Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a time to honor the history, cultures and resilience of Indigenous communities while recognizing their ongoing contributions and fight for tribal sovereignty. This year, communities across Maine are hosting celebrations, film screenings, art activities and cultural performances in honor of the holiday on Monday, Oct. 12. We’ve rounded up several events…
While testifying at a House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on missing and murdered indigenous women, incoming Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance and Penobscot Nation member Maulian Bryant recalled her own experience with domestic violence. “A man once looked me in the eye and said, ‘I could kill you right here,…
Maulian Bryant says she has been on the journey to leading the Wabanaki Alliance for most of her life. Bryant grew up in the fight for tribal self-determination. She’s the daughter of former Penobscot Nation Chief Barry Dana, and great niece of Donna Loring, who was tribal representative in the Maine legislature, Penobscot tribal council…
Hundreds of Mainers joined members of the Wabanaki Alliance at a rally at the State House on Indigenous People’s Day to support Question 6, a referendum question that the tribes say make clearer Maine’s treaty obligations to Maine’s Indigenous people. Question 6 on the November ballot asks whether voters support requiring “that all of the…
Tribal members and supporters will rally outside the Maine State House in Augusta on Indigenous People’s Day for Wabanaki self-determination and transparency around Maine’s treaty obligations toward tribal nations. The rally, organized by the Wabanaki Alliance, a coalition that includes representatives from hundreds of organizations and businesses that support Wabanaki inherent sovereignty, will start at…
Maine’s November ballot will be busy, with eight measures for voters to consider, including a high-profile question about whether to replace the state’s embattled investor-owned utility companies, Central Maine Power and Versant, with a consumer-owned model. Last week, the Secretary of State’s Office released the order of referendum questions that Mainers will weigh in November,…
Despite hundreds and hundreds of people lining the halls of the State House in strong support of the Wabanaki nations, the Maine House on Thursday failed to muster the votes to overturn Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of a far-reaching tribal rights measure in a significant setback for efforts to reinforce Indigenous sovereignty. Lawmakers were voting…
Gov. Janet Mills on Friday vetoed the most significant tribal rights measure this session, a bipartisan bill that would allow the Wabanaki to access past and future federal laws meant to benefit Indigenous nations. Tribal leaders blasted the Democratic governor for her inflexible opposition to recognizing tribal rights in the face of widespread support. They…
Wabanaki leaders are praising a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), saying the decision is significant for the wellbeing of kids and the principle of tribal sovereignty. Because of its importance, tribal leaders and lawmakers are hoping to pass a bill to codify the civil rights statute into Maine law. …
The best chance this legislative session to advance Wabanaki rights and enhance tribal sovereignty is still pending as lawmakers on Tuesday delayed taking action. Amid opposition to the measure from Gov. Janet Mills, members of the Judiciary Committee said they wanted more time to consider the proposal. The bill, LD 2004, is sponsored by House…