On 9/9, Wabanaki Alliance will be holding a panel discussion: "Wabanaki Tribal Sovereignty in Maine", moderated by Dr. Darren Ranco, Chair of Native American Programs at UMaine.
Join us on 9/9 at the Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardner, for an informative evening - We'll see you there!
This past weekend, Hon. Donna Loring, a Penobscot Nation tribal elder and Vice President of the Wabanaki Alliance, had an opinion piece published in the Portland Press Herald, “Understanding the role of the Wabanaki Alliance”:
www.pressherald.com/2025/08/16/u...
We are holding close in our hearts all of those who knew and loved Elizabeth Sockbeson, a highly respected matriarch, Penobscot Nation Elder and community leader who passed away 8/3 on Indian Island where she was born.
Read our tribute to Elizabeth here: www.wabanakialliance.com/elizabeth-so...
Check out the most recent Wabanaki Voices column in the Bangor Daily News:
“On Wabanaki priorities, the Maine Legislature gets an incomplete grade”
www.wabanakialliance.com/on-wabanaki-...
Come join us for a tasty fundraiser at Lone Pine Brewing Company in Portland, tomorrow from 1pm to 7pm, with Black Salt Catering!
Reuben “Butch” Phillips, a Penobscot Nation elder, former government official, and spiritual leader died late Sunday night at a Bangor hospital surrounded by his family.
For more about Butch Phillips life and legacy, see the Wabanaki Alliance website: wabanakialliance.com
In a recent Op-ed published by the BDN, Maulian Bryant (Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance and former Penobscot Nation Ambassador) lays out the substantive case that “Out-of-state waste is fueling environmental injustice to Penobscot Nation”:
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/06/11/o...
This was a talk on Wabanaki peoples’ continuing relationships with the waters that sustain life in the region, and included a collaboration between them on “Song of the Watersheds”, a poetic/photographic reflection on what it means to consider “all our relations” when we think about a river.
In the last month, a presentation was given by Wolastoqey artist and activist Mihku Paul, along with journalist and photographer Jim McCarthy at the Topsham Public Library, entitled “Applying Wabanaki Wisdom to our Watersheds”:
bit.ly/4jWBonK
Contact your State Senator and the members of the Appropriations Committee and ask them to fund these important bills!
If you visit our Call to Action on LD 1474, you will find contact information for the Appropriations Committee, and a list of the members in both the ME House and ME Senate.
LD 1202 “An Act to Establish the African American Studies Advisory Council and Provide Funding to Support African American Studies” and LD 1474 “An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools” have both passed the House, and are placed in Appropriations, awaiting funding.
In the ME legislature, there are ongoing efforts to ensure that both Wabanaki and African American studies are properly taught in ME schools. This is already required by long standing law in the state of ME, but these laws have taken decades to implement, having never received the necessary funding.
Part of this important work includes ensuring that this shared history is integrated fully and honestly into the ME curriculum. Many misconceptions and falsehoods can be corrected if we collectively work to better educate ourselves and our students about the history of ALL peoples in this country.
Today is Juneteenth!
This is a day to commemorate and celebrate the ending of slavery in the United States, as well as a time to ready ourselves to work in solidarity toward a more just world, in light of our shared history.
“The bill this session ultimately becoming law is not yet guaranteed. It has several associated costs, which means it’s likely to go to the appropriations table, where bills with fiscal notes that are not already provided for have to vie for funding.”
mainemorningstar.com/briefs/equal...
LD 982 An Act to Establish Equal Tax Treatment for the Mi'kmaq Nation passed the ME Legis., which would exempt Mi’kmaq Nation from state sales & income tax on tribal trust or reservation lands & allow for sales tax revenues from sales on Mi'kmaq lands (the same rights as the other Wabanaki Nations).
THIS Saturday, June 21, join the Penobscot Nation and many partner organizations in The Walk to Honor Wabanaki Veterans, as we make our way on a 6-mile walk from Orono to Indian Island!
You can learn more about the day's events and register to participate here:
www.walkwhere.org/orono
LD 958 “An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands" has passed the Maine Senate by a vote of 20 to 12!
The bill is now on to the desk of Governor Mills. We encourage folks to reach out to the Governor’s office and urge her to sign LD 958 into law!
If you’re unsure who your State Senator is, you can look up your district and find more information here: www.maine.gov/portal/gover...
AND you can learn more about the bill and why it matters here: www.wabanakialliance.com/support-ld958/
LD 958 "An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands" has passed in the Maine House, by a vote of 86-60!
The bill will now go on to the Maine State Senate for a vote. We’ll keep folks updated, but if you can call your State Senator and encourage them to vote for LD 958, now is the time!
New PPH op-ed from Alex Kane, an aspiring educator and recent Maine grad: "Wabanaki studies law must be enforced in Maine schools”, for LD 1474.
“Knowledge is power and power means responsibility. Let’s show our students what responsibility really looks like.”
www.pressherald.com/2025/05/28/w...
Wabanaki Windows, the podcast hosted by Hon. Donna Loring, has won a national award: the 2025 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media, receiving Best in Category for Racial Justice and Civil Rights Programming.
Check out the podcast here: www.wabanakialliance.com/wabanaki-win...
(Photo: The newly sworn-in HBMI Rep. Brian Reynolds seated next to Passamaquoddy Rep. Aaron Dana; Credit: Jim McCarthy)
After leaving the position vacant since 2018, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has appointed a new Tribal Representative to the ME legislature!
Brian Reynolds, who has served his Nation for decades as Tribal Administrator and as a Tribal Councilor, was sworn in on 5/14.
More here: bit.ly/3SS9KgR
The BDN's latest Wabanaki Voices column is out!
“How land claims settlement has harmed tribes in Maine” was authored by Hon. Donna Loring (Penobscot Nation elder, former Penobscot Nation Tribal Rep, and current Wabanaki Alliance board member).
Read it here: www.wabanakialliance.com/bdn-column-m...
The Wabanaki Alliance Tribal Coalition always shows up in a strong way, and we look forward to the next one!
Spirits were high today, and our 60+ attendees had LOTS of meaningful conversations with their legislators and each other about LD 958 “An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands”, and about Wabanaki self-determination in general.
Thank you to everyone who showed up for a super successful day of lobbying and community at the State House this sunny Wednesday morning!
EDIT: The first post should say "Wednesday (5/14)", not 5/12.
With so many enthusiastic folks ready to come out, we can still make this a valuable experience for all, and show up in support of some important bills.
Registration is still available to attend here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1L_W...
We'll be in touch soon with more information!
We have some news to share:
The State of the Tribes Address has been postponed to next year.
HOWEVER, we have some great momentum building toward our lobby day this Wednesday (5/12), & we still intend to get together with you all and advocate for justice and fairness for the Wabanaki Nations.
