Empower Native Tribes
Amplifying Indigenous Voices, Preserving Heritage, Building Futures
Who We Are
Empower Native Tribes is a youth-led initiative founded by Vivian Wan and Cindy Wan, two high school students from Delaware who are committed to supporting and uplifting Native American communities — starting with the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, the original inhabitants of their home state.
Through research, community engagement, cultural preservation, and advocacy, we work to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard, Indigenous heritage is honored, and Indigenous communities have the resources they need to thrive.
Research
Academic research on the economic impact of cultural tourism in Native American communities, in collaboration with university faculty.
Community
Hands-on volunteering at the annual Nanticoke PowWow, connecting youth volunteers with tribal community events and cultural celebrations.
Advocacy
Raising awareness about the Nanticoke Tribe’s history, their fight for federal recognition, and the ongoing challenges facing Indigenous peoples in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Why This Matters
“We were the first stewards of the land, and we have a moral obligation and sacred obligation to protect the land that we live on and the waterways.”
— Bonnie Hall, Historian of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe
The Nanticoke Indian Tribe has called Delaware home for over 10,000 years — long before European contact in 1608. Today, despite being one of Delaware’s oldest communities, they remain without federal recognition. Our work bridges the gap between awareness and action.