Ohketeau means ‘a place to plant and grow’ in the Nipmuc language, and it is the only Native founded and run cultural center in all of Central and Western Massachusetts. Since 2017, our work has focused on uplifting the voices of Native peoples and dismantling unjust frameworks, replacing them with accessibility, equity, dignity, and wellness for our Native communities. We share our stories and cultures so that our communities remain strong and others may know our authentic experiences and current issues. The Ohketeau Team understands the importance of a safe place to gather regularly and educate our youth in impactful ways.
Ohketeau is a place for Indigenous scholars and educators to undermine harmful narratives, stereotypes, and biases about Indigenous cultures and actively acknowledge and take steps to remove invisibility within mainstream settler society. We strive to illuminate the work of Indigenous artists, ancestors, culture-bearers, and activists, thereby expanding the Non-Native audience’s worldviews. At Ohketeau, we actively create relationships of reciprocity with multiple organizations and work as activists locally to push all people to do better.
Larry Spotted Crow Mann. is co-director of the Ohketeau Cultural Center and Founder of the Native Youth Empowerment Foundation. Another very important part of Mann’s work has been advocating for drug and alcohol prevention In Native American Teens. This is certainly an issue for all youth but by far Native American teens have one of the highest rates of drug and alcohol problems which has lead to staggering levels of teen suicide. Mann, along with other Native American leaders worked in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to create a booklet as a resource for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. Wunnanumaonk ( A blessing to share)- Now more than ever, We must come together as One people & One World. The most precious thing that we have is each other. In these difficult times, I want to share my thoughts of Healing & Blessings to all of you. Please take care of yourselves and each other- Larry Spotted Crow Mann.
Imagine Studios 