No Loose Braids

As an organization focused on decolonization, revitalizing traditional culture, and promoting sustainable practices, No Loose Braids is working to address the problem of Indigenous land dispossession and resource exploitation, which has been a persistent issue since colonization.

Indigenous peoples have historically been displaced from their lands and resources through policies and practices of colonial governments, leading to the dispossession of land, and resources, and ultimately the erosion of Indigenous culture and sovereignty. This issue is not limited to the Nipmuc, a single community, or a region - it is a global problem that affects Indigenous peoples worldwide.

The impact of land dispossession and resource exploitation on Indigenous communities is significant. There are over 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, many of whom are still fighting for their rights to access and use their traditional lands and resources. According to the United Nations, Indigenous peoples make up only 5% of the world's population but represent 15% of the poorest people globally. The lack of access to traditional lands and resources has significant impacts on Indigenous peoples' physical, mental, and spiritual health, economic well-being, and cultural survival.

There are many complex factors that contribute to this problem, including historical trauma, ongoing colonization, and systemic racism to policies that prioritize economic development over land, wildlife, and plant conservation, and Indigenous rights.

No Loose Braids is addressing this problem by creating a platform for Indigenous people to share their voices, and traditional knowledge, and build community strength to defend, develop, and decolonize our territories. By making front and center our Indigenous voices and knowledge systems, we will continue to challenge and rewrite laws, rules, and regulations that have oppressed our people and our lands for centuries.

No Loose Braids is an Indigenous-led organization with a primary focus on decolonization, cultural revitalization, and sustainable practices. Our approach involves braiding together these three important aspects to create a powerful and effective solution. We provide a platform for Indigenous communities to share our stories, traditional knowledge, and collective strength to defend, develop, and decolonize their territories. By doing so, we empower Indigenous people to take ownership of our cultural heritage and create a more just and sustainable future that reflects our values and priorities.

As an organization rooted in Indigenous culture and traditions, No Loose Braids utilizes ancestral technology and practices in our work. We believe that our ancestors possessed a wealth of knowledge and skills that are still relevant today, and we seek to incorporate them into our solutions whenever possible. For example, we promote traditional harvesting practices that prioritize the health of the land and our plant and wildlife relatives. We also offer workshops on hide tanning, drum making, wampum jewelry and regalia making, and other traditional art forms to preserve and promote these skills. 

One of our key solutions is to challenge and rewrite laws, rules, and regulations that have oppressed our people and our lands for centuries. We work with organizations like the Mass Dept. of Natural Resources and Land Trusts to secure Cultural Use Agreements that allow us to sustainably harvest traditional plants and medicines on our ancestral lands. We also work to challenge and overturn laws that restrict our access to our lands, such as those that prevent us from harvesting cedar trees in cedar swamps, and cranberries, wild rice, and Labrador tea in bogs and fens.

Another aspect of our solution is community education and empowerment. We believe that educating ourselves and others about the impact of colonization is essential to decolonizing the mind from the systems that have been imposed upon us. To this end, we offer workshops on traditional arts and practices and teach traditional food harvesting and processing, community hunting and fishing, and traditional mishoon burning, to develop sustainable food systems.

Through our partnerships with sister tribes in and around Nippenet territory, and funding from the New England Foundation for the Arts, we are able to build traditional Wetu home sites in public spaces in Worcester, MA, and reconnect with the land and traditional harvest practices. This project is only possible because of the work we are doing to solve the problem of land access to harvest cedar trees to build the Wetus. 

No Loose Braids also advocates for the protection of our sacred sites and the preservation of traditional knowledge. We do this by walking the land during Cultural Land Use surveys and identifying sacred sites. We work with community leaders and other organizations to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these sites and ensuring that they are not destroyed or disturbed by development or resource extraction.

