All posts by Lorena Novak

Onkwe Tase – UNACC’s Founder

Edward J. Guillemette “Onkwe Tase”

October 6, 1924 – September 2, 2022

Edward J. Guillemette “Onkwe Tase”, age 97, a longtime resident of Dracut MA, passed away at Lowell General Hospital on Friday, September 2, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Jeannette (Masson) Guillemette until her passing in 1978.

He was born in Dracut on October 6, 1924 and was the son of the late Maxime Guillemette of Yamachiche, Quebec and Antoinette (Noel) Guillemette from the Three Rivers area of Quebec.

As a young man, he worked at the Richardson Farm in Dracut and as a shoemaker locally before proudly joining the United States Army. During World War II, he landed in Normandy and fought across Europe in the infantry. He was very proud of the time he spent in the service under General S. Patton and forever missed his war buddies that he spent so much time with. He always loved seeing the old tanks and reminiscing of those days, as hard and sad as they were for him.

After returning home from the war, he spent a lot of his life working two to three jobs while at the same time raising his family. He served as a volunteer fireman, dabbled in local archeology, and spent some time working as a detective for the Pinkerton Detective agency. He also worked security at the Bedford VA for over 30 years and then as an officer for the Dracut Police Department for an additional 20 years.

Edward was the original Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the state of Massachusetts sworn in by Governor Sergeant on October 13, 1974, helping to protect the rights of indigenous people and was a proud Native activist throughout his lifetime. He was involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM) and spent time traveling to Ganienkeh Mohawk territory in the early years helping community members. In the early 1970s, he founded a group he named GLICA (Greater Lowell Indian Cultural Association) and acquired land in the Dracut Tyngsboro State Forest where he fulfilled his dream of having a place where all could come and enjoy spending time learning about Native culture. In time, he separated from GLICA and co-founded UNACC (United Native American Cultural Center) where they obtained a building on a plot of land in Devens, MA. They currently use that location as a safe space for people of all cultures to gather, share, and educate one another.

In his lifetime, Edward enjoyed his goodies, attending pow-wows, singing and dancing, music and culture, arts and crafts, fishing and boating, nature and wildlife, flea-marketing and thrifting, and traveling in his camper. He mostly enjoyed doing these with family and friends. On his own, he enjoyed reading, writing poems, watching war movies, and more goodies.

Many people in the Greater Lowell area fondly remember him speaking, singing, dancing, and demonstrating his Native culture to the local schools, scouts, churches, etc. His family will always remember him as the best Dad, Pépère, and Uncle (fondly known as Uncle Tootsie). He was a man that led a good, honest life and was loved and respected by all who had the honor of knowing him.

Edward is survived by his children, Dottie Brooks and her husband Jack, Al Guillemette, and Anne Marie Fraser and her husband Mark; and his grandchildren, Lisa Perry, Bill David, Brian Guillemette, Mark Hayes, Lori Femia, Brandy Riel, and Craig Melanson. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, Edward is predeceased by all of his siblings along with his son, Edward A. Guillemette.

Meetings, returning inside and clean up

Currently UNACC members are meeting outside the building in the shaded grove of maple trees in the front of the building.  Folks are meeting up every two weeks.  Right now, these are taking place of our in person Wednesday night meetings.

**The Wednesday night Zoom meetings continue (thank you, Doria!).

When the weather becomes colder, we will resume our indoor meetings.

We plan to have a cleanup at the building on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 10 AM.  We are in need of volunteers to help with this.  This building belongs to all of us, and we need to work to together keep it cleaned up.  Your efforts are appreciated.

Update on re-entering the building and yearly Powwow

The Covid vaccines are slowly rolling out.  We would like to let folks know how we will handle getting back into the building once the time comes and also information concerning the powwow.

 

We are really hoping, as President Biden states, that most of the US people will be vaccinated by the end of May.

 

Right now, we are not planning on having our annual Unity Days Powwow which is normally held on Armed Forces weekend – May 15th & 16th  This is also the Chief Roland Jerome Memorial Powwow.

 

With luck, by mid October, when we normally have our Fall Feast – October 16th & 17th, we may be able to hold our powwow then.  Again, it will depend on how the vaccinations are going.  A decision will have to be made by early to mid-July to get vendor contracts out and get things in place.  We will keep you posted on this.

 

We cannot say that only people who are vaccinated can attend indoor meetings, that would not be fair.

 

So, our weekly meetings………our thoughts right now are that we should plan on doing outdoor meet-ups until more people are vaccinated.  This would be social distancing and mask wearing.  It will be like the meetups last summer/fall

 

It would not be forever but just for the time being.

