We are honored to be working closely with schools like the Mohawk Regional district to provide training on Indigenous history! Taubtone!
We are thrilled to be able to welcome our distant relatives (People from the Sami community) from across the pond. ELLE SOFE is visiting for their performances at #JacobsPillow which you can get tickets to in the link below!
We are thrilled to be opening up our Instagram for the first time in a long time! This post has made its appearance there, and we encourage you all to find us @ohketeau
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our youth online and in person!
Taubotne, to our youth it takes so much courage to put yourselves out there.
Thank you to our FIRST FEMALE MC, Leah Hopkins-Perry!
And a dear thanks to 33 Hawley St and Northampton Center for the Arts for hosting this important event. We are lucky to have such amazing and groundbreaking partners in community with us.
To everyone who made this possible,
Thank you for the attention, passion, and strength that went into to the #bostonmarathon this year. We were able to see a record number of Indigenous runners, and the first ever two Nipmuc runners to complete the marathon on our own historic trails. This year we were able to get 4 bibs(not an easy task!) for our Indigenous runners.
Thank you to our allies in the 26.2 Foundation, Native Women Running Boston Marathon and each runner. Featured in this photo, you will also see the mayor of Hopkinton holding the banner with our director Larry Spotted Crow Mann. We thank you for this warm reception on Nipmuc traditional homelands and look forward to all future collaborations.
Thank you to Passamaquddy Artist Norma Randi Marshall! Who made the beautiful logo for the event! You can still order shirts through our web store.
We hope that you take some time today to think about your relationship with the world around you and the ways that you give reciprocity to the land and waters that hold you.
How are you spending this day?
We are honored to share that all of the Ohketeau Runners: CJ Toney, Summer Confuorto, Dale Lolar and Ryan Caulfield have just completed 129th BOSTON MARATHON!!
CONGRATULATIONS to all the runners!!
The Ohketeau Cultural Center Natives Run initiative; in partnership with the Boston Athletic Association have secured four Bibs for local Tribal Citizens of New England to Run in the Boston Marathon! This is indeed a monumental moment for all of our Tribes, communities, and all of New England. Let's celebrate these champions as we make history!
We are super excited for the four champions representing the Tribes of our region:
CJ “Cheveyo” Toney (Hassanamisco Nipmuc)
Is a passionate health and wellness advocate dedicated to becoming the best version of himself for his family and friends. Since 2015, he has worked as a personal and group fitness instructor (certified in Olympic Weightlifting and Group HIIT classes) and, in 2022, expanded his mission by launching a consulting business that teaches others how to grow their own food and medicine—whether on their land or in their homes. Committed to empowering his community, CJ enjoys helping people of all ages take control of their health and live purposeful, fulfilling lives. In his free time, he cherishes moments with family and friends while inspiring others to embrace holistic wellness, and to have fun doing it.
"Running in this marathon means Everything to me—an opportunity to honor and celebrate my family, past and present, and to run for something far greater than myself. On sacred Indigenous land, this race represents my dedication, hard work, and the chance to carry every single person with me across the finish line on one of the most meaningful days of my life. I hold the opportunity to run this marathon with great honor and was excited to tell my Grandma and family." - CJ “Cheveyo” Toney
(CJ is pictured with his Grandmother Nellie Toney, who is also an Elder Tribal Council member of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band)
Dale Lolar- Penobscot Tribal Elder, lifelong ceremonial runner throughout INDIAN COUNTRY. Outdoorsman.
Retired Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. Prevention specialist who worked with tribal youth for more than 20 years.
Proud Dad and Grandfather.
"It’s with the utmost gratitude and awareness of the gifts that have been bestowed on me that I accept this opportunity and challenge to run the Boston Marathon.
I am very honored to run this historic path of the Nipmuc people and generations before and those to come." - Woliwon, Dale Lolar, Indian Island, Me. (Menehan)
Summer Coblyn Confuorto- (Gros Ventre, Cree, Mi’kmaq) was born and raised in Falmouth, MA. Growing up near the Native community of Mashpee, she gained a deep passion and appreciation for Northeastern Native traditional knowledge and art forms. She currently serves as the Program Officer for Traditional Arts at Mass Cultural Council, supporting traditional artists and culture bearers across the state. Summer worked previously for the New England Foundation for the Arts on its Native American Arts grant program and has many years of experience at cultural organizations, including the (formerly known as) Wampanoag Indigenous Program at Plimoth Patuxet and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum.
