The Praying Indians of Natick and Ponkapoag is a cultural heritage group that claims descendancy from Praying Indians in Massachusetts, including the Massachusett people, an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands.
 Rosita Andrews, Chief Caring Hands, 2011 | |
| Named after | Natick, Massachusetts, Ponkapoag praying town |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Stoughton, Massachusetts |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Registration no. | 000551105 |
| Legal status | nonprofit |
| Purpose | Cultural, Ethnic Awareness |
| Location | |
Membership (2021) | 60 |
President | Rosita Andrews |
| Website | natickprayingindians |
While they identify as a Native American tribe, they are unrecognized, meaning they are neither a federally recognized tribe[1] nor a state-recognized tribe.[2]
Nonprofit organizations
editThe Praying Indians of Natick and Ponkapoag is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established under the name "Praying Indians of Natick Mother Village Ut Ponkapog Kah Peantamoonk Otanash Yeshuatribal Council, Inc." in 1996.[3] They are based in Stoughton, Massachusetts.[3]
Officers
editThe officers of the Praying Indians of Natick and Ponkapoag are as follows:
- Rosita Andrews, president
- Rosita Andrews, treasurer
- Amber Orlando, clerk
- Rosita Andrews, assistant clerk.[3]
Shawn V. Silva, also known as StrongMedicine Bear, served as director from 1996 to 2019.[3] Silva is Andrews' son.[4]
Activities
editRosita Andrews is a public speaker, who goes by the name Chief Caring Hands.[5] She spoke to the Natick School Committee to retire their Native American mascot.[6] Andrews also officiated the wedding of her son StrongMedicine Bear and WarriorWoman at the historic Eliot Church in Natick, Massachusetts, in 2015.[4]
The Boston Equal Rights League invites representatives of the organization its annual Faneuil Hall commemoration of the Boston Massacre.[6]
The organization hosts an annual powwow at Cochituate State Park.[6]
See also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ "Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs". Indian Affairs Bureau. Federal Register. January 29, 2021. pp. 7554–58. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "State Recognized Tribes". National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Praying Indians of Natick Mother Village Ut Ponkapog Kah Peantamoonk Otanash Yeshuatribal Council, Inc". OpenCorporates. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ a b Beland, Amanda. "Natick Praying Indians celebrate a wedding for the history books". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ Hilleary, Cecily (March 10, 2021). "'Betrayal of the First Order' - Puritan Missionaries Leave Mixed Legacy Among Native Americans". Voice of America. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
- ^ a b c "Praying Indian history preserved by tribal chief". Bay State Banner. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2021.