Our solution serves Indigenous people who have been historically marginalized and underserved by colonial systems. Specifically, we directly and meaningfully improve the lives of Nipmuc people and other Indigenous communities within the New England region. Indigenous communities in this region have been dispossessed of their lands, resources, and cultural heritage through centuries of colonization, forced assimilation, and systemic oppression. Many Nipmuc people and other Indigenous communities face barriers to accessing traditional foods, medicines, and cultural practices due to land dispossession, restrictive laws, and limited resources. As a result, many Indigenous people struggle with physical, mental, and spiritual health issues, food insecurity, and cultural loss.

Our solution also addresses the issue of laws and regulations that have oppressed Indigenous peoples and their lands for centuries. By working to challenge and rewrite these laws and regulations, we will create a more just and equitable future. Also, our workshops on traditional art forms and skills preserve and promote these important parts of Indigenous culture, ensuring that they continue. 

No Loose Braids acknowledges the devastating effects of centuries of colonization on Indigenous peoples, and recognizes that the process of healing and decolonization is ongoing. While we cannot undo the harm that has been done, we can work to break down the barriers that have been created, challenge oppressive laws and regulations, and create opportunities for Indigenous people to reclaim their traditional ways of living.

Just like the strands of a braid are intertwined to create a strong and beautiful whole, our solution aims to impact people's lives by braiding together various strands of positive change. Through our platform, Indigenous people will be able to share their voices, traditional knowledge, and community strength to defend, develop, and decolonize their territories. By revitalizing traditional culture and promoting sustainable practices, we will strengthen Indigenous communities and help preserve our ancestral knowledge for future generations.

Through our efforts, we can increase access to traditional foods, medicines, and resources, as well as promote sustainable practices that honor our ancestral ties to the land and water. 

Through our initiatives, such as our Charleston River Mishoon burning in fall 2022 in Boston, MA; our Worcester, MA, Wetu home site project starting summer 2023; and our partnerships with Land Trusts, we are creating opportunities for Indigenous peoples to learn about and connect with their traditional ways of living. We also offer workshops on traditional practices such as hide tanning, drum making, wampum jewelry making, and regalia making, which provide opportunities for community building and cultural revitalization.

Our work has a real and tangible impact on the daily lives of Indigenous peoples. By advocating for changes in laws and regulations that restrict access to traditional resources, we are creating opportunities for increased economic security and self-determination. For example, our attaining a Cultural Use Agreement at Hawley Bog in Hawley, MA, and access to traditional harvesting of cedar trees, our efforts to promote sustainable practices also have a positive impact on the environment, which benefits all members of our communities.

No Loose Braids' solution is specifically designed to benefit tribal youth and elders living in the Nipmuc Territory of the Northeast United States. By focusing on this community, we will directly impact those who have been most affected by colonization and systemic oppression. By empowering this community, we will build community power and sovereignty and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

Our solution is intended to benefit Indigenous communities across North America, particularly the Nipmuc community. The Nipmuc people are a tribe indigenous to the Northeastern United States, with ancestral territories spanning across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Today, the Nipmuc people face many challenges, including the loss of language and cultural traditions, environmental degradation, and limited access to resources.

To develop a solution that directly benefits the Nipmuc community, No Loose Braids has engaged in extensive community outreach and consultation. We have worked closely with tribal leaders, elders, and youth to better understand their needs and identify strategies for addressing their concerns. 

We are leveraging ancestral technology and practices to develop our platform, drawing on Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing to create a solution that is culturally relevant and effective. By centering Indigenous voices and perspectives, we are working to address the unique needs and concerns of the Nipmuc community, while also promoting the broader goals of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.

In addition to engaging directly with the Nipmuc community, we are also partnering with other Indigenous organizations and communities to build a broad coalition of support for our solution. Through these partnerships, we will amplify Indigenous voices and promote collective action to defend and decolonize Indigenous territories.

The No Loose Braids team, led by Andre Strongbearheart Gaines Jr., a Nipmuc tribal member, and including Daishuan TallHairRedDeer Garate, Miguel WanderingTurtle Garate, Tracy Ramos, and Kim Toney, all also Nipmuc, and Dylan Lach, a Chappaquiddick Wampanoag, is positioned to design and deliver this solution to the Indigenous communities we serve. Our Indigenous-led team has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in the Nipmuc Territory and beyond.

