In recognition of Native American Heritage Month in November, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Indigenous community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
MassLive will publish profiles of these leaders through November. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Anika Lopes (Courtesy of Anika Lopes)Anika Lopes
Age: 48
Community: Amherst
Her story: Anika Lopes’s artistic drive was first motivated by her grandfather Dudley Bridges’ restoration work on Civil War tablets, which became part of a permanent exhibit at the Bangs Community Center, “shedding light on the significant contributions of Black and Indigenous soldiers,” she said in a statement to MassLive.
She became a milliner — a hatmaker — after she was first drawn to hat design while in New York City, where she had graduated from the New School University. Lopes then interned with Horace Weeks, who runs a Black-owned hat factory. Her work there brought her recognition before, in 2019, she returned to Amherst.
Three years later, she founded the Ancestral Bridges Foundation, which “supports interactive history walks, art exhibits and music events, fostering connections between past and present,” she said. This initiative came about as a way to acknowledge that “genocide and enslavement happened in the Connecticut River Valley, and that it is only through Native American, European American and African American history together, and in that order, that we arrive at American history.”
The foundation serves as a stepping stone to provide “educational and economic opportunities so that BIPOC and disadvantaged youth (in Western Massachusetts) can thrive,” according to its website. Grant money aids in educating and powering youth with internships and enables wealth generation and “resources to benefit BIPOC futures.”
She extended her role in the community as town services chair and outreach committee chair on the Amherst Town Council, among other roles.
In her words: “Approach historical work with a storyteller’s heart, cultivate meaningful connections, be adaptable to change, and harness your diverse skills to weave a narrative that empowers and uplifts communities.”
We’re always open to hear about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.