MASSACHUSETTS CENTER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS INC
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to assist Indigenous Native American residents with basic needs and educational expenses; and to provide opportunities for cultural and spiritual enrichment.
About This Cause
The Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA) was founded in 1989 by Burne Stanley-Peters and her late husband John Slow Turtle Peters. At the time, Slow Turtle was the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs (a state agency) and they saw many of the needs of the Native American communities and families in the Commonwealth going unmet. Additionally, they found there was a lack of knowledge and understanding about Native American issues and concerns among the general public that needed to be addressed. The organization is led by a seven-member Board of Directors and a five-member Advisory Council who accomplish its mission with the following essential programs and services: The Social Assistance Program assists Indigenous Native American families and Elders with heating bills, food and other basic needs through direct payments to utility companies. Through this program, MCNAA is currently responding to an on-going critical need in our communities across the Commonwealth for home heating assistance. Many of our constituents are experiencing difficulty paying the rising cost of heat during the winter months. A number of them qualify for low-income heating service but find that the funds through local social service agencies are not sufficient to cover them throughout the entire winter heating season. Many others find themselves just over the low-income eligibility level and do not qualify for social service benefits so they reach out to MCNAA for assistance. Additionally, many Elders and families, especially those in older homes, are in need of updated heating equipment such as hot water heaters, furnace boilers, or entirely new furnaces. MCNAA has been able to help numerous families with new heating equipment but there remains many who are still in need. Another essential need MCNAA is addressing through this program is food insecurity, a need that was compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. Food insecurity and the lack of access to affordable nutritious food are associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders as well as diabetes which is prevalent in our culture amongst Native people. Guidelines were established and funds raised funds to assist our constituents with the means to bring home, or have delivered, healthy foods through local farms and local fishermen. MCNAA also raises funds to purchase gift cards from Stop & Shop, Market Basket, and Shaw’s to distribute to Elders and families who request them. The Educational Opportunities Program is another essential program that offers financial assistance for college related expenses to low-income Native American students who are in an undergraduate degree program. The program also provides vital educational resources, culturally-sensitive mentoring and career development advice to help train future leaders in the Native community. Additionally, valuable historical information is offered to students for college essays and thesis through interviews with Native American educators, historians, and other successful Native professionals. We are passionate about our mission and the work we do. We hope your heart speaks and you will join in and support our efforts as we continue our journey forward to help Native American families, Elders, and students.