Andre Strongbearheart Gaines has been actively involved in Indigenous rights movements for over two decades and is widely respected for his advocacy work. His deep knowledge of the history and culture of the Nipmuc people, combined with his extensive experience in community organizing and advocacy, makes him an ideal leader for this project. Additionally, Daishuan TallHairRedDeer Garate, Miguel WanderingTurtle Garate, Tracy Ramos, Kim Toney, and Dylan Lach bring their own lived experiences and knowledge of their respective Indigenous communities to the project.

To ensure our project is guided by the needs and ideas of the Indigenous communities we serve, our team is engaging in ongoing community consultation and engagement. Our team is building relationships with tribal elders, youth, and community members to better understand their needs, concerns, and priorities. We are also consulting with traditional knowledge keepers and language experts to ensure that the project is grounded in Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing.

Our project's design and implementation are meaningfully guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. Our team is deeply committed to centering Indigenous voices in all aspects of our work, including planning, design, and implementation. 

We are applying to Solve because we believe that their network of partners can provide us with the specific financial, technical, and legal support that we need to overcome the barriers we face in No Loose Braids’ operational funding and development challenges. With Solve's help, we would like to access the resources and expertise necessary to expand our work, strengthen our impact, and advance our mission of empowering Indigenous communities through cultural revitalization and preservation. We are not just seeking funding, but rather the collaborative partnership that Solve offers that can help us achieve our goals and amplify positive change in our communities. We are also looking forward to making new connections with other Solve team members and partners. 

Our Team Lead, Andre, lives and works in the Nipmuc community. This means he knows what's going on, day to day with other Nipmuc and sister tribes, and can help us understand the community's needs and challenges. He's extremely passionate about and committed to cultural revitalization and preservation, which is directly in line with our project's mission. Because Andre is connected to the community, we can work closely with local leaders and stakeholders to make sure our solutions are coming from the community itself.

Our solution is innovative in that it is an Indigenous-led initiative that addresses the many challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Our team's approach is unique in that we are grounded in Indigenous knowledge, culture, and traditions, and meaningfully guided by daily, ongoing community consultation and engagement. This ensures that our project is culturally appropriate and sensitive to the needs and traditions of the Indigenous communities we serve.

By centering Indigenous voices in all aspects of the project, No Loose Braid’s solution can catalyze broader positive impacts in this space by empowering Indigenous communities and elevating their voices and priorities. Our project's success can also serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges and can inspire others to prioritize culturally appropriate solutions that are grounded in Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing.

In terms of changing the market, the No Loose Braids team's solution can challenge the dominant narrative that often overlooks Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and traditions. By demonstrating the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate solution that is guided by Indigenous voices and priorities, the team can help shift the focus towards more inclusive and equitable approaches that prioritize community engagement and cultural sensitivity. This can potentially change the market by promoting more diverse and inclusive practices that recognize and value Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing. 

As an Indigenous-led organization, we inspire and empower our communities through our impact goals. Our vision is to promote traditional practices while defending our territories, challenging oppressive laws, advocating for the protection of sacred sites, and preserving traditional knowledge to revitalize our Indigenous culture. These five main goals are intertwined, like a braid, and the success of each one depends on the success of the others. We are committed to braiding these goals together in our ultimate mission to bring positive change and progress to our communities.

In the next year, our primary impact goal is to establish more partnerships with sister tribes and organizations to expand our reach and amplify our message. We will achieve this by attending community events, conferences, and workshops to network with potential partners. We will also increase our social media presence and engagement to reach a wider audience and share our work through our website, Instagram, and newsletters. Additionally, we will offer more workshops on traditional arts and practices, and food harvesting and processing, to promote traditional and sustainable practices and community empowerment.