 

 
Once a decision is made to re-enter the building we will need to come up with a list of rules pertaining to gatherings – both weekly meetings and gatherings – this is something that we are really going to have to discuss and seek out what the State regulates.

 

We are working hard to keep everyone safe.

 

Once the weather becomes nice enough to gather outside, we will let people know.  As last summer/fall, the building will be open for using the facilities.

 

All events are currently on hold – July 15, 2020

Due to the Coronavirus, all events at UNACC are currently on hold.

The drum class which was schedule for March will be held, we just are not certain of a date yet.

The “Chief Roland Jerome Memorial Powwow” which was to be held October 17th and October 18th has been cancelled.  We will hold the powwow in May 2021.  The tentative dates for that powwow is May 15 & 16, 2021.

The Fall Feast, which was to be held October 18th has been cancelled.

We want to ensure that all are safe.  We do not want to open the building or plan any events right now.  Please, check back on our website to see any updates which we may have.

Please, be safe and we hope to see you soon.

Roland Jerome – Our Chief – We remember

Chief Roland Jerome

Aug 5, 1943 – Jan 24, 2020

This is what was read at Chief Roland Jerome’s funeral on behalf of UNACC:

Good morning, I am Lorena Novak and this is my husband, Matthew Novak. We are members of the United Native American Cultural Center or as many know it, UNACC.

Today, we speak on behalf of UNACC. We’ve lost our friend, our teacher, our leader, Chief Roland Jerome and now, we are somewhat lost. Eventually, we will once again find our footing, and we know that Roland will be watching over us, somehow showing us the right way to do things.

Roland was patient with us. He was fair and always thought things through when difficulties were presented to him. Roland was a teacher, a friend and a counselor. He was easy to talk to, a good listener, when one was needed, and easy to laugh with.

Words cannot express the sorrow we feel with his loss. There is a huge void in our lives. Over the last few years, Roland was getting tired. All of us realized that, but we never thought the outcome would be this, this soon. Roland, our lessons from you were not finished yet.

All of us have wonderful memories that will keep Roland alive in our hearts. The pain of not seeing him each day/week, hearing his stories and laughter will affect us all for a very long time. The pain will lessen but your memory will never fade.

One of the most important things that Roland taught us is that we need to be proud of who we are and where we come from. He used to say to sit with one of your elders, listen to their stories and learn of who you are. Most of all, be proud of who you are. Roland certainly was proud of who he was.

UNACC would like to thank Roland and Barbara’s family. For many years, Roland and Barbara’s schedule was for that of UNACC’s events often leaving their family to move their events around to accommodate them. We thank you so much for sharing your Dad with us. Please, know it was not in vain. There are so many people that benefited by the work which your Dad did within the Native Community as well as outside the Native Community. We will always be grateful by having your Dad at the helm of the Center.

In closing, we would like to share the

Johnny Paleface 4 Direction Prayer:

Creator, as I look to the East, where the sun rises and the day begins. I have opened my eyes to another day. Please help me by taking away all that is negative. Take away my impatience, intolerance, resentment, denials, anxiety and all other things that are negative within me.

Creator, as I look to the South, where the Sun never sets and everything grows. Please, help me by letting me grow in eyesight and hearing so I can hear and see the beauty you have created. Let me grow in strength, not to be greater than my brother but to fight my greatest enemy – myself. Please let me grow in wisdom so I can pass it on to others

Creator, as I look to the West, where the sun sets and the harvest takes place. Let me harvest all that I asked you to take away in the East so that I can serve you better by giving me patience, tolerance and peace of mind. All the things which I asked you to take away, let me have them in the positive so that I can redeem myself in your eyes.

Creator, as I look to the North. I know that the trail from the South to the North is very long, as is life, very difficult. Difficult because when you blew the breath of life into me, you gave me free will. I have used, abused and misused that will. Now I am ready to do your will. I pray for the knowledge of Your will for me and the power to carry it out.

Creator, I know that each day that I open my eyes to the East, I have one more day to redeem myself. Please let me keep this day. Each day I take one more step towards the day that I will be with you, my body will be in Mother Earth and my spirit will be with you. Let me keep this day so when I am called to you, I can come home to you with clean hands and straight eyes so that when my life fades as the fading sunset, my spirit can come without shame.

Life is a full circle, where one never leaves from birth till the day we cross over. One has to live within the circle that the Creator given to each of us.

Roland, rest now in the arms of the Creator. You go with clean hands, straight eyes and without shame.

