Native American History Month

This month, Ohketeau has been hard at work to make sure we can continue to provide the opportunities, knowledge, and kinship throughout New England.

We are proud to have begun the first of our new “Into the Circle” series. Ohketeau Cultural Center, Director Larry Spotted Crow Mann, and Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed sat together at Bunker Hill community college to discuss Nipmuc voices in the American Revolution. Goodspeed and Mann told tales of survivance from the early 1600s through to 1776. Among those discussed were the famous Crispus Attuks, as well as Sampson Hazard, Ishmael Coffee, and Samuel Vickers— late relations of the two.

As we head into the 250th anniversary of the American revolution, it is important to remember the many contributions that Native people have made to our homelands despite the agenda against us.

Into the Circle will continue throughout the year, spreading awareness of Native perspectives with voices of Indigenous culture bearers, scholars, and educators in New England.

Health in Indian Country

Cold and Flu season is upon us!

One of my favorite things to do when sickened with the plague is to boil cedar in a pot and use it to do steam breathing. Let us also remember that burning sage is both traditional, and has value in cleaning the air of viruses.

This season, let’s remember to connect with our ancestors through traditional remedies.

Ohketeau Womxn’s Group

This month we are hosting Nikkomo! Come celebrate the season of stories and gifting with us at 33 Hawley St in Northampton on December 20th!

Natives RUN! T-Shirt Design Contest

🏃🏽It’s that time of year again!🏃🏽‍♀️Do you want your design featured in this years Boston Marathon? Now is your chance!

Deadline is January 31, 2026, $200 award, email submissions to: info@Ohketeau.org

Upcoming Training

Mark your calendars for a training coming up in LifeSkills followed by Circle Tied to Mother Earth. This curriculum uplifts youth sobriety and coupled with Circle Tied helps to connect the material in relevant ways to our Indigenous communities.

1st of two sessions will be held on Saturday January 17th in person, free and with materials provided and local transportation cost covered.

Reach out to sign up.

Ohketeau Hygiene Bags

Ohketeau offers “Hygiene Bags” for those who may be displaced or simply in need of some hygiene supplies. Reach out to info@Ohketeau.org for access or visit us at any tabling event.

Larry Spotted Crow Mann on the History of Thanksgiving

Massasoit was Grand Chief of the Pokanoket Tribe in the early 1600s. His main homeland was located near Bristol, Rhode Island.

However, he had held great authority that stretched throughout the region. By the time the Pilgrims landed in 1620, the Indians of New England had already suffered at least two waves of devastating blights. The sudden and massive deaths led not only to a chaotic imbalance, but of doubt of their future existence as a people.

Massasoit's leadership had been weakened and other Chiefs throughout the area stood to challenge or take over his authority.

When the 102, weak and weary, passengers aboard the Mayflower arrived in late 1620, they were in dire condition. What the Indians found odd about these people is that unlike the other European explorers, they planned to stay. Almost half of the Pilgrims didn't survive the first winter.

Massasoit had them under constant surveillance as he decided what to do. The Pilgrims were observed stealing stores of corn, looting, and desecrating graves. His first thought was to have them destroyed, but he reconsidered. Given his Tribe's weakened state, he deduced that these Whites' could become valuable allies against his enemies.

On March 22, 1621, a treaty of mutual respect and protection was drawn up between the Pilgrims and the Pokanoket Tribe. Massasoit and his people lent much support to these first settlers by teaching them how to farm, hunt, and fish. Also, they informed the Pilgrims of other Tribes and places to avoid.

In 1637, the English with the aid of allied Indians led an assault on the Pequot Mystic Fort. They surrounded the village and set it ablaze. Hundreds of men, women, and children were burned alive.

Governor William Bradford of Plymouth described the event: "It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fryer, and the streams of blood quenching the same, and horrible was the stench and scent thereof; but the victory seemed a sweet sacrifice and we the Puritans gave the prayers thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for us, thus to enclose our enemies in their hands and give us so speedy a victory over so proud and insulting an enemy (Mayflower: Philbrick, 2006)."

After this destruction, the English passed a law that any surviving Pequots would never be allowed to return home or call themselves Pequots again.

The first official "Day of Thanksgiving" was proclaimed in 1637 by Governor Winthrop in commemoration of the massacre of the Pequots:

"The 12th of the 8th m. was ordered to bee kept a day of publick thanksgiving to God for his great m'cies in subdewing the Pecoit bringing the soldiers in safety, the suecesse of the conference, & gor news from Germany (Nathaniel Shurtleft, ed. Records of Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New Engla Vol I, Boston, 1853. p. 204).

Larry Spotted Crow Mann, The Morning Road to Thanksgiving excerpt

Nikkomo

As we enter into the traditional time of Storytelling for the Algonquian Peoples, let us reflect on the gifts of the seasons and the gifts of each other.

The stories of the water, the land, and all living beings have guided us—

and continue to teach us—

how to live with gratitude, humility, and balance.

As we share our Nikkomo (ceremonial feast), our Stories, and our memories,

may we honor those who came before us,

lift up those who walk beside us,

and plant hope for those who will follow.

For in this time of quiet snow, warm fires, and longer nights,

we are reminded that Story is not only something we tell—

it is something we carry.

It is something we become.

May our words nourish like food,

our songs rise like breath,

and our hearts remain open to the teachings that this season brings.

We gather, we listen, we remember—

and in doing so,

we keep the Circle Strong.

-Larry Spotted Crow Mann

We Need Your Help!

Our organization needs your donations in order to continue the important work that we do! Any amount helps! If you are able to give during this holiday season, please rest assured in the knowledge that all donations to our cultural center means more opportunities for Native people in New England.

Please support us in providing the classes and workshops that we provide!

Support us in hiring local Native people to teach traditional skills.

Support us in providing educational opportunities for allies.

It is through this community work that we all will forge a greater future for Native people in the North East.

Celebration Space

Ohketeau is launching an initiative where we will celebrate our community members in the things that they do. If you have something you would like to celebrate, please fill out the form below, or simply send us a message stating what you are happy about. Shoutouts will be seen on our monthly newsletters!

History is Made at Faneuil Hall

Go see this incredible display by Nipmuc photographer Scott Foster at Fanuiel Hall! The display is only up for a limited time! Don’t miss your chance to see our Nations represented in the heart of Boston (Shawmut).