Arawak Design™

Native American Resources

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Information I have compiled about Native Americans for courses and workshops I teach can be found here. I address a broad range of Native American issues, with a focus on my Nation, the Arawak (and the Taino Nation), Massachusetts (where I live), and social activism/responsibility (related to NA's).

Pow Wow Schedule 2012

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Arawak Design™
Pow Wow Schedule 2012 “Short List”
(for more details and contact information, scroll "Extended List" on the left)

Scroll down for more pictures of products.

Click here for complete New England Pow Wow Schedule

* Asterix events are other Native American gatherings, NOT Pow Wows

January 21 – Greater Lowell Indian Cultural Association (GLICA) Mid-Winter Indoor Pow Wow, Bedford, MA VA Hospital

* January 28 – Mass Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA) Annual Mid-Winter Native Social, Middleboro, MA

* March 24 – *Date to be Confirmed* MCNAA Oldies But Goodies Fundraising Dance. American Legion Hall, Canton, MA

* April 1 – MCNAA 23rd Year Anniversary Celebration, Randolph, MA

April 28 – *Date to be Confirmed* Harvard University Outdoor Pow Wow, Cambridge, MA

May 26-27 – MCNAA Spring Planting Moon Outdoor Pow Wow and Educational Workshop, Marshfield, MA

July 29 – Nipmuc Nation Native American Outdoor Pow Wow, Hassanamissitt Reservation, Grafton, MA

August 25-26 – Intertribal Council of Tolba Menahan Outdoor Pow Wow, Gloucester, MA

September 8-9 – MCNAA and the City of Haverhill Annual Outdoor Intertribal Pow Wow and Educational Workshop, Haverhill, MA

September 15-16 – GLICA 30th Annual Indoor Pow Wow, Bedford, MA

* October 13 – *Date to be Confirmed* MCNAA Fundraising Harbor Cruise, Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA

* October 27 – MCNAA 14th Annual Luncheon and Fundraising Auction, Middleboro, MA

* November 17 – Middlesex Community College Craft Fair 9AM-3PM

November 18 – MCNAA Heritage Day Indoor Pow Wow and Educational Workshop, Bridgewater, MA

* November 22 (Thanksgiving) 43rd Annual Day of Mourning @ noon - Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA

NOTES ON POW WOWS:

* Please call first to receive the most up-to-date information, event hours, directions, and possible cancellations

* Gates generally open around 10:00/11:00 am

* Grand Entry is usually between noon and 1:00 pm

* Pow Wows generally end at 4:00 pm, sometimes later

* All events are alcohol and drug free
* Bring a chair
* Listen to the Master of Ceremonies (Arena Director) for information regarding activities, dancing, hat-wearing, photography, when to stand, when public can dance, etc.

A Sampling of the Many Items I Sell at Pow Wow

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Native American jewelry and hair accessories - specializing in beautifully hand crafted clay beads. Established in 1994. P.O. Box 1454 Concord, Massachusetts 01742

At this time, Arawak Design™ does not allow purchases from this site, nor do we currently have a catalog for the items that we carry. To see more products or to purchase, please come to a Pow Wow (scroll down to see a list of my shows).

ZIPPERED DRUM POUCHES lined with plastic (cold wash/no dryer please!), these pouches have photos of my family drum ©2007 and can be used to carry candy, make-up, sage, or so many other important items ($22.50).

LEATHER NECK POUCHES: my handcrafted clay beads attached to leather cords on beautifully dyed suede and leather ($10.00).

T-Shirts

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These are all original (and copyrighted) designs:

The Drum Connects Our Hearts and Hands…
To the Heartbeat of the Mother Earth…
These are full color front and back shirts ($25.00).

Earrings

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THREE DANGLE EARRINGS: each has a small concho on which dangles three of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of glass seed beads, shells, stone chips, and/or other interesting beads ($28.00).

FETISH EARRINGS: each has one of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of glass seed beads, shells, stone chips, and/or other interesting beads, as well as a stone or metal fetish representing an animal or human ($20.00).

