MASSACHUSETTS
CENTER
FOR
NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS
PROGRAMS
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TurtleTalk is a quarterly newsletter, which creates an informational network within the Native community. Many traditional avenues of communication have broken down along with the loss of strong tribal entities on the East Coast. Intended as a benefit to the approximately 2,500 members of MCNAA, TurtleTalk is made available to all indigenous people who wish to receive it. It is also available at all MCNAA events and some area pow-wows.
THE SLOW TURTLE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT & CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
The program, named in honor of Slow Turtle, promotes self esteem, encourages development of leadership qualities and opportunities, and offers cultural enrichment activities and gatherings to youth and young adults. Programs and activities are held during the summer, after school and on weekends.
MCNAA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In efforts to assist Massachusetts Native American youth with higher education expenses, a scholarship fund was established. The fund helps to train new leaders in the Native community by assuring that youth are provided with the opportunity to complete a college education. Scholarships are awarded generally in late September. One of the goals of this program is to urge young adults to return to their respective communities and use the knowledge gained from a college education to help their people. Native students who receive the Native American Tuition Waiver from the Commission on Indian Affairs are eligible to participate in this program.
Other Scholarship Opportunities for Students:
In late January during MCNAA's annual Mid-Winter Social and Potluck Supper, we hold a scholarship drawing. Interested students, who are also recipients of the Native American Tuition Waiver, must register in advance to participate in the drawing.
For more information on the program and on the process for both of these opportunities, e-mail us at mcnaa@aol.com.
CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM
MCNAA's Cultural Arts Program serves as an opportunity for "cultural expression" by Native Americans. It is also an opportunity to bring awareness to the general public about Native American tradition and culture. The Cultural Arts program includes a number of initiatives such as Native American pow-wows, festivals, concerts, and art exhibits. These activities serve as forums for Native American artists, dancers, craftmakers, etc. to come together and exhibit their skill and share their culture. They also provide opportunities for the general public to share in the rich cultural heritage of the Native American. MCNAA cultural arts programs are held in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.
MCNAA also coordinates and
presents Native American cultural dance programs and workshops for schools,
colleges, civic organizations, and other groups in the Massachusetts area.
Please e-mail us at MCNAA@aol.com if you're interested in scheduling a
program. Serious inquires only!
PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMS
WORKSHOPS: Public Workshops and Seminars have included a series of programs and public discussions at local colleges and universities on social, traditional, and spiritual issues. Topics have included Burial Sites and Massachusetts Law focusing upon archaeological issues. Pertinent issues include the lack of respect for unmarked Indian burial grounds and the defacing of graves for artifacts; as well as the fact that monetary considerations often prevent construction companies from making proper notification when Native burial sites are encountered. Native American Herbs and Spiritual Values have been compared with traditional healing practices with the contemporary medical community. Tribal Acknowledgement reviewed the criteria for tribes to achieve federal recognition, and Unlearning Indian Stereotypes discussed common misconceptions. These Workshops and Seminars have created cross cultural understanding by sharing Native culture and concerns with the broader community.
LECTURES: Native American Lectures are held throughout the year at area church halls and community centers to educate and sensitize the general public to issues of concern in Native communities. Over the years, topics have included: The Importance of Elders & Children; The Earth & Balance of Life; Culturally Appropriate Activities & Educational Materials for School Children & Groups; The Modern Political System vs The Native American Traditional Structure; Contributions Native Americans Have Made to Society; Medicine, Taking Care of Mother Earth, Recycling; Reclaiming Our Cultural Heritage; We're Still Here; and more. In addition to the lectures, arts and craft workshops and Talking Circles are held.
SPIRITUAL COUNSELING PROGRAM
PRISON PROGRAM: The Native American Spiritual Counseling Program provides inmates within the Massachusetts Correctional System with a forum for spiritual expression in their native tradition and spiritual guidance from spiritual leaders. Such counseling programs across the nation have proven beneficial in returning inmates to productive lives outside the penal system. In Massachusetts, there are counsels held at North Central Correctional Center in Gardner; The Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction in Northampton; and at Massachusetts Correctional Institutes in Walpole, Bridgewater and Framingham. The program also serves facilities in Somers and Enfield, Connecticut and at a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The program is available to both Native and non-Native inmates. The counselors are spiritual/traditional Native Americans.
Spiritual counseling and guidance is also offered to families and individuals of all ages using Native American philosophy.
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Through this program, MCNAA provides funds for food, temporary shelter and heating bills to needy Native American families and individuals through the winter season and on an emergency basis. During the holiday season, MCNAA mails food gift certificates to needy families and individuals for them to use at their local grocery store.