Our impact goals for the next five years are focused on creating lasting change in our communities and territories. Our first goal is to secure more Cultural Use Agreements with organizations like the Mass Dept. of Natural Resources and Land Trusts, which will allow us to sustainably harvest traditional plants and medicines on our ancestral lands. We will achieve this by continuing to build relationships and partnerships with these organizations and advocating for policies that support Indigenous-led conservation and management practices.

Our second goal is to understand, challenge, and eliminate laws that impede our access to our lands and prevent us from practicing our traditional ways of life. To achieve this, we will collaborate with our elders, libraries, and, if necessary, legal experts to identify discriminatory laws and policies and create plans for challenging them. Additionally, we will focus on educating our people about our sovereign rights, such as Executive Order No. 126: Massachusetts Native Americans.

Our third goal is to continue to raise awareness about the importance of protecting sacred sites and preserving traditional knowledge. We will achieve this by partnering with community leaders, organizations, and government agencies to conduct Cultural Land Use surveys and identify sacred sites. We will also use social media and other communication channels to educate the public about the significance of these sites and the importance of protecting them.

Our final goal is the creation of a Wetu home site and a burning of a mishoon in public and historically significant locations in the Northeast. This powerful act symbolizes our desire to reconnect with our ancestral lands and traditional ways of life. By forging strong partnerships with sister tribes, organizations, and foundations, we will obtain the necessary funding and resources to construct these sacred sites and traditional canoes. Together with our Indigenous partners and sister tribes, we will proudly participate in Paddles and ceremonies, rejoicing in the successful braiding together of our preceding goals.

We use a range of indicators to measure progress toward our impact goals. We are collecting both qualitative and quantitative data to help us evaluate our progress and impact. Some of the specific indicators we use include:

• Number of community members engaged in sustainable practices: We are working with communities to promote sustainable practices, including traditional land management techniques and cultural inventory walks. We are tracking the number of people who have adopted these practices and the impact these practices have had on the environment and community's well-being.

•  Number of Indigenous voices amplified through our platform: We are tracking the number of Indigenous people who have shared their stories, perspectives, and experiences through our various initiatives, including social media campaigns and community events.
  

• Number of legal challenges and policy changes: We are tracking the number of discriminatory laws and policies identified, the number of legal challenges initiated, and the number of policies changed as a result of our advocacy efforts.

• Number of sacred sites protected: We are working to protect sacred sites through partnership building, advocacy, and community engagement. We are tracking the number of sites protected and the impact these efforts have had on Indigenous cultural preservation.

• Number of Wetu home sites and canoes built: We are working to establish Wetu home sites and burn mishoons with our people in public and historically important locations in the Northeast to reconnect Indigenous people with their ancestral lands, and traditional harvest and building practices. We are tracking the number of home sites and canoes built, the number of community members engaged in these efforts, and the impact these efforts have had on cultural revitalization.

The theory of change for our solution is to revitalize traditional Indigenous practices and knowledge through seasonal activities and collaboration with various Indigenous groups and allies. By participating in activities such as maple sugaring, fiddlehead harvesting, and building traditional wetu homes, and collaborating with groups such as Eastern Woodland Rematriation and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, our solution will preserve and transmit Indigenous cultural practices and knowledge to future generations.

Through education and empowerment of Indigenous communities, our project will make progress towards decolonization by advocating for Indigenous rights, defending sovereign rights to traditional artwork, and creating traditional burned-out canoes and homes.

By addressing the impact of laws and regulations on traditional harvesting practices, we will ensure access to traditional lands and harvesting practices, promote the physical, spiritual, and mental health of our people and the land, and achieve long-term outcomes such as increased cultural and ecological resilience for our Indigenous communities. 

The successes achieved so far, such as changing a law to allow traditional harvest at a rare wetland, completing the first mishoon burning on the Mystic River in over 400 years, and obtaining a Request for Determination of Applicability in wetlands that allows us to remove dead and living trees in cedar swamps to improve land health, provide evidence to support the strength of the links between our project’s activities and our outcomes.

