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These bills would protect Indigenous culture in Massachusetts

BOSTON (WWLP) – Indigenous residents and advocates came to the Boston State House on Monday to fight for bills that preserve and honor their culture. The advocacy group's priority legislation includes prohibiting the use of Native American mascots, establishing Indigenous Peoples Day, teaching their culture and history in K-12 curriculum, creating a permanent education commission for American Indian and Alaska Natives, and ensuring that sacred or historical objects in non-profit or government collections are not sold for profit. Healey administration awards grant funds to train thousands of workers across Mass. A Springfield professor explained that her research shows that Native people are still treated as second-class citizens. 'Native Americans are generally invisible in the dominant US culture, and are often visible in the form of misleading stereotypes about Native Americans in the past,' said Springfield College Sociology Professor Laurel Davis-Delano. One event speaker grew up in western Massachusetts and was often the only native student in their classes. They spoke about their negative experiences with non-Native peers and how better education can help. 'Too often we hear stories of the racial slurs, the backhanded comments, but we still live here in Massachusetts, a first-contact state,' said Reggi Alkiewicz, the Civic Engagement Coordinator of the Black & Indigenous Resistance Fund at the North American Indian Center of Boston. Education initiatives would include teaching contemporary native history and efforts to regain tribal sovereignty. The Indigenous Agenda Coalition was also behind the push to redesign the state flag and seal, and the Bay State is currently accepting suggestions for updated designs. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.