North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc.

In 1969, a spark ignited in Boston. This spark was the Boston Indian Council, the precursor to the North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc. The North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc., or NAICOB, stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of Indigenous peoples. It’s more than just a building in Jamaica Plain. It’s a vibrant hub, a symbol of empowerment. NAICOB’s mission is to bolster self-determination and socio-economic self-sufficiency for Native peoples. It strives to enhance spiritual growth, foster intercultural understanding, and provide various forms of empowerment. The center aims to improve the quality of life for American Indians, Native Canadians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Indigenous peoples of North America. It offers vital services like health programs, job training, education assistance, housing support, and other social services. Initially, the organization was called the Boston Indian Council (BIC). It was formed on October 20, 1970, after a series of meetings in 1969. The BIC’s founding members included figures like writer Mildred Noble, psychologist Carolyn Attneave, activist Anna Mae Aquash, and artist Philip Young. Shirley Moore Mills, a Mashpee Wampanoag, served as secretary to the Board of Directors. The center published a newsletter, “The Circle,” with editors like Ojibwe author Louise Erdrich. The BIC played a role in curriculum development for Boston Public Schools, focusing on the indigenous cultures of Maine and the Maritimes. The BIC’s activism included a 1973 protest against a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party. In 1991, the organization was reborn as the North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc. This non-profit corporation serves the approximately 6,000 Native Americans in the greater Boston area. It collaborates with tribal councils in Massachusetts and other East Coast states. NAICOB’s projects encompass Employment and Training, Family Services, and a Tribal Scholars program. The center has been a pioneer in developing resources for “skip generation” families, where grandparents raise children due to parental challenges. NAICOB also offers computer skills classes, job referrals, and job search assistance. A seven-member, all-Indigenous Board of Directors, elected by the membership, governs NAICOB. Located at 105 South Huntington Avenue in Jamaica Plain, the center is accessible by public transportation. Membership is free to all American Indians, Alaska Natives, First Nations, and Native Hawaiians in the greater Boston area. The North American Indian Center of Boston, Inc. stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for Indigenous people in the heart of Boston.