Mass. Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA)

08/11/2026

SAVE THE DATE

🌿 SAVE THE DATE! 🌿

🥁 RIIC Annual Powwow at Rocky Point 🥁

RIIC is excited to host our Annual Powwow at Rocky Point again this year! We look forward to gathering our Native communities together for a day of culture, connection, community, and support.

💙 In partnership with 988, RIIC will be bringing awareness to su***de prevention, crisis support, and mental health resources within our Native communities. We hope to create a space where everyone feels supported and knows that help is available.

🥕 The Rhode Island Food Bank will also be joining us again this year to provide fresh produce and food resources for Native community members.

📅 SAVE THE DATE — we hope to see you there!

Come celebrate culture, community, and connection with us!


For Dancer Registration please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWaCFkgzeWzuAsxbWMYSqWdODyf7yB7lvLslSNdg5_297UzQ/viewform?usp=header

For Vendor Registration please sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOp7UyC9UE5Qkdalkgl4PRJ7yZsxg7H3BqWh6j4rQEEDuUig/viewform?usp=header

07/23/2026

ATTN: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Members

07/15/2026

Kinship Heals unveiled plans last week to build a domestic violence shelter and food pantry in Aquinnah for the Island’s tribal community.

06/26/2026

The Tantaquidgeon Museum's 2026 Summer Saturday events kick off with Mohegan Dance and Drum Presentations on Sat., 6/27! All events are free and open to the public!

The Tantaquidgeon Museum's 2026 Summer Saturday ☀️ events kick off with Mohegan Dance and Drum Presentations on Sat., 6/27! All events are free and open to the public and we hope to see you there!

06/16/2026

"A chance meeting between legendary Diné ballet dancer Jock Soto and rising Chickasaw talent Heloha Tate highlights the growing legacy of Native excellence in ballet."

One family has three generations of men with artistic talents

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

Few television creators have changed the landscape for Indigenous storytelling quite like Sterlin Harjo.

After earning critical acclaim for Reservation Dogs—the groundbreaking series that brought Indigenous humor, community, and contemporary Native life to mainstream audiences—Harjo has scored another success with The Lowdown.

FX and Hulu have officially renewed the Oklahoma-set drama for a second season following a highly praised debut. The series earned a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and was named one of the American Film Institute’s Top 10 Television Programs of 2025.

Filmed in Oklahoma, The Lowdown follows a citizen journalist investigating corruption and hidden truths while navigating a world of power, influence, and local politics. Production on Season 2 is already underway.

For many Native viewers, Harjo’s continued success represents something bigger than television ratings. It reflects the growing influence of Indigenous creators who are shaping the future of entertainment while bringing new stories, voices, and perspectives to audiences around the world.

What has been Sterlin Harjo’s most important contribution to television so far?



Sources:
• FX Networks
• Variety — The Lowdown Renewed for Season 2 • Deadline — The Lowdown Season 2 Begins Production
• Rotten Tomatoes
• American Film Institute (AFI) Top 10 Television Programs of 2025

06/15/2026

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) has survived one of the biggest legal challenges in its history.

In Haaland v. Brackeen, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7–2 in favor of the federal law, rejecting major constitutional challenges and affirming Congress’s authority to protect Native children and Tribal Nations.

Passed in 1978, ICWA was created after decades of policies that separated large numbers of Native children from their families and communities. The law establishes guidelines that prioritize keeping Native children connected to their relatives, Tribal Nations, and cultural heritage whenever possible.

Tribal leaders across the country, including the Cherokee Nation, celebrated the ruling as a historic victory for Native families and Tribal sovereignty.

Today, ICWA remains one of the most significant federal laws protecting Indigenous children and preserving the bonds between Native families, communities, and future generations.

Why do you think protecting culture and family connections matters for future generations?



Sources:
• U.S. Supreme Court — Haaland v. Brackeen (2023)
• Cherokee Nation — Statement on ICWA Decision
• SCOTUSblog — Haaland v. Brackeen Explained • U.S. Department of the Interior
• National Indian Child Welfare Association