EVENTS

Winter Social
Dec
27

Winter Social

Our second annual Winter Social is a day for our Aquinnah Wampanoag community and invited guests to celebrate the beginning of the winter months! Join us in dancing, singing, storytelling, crafting, and feasting!

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Professional Development Workshop on Native Arts Entrepreneurship
Jan
15

Professional Development Workshop on Native Arts Entrepreneurship

Aquinnah Cultural Center, in partnership with First Peoples Fund, is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a free 2-day workshop on January 15 and 16 from 9:00am to 4:30 pm (ET). This event will be located at the Aquinnah Town Hall (955 State Road, Aquinnah, MA 02535), and lunch will be provided.

This Native Artist Professional Development workshop will teach emerging and seasoned Native artists how to navigate the arts industry and be successful entrepreneurs. The topics covered are Vision & Values + Artist Calendar + Marketing + Pricing + Community Engagement + Business Plan + Leadership. Artists will learn how to identify their vision & values, plan a calendar, market and price their work, develop a business plan, engage with the community and assess their leadership skills. They will also have the opportunity to present their artwork in a showcase and elevator pitch.

Instructors:
Leslie Deer (Mvskoke Nation of Oklahoma) is an apparel designer and artist known for elegant silhouettes, vibrant color palettes, and intricate appliqué work inspired by Southeastern mound-builder motifs. She began her career creating regalia and has earned national recognition, including a 2016 First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship and 2017 Best of Division and First Place awards at Santa Fe Indian Market. Her work is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

David “Waabigekek” Fleming Sr. (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) is a Native economic development professional with deep experience in CDFIs, small business lending, and Tribal entrepreneurship. He currently serves as Tribal Liaison for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and has worked with First Peoples Fund for over a decade as a business coach. David also helped develop the bachelor’s in business program at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University and continues to create mixed media artwork.

To register, please complete the form below:

REGISTER HERE!

First Peoples Fund is a national values-based organization that honors and supports the Collective Spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. By supporting artists and culture bearers, First Peoples Fund helps Native communities heal and thrive. Collectively, we approach our work with rootedness, intuition, listening, humility and deep relationships. For further information about First Peoples Fund, please visit www.firstpeoplesfund.org or contact us at info@firstpeoplesfund.org

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Professional Development Workshop on Native Arts Entrepreneurship
Jan
16

Professional Development Workshop on Native Arts Entrepreneurship

Aquinnah Cultural Center, in partnership with First Peoples Fund, is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a free 2-day workshop on January 15 and 16 from 9:00am to 4:30 pm (ET). This event will be located at the Aquinnah Town Hall (955 State Road, Aquinnah, MA 02535), and lunch will be provided.

This Native Artist Professional Development workshop will teach emerging and seasoned Native artists how to navigate the arts industry and be successful entrepreneurs. The topics covered are Vision & Values + Artist Calendar + Marketing + Pricing + Community Engagement + Business Plan + Leadership. Artists will learn how to identify their vision & values, plan a calendar, market and price their work, develop a business plan, engage with the community and assess their leadership skills. They will also have the opportunity to present their artwork in a showcase and elevator pitch.

Instructors:
Leslie Deer (Mvskoke Nation of Oklahoma) is an apparel designer and artist known for elegant silhouettes, vibrant color palettes, and intricate appliqué work inspired by Southeastern mound-builder motifs. She began her career creating regalia and has earned national recognition, including a 2016 First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship and 2017 Best of Division and First Place awards at Santa Fe Indian Market. Her work is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

David “Waabigekek” Fleming Sr. (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) is a Native economic development professional with deep experience in CDFIs, small business lending, and Tribal entrepreneurship. He currently serves as Tribal Liaison for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and has worked with First Peoples Fund for over a decade as a business coach. David also helped develop the bachelor’s in business program at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University and continues to create mixed media artwork.

To register, please complete the form below:

REGISTER HERE!

First Peoples Fund is a national values-based organization that honors and supports the Collective Spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. By supporting artists and culture bearers, First Peoples Fund helps Native communities heal and thrive. Collectively, we approach our work with rootedness, intuition, listening, humility and deep relationships. For further information about First Peoples Fund, please visit www.firstpeoplesfund.org or contact us at info@firstpeoplesfund.org

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History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour
Aug
20

History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour

This August, immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Aquinnah Wampanoag homelands with our exclusive guided walking tour. This enriching journey, led by Jannette Vanderhoop, takes you from the Aquinnah Cultural Center to the breathtaking Gay Head Cliffs Overlook and concludes at the historic Gay Head Lighthouse.

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History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour
Aug
13

History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour

This August, immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Aquinnah Wampanoag homelands with our exclusive guided walking tour. This enriching journey, led by Jannette Vanderhoop, takes you from the Aquinnah Cultural Center to the breathtaking Gay Head Cliffs Overlook and concludes at the historic Gay Head Lighthouse.

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War for the Dawnland: Re-Examining King Philip’s War Symposium
Aug
12

War for the Dawnland: Re-Examining King Philip’s War Symposium

On Metacom Day—also known as Remembrance Day, for Wampanoag communities—we gather to honor and reflect on the history, legacy, and ongoing impacts of King Philip’s War.

The public part of this day’s observance begins at 12:30 p.m. with a blanket-activity workshop facilitated by Brad Lopes (Aquinnah Wampanoag) and Jannel Carey (Mashpee Wampanoag). This is an interactive learning experience that helps participants understand the historic and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous Nations in this region.

At 2 p.m., the War for the Dawnland panel discussion invites you into a deeper understanding of this pivotal chapter of regional history, from a Wampanoag perspective.

The discussion will be moderated by Tobias Vanderhoop (Aquinnah Wampanoag), and the panelists will include Linda Coombs (Aquinnah Wampanoag), David Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag), and Dr. Mary Amanda McNeil (Mashpee Wampanoag), who will explore:

  • Key moments of King Philip’s War through Wampanoag eyes

  • Misunderstandings and historical erasures—and how they’re addressed

  • Immediate and long-term impacts of the war on Native Nations

  • How this history still echoes in the contemporary lives of Wampanoag people

  • Actions non-Native allies can take to support truth, justice, and healing

This part of the afternoon begins with an orientation to Wampanoag homelands, followed by the moderated discussion and a brief, open Q&A with the audience.

Organized by the Aquinnah Cultural Center, with support from the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP), this symposium is an invitation to listen, learn, and join in reshaping how this region’s people remember its true past. All are welcome. Come ready to reflect and engage.

View flyer here.

REGISTER HERE
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Author Talk: Joseph Lee
Aug
9

Author Talk: Joseph Lee

Join Joseph Lee and the Aquinnah Cultural Center in a conversation around his most recent book and the publication process. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Moderated by Brad Lopes.

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History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour
Aug
6

History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour

This August, immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Aquinnah Wampanoag homelands with our exclusive guided walking tour. This enriching journey, led by Jannette Vanderhoop, takes you from the Aquinnah Cultural Center to the breathtaking Gay Head Cliffs Overlook and concludes at the historic Gay Head Lighthouse.

View Event →
History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour
Jul
30

History In Perspective: A Guided Walking Tour

This August, immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning landscapes of Aquinnah Wampanoag homelands with our exclusive guided walking tour. This enriching journey, led by Jannette Vanderhoop, takes you from the Aquinnah Cultural Center to the breathtaking Gay Head Cliffs Overlook and concludes at the historic Gay Head Lighthouse.

View Event →