A Look back at 2023, Looking forward to 2024

Ohketeau appreciates all of the support received in 2023. Below you will find more information about our goings on throught the year. In 2024, keep up with us as we provide more “The Living Presence of Our History” events, Workshops, school presentations, talent exhibitions, and ongoing partnerships.

 

2023 Events

Director’s Activities

Ohketeau welcomes Little Amal to Ashfield

Ohketeau welcomed Little Amal to Ashfield: On September 10th, 2023 She was Welcomed to Nipmuc homelands by Larry Spotted Crow Mann, Willow Daly, Anoki Mann, Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed, Andre Strongbearheart Gaines and Daishuan Red Deer Garate on behalf of Nipmuc People. A Walk with Little Amal in Ashfield was curated as part of Double Edge Theatre and Jupiter Performance Studio's Art and Survival Performance Festival.

Indigenous Youth Talent Exhibition

Ohketeau Cultural Center was excited to host an event that increased the visibility of the Indigenous youth in our community and empowered them to share their many talents.

Mosaic Documentary Feature

Ohketeau was featured in a documentary produced in Western Massachusetts by Western Massachusetts Health Equity Network, titled Mosaic, which focuses on racism, health, access, and equity, and was an official selection for the Twin Cities Film Festival this fall.

Native Womens Group

Starting last July, Ohketeau has hosted a regular Women’s Group with group participants from teen - adults. The group shares traditional knowledge, crafting, food, and stories specific to each of our communities. The group looks forward to expanding to outdoor activities in the warmer months and learning more about all of the accessible plant medicines. Most importantly we have created a safe space that is fostering friendships and creating new connections amongst the Indigenous Women who live in the surrounding towns and cities of both Franklin and Berkshire County.

Workshops with Andre Strongbearheart Gaines

Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines Jr led multiple hide tanning workshops for Native and Non-Native participants, as well as another drum making workshop. Photo courtesy of Scott Fraser Photography.

Living Presence of Our History Part. VIII: A Conversation with Indigenous Authors Regarding Representation in Literature

The Living Presence forum continues conversations with Indigenous community members and allies regarding issues we face today as Native peoples. A panel of scholars and local Indigenous authors will discuss the importance of our stories in literature. We will explore how these narratives affect Native and non-Native communities today and the possible steps to educate, decolonize, and make changes using an Indigenous lens.

Ongoing Partnership

The town of Rowe’s Municipality Vulnerability Preparedness Plan and Virtual Forest Center project, in collaboration with Ohketeau and Mass Audubon, is entering the second year of the grant. We look forward to providing workshops, panels, and advocacy as we move forward this year.

“Anoki- More than a Photo ~ More than a Powwow.”

Aurélie Debusschère returned from France to finish and premiere her documentary film in a limited audience setting at Double Edge Theatre followed by a talkback with the film team. A Mayoke Photography & Film Production - In Association with the Ohketeau Cultural Center & Double Edge Theatre.

Comprehensive Vaccine and Health Clinic

Ohketeau partnered with LifeLines of Boston and Baltimore, Umass School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Mass General Brigham and Womens, and Amherst Public Health to bring a comprehensive vaccine and health clinic to the Amherst town commons. The initiative served the Indigenous community and beyond, providing much-needed information for more services available and a delicious lunch. Tracy Ramos, Tomantha Sylvester, and Nayana Marmaras assisted with the Ohketeau tabling.

The Living Presence of Our History Part IX: A Conversation with Indigenous Screenwriters Regarding Representation on Screen

A panel of Indigenous screenwriters and producers discussed the importance of telling our stories on screen and explored how these narratives affect Native and non-Native communities today and the possible steps to educate, decolonize, and make changes using an Indigenous lens.

Rhonda Anderson and Larry Spotted Crow Mann

  • RA: Rhonda was honored to have been selected as the 2023 recipient of the  Berkshire County Chapter of the NAACP’s Indigenous Peoples Award, presented to her by the previous recipient, Larry SpottedCrow Mann.

    LSCM: Presentation at Cambridge library

  • RA: Rhonda participated as a Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Regional Advisory Group member, curating a panel of Indigenous women who are involved in the healthcare system in the state to identify areas of concern within our Native communities.

    LSCM: Welcome to Indian Country Music Festival at UMass Amherst.

