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TURTLETALK
NEWSLETTER
- A COMMUNITY LINK
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.
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