Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide a Cultural learning center for Native Americans in Vermont as well as anyone who wishes to learn about the heritage of The Vermont Abenaki & other Indigenous tribes living in Vermont. The cultural center will provide the following. We are a Vermont 501 (C) (3) non Profit

   1.     A museum with historical items and documents that show the existence of Native Americans from historical times until present.

   2.     A learning center where people can learn about such items as arts & crafts, history & traditions as well as provide a room for various cultural meetings.

   3.     A craft coop where Craft items can be displayed for sale on a consignment basis.

   4.     Workshops and special events that will further teach others about the Native American way of life

Ndakinna Cultural Center Officially closed in 2009 do to lack of funding. If you are interested in contacting Todd Hebert who is still involved with Native American Spirituality and drumming please send an email to [email protected]

The Ndakinna (‘Our Land’) Cultural Center and Museum, Inc. (Ndakinna) was created in late 2007 to ensure that the Abenaki culture and heritage continues into future generations. To reach this goal Ndakinna provides several different services and opportunities for cultural enrichment. All activities previously took place at the Cultural Center & Museum located on US Route 2, East Montpelier, VT.  They include four main areas:

A.  The Cultural Learning Center

The Cultural Center & Classroom are at the heart of Ndakinna. This is where the teaching to transfer Abenaki cultural knowledge occurs. Continuity, or ‘passing-on’ Abenaki traditions are the heartbeat behind Abenaki heritage for without this sharing Abenaki heritage would be lost.

The purpose of the Cultural Learning Center was to teach the public about Vermont Abenaki heritage through classes that instruct in traditional crafts such as basket making, Abenaki wigwam building, Native American drumming, drum making and singing, Abenaki language classes and workshops on herbs and traditional healing.

In addition, the Cultural Learning Center was committed to teaching children the values that our ancestors have taught us. By sharing with children the importance of our stories and the art of story telling and other traditions we will help them understand what it means to be an Elder and how to respect our Elders.

Workshops and other gatherings such as drumming circles had been on-going at Ndakinna since its inception in 2007. 

B. The Indian Museum 

The Vermont Abenaki Indian Museum was another popular attraction at Ndakinna Cultural Center & Museum, Inc. The exhibits on display are intended to teach visitors about the history of the Abenaki people living in Vermont.

The Abenaki exhibits on display included baskets woven from black ash dating to the 1800’s, photographs from the mid-1800s, garments including a ceremonial jingle dress, beads and dream catchers.

Admission to the museum was free of charge and open to the public although donations were requested.

C. The Craft Shop

The Craft Shop was another fine attraction at the Ndakinna Cultural Center & Museum, Inc.  Abenaki heritage is important to share and in order to make it more available to others we offered a space where local Native American crafters can sell their wares on a consignment basis.

We had encouraged local Native American Crafters of all nations to bring in crafts and place them in the Craft Shop on consignment. The Ndakinna Cultural Center & Museum, Inc. charged a minimum commission of 25% when an item sells in order to cover Craft Shop operating costs.

In addition to local Vermont crafts, the Craft Shop offered a vast selection of Northern Woodland Indian products as well as a mixture of different Native American Cultures from all over the country

D. Community Building

In January, 2008 we sponsored and planned a Bone Marrow drive for a woman in the East Montpelier community who is of Abenaki Indian descent and has a terminal prognosis. We organized a drive to bring the community together in an effort to find a match for Nicole.

Also in January,2008 we sponsored a drumming circle to bring community people together. The drumming circle was held at the Cultural Center in East Montpelier, VT. In addition to community members drumming, came to listen and watch. The drumming circle did continue on a monthly basis.