Munsee-Delaware Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Munsee-Delaware Nation
Nalahii Lunaapewaak
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| Munsee-Delaware Nation Indian Reserve No. 1 | |
 Munsee-Delaware Nation
Location in Middlesex County
Munsee-Delaware Nation
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| County | Middlesex |
| First Nation | Munsee-Delaware |
| Formed | 1967 |
| Area | |
| • Land | 11.22 km2 (4.33 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 160 |
| • Density | 14.3/km2 (37/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal Code |
N0L
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| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
The Munsee-Delaware Nation is a special community of First Nations people called the Lenape. Their name in the Munsee language is Nalahii Lunaapewaak, which means "Lenapes from the Upstream." This helps tell them apart from other Lenape groups who lived "Downstream."
This community is located in southwest Ontario, Canada. It is about 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of St. Thomas. They live on a special piece of land called an Indian reserve, known as the Munsee-Delaware Nation 1 reserve. This reserve covers about 1,054 hectares (2,600 acres). Their main community is called Muncey. The reserve is made up of several smaller areas. These areas are located within the Chippewas of the Thames reserve. In January 2014, there were 612 people registered with the Nation. About 148 of them lived on their own reserve land.
Contents
History of the Munsee-Delaware Nation
Early Settlement
Members of the Munsee branch of the Lenape nation arrived in this area during the 1700s. John Graves Simcoe, who was the lieutenant governor at the time, encouraged the Munsee people to settle there. However, the Chippewa people were already living in that area.
Sharing the Land
In 1819, the Chippewa of the Thames reserve was created. Later, in 1840, the Munsee and the Chippewa finally agreed to share the land. This was an important step for both communities.
Formation of the Reserve
In 1967, the part of the land used by the Munsee became its own official reserve. This was done by a special government decision called an Order in Council. This created the Munsee-Delaware Nation 1 reserve as it is known today.
Population and Community Life
How Many People Live Here?
The Munsee-Delaware First Nation has a registered population. This means the number of people officially part of the Nation. In April 2004, there were 524 registered people. About 163 of them lived on the reserve. By January 2011, the total registered population grew to 555. Around 145 of these people lived on the reserve.
In 2021, the population living on the Munsee-Delaware Nation 1 reserve was 129 people. The land area of the reserve is about 11.19 square kilometers. This means there were about 11.5 people living per square kilometer. The average age of people on the reserve in 2021 was 38 years old.
How the Nation is Governed
Chief and Council
The Munsee-Delaware Nation is led by a Chief and a Council. These are elected officials. They serve for a term of two years. The elections follow their own special rules, called the Band Custom Election Code.
Their Responsibilities
The Chief and Council are very important leaders. They are directly responsible to all the members of the Nation. Their job is to make sure the Nation is successful. They also guide the community in its goals and vision for the future.
Services for the Community
The Munsee-Delaware Nation provides several important services for its members. These services help the community in many ways.
- Administration: This helps manage the daily operations of the Nation.
- Community Centre: This is a central place for people to gather. It also provides easy access to health care and police services.
- Child Care Centre: This offers care for children in the community.
- Ontario Works: This program helps people with employment and financial support.
