#VoicesFromTheBarrens: Film & Discussion

Panel Discussion (via Zoom): Tuesday, October 7, at 6:00 PM (pre-registration required)

"Join us for an online screening of the documentary Voices From the Barrens followed by and a panel discussion with REACH #Wabanaki Wellness Coordinator, #BrianAltvater, filmmaker #NancyGhertner and other guests. The film will be available beginning Thursday, September 25, 2025 till the evening of the panel discussion on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

"Voices from the Barrens, #NativePeople, #Blueberries and #Sovereignty, documents the wild blueberry harvest of the Wabanaki #IndigenousPeople from the USA and Canada as the tribes are challenged to balance blueberry hand raking traditions with the economics of the world market. The documentary was filmed from 2014 to 2019 and was released in 2020. It has been part of nine film festivals, part of the Maine Public’s Film Series, and at many colleges and universities across Maine and New England.

"Pre-Registration to view the film and to participate in the online panel discussion is required, please sign up below. Registrants will receive a follow up email with instructions and a link to the film and event.

"For questions contact: Tom Reynolds treynolds@wabanakireach.org, 207-831-6980

"This event is free and open to the public. Contributions supporting our ongoing work are greatly appreciated.

"Nancy Ghertner, the film’s director, lives along Lake Ontario in New York. She was introduced to the Passamaquoddy at Sipayik while she was a student at Colby College where she was involved in a research project related to the tribal communities of Maine. She subsequently followed a path into the visual arts and has created numerous experimental and documentary films. Her 2011 feature documentary, 'After I Pick the Fruit' was screened at various film festivals and received a Documentary Achievement awards. 'Voices from the Barrens,' was started from Nancy’s research into agriculture labor across the international border."

FMI and to register:
https://www.wabanakireach.org/voices_from_the_barrens_film_discussion

#WabanakiREACH #WabanakiAlliance #WildBlueberries #MaineBlueberries #BlueberryHarvest #IndigenousSovereignty #FoodSovereignty #TraditionalHarvesting #TraditionalFoodSources #MaineEvents #BigAg

[Thread] The tickets for this event aren't cheap, but I hope they find some patrons to support the cause!

"The #WabanakiAlliance will host our third annual #Nihkaniyane: Let’s Go Forward Together event, a celebration of our friendships and alliances, from 5-7:30 PM on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Smith Center for Education and Research, Wolfe’s Neck Center, Freeport. Honorees will include John Banks and Brianne Lolar, both of the Penobscot Nation, and Emma Soctomah, of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk.

"The Wabanaki Alliance formed in 2020 when the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, #MikmaqNation, #PassamaquoddyTribe, and #PenobscotNation joined together to work to improve upon the 1980 Maine Indian Claims #SettlementAct (#MISCA) and educate the public on tribal histories and communities.

"Over the past five years, we have achieved significant milestones, demonstrating the power of persistent advocacy and strong partnerships. We have seen improved relations with the state government, fostering a more collaborative environment for dialogue and progress. Our bipartisan efforts have been crucial in building bridges across political divides, ensuring that the critical issues facing the Wabanaki Nations resonate with a broad spectrum of policymakers. These successes include advancing key legislation that strengthens tribal jurisdiction and increasing public understanding of Wabanaki inherent rights. We have laid essential groundwork, moving closer to true self-determination.

"This gathering is where we will celebrate our progress, discuss future strategies, and strengthen our collective voice. Donations will allow us to expand our advocacy efforts in Augusta and Washington D.C., and invest in community-led initiatives that focus on economic development, health, education, and cultural preservation within the Nations. The support will also help us reach wider audiences to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Wabanaki history, rights, and contributions, particularly through our upcoming community outreach initiatives."

FMI and to donate and/or purchase tickets:
https://www.wabanakialliance.com/nihkaniyane2025/

#MaineTribes #IndigenousPeople #IndigenousSovereignty #Dawnland #Wabanaki #MaineEvents

When it comes to standing up to #Trump, I laud #Maine Governor #JanetMills. But when it comes to #Wabanaki #Sovereignty, building wind terminals on undeveloped islands (#SearsIsland / #Wahsumkik ), destroying untouched forests to supply #WesternMass with electricity, or building highways through farmland (#MDOT), we definitely DO NOT always see eye-to-eye!

