Author: Maulian Dana
Maulian Dana is Tribal Ambassador for the Penobscot Indian Nation.
The highly-acclaimed Emmy award winning film “Dawnland” documented the Maine Truth and Reconciliation Commission process that interviewed Wabanaki survivors of the foster care system in Maine that stole children from their homes and communities to place them in non-native foster homes. These foster homes were often abusive, traumatic, and dangerous—on top of the trauma of…
In the first session of the 129th Maine Legislature, lawmakers took up a bill submitted by Rep. Benjamin Collings of Portland on request of myself, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador, to change the second Monday in October from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. The bill was passed largely along party lines in both chambers and…
In my capacity as Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador, I had the honor and privilege of attending the first ever Frank LeMere Forum for Presidential Candidates on Native American Issues held in Sioux City, Iowa on Aug. 19 and 20. Invitations were sent to all those running for U.S. President and the following candidates presented either…
I have never felt safe around guns. I grew up around them because my father is a hunter. Harvesting wild game is a central part of keeping our ancestral ties alive and, as Indigenous people, it is part of maintaining our role as stewards of Mother Earth. My father hunted moose and deer. I have…
Below is a statement by Maulian Dana, tribal ambassador for Penobscot Nation, delivered on the floor of the Maine House on Tuesday by Rep. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Portland) before members voted 88-51 on a bill to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. The bill now goes before the Maine Senate. The Penobscot Nation is…
On Jan. 30, the state Environmental and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation for Governor Janet Mills’ nominee for commissioner of environmental protection, Jerry Reid. Below is the written testimony submitted by Ambassador Maulian Dana of the Penobscot Nation on behalf of the Nation. Dear Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and honorable members of the committee,…
It seems that a standard part of the elementary school experience is to celebrate Thanksgiving by talking turkeys, pilgrims and the kind-hearted Indians that helped the immigrants survive the harsh New England pre-winter by showing them how to live off the land and nourish their tired, religious-freedom-seeking masses. History is indeed written by the winners…
My children had a lockdown drill at school last week. I am thankful that these steps are being taken and that in the event a tragedy occurs the kids and teachers have a plan to try to save lives and minimize tragedy. However, hearing my 9- and 11- year-olds talk about the details of moving…
Earlier this month, the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce announced a town-wide game of “Hunt the Indian.” The fact that anyone could have possibly thought this was a fun and socially-acceptable activity (or didn’t care how deeply offensive it actually was) shows how much context is still lacking from our conversations about the treatment of…