NativeBrotha

We had a pretty packed house for the 5th Annual Odenong Powwow. When I first decided to attempt holding a powwow in 2021, I figured it was going to be a one-off online only event held during the pandemic. 4 years later, 5 drums & dance comp, it's quickly becoming a New England favorite for folks.

Friday, I had the honor & pleasure of working the 2025 5-College Native American and Indigenous Studies Symposium at Amherst College I emceed, I sang powwow tunes with my drum bros, Mish, Tommy, Connor, & Chris. I was also on a panel speaking about my approach and experiences as a cultural educator.

The view from today's office. Here singing with the Iron River Singers at the UConn Powwow. Come check us at at the Ratcliffe-Hicks Arena.

Memorial Day weekend, the 5th Annual Odenong Powwow in Amherst, MA. Over $8,500.00 in dance competition prize money. 4 drums, 20+ vendors, food, Eastern Social song & dance demos Sat. & Sun., hula demo on Sat. morning. Free & open to the public. Visit www.OdenongPowwow.org

My berry picking spot is safe...

Life Pro Tip: Interested in Native American traditional fighting techniques & Native martial arts? Keep touching our regalia, hair, and jewelry without permission.

Anime me is way more attractive than reality me.

Also, just got the invites to MC the UMass-Boston powwow on May 4th, and the Hampshire College Native American Crossroads Festival on April 14.

I'll be back again as MC for Brown University's 22nd Annual Spring Thaw Powwow! Stay tuned for more details.

The 5th Annual Odenong Powwow - Memorial Day weekend, May 24 & 25, 2025, at the Amherst-Pelham Regional High School. MC: Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy), Arena Director: Hector Lebeau (CRST), Host Drum: Iron River (MA), Invited Drum: Rez Dogs (ME), Guest Drum: Standing Quiver (MA), Head Dancers: TBA

The Native urge to randomly sing powwow tunes that you don't know fully...

So I make art for a lot of reasons. I'm often interested in capturing the experiences of mixed Native folks like me and Native folks who live in cities. I'll be posting some of my art reflecting that interest.

Some of my artwork from throughout the years.

Mno giizhigat! For those of you looking for a way to support Native, First Nations, and Indigenous folks in their efforts to celebrate their respective cultures, increase visibility, and educate the public about who we are please consider donating to our GiveButter campaign.

I'm excited to be speaking at a community dinner for the Mohegan Tribe in January. I'll be giving a short talk/presentation titled "Indigenous Concepts of Biodiversity," which is based on a paper I wrote in 2018.

Some of y'all's spirit animal is a 30% off sale at Hot Topic.

Anii gakina awiya! Please spread the word about our givebutter campaign. We are working to raise money for the 5th Annual Odenong Powwow. The powwow is currently the only Native-run, Native-led, and Native community-accountable powwow held in this part of Western Massachusetts. Www.OdenongPowwow.org