Date/Time and Location
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About Native American Heritage Month
The month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples. It is an opportunity for education and for action:
- to expand our knowledge of the history of Indigenous peoples in the United States beyond what is taught in current school curriculums;
- to amplify the voices of Native American peoples and share their past and current struggles; and
- and to celebrate the culture, language, and traditions of Indigenous peoples and ensure future generations of Indigenous youth and adults feel a sense of belonging.
Which tribes are located in Massachusetts?
- Nipmuc Nation: A state-recognized tribe, the Nipmuc Nation ancestral home is located at the Hassanamisco Reservation in Grafton, Massachusetts. This small 3-acre reservation is the only parcel of Nipmuc land never to have changed hands; its occupation by Nipmuc people dates back to before contact and colonization.
- Wampanoag Tribes: There are two federally-recognized tribes in Massachusetts (Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe) and three state-recognized tribes (Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Assawompsett-Nemasket Band of Wampanoags, and Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe).
The Institute for New England Native American Studies at UMass Boston
The Institute for New England Native American Studies (INENAS) was established at the University of Massachusetts Boston in June 2009. Its mission is to develop collaborative relationships, projects, and programs between Native American tribes of the New England region and all of the UMass campuses so that the tribes may participate in and benefit from university research, innovation, scholarship, and education.