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Updated 11/13/2024

GEDAKINA

  • V

    VT

Institution/Business Type: Social Services Organization

GEDAKINA (pronounced /g' dah keen nah/ and meaning, "Our world, a way of life" in the Wabanaki language) was formally organized and incorporated in 2002. Gedakina is a Native American led organization that provides life enhancing opportunities for youth, women and their families from New England’s rural, urban and reservation communities. Our vision is to develop new ways of reaching our people, rooted in traditional cultural teachings and values, which will provide them with skills and resources to better navigate the challenges they face in a changing landscape. Our initiatives focus on leadership development, community health & wellness, sustainable food systems, indigenous traditional ecological knowledge (ITEK), healthy relationships, education & literacy, and cultural artistic survival. Our approach emphasizes interconnected activities to reach Native American youth, women and families, with clear recognition that the challenges that they face on a daily basis are also interconnected. We incorporate an intergenerational approach, involving Elders, youth and community members with a wide range of experience and knowledge; we believe that everyone has wisdom to share and that we can always learn from each other.

Find Me

Judy Dow (she / her)
Job Title: Executive Director
Phone: 802-373-2107
Address:
273 Old Stage Road
Essex Junction, VT 05452

Additional Content:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Social Services Organization

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

2002

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Social Services Organization

Legal Status:

Nonprofit - Independent

Year Founded:

2002

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Visual/Crafts - Jewelry

Additional Disciplines:

  • Multi-Disciplinary

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Artist Market
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Consulting - Organizational Capacity
  • Curriculum Development
  • Exhibitions
  • Film Showings
  • Professional Development / Training
  • Public Art Projects (In Free, Public Spaces)
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Arts and Health
  • Cultural Preservation
  • Design Services
  • Publishing
  • Writing Services
  • Art Sales
  • Virtual Events
  • Fiscal Sponsorship
  • Funding
  • Audio or Video Recording
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 12

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk
  • Native American Tribes
  • Rural Populations
  • Veteran/Active Duty Military Personnel
  • LGBTQ Populations
  • Nonprofits
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Incarcerated (or Formerly Incarcerated) individuals
  • Artists

Languages Available:

  • English
  • Native American / Indigenous

Geographic Reach:

  • Multi-State Region
  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Access accommodations for people who are blind, partially sighted, and have low vision

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Vermont Climate Council: Ag and Ecosystem Subcommittee
  • NEFA
  • Vermont Social Equity Caucus
  • Vermont Climate Council: Biomass Task Force
  • Vermont Climate Council: Life Cycle Analysis
  • Gedakina Board of Directors Massachusetts (2000 to present)
  • American Indian Scouting Association Board of Directors (1999 to present)
  • From Small Beginnings - two-year internationally traveling art show; https://www.fromsmallbeginnings.org/the-witness-tree
  • Nellie Mae Education Foundation Advisory Committee 2016 to 2019
  • Oyate board of Directors Sonoma, California (1999 to 2013)
  • Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs (2006 to 2010)
  • Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health Professionals (VT-ILEHP) Diversity Committee, Burlington, Vermont (2003 to present)
  • Environment Community Opportunity Sustainability (ECOS) now part of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Chittenden County, Vermont (2011 to present)

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Vermont Climate Council: Ag and Ecosystem Subcommittee
  • NEFA
  • Vermont Social Equity Caucus
  • Vermont Climate Council: Biomass Task Force
  • Vermont Climate Council: Life Cycle Analysis
  • Gedakina Board of Directors Massachusetts (2000 to present)
  • American Indian Scouting Association Board of Directors (1999 to present)
  • From Small Beginnings - two-year internationally traveling art show; https://www.fromsmallbeginnings.org/the-witness-tree
  • Nellie Mae Education Foundation Advisory Committee 2016 to 2019
  • Oyate board of Directors Sonoma, California (1999 to 2013)
  • Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs (2006 to 2010)
  • Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health Professionals (VT-ILEHP) Diversity Committee, Burlington, Vermont (2003 to present)
  • Environment Community Opportunity Sustainability (ECOS) now part of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, Chittenden County, Vermont (2011 to present)

Awards

Awards:

  • Sustainable Book Award from Amherst College
  • Arthur Williams Award for Meritorious Service to the Arts 2022
  • Vermont Governor’s Institute for Art (2008- 2016) individual presentations until 2023
  • Vermont Governor’s Heritage Award for Outstanding Educator (2004)
  • Recognition as American Masterpiece Artist, Vermont Arts Council, (2007-present)
  • Recognition as a Master Basket maker from the Vermont Folk life Center (2007 to present)
  • Recognition as a Master Basket maker from New England Foundation for the arts (2005- to present)
  • Essex Education Association Friends of Education Award (2001)

Education

Education:

  • BA, American Indian Studies, Burlington College, Burlington VT (2000)
  • BA, Education, Community College of Vermont Burlington, VT (1994)
  • MA, Ed. Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT (2019)

Special Designations

Designated Arts Community:

  • Vermont Arts Council - VAC Creation Grant Applicants

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Community Site / Center
  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • School / University
  • Virtual / Remote
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Science / Technology / Engineering
  • Visual/Crafts
  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Arts Integration - Foreign Languages
  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Arts Integration - Mathematics
  • Dance
  • Literature
  • Music
  • Arts Integration - English Language / Literacy

Fee range:

$0 - $2500

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Community Site / Center
  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • School / University
  • Virtual / Remote
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Science / Technology / Engineering
  • Visual/Crafts
  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Arts Integration - Foreign Languages
  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Arts Integration - Mathematics
  • Dance
  • Literature
  • Music
  • Arts Integration - English Language / Literacy

Fee range:

$0 - $2500