Press

Celebrating Native American Culture and Voices in Marlborough

On May 2023, the collaborative effort of Westport River Watershed Alliance, Westport Land Conservation Trust, and Wampanoag Experience resulted in the 24/7 burning of a traditional Native American canoe, overseen by tribal members. The event, from May 13th to June 24th, provided a unique insight into Native American traditions and culminated in the River Day festival on June 24th.

The Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe embarked on a significant cultural endeavor by crafting a canoe from a white pine trunk in a traditional mishoon burn.

Andre Strongbearheart talks about the work of preserving Nipmuc traditions, decolonization, and passing these practices to the next generation with LTC Production Volunteer Carolyn.

Town officials in Natick met with members of the Nipmuc Nation to address an incident where Nipmuc individuals harvesting trees were confronted by the police due to a lack of awareness about their agreement with the Conservation Commission.

Annawon Weeden and Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines recently led a traditional Wampanoag mishoon (canoe) construction as artists-in-residence at the Westport Town Farm

Spoken word poetry by Andre Strongbearheart Gaines, Jr.

The article captures the collaborative efforts of Indigenous tribes in Massachusetts, specifically the Nipmuc and Massachusett tribes, in reviving the ancient art of crafting traditional dugout canoes called mishoons.

No Loose Braids was integral in the significant event in Boston involving the burning of a mishoon, an Indigenous canoe made through a traditional method of controlled burning. This practice, passed down for over 10,000 years, holds cultural and historical significance for local Indigenous tribes.