Andre Strongbearheart
Gaines Jr.
Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines, Jr., is a enrolled citizen of the Nipmuc people. He serves as a culture bearer for his tribe and the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Nipmuc Nation.
Andre is a father, public speaker, traditional dancer, Indigenous Activist for Indigenous rights, carpenter by trade and educator. With 17 years in recovery Andre is a recovery sponsor and integrated life coach for those in need. Andres work focuses on sharing traditional teachings and cultural practices to his peoples in community and sister tribes.
Some of this consists of how to flesh and brain tan hides to make items such as drums/waterdrums, buckskin, and blankets. This work is focused on cultural revitalization and preservation by also building traditional homes(wetuash) and burning out dugout canoes(mishoonash).
Andre is a board member of the Nipmuc community Land Project and Native Land Conservancy and actively works alongside of various landtrust to create cultural inventory reports and working with state municipalities striving to make the LandBack movement visible.
Andre is also the founder and creative director of
No Loose Braids (Instagram @No_Loose_Braids). Andre's work is grounded in restoring balance between everyday life and traditional values while navigating the colonial systems we live in. Cultural revitalization, family, and traditional values are the driving forces that keep Andre ever diligent on his daily journey.