Governor opposed to latest change to #SettlementAct backed by #WabanakiNations

by Emma Davis
Wed, April 9, 2025

"Discussion of legislation to afford the Wabanaki Nations more authority over their land revealed that Gov. Janet Mills does not support the change, presenting a steep path for a plan that otherwise has bipartisan support.

"After not testifying during the public hearing last week, the governor’s counsel, Jerry Reid, told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that Mills’ concerns stem from the inability to predict the future needs of state government, an issue also raised in written testimony from the #MaineDepartmentOfTransportation, which was made available after the hearing.

"When pressed by committee members, Reid said he doesn’t have a specific example of an infrastructure project that would warrant seizing tribal land but that, 'We need to write the law mindful of the potential for problems.'

"While Reid and Wabanaki leaders noted that progress has and continues to be made to improve the relationship between the state and Wabanaki Nations, Reid added, 'the fact that we have such a good relationship right now might not always be true.'

"The U.S. government can seize private property for public use, a principle known as eminent domain, however that authority is restricted by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires just compensation for land taken, as well as some federal laws.

"The 1834 federal Indian Nonintercourse Act prohibited land transactions with tribes unless authorized by Congress. However, the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act specified that that federal law was not applicable to the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, the #PassamaquoddyTribe and the #PenobscotNation.

"This is the act that has overall resulted in the Tribes being treated more akin to #municipalities than #SovereignNations. So far, sweeping changes to the act have failed due to opposition from Mills, but the governor, lawmakers and Wabanaki leaders have successfully made some targeted adjustments, including expanding tribal authority to prosecute crimes last year.

"The legislation being considered this session, #LD958, would amend the Settlement Act to prohibit the state from exercising eminent domain on trust and reservation land, which is protected under federal law, though fee land — or private property for which the owner owns the title — would still be subject to the state taking.

"The bill would also amend the 2023 #MikmaqNationRestorationAct to make this change for the Mi’kmaq Nation, which wasn’t included in the Settlement Act.

"On Tuesday, the Taxation Committee unanimously voted in favor of a bill to ensure equal tax treatment among all of the Wabanaki Nations, which Mills supports. #LD982 would provide the #MikmaqNation the same rights to sales tax revenue on its land that the other three tribes of the Wabanaki Nations were granted in 2022 through an amendment to the Settlement Act.
State hasn’t exercised this authority in decades, but argues it’s necessary

"The state hasn’t exercised eminent domain over #TribalLands since the #SettlementAct. However, testimony from Wabanaki leaders and state government officials underscore that it is a possibility."

Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/governor-opposed-latest-change-settlement-185134791.html

#MaineSettlementAct #EminentDomain #LandTheft #FirstNations #WabanakiConfederancy
#MaineFirstNations #Maine #MainePol
#NativeAmericanNews #TribalSovereignty #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveTheForests #MainePol

Another #Nihkaniyane Honoree, #EmmaSoctomah, is the daughter of Elizabeth Neptune and #DonaldSoctomah -- Donald being another person I learned a lot from when I was covering the #MaineRivers conference! Emma is also the grandchild of renowned #Passamaquoddy #Basketmaker #MollyNeptuneParker.

"Emma Soctomah is a Passamaquoddy citizen of #Motahkomikuk and was the 2025 class valedictorian at University of Maine Machias,where she majored in psychology and community studies. She was an active participant in the college’s Kinap Mentorship Program, which creates both on- and off-campus programs aimed at bringing together #Wabanaki cultural values and Indigenous ways of knowing with Western education. She plans to continue working at the elementary school in Motahkomikuk and will pursue a master’s degree beginning in fall 2026. Soctomah is the daughter of Donald Soctomah and Elizabeth Neptune and the granddaughter of world renowned basketmaker Molly Neptune Parker. Soctomah is also a nationally recognized basketmaker and was among the first artists to receive an #AbbeMuseum Wabanaki #Artist Fellowship."

