Oral history interview with Iakowi:he'ne Oakes, 2020
Abstract
In the first session, Melissa Oakes describes her experiences during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, including her journey home to Akwesane from Las Vegas, where she had been attending a conference. Most of the session focuses on her then-virtual service to New York City's Indigenous community as executive director of American Indian Community House (AICH). In this second session, Oakes analyzes the challenges facing her as director of the American Indian Community House, including lack of support from people in positions of power. Other topics addressed include the Manhatta-fund, COVID relief boxes, collaborations with other Indigenous organizations, Climate Justice Through Racial Justice action, and her daughters. She also discusses issues around granting entities allocating funds to impostors or diluting parameters of funds for Indigenous groups
Executives; COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-; COVID-19 (Disease)--Social Aspects; Epidemics--Social Aspects; Work-life balance; Food relief; Fund raising; Indians of North America--New York (State); United States Race relations 21st century; Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne; Oakes, Melissa, 1979-; American Indian Community House (New York, N.Y.)
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2020
Physical Description
71 pages
Note (Biographical)
Melissa Oakes, who is also known as Iakowi:he'ne Oakes, is the executive director at the American Indian Community House and a member of the Snipe Clan. She is also a mother, organizer, advocate, activist, creator, innovator, and designer. Oakes lives in Brooklyn and Akwesasne Mohawk Territory
Note
Interviewed by Sara Sinclair on May 25 and November 20, 2020
Note (Provenance)
Melissa Oakes, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023