Here are the top 8 resources for Native American heritage education in Massachusetts, each offering unique opportunities for learning, engagement, and support:
1. Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA)
MCNAA provides direct support to Native American families and individuals, preserves cultural traditions, and offers public education programs. Their mission includes advancing public knowledge and dispelling myths about Native Americans, making it a vital resource for both Native communities and the broader public.
2. Native Knowledge 360° Education Initiative
Developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Native Knowledge 360° offers interactive teaching resources, lesson plans, and professional development for educators. The initiative is designed to transform teaching and learning about Native American history and culture with accurate, Native-centered content.
3. SABES Native American Heritage Math Resources
SABES provides math and numeracy resources that integrate Native American heritage, including links to the Native Land map and information on Massachusetts Indigenous peoples. These resources help educators connect math concepts with local Indigenous history.
4. Native Land Digital Map
This interactive, Indigenous-led map shows past and present Indigenous territories, languages, and treaties. It is an essential tool for understanding the land’s original inhabitants and the history of Indigenous peoples in Massachusetts and beyond.
5. Arts for Learning Massachusetts – Native American Tales & Traditions
Robin Pease, a Mohawk descendant, offers in-person and online storytelling performances for all ages. These programs include stories, songs, dance, and language lessons, providing an immersive cultural experience.
6. Boston Public Library – Native Lives, Native Stories Booklist
The Boston Public Library curates a special collection and booklist for Native American Heritage Month, featuring works by Native authors and illustrators. This is a valuable resource for readers of all ages.
7. Events and Panels Featuring Local Tribal Leaders
Massachusetts hosts numerous events during Native American Heritage Month, such as panel discussions, storytelling, and cultural performances featuring local tribal leaders and historians. Notable events include “Ask the Expert: The Real Thanksgiving Story” and “Stolen Relations: Centuries of Native Enslavement in the Americas”.
8. Online Resources and Exhibitions
Numerous online platforms, including the National Museum of the American Indian, PBS Learning Media, and the “Invasion of America” map, provide access to primary sources, lesson plans, and multimedia content for educators and students.
Sources:
1. https://www.mcnaa.org
2. https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360
