Advisory Committee Members: Eva Blake, Pam Ellis, Anne Foxx-Whitford, John Sly Fox Oakley, Donald Silva, and Clarence Wixon.

Founder and Director: Burne Stanley-Peters

Newsletter Contributors: Kim Orben, Claudia FoxTree, Anthony Silva, and Burne Stanley.

MCNAA 16th Year Anniversary Celebration

Organization's Founder Honored by Board

MCNAA celebrated it's 16th year in existence at Lombardos in Randolph on April 3rd. The location and surroundings were elegant. Due to the overwhelming interest and success of last year's 15th anniversary, MCNAA's Board felt that the opportunity to get members and supporters of the organization together should be done on an annual basis. Most took this opportunity to leave their pow-wow regalia behind and put on their best semi-formal attire. (Some members were not even recognizable.) In planning this event, a major goal is to recognize and honor those who support and help MCNAA realize its goals by assisting the Native communities throughout the year. When asked by MCNAA's President Kim Orben who we feel should be honored this year, of the nominees one name was overwhelmingly supported. That was MCNAA's own founder and biggest supporter, Burne Stanley-Peters. The difficulty was immense in preparing this year's honoree as it begs the question, how do you prepare an event and honor the person whom some board members labeled the "back bone of MCNAA". However, our President adeptly found a way by sending secret e-mails to all of us with Burne's name eliminated. I think she was successful as the honoree was genuinely surprised of the outcome.

After registration and seating, all were asked to join hands for the opening prayer by Dr. Bert Waters of the Wampanoag Nation. Dr. Waters' spiritual blessings seem to always have a calming effect as it reminds us of how we should respect all life as we are all related and connected to Mother Earth.

After eating and reacquainting ourselves, the program started with Board Member Claudia FoxTree beginning the Welcoming Address by asking everyone to engage in a song to "reclaim the space" as a place of Native American energy. Claudia called out the Taino-Arawak words to a traditional song which honored the Earth Mother and participants were asked to respond with a call back. Claudia then gave a provocative talk regarding the issues we Native people, who are very often of mixed blood, experience with racial/ethnic classifications by the federal government. Claudia reminded us that we share common ties with Asian Amerians (Hawaii), Latino/as (Central American), and African Americans (United States). Strengthening these ties will be important as we nurture and build a reciprocal community that fully respects and supports including all voices, equally, alongside the dominant culture.

Recently, racial definitions have been redefined by NCLB (No Child Left Behind) laws. Claudia explained the differences between "race" and "ethnicity." As Native People, we are left to decide, do we define ourselves by how we live, the culture we embrace, the stances we make, and what we teach and pass on to our children (ethnicity) or by how the dominant culture currently perceives us (their definition of "race")? This is an issue I am sure we will wrestle with for decades to come. Claudia challenged us, as Native Americans, to consider who is being included (South American Indigenous People) and who is being excluded (Native Hawaiians) in these new categorizations of "American Indian." She asked us what we thought the results of these new definitions would mean and reminded us that how well we support one another as Indigenous People will be the test of retaining our greater identity, land, and community."

At the conclusion of Claudia's opening remarks, all MCNAA's Board Members were introduced and asked to come to the podium for a group photo. After the acknowledgement, the evenings' emcee Bruce Curliss asked Dr. Waters to the podium again to introduce this year's honoree, MCNAA's beloved founder Burne Stanley-Peters. Dr. Waters, being an educator, began by giving Burne a report card and listing her skills. He began with her first course, "communication". The grade was an A+ as he stated she had a way of getting others to do things that were important without demanding or pleading. People willingly help as they know her motives are totally unselfish. Dr. Waters continued her report card with a host of other subjects, including philanthropy in which he gave her an A+ too as we all know her to be a very generous and giving person. At the conclusion of Dr. Waters "honor roll report card", an embarrassed Burne was cajoled into coming to the podium and speak about what caused her to found MCNAA. Her short speech was then followed with the presenting of an honorary plaque by MCNAA President Kim Orben, who also brought congratulations and best wishes from Burne's family and friends on the Island who could not be there.

A number of people were then invited to say something about their special moments with Burne, including esteemed elders Anita Great Star and Cousin Billy (Love), as well as Richard Greenlaw, Sandy Sodano, and yours truly Board Member Anthony Silva. All agree that this year's honoree is someone very special and deserving, and whose gifts have made MCNAA the success it is.

Perhaps the most touching and personal testimony was given by Board Member Autauqay Peters who made us all know how much she admires her mother and how proud she is to be her daughter. All in attendance felt the love.

