Delaware Art Museum to host Powwow of Arts and Culture celebrating Indigenous heritage

The Delaware Art Museum will host the 4th Annual Powwow of Arts and Culture on Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., celebrating Indigenous traditions and heritage with a lineup of activities, performances, and cultural presentations.

This free event, open to the public, will feature traditional Indigenous dance, music, 20 artisan vendors, food stalls, and art activities for children.

The Powwow promises to be a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, with 15 tribes coming together for a day of learning, connection, and celebration.

The gathering will provide an opportunity for many attendees to witness an authentic Indigenous event—a rare and valuable chance for cultural education and engagement.

Importance of Indigenous culture

“Indigenous culture is not to be forgotten, belittled or erased. We are a part of the story, always,” said Iz Balleto, Delaware Art Museum’s manager of cultural programming.

Balleto, who is native-born from Peru and of the Quechua people, has been instrumental in organizing this annual event.

He began the Powwow of Arts and Culture five years ago with the aim of educating the community about the land’s original stewards, including the Lenni Lenape and Nanticoke tribes.

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His efforts were supported by the Nanticoke Indian Tribe and Lenni Lenape leaders, including former Nanticoke Chief Natasha Norwood Carmine and former Lenni Lenape Principal Chief Dennis Coker.

Powwows are sacred events within Indigenous communities, serving as a place for families to reunite, celebrate achievements, and honor traditions through song, dance, storytelling, and drumming.

“Powwows are not just a cultural event, but an educational platform to teach the community about the rich diversity of Indigenous People and highlight our unique differences and shared values,” said Adrienne Harmon, dance coordinator for the Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe.

The event is supported by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, and is further supported by the Center for Interventional Pain & Spine, Guerrilla 1794 Republik, The Connect, New Castle County Delaware, the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, and the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation.

Visitors are invited to attend, connect, and engage with the living traditions in a welcoming and educational environment.