Summer has been a runner for most of her life, participating in many races over the years. She runs for many reasons, most importantly for her ancestors, including her grandparents, who hold a special place in her heart.
“For many Native people, endurance running is not just a physical activity but a spiritual one; running the Boston Marathon will be a powerful opportunity to honor my ancestors, the land, and amplify the enduring history and continued presence of Native people in New England and beyond.” -With gratitude, Summer Coblyn Confuorto
Ryan Laughing Owl Caulfield is from Delaware and was reunited with The Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band through his mother, Kathy Dancing Shadow Caulfield.
Ryan strives to uphold the love and unity demonstrated by the tribe in his daily life. A fledgling runner, Ryan began running with the encouragement of his friends and his oldest brother, Steven White Buck Caulfield, who have shared with him the excitement and sense of community that comes from the sport. He currently works in Art Storage with wonderfully creative people, and during his free time enjoys reading, creating stories, and telling bad jokes.
"I experience a lot of joy and peace when I run, and that's in part due to how connected I feel with my fellow runners when I'm pushing forward. I'm grateful to follow in the footsteps of all of our family and friends who have led the way, and to also leave some footsteps of my own for others to follow." - Ryan Laughing Owl Caulfield.
When we say that the trails being run during the marathon are historic, this is what we mean. The misconception that Indigenous people were not on the land when the pilgrims came to it and were not “properly utalizing it” is a complex belief steeped in colonial violence. The narrative is meant to justify the colonization of these areas and strip Native people of our rights. Education and traditional knowledge can combat this false understanding of history. As Indigenous people we know that the seasonal migration of our people went through these spaces utilizing the land for hunting, fishing, planting and more.
During the Boston Marathon two Nipmuc runners will trace the steps of our ancestors during the spring when these lands are growing with renewed life. This chart shows the significance of this space.
What will you now begin to notice in the landscape as you gain this knowing of space and time?
Created by Ohketeau’s Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed
We had an amazing Ribbon Skirt Workshop!
Thank you so much to our teacher Nitana Hicks Greendeer for working with such an excellent class! People of all ages gathered for this workshop filled with ribbons, fabric, and home made food. Everyone walked out with a new and completed skirt!
This concludes our Regalia Workshop Series. It has been so lovely for us to be in community as we craft and make things in time for the powwow season. We look forward to seeing these creations out in the world!
We had a very successful Beading Workshop yesterday! Thank you to everyone who attended! There were new skills learned from the amazing Nicole Luz-Caban as well as a wonderful lesson in culture and history.
Ohketeau is thrilled to be offering these important workshops just in time for powwow season.
Ohketeau hosted a self defense workshop alongside IMPACT Boston!
Though this workshop is centered around women’s self defense, Ohketeau honors our Two Spirit/queer/non-binary/trans kin and encourages those kin to feel welcome and safe in this space with us.
We are sharing the work of Ohketeau and our deep connections with our local Tribal Relations of the Mohegan Nation.
Kuttubatomish!
Did you know that Ohketeau hosts an inclusive Womxn’s group on the first Wednesday of every month? This month (and every other month) we will be meeting in Northampton, a more accessible location for many of our local elders and Indigenous students.
To get more information either email us, or fill out this form!
Calling Indigenous Artists!
Ohketeau is proud to be sponsoring a logo contest for Indigenous Artists of the Eastern Woodlands for the historic 2025 Natives Run the Boston Marathon event! This is your opportunity to see your art on a t-shirt at the Boston Marathon! There is a $100 cash prize for the winner.
Please submit your design by: March 8th Judging and deliberation will happen by the 15th. Winners recieve a free t-shirt, and gift basket in addition to seeing their designs featured during the marathon.
Send submissions to: info@ohketeau.org
Best of luck! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Our Ribbon shirt workshop was so productive and wonderful! Ohketeau is thrilled to be offering these options for the coming Powwow season and beyond.