SMALL DANGLE EARRINGS: each has one of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of glass seed beads and/or stone chips ($12.00).

POST OR CLIP EARRINGS: each has one my handcrafted clay beads ($5.00).

Bracelets

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LARGE BEADED BRACELET: 5 of my handcrafted clay beads and glass, metal and/or stone bead accents ($14.00).

MEDIUM BEADED BRACELET: 4 of my handcrafted clay beads and glass, metal and/or stone bead accents ($10.00).

SMALL BEADED BRACELET: 3 of my handcrafted clay beads and glass, metal and/or stone bead accents ($6.00).

ONE BEAD LEATHER BRACELET: one of my handcrafted clay beads on a piece of leather and a glass crow bead accent ($3.00). A Real Bargain!

OR: a memory wire bracelet with a single clay bead ($3.00).

Necklaces

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CHOKERS: bone hairpipe and glass crow beads threaded on imitation sinew with a leather tie in back. Each choker has a small concho on which dangles three of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of glass seed beads, shells, stone chips, and/or other interesting beads ($30.00).

LARGE BEADED NECKLACE: 15-20 of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of seed beads, stone chips, and or shell ($48.00).

MEDIUM BEADED NECKLACE: 8-13 of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of seed beads, stone chips, and or shell ($34.00).

SMALL BEADED NECKLACE: 3-7 of my handcrafted clay beads with accents of seed beads, stone chips, and or shell ($22.00).

OR: Memory wire necklace with 3 to 5 clay beads ($22.00).

ONE BEAD NECKLACE: one larger sized clay bead with accents of seed beads, stone chips, and or shell ($10.00).

ONE BEAD PENDANT: my handcrafted clay beads hung on leather cord ($5.00) A Real Bargain!

Pins

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DANGLE PINS: two of three dangling beads hanging from a metal concho or another clay bead with accents of glass beads, stone chips, shells, or other interesting beads ($20.00).

LARGE PINS: a hand, a foot, or a dream catcher with a feather… these large pins are combinations of the smaller designs ($12.00) (I also have SMALL PINS $6.00).

Hair Accessories

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HAIR TIES: my handcrafted clay beads with accents of bone hairpipe, glass crow beads, and feathers on an elastic cord that can easily wrap around a pony tail, braid, barrette, or even a baseball cap! ($14.00 each)

BOBBY PINS: my handcrafted clay beads ($4.00 a pair) A Real Bargain!

Arawak Design™

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Claudia A. Fox Tree (Arawak) is the owner and artist for Arawak Design™, established in 1994.

The Arawak are the original inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. In 1492, they greeted a lost sailor named Christopher Columbus. Though that event may have given the Arawak a place in history, we have gone on to survive as a contemporary people in today's world.

Claudia incorporates indigenous designs into her art by applying a "Millefiori" technique to polymer clays.

Each bead can take from two to six hours to create, depending upon the intricacies of the design and the amount of colors involved. There is no paint, only different colored clays. Here’s a quick summary of the process in her words:

I create the designs on paper,
I select the colors of clay,
I mix, knead, and blend the clay,
I sculpt, wrap, roll, and cut the clay,
I build the individual design shapes,
I keep the final vision in my mind,
I press together the shapes,
I roll down the canes of clay,
I slice the beads,
I hope for image integrity,
I make the holes,
I bake the clay,
Now, I can create the jewelry.

Close up of bead work below:

Currently, Claudia's work is available only in person (there is no store or shop). You may purchase her designs at one of the man the local Massachusetts Pow Wows she attends.

The Clay Bead Making Process

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First I locate authentic pottery, rock carvings, and petroglyphs, Then, I sketch and lay out the colors of the design on a piece of white paper. I love my Berol Prismacolor colored pencils. Then I match the clay colors, planning to blend Fimo (a hard clay) with Sculpey (a soft clay), and other polymer clays, in a food processor which I set aside to use only for clay blending. The pea sized pieces are then kneaded to a workable texture.