The core technology that powers our No Loose Braids' solution is the platform that we created for Indigenous people to share their voices, traditional knowledge, and community strength to defend, develop, and decolonize our territories. Our platform uses some modern technology, such as our website and social media, to connect Indigenous communities and promote our traditional practices and knowledge. We also heavily rely on ancestral technology and practices, such as traditional harvesting practices, hide tanning, drum making, singing, dancing, mishoon burning, wetu building, and other traditional art forms, to preserve and promote the skills of our ancestors. We also work to challenge and rewrite laws, rules, and regulations that have oppressed our people and lands for centuries, which may require legal expertise and the use of modern technology for advocacy and outreach efforts. Ultimately, the core technology that powers No Loose Braids' solution is a combination of modern technology and ancestral knowledge, both of which are crucial in our mission to promote Indigenous culture, sustainability, and decolonization.

We recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential for achieving our mission of empowering Indigenous communities. We believe that incorporating diverse perspectives, experiences, and voices is critical for creating effective and sustainable solutions.

Our leadership team includes individuals from a variety of Indigenous nations and backgrounds, bringing a range of perspectives and experiences to our work. We are committed to continuing to build a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.

To ensure that our work is equitable and inclusive, we prioritize engaging with communities in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner. We listen to community needs and priorities and work collaboratively to develop solutions.

No Loose Braids operates as a non-profit organization with a powerful mission to empower Indigenous communities through cultural revitalization and preservation, while also advocating for their land and sovereign rights. We work closely with community members to understand their needs and priorities and develop culturally appropriate, effective, and sustainable solutions.

Our beneficiaries are Indigenous communities, mainly in Nippenet, or Nipmuc Territory in the Northeastern United States. We also connect and collaborate with other Indigenous peoples and tribes across the United States, and we provide a range of services such as traditional art and craft workshops, language revitalization programs, cultural events, advocacy, and legal support to defend our rights and sacred sites. We partner with local other Indigenous organizations and community leaders to ensure that our services are delivered respectfully and aligned with our ancestors.

Indigenous communities need our services to preserve and revitalize our cultural heritage that has been threatened by centuries of colonialism, forced assimilation, and systemic oppression. Our approach helps them gain access to their lands and achieve sovereignty recognition. With No Loose Braids, Indigenous communities can take charge of their cultural revitalization efforts. We rely on grants, donations, and other funding sources to ensure that our services are accessible to all Indigenous communities where we work. 

We use a combination of models to generate income to our nonprofit. We have been actively applying for grant funding from aligned funders and grantors. Our No Loose Braids website is set up with a donation button for individual donors. We also receive funding from giving presentations and workshops. Starting in spring/summer 2023, we will be selling No Loose Braids merchandise at our online store located on our website. 

No Loose Braids income is generated by grant awards, individual donations, contracts, and payment for workshops, speaking engagements, cultural inventory, and presentations. The following list of income is secured for 2023.

• Grant recipient for the following awards totaling $65,000 secured funding:

  •  Les Mehroff Grant Award - Weaving Traditional Stories into Present Day: Wild Rice (Zizania palustris & Zizania aquatica) Inventory in Nipmuc Territorial Lands; Common Counsel Foundation Award; Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Healing & Leadership Fellowship; New England Foundation for the Arts, Public Art for Spatial Justice: Indigenous Village Site in Nipnet; Cultural Apprenticeship Award, Grant Mass Cultural Counsel; and Olmstead Now, Traditional Mishoon Burn - Communal Waters: Highways of Intertribal Exchange, Western Mass Showing Up for Racial Justice grant. 

• Individual Donations: $15,000 secured to date (through online giving platform and check donations from individuals. This source of income is ongoing and will continue to go up throughout the year)

• Grants applied for in 2023: Ben and Jerry's Foundation, NDN Collective Radical Imagination grant, and NDN Collective Community Self Determination Grant

• Contract with Mount Grace Land Trust: $33,000 (secured for 12 months starting January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023)