Burne, as she always does, very humbly and eloquently thanked all for their attendance and the kind words and gifts. The afternoon concluded with members and friends forming a line and taking the opportunity to personally congratulate and thank Burne for all she has done.

MCNAA feels very strongly that it's important not only to assist and support the communities in Massachusetts but also to acknowledge others who contribute to MCNAA and to the well-being of these communities. That was displayed at last year's celebration when we honored Sly Fox and Claire Oakley. We hope to continue this tradition in upcoming years.

Native American Social & Potluck Supper

At MCNAA's recent social and pot luck supper in Middleboro, Native friends from various Massachusetts and Rhode Island tribes were brought together for an evening of socializing, dancing, and feasting. The potluck meal was abundant, and so was the fellowship. With the cold winter and snowed-in days, it had seemed like a long time indeed since the MCNAA Native community had come together.

The VFW hall was larger and more comfortable than last year's venue. Kitchen access, a large dance floor, and dozens of tables, made plenty of space for folks to dance, congregate, or visit different "groups." The multi/inter-generational feeling of the evening was present. At any moment, and one could wander to a table and see the next generation of babies bundled in car seats peeking out at the community they would grow into, or chat about winter activities and adventures that had happened since the last gathering, or watch children playing cards and board games, as they renewed their own generations' friendships.

I am thankful for the two drums, Iron River and Eastern Sons. The voice of a drum held our heartbeats together from practically the moment the doors opened until well into the evening. I know people traveled from near and far, and particularly enjoyed the relaxed dancing in the circle. As we stepped to the drum in the circle, I got a chance to meet and speak with new folks and reconnect with others. David Little Tree and Jenny changed the pace a bit with Iroquois dancing, as a pleasant ending to a wonderful evening.

Fundraising

Holiday Appeal

As of this writing, those listed below feel thatthe Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, Inc. (MCNAA) is one of those worthy causes and have mailed in a Holiday Gift. The funds were received during the months of January and February. They include gifts from:

• Joan Forte
• Frances Gauss
• John R. Jones
• John Schofield
• And others who prefer to remain anonymous

Thank You all for wanting to share part of what you have to help support our important programs and the good work of MCNAA.

MCNAA T-Shirts Still Available

We still have MCNAA t-shirts for sale: The shirts are Fruit of the Loom, 100% cotton and have the MCNAA logo displayed largely in the front. The logo represents the Circle of Unity, the Four Directions, the Pipe of Peace, and the Feather of Brotherhood. This is what we have available:

• Midnight Black - L, XL, XXL
• Athletic Gray - L, XL, XXL
• Azalea (light Fuscia) - L, XL
• Purple - L, XL

Prices vary according to size. (Sorry, but the printing company charges us this way.) These are the current prices:

• $15.00 plus $2.50 s/h - Medium (M) to Extra Large (XL)
• $17.00 plus $2.50 s/h - Extra, Extra Large (XXL)

You can help support this fundraising effort by purchasing a t-shirt. Send a note telling us the color and size you'd like, include a check, money order or cash for the cost of the shirt(s) (plus shipping & handling) and mail to:

Workshops Offered to Educators by MCNAA

MCNAA offers schools and organization, workshops on topics related to systems of oppression, multicultural curriculum, diversity in the workplace, and specifically teaching about Native Americans. Although focused on teacher education, topics are relevant to other groups and individuals and are able to be adjusted. A few are entitled:

1. What You Didn't Think You Needed to Know Before Teaching About Native Americans
2. Transforming Classroom Lessons to Create Multicultural/Anti-Racist and Culturally Relevant Classrooms
3. Race, culture, and achievement: What Strategies make the Connection?
4. Talking About Race and Racism
5. Intelligence and the Academic Achievement Gap
6. We CAN learn from each other! Peer Visits - A Model
7. Being An Ally Across Systems of Oppression
8. Workshops on specific Nation/Tribes: Wampanoag, Nipmuc, Arawak/Taino and others

MCNAA's Wish List

1. Reams of ink jet paper
2. Postage stamps
3. New computer and flat panel monitor
4. New photocopy machine
5. Memorial Gifts - When a friend or relative passes, honor their memory and send a tax deductible contribution to MCNAA. Your contribution will be acknowledged by MCNAA to you and to the family.
6. A Building - Donate a useable building for MCNAA's permanent administrative offices and programs. Certain tax benefits may apply.
7. We will also accept a parcel of land that will be used as financing leverage to build our Center. Any size or location within the I-495 belt is acceptable. Certain tax benefits may apply
8. A travel trailer or motor home to be used as an on-site office, resting place, at MCNAA pow-wows.