Next, I usually start by building the "face" of the piece. This is really a sculpting process. It's okay to have "seams" because they will blend when I roll down the clay. This face is about 2 inches high and 3 inches wide. After I have the face, I add the other parts of the shape and begin to integrate the background colors.

After the sculpting part is done, the clay is gently pressed and stretched into a "log" or "cane." From there the beads are cut.

Bake for 30 minutes at 260º in the oven on a piece of sturdy cardboard.

Here are other finished clay beads next to the initial design.

Consultation/Presentations

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Claudia is also a teacher and consultant and has spoken on:

Racial/ethnic/cultural identity: in general and specifically related to Native Americans
Taino/Arawak culture and contact with Columbus
Native American Multiracial Identity
Myths & Stereotypes: Thanksgiving, Columbus, Bering Strait, mascots, media, etc.
Multicultural curriculum development and transformation
Vocabulary and concepts related to ethnicity, race, culture, and oppression
Assumptions related to ethnicity, race, culture, oppression, and teaching
Oppression and related power dynamics
Culture and culturally relevant teaching

BELOW IS A LIST OF SELECTED PRESENTATIONS:

In 2011, Claudia spoke at the following Massachusetts colleges and universities: Cambridge College, Boston College; and the following events: Newton's Anniversary

In the Fall of 2010, Claudia spoke at the following Massachusetts colleges and universities: Wheelock College.

In the Fall of 2008, Claudia spoke at the following Massachusetts colleges and universities: Boston College and Wheaton College.

In the Fall of 2007, Claudia spoke at the following colleges and universities: Boston College, (Massachusetts); Colgate University (New York); Bates College (Maine).

In the Fall of 2006, Claudia guest lectured for various classes (psychology, education, social work) and also spoke to student organizations at the following Massachusetts colleges and universities: Boston University; Middlesex Community College; Framingham State College; Quinsigamond College; Boston College; University of Massachusetts (Boston).

Here is a selection of presentations and conferences spanning the past five years (most recent listed first):

Education and Leadership for a Nonviolent Age (ELNA): Be The Difference - presentation with Elli Stern, EMI - Building Bridges of Understanding - Teaching Racial Identity at The Middle School Level
The Violence Coalition – No Place For Hate: Genocide - presentation with panel on Armenian, Cambodian, Native American genocides
Boston College; Chestnut Hill, MA: Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture (ISPRC), 8th Annual Diversity Challenge - presentation with Melanie Sullivan, Melissa Wong, Mike Stern - I Say, You Say: Student, Parent, and Educator Perceptions of Culturally Relevant Teaching Strategies
University of Hartford; Hartford, CT: National Association of Multicultural Educators (NAME): 13th Annual CT Conference on Multicultural Education - presentation with Elli Stern, EMI - Integrating the Native American Perspective in Courses on Race and Culture
Boston College; Chestnut Hill, MA: Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture (ISPRC), 8th Annual Diversity Challenge - presentation with Elli Stern, EMI - Being an Ally to Native Americans
University of Hartford; Hartford, CT: National Association of Multicultural Educators (NAME): 12th Annual CT Conference on Multicultural Education - presentation with Elli Stern, EMI - Beyond Curriculum: Supporting Native Americans and Being an Effective Ally
Bates College; Lewiston, ME: Columbus Was Only One Beginning to The Native American Story
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York: Winter Roundtable: 22nd Annual Roundtable on Cultural Psychology and Education - What You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About Native Americans (Before Teaching About them)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/New England District: Concord, MA: Native American/Alaskan Native Employment Program Event - Native American Identity
Massachusetts Dept. of Health; Boston, MA: Native American Heritage Month: Native American Cultural Implications in Mainstream Healthcare - Native American Identity
Boston University; Boston, MA: Howard Thurman Center: Diversity Evening - Looking at Multiracial and Multiethnic Identity of Native Americans
Lower/Outer Community Coalition, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Health, and Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center: Mashpee, MA: Wuneeshkeeht – Good Medicine: Learning From Each Other Respect, Harmony & Healing - Turning Tables, Experiencing Cultural Incongruities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Cambridge, MA: Boston Asian Students Intercollegiate Conference (BASIC) - Panel: People of United Color in Boston
University of Massachusetts; Boston, MA Native American Student Association (NASA) - Panel: Native American Women in Leadership Roles
Boston College; Chestnut Hill, MA: Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture, 3rd Annual Diversity Challenge (ISPRC) - presentation with Tricia O’Reilly, EMI & Claypit Elementary - Including Ethnicity in the Racial Identity Dialogue
University of Hartford; Hartford, CT: National Association of Multicultural Educators (NAME): 8th Annual CT Conference on Multicultural Education - presentation with Elli Stern, EMI - Difficult Discussions: Teaching Identity, Power, and Privilege in The Classroom
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York: Winter Roundtable: 20th Annual Roundtable on Cultural Psychology and Education - Turning Tables: Experiencing Cultural Incongruities