Paula Fontes-Paul
Born in 1960 and raised in Tennessee, the daughter of a Southern Mother and Mexican Father, Paula was schooled in the traditional “southern girl” skills – cooking, cleaning, crocheting and sewing – merged with Mexican culture. Thanks to the patience of her dear Mama, Paula was sewing her own clothes by age 11. She met her husband, Roger Paul from Motahkomikuk (Passamaquoddy Indian Township) 16+ years ago. What began as making a few ribbon shirts for Roger quickly turned into being contacted by friends and family of the local Maine tribes for custom pieces – including custom ribbons shirts for the 60+ Veterans of Matahkomiuk for their Veteran’s Memorial Dedication celebration in 2018. To date, Paula has sold her ribbon attire locally, all over the US and Canada (including a couple of celebrities) through her DamaMorena Etsy site. Paula believes that it is an honor to be able to use her skills to help folks enhance one small area of their Indigenous symbolism and pride.
We are eternally proud of our team member Tomantha Sylvester for this stunning show!
How are you supporting Indigenous Theater today?
This past November, a few members of the DE Ensemble, along with partners from the Ohketeau, traveled to Lake Superior State University to continue developing a new performance titled Ishkode. Written, created, and performed by Tomantha Sylvester and directed and designed by Travis Coe, Ishkode unearths (or perhaps re-earths) and retells the Seven Fire Prophecies of the Anishinaabek. The Prophets spoke of a time when humanity would face a critical decision: to choose the path of destruction and malice or the path of life and unity. All that was prophesied has come to pass, and we are said to be living in the time of the last fire, where a “New People” will emerge to lead us into harmony and balance. Set in a technologically advanced research facility, we are taken on an unexpected journey through time by a whimsical, ever-evolving human… and robot? See more photos of the work here >>
Thank you to the team at Lake Superior State University and everyone who made this tour such a success.
Photos courtesy of Lake Superior State University and Travis Coe
There is long and lasting relationally between Black and Brown folx that we must acknowledge and honor every day. Not only was the land we stand upon stewarded by Indigenous people for thousands of years, but we know that the Nation that was planted here by those who colonized this place was built upon the backs of those who were forcibly taken from their homes and enslaved in order to feed the greed of this growing place.
New England is a place of great historical relation and kinship between Black and Indigenous folx. Many families have mixed family lines and intermingled stories.
This Black History Month, we encourage you to seek out knowledge and clarity about the places you love and hold dear. What Indigenous Nations resided there historically, and which peoples still live there? Whose labor allowed those places to flourish? When were measures taken to protect those members of society? How were those actions implemented, and with what grace? Finally, what reparative actions have been made in those places?
This month, and every month, we give honor to this history.
Aquene,
We had a wonderful kickoff with our Regalia workshop series with Angel NightHawk!
Thank you Angel for sharing your time and skills with our community. And thank you to all the folks who came out to learn, share and be in community.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Get ready for PowWow season and other Tribal gatherings with Ohketeau! We will be hosting a Regalia Workshop Series over the next few months!
We have 4 amazing artist joining us to share their craft!
Each workshop will include all materials free of cost to participants. Everyone will get to take home their creations.
You must register to participate. We ask that you please ensure you will be able to make it before registering. A waitlist will be held to ensure all workshops are filled.
All workshops will be held in Ashfield, Ma. Exact location and other details to be shared upon registration.
Support with gas is available for those traveling long distances. A meal and refreshments will be provided during each workshop. Those who register are welcome to bring family but only registrants will be provided workshop materials due to supplies being ordered based on the maximum workshop capacity.
Everyone planning to participate must fill out a separate registration. Please be sure to respond to confirmation emails.
The Ohketeau Cultural Center and the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) have partnered to bring an exclusive opportunity to the Tribal Citizens of New England.
This is a Cultural Wealth and Health initiative to bring fitness, tradition and the historic legacy of Native American athletes to the platform it deserves.
We will be hosting a social gathering for all interested Tribal Citizens of New England.
Join us to hear about how to get a Bib, which is a registered number to compete in the Boston Marathon. We will also cover the training process and additional opportunities for Tribal Citizens to get involved in fitness training and wellness programs sponsored by the BAA.
Please Note: We understand that running in a Marathon takes significant training. We understand four months is not an ideal amount of time to train; unless you are already an athlete in training. This gathering will allow Tribal Citizens to explore their interests and perhaps decide to prepare for the 2026 Marathon Run.