Learn more about Emma:
https://www.wabanakialliance.com/nihkaniyane2025-emmasoctomah/

#CulturalPreservation #PreservingHistory #IndigenousLanguage #IndigenousHistory #TraditionalArts #NativeAmericanArtists #valedictorian

Another 2025 #Nihkaniyane honoree -#BrianneLolar!

"Brianne Lolar is one of three individuals honored by the #WabanakiAlliance at the 2025 Nihkaniyane event. A citizen of the #PenobscotNation, Lolar is a beloved elementary school teacher who left the classroom four years ago to begin doing equally important work as the first #WabanakiStudies Specialist for the Maine Department of Education. In that work she is bringing voice and representation to the Wabanaki people through partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators and organizations who’ve been working together to achieve unmet goals and objectives of the 2001 requiring that #WabanakiHistory and culture be taught and integrated into the K-12 curriculum.

"A 2022 report from the Wabanaki Alliance, #AbbeMuseum, #ACLU of Maine, and Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission noted the law has not been implemented meaningfully across the state. Those findings and the work of a task force leading up to the report are what led Lolar to leave her 'happy place' of teaching in the classroom and enter the challenging give-and-take realm of state government where she’s been working on year-to-year contracts to help teachers and school districts fulfill the goals of the 2001 law.

" 'I knew I can’t complain about nothing being done if I’m not going to step up and sacrifice,' she says. 'My thinking was ‘It’s just a year and I’ll go back to teaching. It could go away again at any time. So I need to make the most of this opportunity.'

"Her sense of urgency motivated a 'can-do' approach that made sure yearly progress was being made to create a solid foundation for Wabanaki studies being taught across the entire state."

Read more:
https://www.wabanakialliance.com/nihkaniyane2025-briannelolar/

#WabanakiAlliance #Wabanaki #LanguagePreservation #WabanakiLanguage #CulturalPreservation #PreservingHistory #IndigenousLanguage #IndigenousHistory #Teachers

One of the folks I had the opportunity to talk to at a #MaineRivers conference some years ago was #PenobscotNation member #JohnBanks. So glad to see him being honored... He has been a tireless advocate for the #PenobscotRiver!

"Banks was the Penobscot Nation’s representative on the Maine-Indian State Tribal Commission from 1987 to 2021, making him its longest-serving member. He also served on many local, regional and national organization boards, including the National Tribal Environmental Council, Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, National Indian Policy Center, and the Tribal Operations Committee with the federal EPA.

"But arguably Banks’ most noteworthy accomplishment involves bringing a Wabanaki voice and leadership to the historic #PenobscotRiverRestorationProject (1999-2016) in which two dams nearest to the sea were removed and a stream-like bypass channel was completed around a third dam at Howland.

"Completed in 2016, the $63 million restoration project opened almost 2,000 miles of habitat for 11 species of sea-run fish that had been choked off from their spawning grounds for almost two centuries by dams across the river.

"Since then, the river has come back alive with millions of river herring joined by Atlantic salmon, shad, sturgeon and other species in numbers that hadn’t been seen on the Penobscot River for nearly two centuries. Laura Rose Day credits Banks with a key intervention in 2002, when it looked like negotiations that had been going on for three years between #EnvironmentalGroups and the #hydro company owner were about to collapse.

" '[John] asked for a few minutes,' she wrote in a 2014 Christian Science Monitor commentary recalling the moment. 'Removing an eagle feather from a cloth wrap, he circled the table, laying the feather on each shoulder. He reminded us that, no matter whom we served, we were also responsible for being the voice for all the creatures of the river – the birds, the fish, and all of the people as well. The common goal had to be the health of the river.' "

Read more:
https://www.wabanakialliance.com/nihkaniyane2025-johnbanks/

#WaterIsLife #WabanakiAlliance #Wabanaki #Nihkaniyane #MaineRivers #DamRemoval #RiverRestoration

[Thread] The tickets for this event aren't cheap, but I hope they find some patrons to support the cause!