Snapshots of the Displays

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Memory wire fancy necklaces, custom-made at the time of the clay baking.

Outdoor Display.

Pow Wow Schedule - Previous Years

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Arawak Design™ Pow Wow Schedule 2011 “Short List”
Jan. 15 GLICA Winter Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Jan. 29* MCNAA Native Social & Potluck Supper - VFW in Middleboro, MA 5 PM
April 3* (Sun.) MCNAA Anniversary & Auction - Must RSVP. Tickets: $25.00 in advance. Randolph, MA 1PM
April 30 Harvard 14th Harvard University Pow Wow - Cambridge, MA
May 28-29 MCNAA Spring Planting Moon Pow Wow - Marshfield, MA
July 25 & Aug 15 Featured Artisan Bedford Farmer's Market 2:00-5:30 pm - Bedford, MA.
July 24 Hassanamissitt Nipmuc Nation Indian Fair - Grafton, MA
Aug. 27-28 Tolba Menahan ICTM Annual Seaside Pow Wow - Gloucester, MA
Sept. 10-11 MCNAA Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow - Haverhill, MA
Sept. 17-18 GLICA Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Oct. 23* (Sun.) MCNAA Benefit Auction & Reception - Randolph, MA
Nov. 13 MCNAA Nat’l N.A. Heritage Day Pow Wow, Bridgewater State - Bridgewater, MA
Nov. 19* Craft Show @ Middlesex Community College - Bedford, MA
Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving)* Annual Day of Mourning @ noon - Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA

Arawak Design™ Pow Wow Schedule 2010 “Short List”
Jan. 16 GLICA Winter Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Jan. 30* MCNAA Native Social & Potluck Supper - VFW in Middleboro, MA 5 PM
Mar 28* (Sun.) MCNAA Anniversary & Auction - Must RSVP. Tickets: $25.00 in advance. Randolph, MA 1PM
May 1 Harvard 14th Harvard University Pow Wow - Cambridge, MA
May 29-30 MCNAA Spring Planting Moon Pow Wow - Marshfield, MA
July ?? & Aug ?? Featured Artisan Bedford Farmer's Market 2:00-6:30 pm - Bedford, MA.
July 25 Hassanamissitt Nipmuc Nation Indian Fair - Grafton, MA
Aug. 28-29 Tolba Menahan ICTM Annual Seaside Pow Wow - Gloucester, MA
Sept. 11-12 MCNAA Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow - Haverhill, MA
Sept. 18-19 GLICA Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Oct. 24* (Sun.) MCNAA Benefit Auction & Reception - Randolph, MA
Nov. 14 MCNAA Nat’l N.A. Heritage Day Pow Wow, Bridgewater State - Bridgewater, MA
Nov. 20* Craft Show @ Middlesex Community College - Bedford, MA
Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving)* Annual Day of Mourning @ noon - Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA

