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.

The Ohketeau Cultural Center and our co-producer Double Edge Theatre will be hosting "The Living Presence of Our History Part IX: A Conversation with Indigenous Screenwriters Regarding Representation on Screen" on October 15th at 1pm.

A panel of Indigenous screenwriters and producers will discuss the importance of telling our stories on screen.  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.

This event is 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.

A Mayoke Photography & Film Production - In Association with the Ohketeau Cultural Center & Double Edge Theatre presents the exclusive premiere film screening of  

Anoki
’More than a Photo ~ More than a Powwow’

Directed by Aurélie Debusschère

October 11
7:00pm, at Double Edge Theatre

A young  Nipmuc man  who grew up as a talented Pow Wow singer with his brothers, shares his love of Tradition, Family, Music, and the overwhelming challenges to maintain them.

In a modern world full of complexities, contradictions, and far too often hardship towards Indigenous peoples; he struggles to find his place between Two Worlds.

Under the guidance of his father: award winning writer /poet Larry Spotted Crow Mann, Elders, and the Ohketeau Cultural Center, Anoki begins a renewed journey  amid the nurturing background of his Tribal homelands.

Anoki  opens up his Heart like the Sacred Drum, so that we may listen in earnest to the reverberating message of urgency that must be told, witnessed, and shared across the World.

This unflinching Truth Telling exposes the moral ambiguity of our society and challenges us all to be Present, when far too often Indigenous Peoples are viewed in the rearview mirror.

An unforgettable and intimate journey that reveals the resilience of the human spirit, culture and how Indigenous allyship can work towards restorative justice. 

The Ohketeau Cultural Center and our co-producer Double Edge Theatre will be hosting

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. Panelists included:

Dr. Debbie Reese, Nambe Pueblo
Yvonne Tiger (ABD), Creek Seminole Cherokee
Professor Eric Gansworth, Onondaga
Morgan Talty, Penobscot
Christopher Newell, Passamaquoddy
Larry SpottedCrow Mann, Nipmuc

This event is curated and moderated by Rhonda Anderson, Ohketeau Founder and Co-Director, and was 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.

The Ohketeau Cultural Center and our co-producer Double Edge Theatre will be hosting "Living Presence of Our History Part. VII: Indigenous Playwrights, Theater-makers, and Storytellers: Telling Our Stories" on November 13th at 1pm.

This conversation will have a panel with Native American scholars, playwrights, and actors on the importance of seeing our narratives on stage and screen.

This event is 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.

3:00pm - 5:00pm
521 Main Street, Ashfield MA

This event is In-Person and Live-streamed.

The program includes Eastern Woodland Traditional Dance demonstrations and songs with some audience participation.

Followed by a discussion with Elder and Culture Keeper Al George on the importance of the land, Clan System, and maintaining our identity as Indigenous People

In-person attendance for this event is limited.
Please reserve your spot today by emailing info@ohketeau.org for a Reservation request.
Livestreaming will be available via Facebook Live

IROQUOIS TRADITIONAL DANCERS
Trisha General (Seneca)
Al George (Cayuga)
Francis George (Seneca)
Jake George (Seneca)
Jesse George Jr. (Seneca)
Dazarrious John (Seneca)

Are you an Indigenous artist in Massachusetts thinking about centering indigeneity and creativity in public spaces? This session is for Indigenous artmakers interested in creating art in public places in their communities!

Meet the New England Foundation for the Arts Public Art Team and learn about their upcoming grant opportunities for BIPOC community members.

This session will provide space for artists to get to know one another, NEFA’s public art team, and NEFA’s upcoming grant opportunities. We believe public art has the power to shift public culture and change the future. Through public art grant-making, NEFA aims to invest in artists and their creative practice, cultivate artists as civic leaders, and strengthen a community of practice with artists like you.

Register today!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

A panel of scholars and local Indigenous people to discuss how the colonizer lens on our local history in public spaces can further the extinction narrative. The panel 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.

On March 26th, Andre Strongbearheart Gaines Jr. led a hand-drum making workshop.

The workshop started with an introduction from Andre, and an understanding of the relationship to the animal with the drum and to his people. After lunch, there was a small social gathering where Andre shared songs and speak further on the relationship of the drum and the songs. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants had a completed drum of their making. 

View the Photo Gallery