North American Indian Center of Boston facts for kids
The North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc. (NAICOB) is a special group that helps American Indians, Native Canadians, and other Indigenous people from North America. It's a nonprofit organization located in Jamaica Plain, a neighborhood in Massachusetts. NAICOB works to help these communities become stronger, more independent, and have a better quality of life. They do this by offering programs and services related to health, job training, education, and housing.
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How NAICOB Started: The Boston Indian Council
The North American Indian Center of Boston started as the Boston Indian Council (BIC). This happened on October 20, 1970, after some meetings in 1969. At that time, more and more Native American people were moving to cities like Boston. Groups like the BIC were created to offer important services, such as health care.
Some of the people who helped start the BIC were writer Mildred Noble and psychologist Carolyn Attneave. Also involved were Canadian activist Anna Mae Aquash and artist Philip Young, both from the Micmac nation. Shirley Moore Mills (Mashpee Wampanoag) was the secretary for the Board of Directors. In 1970, the BIC joined with members of the American Indian Movement. They took part in what became known as "Day of Mourning" in Patuxet. This event was held to remember Native American history, different from the colonial holiday of Thanksgiving.
Early Activities and Community Support
The center sometimes published a newsletter called The Circle. Famous Ojibwe author Louise Erdrich was one of its editors. The BIC also helped create school lessons for Boston Public Schools. These lessons focused on the Indigenous cultures of Maine and the Maritimes. Many BIC members came from these areas. The center also took part in different kinds of activism. For example, in 1973, they protested against a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party.
NAICOB Today: Helping the Community
The organization became a nonprofit corporation in 1991. Today, it helps about 6,000 Native American people in and around the greater Boston area. The center also works with tribal councils in other parts of Massachusetts. They also connect with groups in other East Coast states.
Current projects at NAICOB include:
- Employment and Training programs
- Family Services
- A Tribal Scholars program
Special Programs for Families
NAICOB has created special services for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. These are sometimes called "skip generation" families. This happens when parents are unable to care for their children. NAICOB helps these families with the support they need.
Learning and Job Support
NAICOB offers classes to help people learn computer skills. They also help members find jobs and prepare for job interviews.
How NAICOB is Run
NAICOB is guided by a Board of Directors. There are seven members on the board, and all of them are Native American. The members of NAICOB vote to choose who will be on the board.
NAICOB is located at 105 South Huntington Avenue in Jamaica Plain, MA. You can get there using the MBTA Green line E train or by MBTA bus service. Membership is free for all American Indians, Alaska Natives, First Nations (Indigenous People of Canada), and Native Hawaiians. This is for those living in and around the greater Boston area.
See also