Arawak Design™ Pow Wow Schedule 2009 “Short List”
Jan. 17 GLICA Winter Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Jan. 24* MCNAA Native Social & Potluck Supper - VFW in Middleboro, MA 5 PM
March 29* (Sun.) MCNAA 20th Anniversary & Auction - Must RSVP. Tickets: $25.00 in advance. Randolph, MA 1PM
May 2 Harvard 14th Harvard University Pow Wow - Cambridge, MA
May 23-24 MCNAA Spring Planting Moon Pow Wow - Marshfield, MA
July 20, 27, & Aug 10 Featured Artisan Bedford Farmer's Market 2:00-6:30 pm - Bedford, MA.
July 26 Hassanamissitt Pow Wow - Grafton, MA
Aug. 22-23 ICTM Annual Seaside Pow Wow - Gloucester, MA
Sept. 12-13 MCNAA Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow - Haverhill, MA
Sept. 19-20 GLICA Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Oct. 25* (Sun.) MCNAA Benefit Auction & Reception - Randolph, MA
Nov. 14 MCNAA Nat’l N.A. Heritage Day Pow Wow, Bridgewater State - Bridgewater, MA
Nov. 21* Craft Show @ Middlesex Community College - Bedford, MA
Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving)* Annual Day of Mourning @ noon - Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA

Arawak Design™ Pow Wow Schedule 2008 “Short List”
Jan. 19 GLICA Winter Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Jan. 26* MCNAA Native Social & Potluck Supper - VFW in Middleboro, MA 5 PM
April 6* (Sun.) MCNAA 19th Anniversary & Auction - Randolph, MA 1PM
May 3 Harvard 13th Harvard University Pow Wow - Cambridge, MA
May 24-25 MCNAA Spring Planting Moon Pow Wow (Memorial Day Weekend on Sat/Sun only) - Marshfield, MA
May 31-June 1 MCNAA Pow Wow (Get your end-of-the-year teacher gifts!) - Topsfield, MA
July 7 AND 21* Featured Artisan Bedford Farmer's Market 2:00-6:30 pm - Bedford, MA.
July 27 Hassanamissitt Pow Wow - Grafton, MA
Aug. 23-24 ICTM Annual Seaside Pow Wow - Gloucester, MA
Sept. 6-7 MCNAA Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow - Haverhill, MA
Sept. 21-22 (new date) GLICA Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Oct. 26* (Sun.) MCNAA Benefit Auction & Reception - Randolph, MA
Nov. 2* MCNAA Talent Show @ 1:00 pm - VFW in Middleboro
Nov. 15 MCNAA Nat’l N.A. Heritage Day Pow Wow - LOC: TBA
Nov. 22* Craft Show @ Middlesex Community College - Bedford, MA
Nov. 27* Annual Day of Mourning @ noon - Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA

Arawak Design™ Pow Wow Schedule 2007 “Short List”
Jan. 20 GLICA Winter Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Apr. 1* MCNAA 17th Anniversary Celebration @ 1 p.m. - Randolph, MA
May 5 Harvard 12th Annual Harvard University Pow Wow - Cambridge, MA
May 26-28 MCNAA Spring Planting Moon Pow Wow - Marshfield, MA
June 30-1 MCNAA Summer Moon Pow Wow - Topsfield, MA
July 29 Hassanamissitt Pow Wow - Grafton, MA
Aug. 25-26 ICTM Annual Seaside Pow Wow - Gloucester, MA
Sept. 8-9 MCNAA Annual MCNAA Intertribal Pow Wow - Haverhill, MA
Sept. 15-16 GLICA Pow Wow - Bedford, MA
Oct. 28* MCNAA Annual Gathering and Benefit Auction - Randolph, MA
Nov. 17 Craft Show at Middlesex Community College - Bedford, MA
Nov. 22* Annual Day of Mourning @ noon - Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA
Dec. 1 NAICOB Native American Craft Fair - Jamaica Plain, MA

* Asterix events are other Native American gatherings, NOT Pow Wows