Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines, Jr.

Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines, Jr., is a citizen of the Nipmuc people. He serves as a cultural steward for his Tribe, 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. Andre's work focuses on sharing his traditional teachings and cultural practices with 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 Native Land Conservancy (www.nativelandconservancy.org)and actively works alongside of various landtrust to create cultrual inventory reports and fights to make the LandBack movement visible. Andre is also the founder and creative director of (www.noloosebraids.com)(@No_Loose_Braids) (https://linktr.ee/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 force that keeps Andre ever diligent on his daily journey.