Haverhill Cultural Council Presentation Night

We are delighted to report that the Haverhill Cultural Council has approved our application and awarded funds for the Chief Red Blanket Pow-Wow in September. The monies will be used toward the cultural component of the pow-wow.

Other News and Info

Into the Spirit World

We are saddened by the news that another one of our members has journeyed into the spirit world. Victor Nawoichyk, formerly of Boston and New York, died unexpectedly Thursday, February 24, 2004 at Merrimack Valley Hospital.

Many of you will best remember Vic as the close friend of Sly Fox Oakley. They were like brothers. Vic traveled around to pow-wows and Native gatherings helping Sly Fox cook the meals for vendors, friends, and dancers. He and his wife Cookie were members of the Mass. Center for Native American Awareness.

Vic was born in Boston but at the age of 12 his family moved to New York where he attended the Nyack Public Schools and was a graduate of Nyack High School. While in New York, he was involved as a leader for a Girl Scout Troop and served on the South Orangetown Ambulance Corp. He was employed as an installer at Western Electric in New York for many years.

In 1981 he moved to Newtown, NH with his family where he became a member of the Country Pond Fish and Game Club and was a member of the Communication Workers of America.

He leaves his wife of 39 years, Frances "Cookie" Nawoichyk of Newton, NH; daughters Joan Tavares of Newton, NH and Vicky Ann Nawoichyk of Exeter, NH; brothers John and Chester and several nieces and nephews.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Mass Center for Native American Awareness, P.O. Box 5885, Boston, MA 02114 or the Merrimack Valley Hospital, 360 Merrimack St., Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.

2005 List of Native American Pow-Wows and Special Events

Winter Round Table Discussion

In February, I did a presentation on Native Americans in New York City at Columbia University's Teachers College Annual Winter Roundtable on Cultural Psychology and Education. This year's Roundtable theme was Racism as a Barrier to Racial-Cultural Competence in Psychology and Education.

Native American Education is unique in this country. While most teachers (and students) do not identify as Native American, many will teach about or include this perspective when transforming curriculum. Stereotypes, distortions, and missing/biased history have perpetuated misconceptions and myths about Native Americans. What we have learned about Native Americans and what we think we know, is often inaccurate or even offensive. Socially responsive teaching actively works at unlearning and relearning the authentic, accurate, contemporary Native American story. Critical pedagogy actively deconstructs, questions, and teaches to controversies. I believe Teachers do not need to know all the answers, however, they do need to be aware of the potential conflicts in order to steer students toward asking questions, encourage dialogue, and then facilitate their learning by helping them find solutions.

In my presentation, we considered the importance of language. Participants looked at ways to identify Native Americans, by tribe, nation, regions, etc., the meaning behind particular identifications, and in what context they would use which words. Folks also looked at words that might come up in literature, text books, and other classroom activities. Terms such as Indian, totem pole, tribe, pioneer, and costume may seem benign, when, in fact, there is a historical context which needs be acknowledged, accounted for, and discussed, before they are used in the context of studying Native People. Next, people discussed derogatory phrases, such as "low man on the totem pole" and the implication, including psychological damage, of these phrases to Native and non-Native children alike. And finally, participants were given words related to Native culture, such as The Circle, giving thanks, and Pow wow, and asked to discuss what they knew. These "culture word" were related to what we, as Native Americans, value. When teachers understand who we are and where we come from, then the ability to teach in culturally responsive ways and make personal connections increases.

Another primary goal when related to teaching about Native Americans, is bringing Native Americans up to present day (we're not just in history, and we're not all dead). I demonstrated this by sharing stories, modeling oral traditions from contemporary writers which dismantled common myths, such as, Columbus discovered America, Native Americans crossed the Bering Strait about 12, 000 years ago, and Thanksgiving was a peaceful harvest gathering of Native Americans and Pilgrims.

Although not the focus, we also addressed what it means to be culturally sensitive to Native American students. Native American cultural differences were discussed in the context of educational practice. For example, we noted the importance of storytelling, cooperative groups, modeling, and active participation and how these relate to Native American cultural practices.

