Nanticoke

Member of an American Indian people who were inhabiting the mid-Atlantic region of the USA, near Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, by the 17th century. Their language, now extinct, belongs to the Algonquian family. They were known for their hunting, trapping, and fishing skills, and they also farmed. Although granted reservation land by the Maryland colony, white settlers took over their territory, and the Nanticoke dispersed into Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, and parts of Canada. Some joined the Delaware (Lenni Lenape) of New Jersey, forming the Nanticoke-Lenni Lenape. Descendants living in Delaware host an annual powwow and operate the Nanticoke Indian Museum.

The Nanticoke hunted deer with bows and arrows and spears, and fished using spears, nets, and weirs (fish traps). However, after they dispersed, many of the old cultural ways died out.

Nanticoke

City in Haldimand–Norfolk Regional Municipality, in the far south of Ontario; population (1991) 22,700. Nanticoke lies on Lake Erie, 43 km/27 mi southwest of Hamilton.

Nanticoke was created in 1974 by amalgamating seven former municipalities. Port Dover, on the lake, which is now the city centre, was settled in the 1800s on a Neutral (Iroquoian) site. The city is an agricultural service centre and a well-known beach resort, and has what is reputed to be the world's largest freshwater fishing fleet. It is also home to a huge steel plant and the world's largest coal-fired power station (run by the Ontario Hydro company).

Nanticoke

City in Luzerne County, northeastern Pennsylvania; population (1990) 12,300. Nanticoke stands on the Susquehanna River, 11 km/7 mi southwest of Wilkes-Barre. Formerly an important coalmining town, it has diversified into the manufacture of chemicals, clothing, shoes, and cigars.