Welcoming Native American & Indigenous Families

We recognize that tribal lands aren’t bound by state borders. The list below is not representative of all of the communities in this region. This list is a live update of FCSN’s continued work in learning about and engaging with Indigenous communities beyond Massachusetts.

Federally Recognized Nations/Tribes

• Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe
• Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

State Recognized Nations/Tribes

• Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band

Nations/Tribes not Currently Federally or State Recognized

• Chappaquiddick Wampanoag Tribe
• Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians
• Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe
• Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag
• Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe 

State & Local Organizations

• Native American Lifelines: Title V Indian Health Services contracted Urban Indian Health Program serving the Baltimore and Boston metropolitan areas to promote health and social resiliency within Urban American Indian communities.

• North American Indian Center of Boston: Resource center for employment and training, education, health, and housing who have been empowering and investing in the Native American community of Massachusetts since 1969.

• Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness: Cultural and resource center which provides opportunities for the expression and preservation of Native American cultural traditions; assists Native American residents with essential basic needs and educational expenses; advances public knowledge and understanding that helps dispel inaccurate information about Native Americans, and works towards racial equality across the region.

• Ohketeau: Meaning  ‘a place to plant and grow’ in the Nipmuc language, Ohketeau is the only Native founded and run cultural center in all of Central and Western Massachusetts. Their mission is to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary education through cultural workshops,  dance, music, art, indoor and outdoor, activities that allows participants the opportunity to fully express their talents.

National Organizations

• National Indian Childcare Association: The only national grassroots alliance supporting Tribally-governed child care programs, serving over 300,000 Native children across 500+ tribes, and advocating for culturally relevant, tribe-specific early learning solutions.

• National Indian Child Welfare Association: Supports the safety, health, and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native children by helping tribes prevent abuse and neglect through systems change and providing the most comprehensive Native child welfare information.

• National Indian Education Association: A national nonprofit that  advocates for policies and creates programs that support self-determination and the development of comprehensive culturally-grounded learning opportunities for Native students.

• National Indian Health Board: A national nonprofit that advocates for health care improvements for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering resources and technical assistance to tribal governments in health policy development.

Federal Agencies

• Administration for Native Americans, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Supports Native American communities by providing financial assistance and capacity building, gathering and sharing data, and advocating for improved policies within HHS and across the federal government.

• Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior: Promotes economic opportunity, enhances quality of life, and manages trust responsibilities for American Indians, Indian tribes, and Alaska Natives through federal governance and resource management.

• Bureau of Indian Education, U.S. Department of the Interior: Provides educational services and support to Native American students in tribal schools and BIE-operated institutions, aiming to enhance academic achievement and cultural preservation.

• Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives, working to improve overall health outcomes for these populations.

• Office of Indian Education, U.S. Department of Education: Administers programs and services to support the educational needs of Native American students, ensuring they have access to quality educational resources and opportunities.

State & Municipal Agencies 

• Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs: Represents Native American communities within the state of Massachusetts, ensuring that their rights, culture, and interests are protected through advocacy and policy engagement.

• City of Boston Equity & Inclusion Cabinet: Focuses on promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity by addressing systemic inequalities in Boston and ensuring fair treatment for all residents.

• Aquinnah Cultural Center: By facilitating daily experiences and activities that reinforce and enhance cultural awareness, we provide the tribal community and the general public with an opportunity to witness and learn about the Aquinnah Wampanoag history through exhibits and educational programs.

• Hassanamisco Indian Museum: As the principal repository of Nipmuc history and culture, the Museum represents a rare and valuable cultural resource. Its artifacts, documents, and research library communicate the culture of the Eastern Woodland Indians and the interactions between Nipmucs and the dominant culture of Central Massachusetts.

• Mashpee Wampanoag Museum: The only museum dedicated to Wampanoag history, housed in a historic half Cape Cod house and showcases ancient artifacts and Native American heirlooms that trace Wampanoag life over thousands of years.

• Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness: Cultural and resource center which provides opportunities for the expression and preservation of Native American cultural traditions; assists Native American residents with essential basic needs and educational expenses; advances public knowledge and understanding that helps dispel inaccurate information about Native Americans, and works towards racial equality across the region.

• United Native American Cultural Center: UNACC’s mission is to create a positive space for people of all cultures to gather, share, and educate one another through cultural enrichment, education, and life strategies for Native American people, while welcoming the entire community to engage in diverse programs and cultural experiences.

Check out the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness for a comprehensive list of Powwows and special events in New England.

The following events occur annually:

• Harvard Powwow (Fall)
• Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow (weekend of July 4th)
• Massachusetts Tribal and Indigenous Health Summit (Fall)
• Newton Indigenous Peoples Day (Indigenous Peoples Day – second Monday of October)
• Nipmuc Powwow (Summer)

Resources shared during the panel:

• Film Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting (available on Amazon and Apple TV)
• MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda
• MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda –  Native Mascots
• IllumiNative
• Understanding the Harm: The Nationwide Movement to Eliminate Indian Mascots
• APC Part 123 Indigenous Mascot Prohibition (New York State Ed Dept)
• Proposed Addition of Part 123
• Use of Native American Mascots letter from the New York Senior Deputy Commissiner (November 2022)
• Background and Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Part 123 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Prohibiting the Use of Indigenous Names, Mascots, and Logos by Public Schools (May 2023)

FCSN Newsline Articles

• Listening to Indigenous Families: Lessons from the Tribal and Indigenous Health Summit, by Emma Gregory
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, By Emma Gregory, in consultation with Junise Golden Feather Bliss and Dr. Kristine Jones
• Seneca Arts & Learning Center: A Model for Family Engagement