Event Date: January 19th, 2024 Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: Hopkinton Center for the Arts
98 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton, MA 01748
Refreshments will be served. We would be happy to answer any question you may have via email or phone call. Please RSVP to this email or to info@ohketeau.org by Monday January 13th, 2025. Please include in your RSVP the number of Tribal Citizens attending.
The recent showing of the Ojibwe dub of "Star Wars: A New Hope" took place at the Shae Theater in Turners Falls, MA on December 28th. The event drew a diverse audience excited to engage with this groundbreaking and historic language revitalization project.
Before the screening, an engaging interview with Tomantha Sylvester (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and voice of C3PO) provided insights into her journey and relationship with this project and her own cultural/ language journey.
Larry Spotted Crow Mann sharing culture, stories and laughter with the students of Marion E. Zeh Elementary School.
Our Harvest Fest was a wonderful success bringing wellness, culture and school materials to youth in Western MA.
The Ohketeau Cultural Center in partnership with Native Lifelines of Boston provided vaccines, dental screenings, backpack giveaways, hoodies and more. All wrapped in a fun filled day of Eastern Woodland Stomp Dances', Algonquian traditional games & Stories.
Thank You all who came out!
*Some Photos courtesy J. Goodspeed, R. Antunez & J. Lim
Ohketeau held its first ever Community Day with partner organization Double Edge Theatre to great success. Activities included corn husk doll making, learning about Algonquian traditional food ways, singing, dancing, and a Native Flute demonstration.
Ohketeau Cultural Center hosted its 2nd Annual Youth Talent Showcase on Saturday June 15th, 2024 at the Ashfield Community Hall.
The event was opened by a Nipmuc Elder and Ohketeau co- director, Larry Spotted Crow Mann, who led attendees in a Strawberry Moon Welcoming.
We had an amazing group of youth from a variety of Tribal communities participate in thus years event.
A panel of four Celebrators (Jasmine Goodspeed, Asa Peters, Anoki Mann, and Cito Colon) took the lead in sharing how each youth impacted them with their performances and presentations.
The event was held in person and via Facebook live.
Ohketeau’s First Annual Indigenous Traditional Tattoo Gathering, held May 11-12 at the Nipmuc Pequoig Farm, was a beautiful and healing collaboration. Ohketeau actively works to decolonize, rematriate, maintain control of our Indigenous bodies, and Indigenize spaces with intention. Our local Native community members (including many different Nations) have asked for a gathering receive and to learn about traditional marking, and we wanted to provide that safe space. We brought select artists from across the continent to offer a good sampling of cultural artistry and stories to share and a safe space to feature artisan work for display or sale, create relationships, foster healing for the community, and record interviews for a short documentary.
The Ohketeau Cultural Center and our co-producer Double Edge Theatre hosted "The Living Presence of Our History Part X: A panel of Indigenous leaders and scholars will delve into the intricacies and complications regarding Native appropriation."
This panel of Indigenous leaders and scholars delved into the intricacies and complications regarding Native appropriation 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.
Panelists include:
Lawrence Bacca, Pawnee
Julie Dye, Pokagon Band Potawatomi Nation
Vincent Schilling, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tomantha Sylvester, Sault St. Marie Ojibwe
Brittney Walley, Nipmuc
Adrienne Keene, Cherokee Nation
This event was curated and moderated by Rhonda Anderson, Ohketeau Founder and Co-Director, and will be livestreamed via Howlround.
The Living Presence of Our History is a series co-produced by Ohketeau Cultural Center and Double Edge Theatre with funding by Jacob's Pillow and Mass Humanities. This series has brought together panels of Indigenous leaders, scholars, and allies to delve into the many intricate and complicated contemporary issues facing Indigenous peoples today. We lift and center Indigenous voices and offer Native-led solutions and action items for the listener.
This weekend a group of women came together to participate in the Fancy Shawl workshop led by Evangelina Macias and hosted by the Ohketeau Cultural Center.
Eva gave a detailed history of the Fancy Shawl Traditional dance style and shared about the mentors who have provided her with the knowledge and technique. The information she shared provided context and understanding for the dance and the connection between the dancer and the natural world. Some of the women who attended were familiar with this style of Traditional Dance and others including a few children were experiencing dancing Fancy Shawl for the first time.
The participants all supported each other with encouraging words and comforting lightheartedness. A wonderful time was had by all.
