Company Profile:

UNACC's company officers are:

• Onkwe Tase - Founder
  
• Michael Taylor - CEO
• Roland Jerome - President
• Matthew Novak - Vice President
• Cynthia Martin - Business Director/Treasurer
• Lorena Novak - Secretary
• Nancy Amirault - Assisant Secretary
  
  

UNACC History:

UNACC's journey begins in 1990 when Onkwe Tase (Ed Guillmette) and Lame Wolf (Noe Guerra), respected Native American Elders and WWII Veterans, share a vision of a multi-cultural Native American and Veterans cultural center.

The search for a home began when they combined knowledge of Fort Devens' Military base closing, Native American rights, along with their shared concern of preserving our Native American History and Heritage. Onkwe Tase strategically hit selectman's offices and town meetings that were to be affected by the base closure and tirelessly solicited over a thousand support signatures. The relentless dedication of many Native Americans, along with general public support, kept UNACC earmarked for the P-5 building on the map of Deven's Re-Use Plan.

This grassroots effort, although passionate, lacked business, legal and financial backing necessary to play ball with the Federal, State and Defense Departments. We stood outside the fort with little chance of moving in. Early in 1994, this major obstacle and challenge was unselfishly met by another Native American Veteran, Michael Taylor. He quickly assessed the situation and brought us willing students through a journey that solidified UNACC by-laws and incorporation for our non-profit status. He met with a variety of government organizations including Military officials, cutting through the jungle of red-tape that produced an occupancy agreement for UNACC. UNACC moved to the 2nd floor of P-5 and granted LandBanks Marketing Center a 1 year lease of the 1st floor. LandBanks beautifully renovated, donated the construction upgrades and left as agreed in 1 year.

Throughout this entire process, the UNACC Board of Directors and members tirelessly and selflessly volunteered their time and efforts. Many fund-raisers and cultural enrichment programs have been launched to raise awareness and earn operating funds.

Once again, in the Fall of 2003, UNACC had to negotiate a permanent lease with Deven's new owners - MassDevelopment. We had to quickly rise to this new challenge and as history repeats itself, UNACC benefited from Mr. Taylor's generosity and expertise. Upon completion of a solid legal and corporate foundation, UNACC confidently began it's expansion by welcoming members of the community to it's permanent home at P-5, 29 Antietam Street, Devens, MA.

Our present Board of Directors and members have many unselfish, spirited years invested in the center. We are the first completely volunteer multi-tribal organization to successfully obtain and maintain a historical building from the United States Government. We stand proud in honor of our Native American peoples and all our U.S. Veterans. "Lest We Forget..."

Members have presented cultural programs at surrounding schools and to various groups, including ones in Ayer, Pepperell, Shirley, Leominster, Fitchburg, Groton, Billerica, Westford and Maynard. Members have worked on programs with Harvard University's Peabody Museum, the Peabody Museum of Archeology at Phillips Academy in Andover, the Parker Charter School, and the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA,

UNACC meets on Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 PM. All are welcome to attend the meetings. For more information on joining UNACC, please call us at the telephone number listed below.

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Our Mission:

The Center's mission is to be a positive place for peoples of all cultures to gather, share and educate one another. Essential to this endeavor is a program of cultural enrichment, education and whole life strategies for Native American people; a place to learn and teach our crafts, artwork, voices and traditional ways. We welcome the entire community to share in the various programs and cultural experiences which we offer.

UNACC Contact Information