  • RA: Held Untangling Decolonization Workshops for MA Audubon, several local Land Trust Organizations, and the Woodlands Partnership of Western Massachusetts, followed by the same with organizations working under the Franklin County Regional Council of Government.

    LSCM: Presentations at the French Consulate entitled, “Monatash”

  • RA: Selected as a dignitary to speak at the Holyoke City Hall Dedication in April of 2023, and in keeping with her values, asked Larry SpottedCrow Mann to join her on stage and speak about the Nipmuc Community.

    LSCM: Presentation at Holyoke city hall honoring Nipmuc history and presence for thier 350 anniversary.

    LSCM: Representing Nipmuc Peoples at the Boston Marathon pre-race celebration

  • RA: Ohketeau guides the state listening sessions on a possible Truth and Healing Commission through Rhonda Anderson as the WMass Commissioner on Indian Affairs, Suffolk University’s Indigenous Law Department, and UMass Boston’s Institute for New England Native American Studies. The first listening session took place with the Nipmuc community.

    LSCM: Attended BARR Foundation conference in Boston on behalf Ohketeau.

  • RA: Taken the oath of office as a Governing Council Member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is also an MCC Tribal Taskforce Member who will meet in December and January to determine the possibilities of a regional Indigenous Cultural Council.

    LSCM: Opening presentation at Jacob's Pillow for Teo Ao Mana, Polynesian Dance Troupe, presented at Sanderson Academy

  • RA: Ohketeau has also been recognized and voted into the Executive Board of Woodlands Partnership of Western Massachusetts, with Rhonda serving the term.

    LSCM: Representing Ohketeau at the Tomaquag Indigenous Museum annual gala in Rhode Island.

  • LSCM: hosted Ohketeau’s very first Surfing Trip to Jenness Beach NH with kind support from Summer Sessions surf shop.

    LSCM: Hosted Jacob's Pillow powwow exhibition. A presentation for Vertex: Native American Sovereignty: The Tribal Stories That Bind Us.

  • RA: Invited to participate in HowlRound and Art Emerson’s Black and Indigenous Convening. Rhonda felt the event furthered her understanding of Black and Indigenous allyship and incorporated this knowledge into her Untangling Decolonization workshops with Ohketeau in the future.

    LSCM: radio interview about Ohketeau and upcoming book with Monte Belmonte.

    LSCM: School presentation at RH Conwell Worthington school.

    LSCM: Opening prayer and land acknowledgement for new president inauguration of Danielle Holley Mount Holyoke.

  • RA: Featured speaker at Westfield State University with Janine Fondon, Voices of Resilience Exhibit, and Ben Boyd of Peleton, who are “Value Practitioners in their Work.”

    RA: Attended a 3 day long Indigenous Peacemaking Council in Berkshire County, invited by Tribal Judge Cheryl Fairbanks of the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative and Native American Rights Fund

    LSCM: Presentation at Brandeis University and Milton Academy

    LSCM: Premiere screenings of the film Anoki, including the Gloucester Indigenous Film Festival

    LSCM: Monatash Cultural presentation at Bunker Hill Community College.

    LSCM: Release on new children's book series “The Adventures of Kehteau”

  • RA: Rhonda presented at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke with Anthony Melting Tallow, Rachel Sayet, and Ella Alkiewicz on the topic of Land Back, and Rhonda focused on the remarkable collaborative work Ohketeau and Double Edge have achieved. 

    RA: Carlos Uriona and Rhonda spoke with Charge Up about their experiences with the collaborative work between Double Edge and Ohketeau, with Ty Defoe and Amanda White. 

    LSCM: Presentation at Hopkins Academy, Worcester Academy and Metropolitan College Nebraska

    LSCM: Opening words, Nipmuc prayer and land acknowledgement for Opening of “Responsibility and Repair: Legacies of Indigenous Enslavement, Indenture, and Colonization at Harvard and Beyond” at Harvard University.

    LSCM: Presentation for Berkshire County Head Start.

    LSCM: Named one of Massachusetts Leaders and culture bearers by readers of Masslive.

  • LSCM: Official book launch and party for The Adventures of Kehteau

    LSCM: Opening presentation for Native American veterans at Home Base Organization Boston.

    LSCM: Storytelling at Ashfield Winter Solstice celebration.