, professionalism, and determination in an uncertain time to deliver an outstanding service to all of the residents of Caddo, Comanche, and surrounding counties.

Eric has been a fire chief for nearly eleven years and enjoys working with others. His leadership helped train many volunteer firefighters toward their successful futures. Eric mentioned that he enjoyed working with the surrounding fire departments and appreciates all their hard work. Oklahoma is safer when great men and women step up to the front lines.

Eric’s efforts helped keep surrounding fire departments and the residents safe. A job that can prove to be quite difficult.

To New Hope’s fire chief of 25 years, we congratulate Eric for his services and thank him for his bravery. Wanìshi!

Story & Photos by Wesley Boone, Public Relations Officer 2/8/2023

Anadarko, OK — After a week of nasty winter weather and more on the way, a scholarship signing ceremony was held at the foyer within Anadarko High School to honor tribal citizen and senior, Brayden Lemos. Family, faculty, and friends joined to witness Brayden sign a football scholarship to play for Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. Brayden is eager to take his football career to the next level and was very grateful for everyone’s support. He supports his tribe and honors his Native traditions. From the Nation to you, Brayden, Good luck with your football career!

Photos and story by Public Relations Officer Wesley Boone

ANADARKO, OK — Tribal Citizen and Fire Chief, Eric Lopez, retired from 25 years of commitment to the New Hope Fire Association. Eric is honored for a job well done in maintaining a smooth operation and is loved by those who work alongside him. Eric’s dedication to the fire department, the communities he served, and his fellow firefighters have been unwavering. Wanìshi, Eric!

By Public Relations Officer Wesley Boone