Traditional Arts Program
The Program provides opportunities for cultural expression and public engagement that includes a number of initiatives such as pow-wows, dance presentations, and craft-making workshops that consists of Native artisans, craft makers, and storytellers. A blend of culture, traditions and history, these events bring awareness to authentic Native American customs and invites audiences to participate in and learn about our rich cultural heritage.
For over three decades, these quality cultural-traditional projects and activities have been held at locations around the Commonwealth (in doors, on a pond, and in open fields or fairgrounds) where the areas are transformed into vibrant sites of Native American learning & engagement that connect us all symbolically to the earth, the water, and our history.
Preserving Cultural Traditions
Pictured to the right are several videos of our participation at ECCF's Arts & Culture Summit on September 27, 2019 that took place at the Cabot Theatre in Beverly, MA and at the Dane Street Church. The videos were taken by Peabody Access TV.
The first video showcases our participation at the Summit, featuring MCNAA’s 4-Generations Dance Troupe. Our first dance was the Grand Entrance into the Theatre followed by a Round Dance with most of the audience.
The second video features a 360 degree view of an inpromptu performance at Dane Stree Church for the same Summit! Hand drumming and singing was shared by Devin Wixon Grabowski.
We have added a third video. It is a 2 minute news story about Mashpee Wampanoag artisan, Marlene Lopez, and her finger weaving. It was shared with us by Dan Brielmann with her permission.
Dan wrote that “Native Americans have lived in this land longer than any other group of people. Yet, we don't know much about their culture and traditions. Dan learned a lot when he attended the MCNAA Pow-wow at Plug Pond in 2019. Native Americans are spectacular artists, working on crafts that have been handed down through the generations. Marlene Lopez is one of these artisans. She's going to show us what finger weaving is about and the weaving’s ceremonial connections.”
The 4th video is a 4 minute news story about Aquinnah Wampanoag artisan, Julia Marden and the art of twining. It was shared with us by Dan Brielmann.
Dan wrote that “Traditional arts are very important. We learned a lot about the many contributions Native Americans have made at the Pow-wow held in 2019 which was the last one before COVID-19. In this video we are going to learn a little about twining which is something all indigenous people have done. It is possibly the oldest form of basketry. Julia Marden is keeping this tradition alive and passing it on to future generations. Let's see how it's done.”
Below, are photos of various artists, who have, over the years, performed at our events or in our cultural projects.
