Workshop for Educators – Voices of the First Peoples, Nanticoke Indian Tribe
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Nanticoke Indian Museum
Sussex County
Join us on July 28th at the Nanticoke Indian Museum to learn about the rich stories and traditions of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe in this special session for Delaware educators.
Voices of the First Peoples celebrates Indigenous voices and traditions in partnership with the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. Join us for a special session for Delaware educators at the Nanticoke Indian Museum, where we’ll learn about tribal history, storytelling, and the museum’s collections.
Voices of the First Peoples is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Voices of the First Peoples is created and hosted in collaboration with the Delaware Teachers Institute.
Speakers and Activities:
Tribal History with Dr. Bonnie Hall
Dr. Bonnie Hall earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) from the University of Delaware. This accomplishment highlights her commitment to academic excellence and her dedication to advancing leadership in education. After 29+ years of distinguished service, she retired from Delaware Technical Community College in 2010 where she served as a Sr. Special Programs Director and part-time instructor in the Business Administration department.
Bonnie is a proud member of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe and currently serves as Tribal Historian. In this role, she helps preserve, document, and share the history and legacy of her community, ensuring that Nanticoke stories and traditions remain accessible for future generations. As a lifelong resident of Millsboro in Sussex County, Delaware, Bonnie’s strong connection to the region has shaped her values, priorities, and commitment to service. Her deep roots in Sussex County continue to inspire her dedication to the community, especially the Nanticoke people. Bonnie is devoted to preserving the traditions, lifestyle, and cultural identity that make Sussex County unique. Through her ongoing efforts, she represents her homeland with professionalism and positivity, while continually seeking opportunities to serve. Her work reflects a lasting desire to uphold the values and heritage of the Nanticoke community for future generations.
Storytelling with Ragghi Rain
Storytelling is one of the oldest ways Indigenous Peoples have carried knowledge, history, values, and responsibilities from one generation to the next. Long before books were written, stories taught children how to live in a good way, reminded communities of their responsibilities to one another, and preserved the wisdom of their ancestors. Traditional teachings are not simply lessons from the past; they are living teachings that continue to guide us to how we care for Earth, Water, one another, and all our relations. Through stories, we learn that every action creates a ripple, every Voice matters, and every generation carries a responsibility to those who came before and those yet to come.
Ragghi Rain shares these teachings through storytelling, cultural education, and community engagement. Drawing upon Indigenous traditions, history, and lived experience, her work focuses on helping people understand that stories are more than entertainment—they are medicine, memory, instruction, and a pathway for carrying our teachings into the future. Whether working with children, youth, adults, faith communities, Tribal Nations, museums, camps, or universities, the goal remains the same: to strengthen relationships, preserve cultural knowledge, encourage respect for all of Creation, and inspire people to live the values they speak. In a rapidly changing world, storytelling remains a powerful way to keep wisdom alive and to remind us that we never walk alone. Nasgigwo Winigalsd
Tour of the Nanticoke Indian Museum
Our Speakers will lead a tour of the Nanticoke Indian Museum.
The Nanticoke Indian Museum is the only Native American Museum in the state of Delaware. Our museum displays many artifacts that have been passed down from our Elders who have since perished and well as donations that have been made over the years. Our displays include but are not limited to – thousands of arrowheads, pottery, axe hammers and other objects, all of which are homemade. Visitors are educated and receive insight into the work that goes into creating Native arts and leave with a new understanding of our culture.
Can’t make it on July 28th? Experience this event’s Speakers and much, much more at the 48th Annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow in September.
This event is hosted by Delaware Humanities. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Nanticoke Indian Museum
26673 John J. Williams Hwy
Millsboro DE 19966
