Indigenous Empowerment CENTER
Learn About IEC!
Our Mission
Established in 2016, Tomaquag's Indigenous Empowerment Center (IEC) strives to eradicate poverty in the Indigenous Community of Rhode Island through education, cultural competency, job training, employment, small business incubation, addressing social justice, and building equity through Tomaquag Museum and our ever-expanding network of partners. IEC is ever-changing in its function and ability to fit the needs of the community it serves. It is based on mutual learning with a long-term goal of being a model for other culturally specific/tribal museums on how they can effect change in their community through empowerment utilizing education, job training, and jobs as a catalyst.
Meet Samantha Cullen-Fry & the IEC Team!
Tomaquag Museum’s Indigenous Empowerment Manager
Samantha Cullen-Fry
As the Indigenous Empowerment Manager, Samantha’s role is to help facilitate relationships, through museum partnerships that create a catalyst for economic change within the Native Community of Rhode Island. These partnerships focus on the various areas of interest in the community, including theater, community-led initiatives, education, business development, entrepreneurship, and many others. The creation of IEC was a calling for her to get back into the workforce and make a meaningful difference in her community through social justice and activism lens.
Read What People Have to Say About IEC!
“I also want to offer my appreciation for the vitally important work that you do at Tomaquag and beyond. I've been keeping up with all your efforts and they are nothing short of incredible! Congratulations and thank you!”
Warmly, Barbara
*SPECIAL THANKS*
Tomaquag Museum would like to give a special thanks to our 2022 sponsors for helping us achieve our goals 0f through our Indigenous Empowerment Network. We thank the Papitto Opportunity Connection, Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, RICH, RICHARG, and URI.
Taûbotne anawáyean (Thank you)!