Please, continue to watch over us. We will need it, but mostly, watch over your loving family. Aho

This was shared on behalf of Jean Martin and family:

Do not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the star shine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

The passing of Chief Roland Jerome

Chief Roland  Jerome, age 76, of Winchendon, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2020. Roland was the loving husband of Barbara A. (Algeri) Jerome.

Chief was born in Maria (Gesgapegiag), Quebec, Canada, on August 5, 1943, to Louis W. and Alma (Vicaire) Jerome. He was the 2nd eldest son of sixteen children, His brothers and sisters are, Bernard (Deceased), Clara, Cecile, Peter, Bernard, Clifford (Deceased), William, Rainy, Lucy, Angela, Kathleen, Donat, Agnes, Louis and Christine. Chief was raised and educated in Gesgapegiag First Nation, Quebec, Canada, located on the south shore of the Gaspe’ Peninsula. He was proud of his Mi’kMaq ancestry.

Chief and Barbara married on February 1, 1964 and settled in Fayville MA. Chief went on to attend St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to become a counselor for drug and alcohol addiction. He was a proud member of AA and his forty-four years of sobriety.

Chief worked in construction for many years and then for the town of Maynard, Department of Public Works for fifteen years retiring in 2005.

Chief was a spiritual man and a member of the United Native American Cultural Center in Devens, MA. He loved attending Powwows. He also enjoyed celebrating with family and friends drumming, chanting and dancing. Chief was an avid fisherman. He looked forward to his yearly Father’s Day salmon fishing trip to Gesgapegiag. He enjoyed Indian Steak and always looked forward to his Dunkin Donuts coffee.

Chief is survived by his wife Barbara A. Jerome of Winchendon, MA; his children, Sharon Jerome and husband Richard Ripley Jr. of Winchendon, MA; Rhonda Jerome of Epping, NH; Angela and husband Bevan Quinn Jr. of Townsend, MA; Roland C. Jerome Jr. of Epping, NH; grandchildren Danielle, Anthony, Bevan III, Nicholas, Lauren, Amber and Kiley; and great grandchild Jameson and many Nieces and Nephews.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Chief on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home, 42 Concord Street, Maynard. His funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fowler- Kennedy Funeral Home, 42 Concord Street, Maynard. Burial will be private at a later date.

Gifts in his memory may be made to the United Native American Cultural Center, P.O. Box 711 Ayer, MA 01432. There will be a Memorial Powwow at the United Native American Cultural Center at 29 Antietam Street, Devens MA on Saturday May 16, & Sunday May 17,  2021.

UNACC’s Boiler Fundraiser Letter

United Native American Cultural Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 711
Ayer, MA 01432
(978) 772-1306

Dear Sir/Madam,

The United Native American Cultural Center (UNACC) is a multi-cultural center located at Devens, MA. We maintain a building at 29 Antietam Street. UNACC is a MA Public Charity, 501 (c)3 organization – Federal ID # 04-3229153 which was formed in 1993. UNACC is solely run by public and private donations. Thank you, to supporters like you, we remain in business today.

Today, we are in dire need of replacing the boiler at our building. The cost is approximately $13,000.00 to achieve this. We are reaching out to ask if you would consider making a monetary donation to help with this endeavor. With your donation, we would have the ability to keep with our mission statement – The Center’s mission is to be a positive place for peoples of all cultures to gather…

We thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we hope that you are able to make a contribution for our cause.

Sincerely,

Lorena M. Novak – UNACC VP

The Center’s mission is to be a positive place for peoples of all cultures to gather, share and educate one another. Essential to this endeavor is a program of cultural enrichment, education and whole life strategies for Native American people; a place to learn and teach our crafts, artwork, voices and traditional ways. We welcome the entire community to share in the various programs and cultural experiences which we offer.




Food/Clothing collection for Maine (Maine trip on 11/17 & 12/15)

Tony and Mya Hay will be making another trip to Maine on November 17th. Please, note what they are seeking for donations:

The next trip to Maine is scheduled for November 17th with an emphasis on food, in particular protein , canned meat , tuna, chicken, spam, ham, etc… Also warm clothing , jackets, boots and blankets.

December 15th will be the final trip of this year where it’s all about toys for Christmas, food and of course clothing too.

If you have any donations that fall into these categories, donations can be dropped off at UNACC. The above items are the only things we are collecting right now. We will be gathering at UNACC for the Fall Feast – October 21st and for the Bear Feast on November 11th. We are accepting donations at these 2 events.