One exciting moment for me during this presentation was to have Jane Elliott as one of the participants in my workshop. She was this year's recipient of the Social Justice Action Award at the conference. Here's a copy of her biography from the Conference Program, for those who are not familiar with her name. Jane Elliott's work began in a culturally homogenous third-grade classroom in Riceville, Iowa, when she introduced the "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" discrimination experiment in the wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In this exercise, students were designated as superior or inferior based upon their eye color. This temporary social structure led to an enactment of striking resemblance to racial discrimination, and exposed young children to the experience of interpersonal and systemic oppression. For years, Ms. Elliott repeated this experiment with school children before creating workshops and lectures designed to raise awareness about racial discrimination and racism in adults. She describes her work as "an inoculation against discrimination," and believes firmly that racism is a learned response that derives from regular exposure to both overt and subtle forms of social oppression. Jane Elliott has traveled around the country and the world illuminating a host of audiences about multiple forms of social oppression and the responsibility we all share in addressing these biases on individual, institutional, and societal levels.

Jane Elliott is known internationally as a teacher, lecturer, and diversity trainer. She has been honored with the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education and the Christine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice. Elliott has appeared on myriad television shows, including The Today Show, Tonight with Johnny Carson, Donahue, and the Oprah Winfrey show. Her work has been immortalized by several documentaries, including The Eye of the Storm, and A Class Divided, which chronicled the "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" exercise.

Moving To New Mexico

After many years on the pow-wow trail here on the East coast, Cousin Billy Love (and wife Jeannine) are finally going to retire to New Mexico in the Fall 2005. He wishes to thank all of you for your support and patronage over these years and wants you to know that all of his Native American jewelry and crafts must go. During this pow-wow season, he'll be drastically reducing prices. He plans to be set up at MCNAA's Spring Planting Moon Pow-wo in Topsfield on May 28-30, as well as the Mashpee Tribal Pow-Wow on July 2-4; the Narragansett Pow-Wow on August 13-14; and MCNAA's Chief Red Blanket Pow-Wow in Haverhill on Sept. 10-11. So stop by and see them. Also, if anyone is interested in buying his complete stock of jewelry and crafts, please call him directly at 781-729-9364.

Ancient Fishweir Project

Ancient Fishweir Project combines public art, education, and community events to tell of the ancient fishweirs, describe vast changes in the natural landscape, and to honor the early people who lived in what is now urban Boston.

May 4-26, 2005 Come and see the fishweir built near the Charles Street edge of the Boston Common by students and Boston residents working with teachers, Native American educators, archeologists, and artists.

Wednesday, May 4, 11am-1pm Reflection of the Fishweir by the Massachuset Fishweir building begins	Saturday, May 14, 1-3pm Eastern Son's Drum Group Tuesday, May 17, Noon-1pm Talk by City of Boston archeologist
Wednesday, May 11, Noon-1pm Talk by Boston Children's Museum Native American Educator	Thursday, May 26, Noon-1pm Closing Ceremony & Interactive performance with the Wampanoag Nation Singers & Dancers

For schedule of events, curriculum guides, downloads, links and archeological background, visit: www.fishweir.org

The Irma Bailey Native American Arts & Crafts Show and Sale

For four days, the Peabody Museum hosts its annual Irma Bailey event, presenting one of the largest assortments ever of Irma's award-winning contemporary and vintage Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo jewelry, baskets, pottery, and rugs. This show will feature the work of Juan Quezada and the tradition of Mata Ortiz pottery.

For more information call: 617-496-1027.

Symposium: "Creating A World Free of Prejudice, Bias and Discrimination."

Ghandi one said, "be the change you want to see in the world." A world free of prejudice, bias and discrimination begins with us - what are the words and dialogue we need to create such a world. The second annual symposium brings together a broad spectrum of humanity.

Place: Boston Public Library
Date: June 24, 2005
Time: 9:30 AM - 12 Noon
Host: Sara Ting, President World Unity, Inc.
Speakers: Robert Lewis, Director of Family and Youth Services

Dynamic speaker, thought provoking exercises and interactive dialogue. Participants have an opportunity to experience diversity and the power of dialogue to inspire, heal and change a heart. Quoting Karl Deutch, Professor of International Peace, "The single greatest power in the world today is the power to change...The most reckless irresponsible thing we could do in the future would be to go on exactly as we have in the past ten or twenty years."

SEEKING NOMINATION FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

If you'd like to nominate a Native American person that you know or if you have an interest in serving on the Advisory Committee yourself, please submit the name(s) to MCNAA by May 15, 2005. Names will be accepted either by e-mail or regular mail. (MCNAA, P.O. Box 5885, Boston, MA 02114-5885)

Upcoming Events for MCNAA