Auntie Knows Native
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State guide

Massachusetts

Community meetings, gatherings, classes and celebrations, and the tribes and organizations behind them, all in one place so you can find your community.

94,000+Native people (2020 Census)
34thin U.S. Native population
2federally recognized tribes based here
2state-recognized tribes

Population is the 2020 Census count of people identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination, rounded down to the nearest thousand. Rank uses the same count. Tribe totals reflect headquarters and official state recognition; federal and state counts may overlap. Massachusetts recognizes the Hassanamisco Nipmuc and the Herring Pond Wampanoag by executive order.

Listings last reviewed October 29, 2026.

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Gatherings

What's happening in Massachusetts

Events appear once the host announces the date and come down after the last day.

Submit an event
  • Nov8

    Beverly 400+ Educational Powwow

    Endicott College, Beverly · free · noon–5 p.m. · Host's page
    Powwow
  • Nov19

    Native American Heritage Month Artist Talk with Erin Genia

    Boston City Hall · register on the city page · 6–8 p.m. · Government source
    See the beaded vest Genia made during her Boston artist residency and hear about her work.
    Talk
  • Nov26

    National Day of Mourning

    Cole's Hill, above Plymouth Rock, Plymouth · Noon · Host's page
    Held on Thanksgiving Day since 1970 by United American Indians of New England to honor Native ancestors and resilience.
    Community
Directory

Tribes & organizations

Tribes and organizations can claim their listing for free to keep it current and connect their public calendar.

Federally recognized tribes headquartered in Massachusetts

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee · 508-477-0208
Cape Cod. Runs the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum and hosts a yearly powwow in July.
Official tribal website
Page not yet claimed
Is this your tribe? Claim this page

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)

20 Black Brook Road, Aquinnah · (508) 645-9265
Martha’s Vineyard.
Official tribal website
Page not yet claimed
Is this your tribe? Claim this page

State-recognized tribes

Recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. State recognition is not federal recognition.

Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe (Hassanamisco Nipmuc Nation)

Grafton · [email protected]
State-recognized. Hosts a yearly powwow in July.
Official tribal website
Page not yet claimed
Is this your tribe? Claim this page

Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe

128 Herring Pond Road, Plymouth · [email protected]
State-recognized in 2024.
Official tribal website
Page not yet claimed
Is this your tribe? Claim this page
Help close to home

Community resources

Community centers, health and family services, elder and youth programs, and job training for Native people.

North American Indian Center of Boston

105 S. Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain · (617) 232-0343 · [email protected]
Urban Indian center providing employment and training, social-service advocacy, health and wellness support, food access and year-round community programming
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Native American LifeLines (Boston)

Boston · (857) 203-9680
Urban Indian health program offering case management and help accessing medical, dental, vision, prescription and related care
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Ohketeau Cultural Center

Central and Western Massachusetts · 413-628-2621
Native-founded and run cultural center offering community gatherings, youth programs, cultural education, wellness programming and public workshops
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness

Statewide · text 617-642-1683 · [email protected]
Native-led education and community organization maintaining a public calendar and statewide cultural programs
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

United American Indians of New England

New England; National Day of Mourning in Plymouth
Native-led organization focused on Indigenous rights and public education and host of the annual National Day of Mourning
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing

Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs

Statewide
State liaison and public source for commission meetings, tuition-credit information and Native resource referrals. It is not a tribe or enrollment office
Government source
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Learn and visit

Education & culture

Indian Education programs, tribal colleges and university programs, museums, language programs and research resources.

College help and university programs

Massachusetts Native American Tuition Credit

State colleges and universities
Tuition help for eligible Native students, run with the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs
Government source

UMass Boston: Institute for New England Native American Studies

Boston
Research and community work with New England Native peoples
Official website
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Harvard University Native American Program

Cambridge
Student support and public programs
Official website
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Museums and public cultural destinations

Mashpee Wampanoag Museum

414 Main St., Mashpee · 508-477-9339
Run by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. 2026 season April 13–December 11, Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10–4
Government source

Aquinnah Cultural Center

Vanderhoop Homestead, Aquinnah · (508) 645-7900
Wampanoag cultural center and seasonal museum. Call for visiting dates
Official website
Is this your organization? Claim this listing
Missing something? Send additions or corrections to [email protected].
Support Native businesses

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Need a mechanic, an accountant or a contractor? When you can, choose a Native-owned business. It keeps money working in our communities. A green badge means Auntie Knows Native verified the business, and badges are added after a free verification.

Business listings open soon. Listings for Massachusetts businesses, sorted by category and the counties each business serves, are on the way. Send us your business now, and Native-owned businesses can apply for a free badge.

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Ask Auntie

Tracing Native ancestry in Massachusetts

Where to look for Native American genealogy records in Massachusetts.

"Ay, jitos, Massachusetts records begin with names and towns. Start with birth, church and land records, then use the 1861 Earle Report and tribal sources to follow the family back to the right community."

Why the search matters: Gathering your family's records may or may not lead to tribal enrollment. For some families, the road back to enrollment has closed, and that loss is real. Either way, the search matters. Every name, place, document and story helps restore a piece of what was carried, hidden, scattered or lost. Sometimes belonging begins not with being admitted somewhere, but with finally understanding where you come from.
Good to know: Finding a Native ancestor does not establish tribal membership. Each tribe determines its own citizenship requirements.
Have a question? Email Auntie at [email protected].