MCNAA Speakers

MASSACHUSETTS CENTER
FOR
NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS

Listed below, in our Speaker's Bureau, are the names of people whom MCNAA endorses and has personally seen in workshops, at lectures, or in other speaking situations. Many of these people are speakers or lecturers, but others are also storytellers and performers. Peruse the listing and short profile then click on their name for further biographical information. Once you identify the one(s) you'd like to invite to speak at your engagement, feel free to contact that person directly. When you reach the intended party, please let them know that you found their name on-line in MCNAA's Speaker's Bureau.

The list will be updated periodically so keep checking back with us for the names of additional speakers and topics. Also, the current profiles may be modified from time to time.

Speaker
Topics

Bruce F. Curliss Native American Culture-Eastern Woodlands
Comparative lifestyles-Contemporary and Traditional Thanksgiving
Politics (federal recognition, local politics)
Identity issues
Youth Development and trends

Claudia Fox Tree, M.Ed.
Taino/Arawak culture and contact with Columbus
Multicultural Curriculum Development - Inclusion of Native American voices and experience
Cultural oppression as it relates to Native Americans (deculturalization, colonization, mascots, etc.)
Culturally responsive teaching strategies
Racial/ethnic identity development
Native American drumming and dancing demonstration

Anne Foxx Native American Culture, particularly, Eastern Woodlands but can discuss historical and current issues of Native peoples across the continent.
Way of life in the community, family, self identity
Native American Spirituality
Some politics

Manitonquat (Medicine Story) Native American Spirituality, Religion, Faith; The Original Instructions, the Sacred Circle; The Path of the Heart; Native Childraising; The Story of the World, Black Elk's Vision, Wisdom of the Elders; Storytelling, Native literature; Thanksgiving; Peace; Community; Education; History; Politics (federal recognition, sacred sites, casinos)

Donna Edmonds Mitchell a.k.a. "Words in the Wind"
Pocasset Wampanoag Peoples of Watuppa Reservation in Fall River, MA
Inspirational Poet/Storyteller using Spirituality as main theme.

Pamela A. Ellis, Esq. Federal Indian law and policy, the legal origins and history of the tribal sovereignty doctrine, state/tribal relations, tribal law and jurisdiction, Indian cultural property (e.g., NAGPRA, IACA, cultural sovereignty and survival, exploitation of indigenous knowledge systems, etc.), federal recognition and southern New England Indian Country (critical perspective), gaming and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), American Indian economic development from a legal perspective, the federal government's trust responsibility to Indian tribes and individual Indians and Cobell v. Babbitt.

Troy Phillips History of Eastern Tribes/ Woodlands Culture - all levels

Joyce W. Vincent Rebuilding respect for Indian territories as we stand together for Indian Rights, Internal issues of Indian Country, Dispelling Misconceptions and Stereotypes in Indian Country, Mascots, Native American Studies, Thinking about college, how to prepare, Native Americans and African Americans.

John "Jim" Peters Native American Sovereignty
Federal Recognition
King Phillips War
Community Development
Mashpee Community
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)

Annawon Weeden Traditional/Contemporary life
Seasonal activities
Celebrations
Games
Stereotypes
Music & Dance
Hands-on Activities

Morgan James Peters (aka Mwalim) Traditional & Contemporary Eastern Folklore
Oral Tradition & Storytelling
Black Indians
Drama & Performance Arts
Ahanaeenun (Trickster Medicine)
Creative Writing (Prose, Plays and Poetry)

Speaker	Topics
Bruce F. Curliss	Native American Culture-Eastern Woodlands Comparative lifestyles-Contemporary and Traditional Thanksgiving Politics (federal recognition, local politics) Identity issues Youth Development and trends
Claudia Fox Tree, M.Ed.	Taino/Arawak culture and contact with Columbus Multicultural Curriculum Development - Inclusion of Native American voices and experience Cultural oppression as it relates to Native Americans (deculturalization, colonization, mascots, etc.) Culturally responsive teaching strategies Racial/ethnic identity development Native American drumming and dancing demonstration
Anne Foxx	Native American Culture, particularly, Eastern Woodlands but can discuss historical and current issues of Native peoples across the continent. Way of life in the community, family, self identity Native American Spirituality Some politics
Manitonquat (Medicine Story)	Native American Spirituality, Religion, Faith; The Original Instructions, the Sacred Circle; The Path of the Heart; Native Childraising; The Story of the World, Black Elk's Vision, Wisdom of the Elders; Storytelling, Native literature; Thanksgiving; Peace; Community; Education; History; Politics (federal recognition, sacred sites, casinos)
Donna Edmonds Mitchell a.k.a. "Words in the Wind"	Pocasset Wampanoag Peoples of Watuppa Reservation in Fall River, MA Inspirational Poet/Storyteller using Spirituality as main theme.
Pamela A. Ellis, Esq.	Federal Indian law and policy, the legal origins and history of the tribal sovereignty doctrine, state/tribal relations, tribal law and jurisdiction, Indian cultural property (e.g., NAGPRA, IACA, cultural sovereignty and survival, exploitation of indigenous knowledge systems, etc.), federal recognition and southern New England Indian Country (critical perspective), gaming and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), American Indian economic development from a legal perspective, the federal government's trust responsibility to Indian tribes and individual Indians and Cobell v. Babbitt.
Troy Phillips	History of Eastern Tribes/ Woodlands Culture - all levels
Joyce W. Vincent	Rebuilding respect for Indian territories as we stand together for Indian Rights, Internal issues of Indian Country, Dispelling Misconceptions and Stereotypes in Indian Country, Mascots, Native American Studies, Thinking about college, how to prepare, Native Americans and African Americans.
John "Jim" Peters	Native American Sovereignty Federal Recognition King Phillips War Community Development Mashpee Community Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
Annawon Weeden	Traditional/Contemporary life Seasonal activities Celebrations Games Stereotypes Music & Dance Hands-on Activities
Morgan James Peters (aka Mwalim)	Traditional & Contemporary Eastern Folklore Oral Tradition & Storytelling Black Indians Drama & Performance Arts Ahanaeenun (Trickster Medicine) Creative Writing (Prose, Plays and Poetry)