Founded by Burne Stanley-Peters and her late husband Slow Turtle, the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, Inc. (MCNAA) was incorporated as a private 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization in April 1989. Our mission is to develop and implement programs that assist needy Native American residents with basic needs, college related expenses, and cultural and spiritual enrichment; and to increase public understanding, awareness, and appreciation of Native Americans.

Our vision is that we are recognized as the major organization in Massachusetts providing a spectrum of services and programs for needy Native Americans and those who are striving to maintain pride in their culture and heritage; and providing quality educational programming designed to confront, dispel and correct misconceptions and stereotypes about Native American history and issues.

The Governing Board is comprised of seven members whose heritage is from a number of Native American nations. All Leadership Team members reside in Massachusetts and represent a range of professional backgrounds. They are: Dawn Duncan, Claudia FoxTree, Kim S. Orben, Anthony Silva, Burne Stanley-Peters, and Maria Wilkins. Advisory Committee Members include Joyce Rain Anderson, Don Barnaby, Eva Blake, Anne Foxx, Doug Mitchell, Autaquay Peters, and Len Rose. MCNAA also has a general membership of over 2,500. Members live all over the country and Canada, are from all walks of life, and support the philosophy, events, and programs of MCNAA.