Ndakinna Educational Center: Keep the Fire Burning

For over 30 years, the Ndakinna Education Center has been connecting the people of Saratoga County to the traditions and practices of the Indigenous people that lived here. Their programs cover subjects like survival skills, wilderness knowledge, and even language reclamation. However, with temperatures dropping and outdoor programming slowing down, the center is reaching out for community support to ease some of the hardships of winter. Needed renovations and bigger heating bills are challenging, but with the help of the community, the Ndakinna Education Center can continue to provide the essential and educational programming and classes. 

The Ndakinna Education Center has been an important part of Jesse Bruchac’s family for many generations. Jesse is a full-time instructor at the center and an expert in the Abenaki language. He explained that the land was, “Property that had been in our family for many generations and that our grandmother, Marion Bowman Bruchac decided to keep forever wild and be a place for education.” In order to preserve the integrity of the land, it became the first conservation easement in Saratoga County. Since then, it has served as a place for people of all ages to immerse themselves in the culture and history of the Indigenous people. The property utilizes several different barns, now turned education centers. “The first of the Ndakinna barns was constructed by my paternal 5th great-grandfather, Holtham Dunham, during the Revolutionary War in the 1780s. Since then, they have remained in the family, expanding and evolving with each generation,” Jesse said. Every year, over 300 children participate in programs that teach them about essential wilderness skills and bushcraft techniques. They are especially proud to offer two classes a day, every day of the year, teaching the Abenaki language, free of charge. The Abenaki language is one of the three Indigenous languages of Saratoga county. “We are really proud to be able to have these folks offering these classes and we see several hundred people take advantage of the online classes,” said Jesse.  

While the online classes have experienced a lot of success, it is no replacement for the value of gathering together in person. “Our focus is a real connection back to this place,” Jesse said, “Drawing in large part on the wisdom that has been held in our family, and other families, from the original inhabitants here, from the Indigenous people of the region.” In order to continue their in person programs, it takes hard work and constant renovation. “The number one challenge is keeping not only the lights on but the heat on,” said Jesse. Over the years, they have worked on replacing windows, adding insolation, and will be adding a heat pump; but there is still so much more that needs to be done. As a nonprofit, the Ndakinna Education Center depends on community support to continue their efforts. Ndakinna is able to provide documentation for corporate matching gift programs, and all donations are a tax write off. “We’ve had some great success and wonderful support from the community in the past as a non-profit,” Jesse explained. These donations allow the Ndakinna Education Center to get through the cold winter and continue to provide in person programming for people of all ages. To learn more about how you can get involved and make a donation visit the following link: https://www.ndakinnacenter.org/donations-and-sponsorships/.