A Time For Reflection

With the new year upon us, it is important that we reflect on all that we have learned this year, and all of the wonderful things that have happened.

For Ohketeau, 2025 was a year of affirmation. Early in the year we received notice of our 501c3 status, making us an independent entity for the first time. This has come with a learning curve, but a vast amount of determination for the future viability of our organization.

It has been our goal since the beginning to create a welcoming space of learning and growth for everyone around us. Since those early days, we have succeeded in providing opportunities for all tribal nations and allies that we have come across. In 2025 we have:

Provided Regalia workshops(Moccasin, beading, ribbon shirt/skirt)
Supported 4 runners in the Boston Marathon, providing the once in a lifetime opportunity for local Indigenous people to run on their homelands.
Expanded our classes and trainings for the community, including classes such as: Womxn’s Self Defense(with Impact Boston), Sacred Parenting, Theater as Ceremony, Surfing, and more
The 3rd annual Indigenous Youth Showcase
Continued to provide vaccine support for underserved communities.
Provided gathering spaces for Native community members
Partnered with Indigenous Peoples Day Newburyport for a successful event!
Continued to provide vaccine…in partnership with Native American LifeLines
We had our 6th Solstice/ Nikkomo Celebration
We had our 3rd Annual Surf Trip
All in all we served hundreds of Indigenous Community members and thousands in the larger community including our allies, schools and universities.

Like the work we do? Consider donating!

Opportunities

Ohketeau offers an array of opportunities, take a moment to consider a free training in:

Life Skills
January 17-18, 2026

This curriculum uplifts youth sobriety and coupled with Circle Tied helps to connect the material in relevant ways to our Indigenous communities.

Contact: Reina@Ohketeau.org

ohketeau womxn’s group

Wow! This is our second year running an Indigenous Womxn’s group. We are grateful for Northampton Arts center for their continued support and reparations efforts allowing us to use space.

This month we are hosting a story circle! Do you have a story you want to share? Join us on Sunday, January 4th. Details disclosed upon registration (if you are a new member).

Natives Run!

AMAZING OPPORTUNITIY: 2 Bibs Available For The Boston Marathon!

Through support from the Boston Athletic Association, Ohketeau is able to provide bibs for Native runners from Tribes with homelands throughout New England!

Are you a Native American runner from a Tribe in New England who has been looking for a chance like this? Know someone?

Deadline to reach out is: January 15, 2026

Send email to Reina@ohketeau.org for more info!

Natives Run! T-Shirt Design Contest

Are you a Native Artist or Know One? 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

Natives Run! Youth Event

On February 21, 2026, Ohketeau will host its first Natives Run Youth event.

With this event we will uplift and celebrate youth who are determined to better their lives through sports such as running. In collaboration with out Natives Run advisory board, we will provide the youth who show up with a variety of tools and insight they may need to pursue their own path to health and wellness.

Save the date and sign your kids up!

Youth 9-21
All participating youth get a free pair of sneakers
Fun relay race and other games

We Need Your Help!

Our organization needs your donations in order to continue the important work that we do! You can also help us by volunteering or considering our organization as an internship placement! Any amount helps!

Please support us in providing the classes and workshops that we provide, in hiring local Native people to teach traditional skills, and 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.

What We’re Excited For in 2026

Nurturing current partnerships with Native American Lifelines, Bunker Hill Community College, Merrohawke Nature School, Museum of Science, Mohawk Trail Regional School District, Imagine Studios, Jacob’s Pillow, Northampton Center for the Arts, Summer Sessions Surf Shop, Boston Athletic Association, 26.2 Foundation, New England Institute for Native American Studies, Department of Public Health and so many individuals in the communities that choose to partner with us in our impactful work.

We look forward to beginning to provide opportunities for learning to community members who will be volunteering and interning with us in 2026!! This will not only help us build capacity but expand our Ohketeau family.

Providing training for teachers to enhance their current curriculums and providing scaffolded learning opportunities for students.

Ohketeau will begin to deliver consultation services for schools, universities, businesses and anyone else who would like to engage in dialogue about how they can better serve our Indigenous communities.

We will be working diligently to raise funds and gather support to secure a space where Ohketeau can have a physical location on the North Shore. This center will be a hub for activities that will enrich the local community in many new and exciting ways.

Thank you to all of our wonderful donors. We have received $14,216 in 2025!! Wow! These donations help us to provide things that many times are not allowable expenses in many grants but that greatly enhance our programming. Save the date for our very first Donor Event to be held February 13th, 2026! We look forward to celebrating you and getting to know you better!

Gratitude to all of our funders who have made our work possible in 2025. They are Barr Foundation, Mass Humanities, HRiA, Woven Roots, Arts.Coop, Western MA Foundation, Boston Athletic Association, Mass Cultural Council and Local Cultural Cultural Councils. They not only provide funding but learning, one on one coaching and support, networking opportunities and so much more to help build long term capacity and sustainability of our work!

Finally, thank you to our Board of Directors!

We look forward and NEED to acquire more funding to expand our core team which is currently composed of three amazing and dedicated people who make the work we do mean so much to so many. Here we come 2026!