"The #WabanakiAlliance will host our third annual #Nihkaniyane: Let’s Go Forward Together event, a celebration of our friendships and alliances, from 5-7:30 PM on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Smith Center for Education and Research, Wolfe’s Neck Center, Freeport. Honorees will include John Banks and Brianne Lolar, both of the Penobscot Nation, and Emma Soctomah, of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk.

"The Wabanaki Alliance formed in 2020 when the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, #MikmaqNation, #PassamaquoddyTribe, and #PenobscotNation joined together to work to improve upon the 1980 Maine Indian Claims #SettlementAct (#MISCA) and educate the public on tribal histories and communities.

"Over the past five years, we have achieved significant milestones, demonstrating the power of persistent advocacy and strong partnerships. We have seen improved relations with the state government, fostering a more collaborative environment for dialogue and progress. Our bipartisan efforts have been crucial in building bridges across political divides, ensuring that the critical issues facing the Wabanaki Nations resonate with a broad spectrum of policymakers. These successes include advancing key legislation that strengthens tribal jurisdiction and increasing public understanding of Wabanaki inherent rights. We have laid essential groundwork, moving closer to true self-determination.

"This gathering is where we will celebrate our progress, discuss future strategies, and strengthen our collective voice. Donations will allow us to expand our advocacy efforts in Augusta and Washington D.C., and invest in community-led initiatives that focus on economic development, health, education, and cultural preservation within the Nations. The support will also help us reach wider audiences to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Wabanaki history, rights, and contributions, particularly through our upcoming community outreach initiatives."

FMI and to donate and/or purchase tickets:
https://www.wabanakialliance.com/nihkaniyane2025/

#MaineTribes #IndigenousPeople #IndigenousSovereignty #Dawnland #Wabanaki #MaineEvents

#VoicesFromTheBarrens: Film & Discussion

Panel Discussion (via Zoom): Tuesday, October 7, at 6:00 PM (pre-registration required)

"Join us for an online screening of the documentary Voices From the Barrens followed by and a panel discussion with REACH #Wabanaki Wellness Coordinator, #BrianAltvater, filmmaker #NancyGhertner and other guests. The film will be available beginning Thursday, September 25, 2025 till the evening of the panel discussion on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

"Voices from the Barrens, #NativePeople, #Blueberries and #Sovereignty, documents the wild blueberry harvest of the Wabanaki #IndigenousPeople from the USA and Canada as the tribes are challenged to balance blueberry hand raking traditions with the economics of the world market. The documentary was filmed from 2014 to 2019 and was released in 2020. It has been part of nine film festivals, part of the Maine Public’s Film Series, and at many colleges and universities across Maine and New England.

"Pre-Registration to view the film and to participate in the online panel discussion is required, please sign up below. Registrants will receive a follow up email with instructions and a link to the film and event.

"For questions contact: Tom Reynolds treynolds@wabanakireach.org, 207-831-6980

"This event is free and open to the public. Contributions supporting our ongoing work are greatly appreciated.

"Nancy Ghertner, the film’s director, lives along Lake Ontario in New York. She was introduced to the Passamaquoddy at Sipayik while she was a student at Colby College where she was involved in a research project related to the tribal communities of Maine. She subsequently followed a path into the visual arts and has created numerous experimental and documentary films. Her 2011 feature documentary, 'After I Pick the Fruit' was screened at various film festivals and received a Documentary Achievement awards. 'Voices from the Barrens,' was started from Nancy’s research into agriculture labor across the international border."

FMI and to register:
https://www.wabanakireach.org/voices_from_the_barrens_film_discussion

#WabanakiREACH #WabanakiAlliance #WildBlueberries #MaineBlueberries #BlueberryHarvest #IndigenousSovereignty #FoodSovereignty #TraditionalHarvesting #TraditionalFoodSources #MaineEvents #BigAg

When it comes to standing up to #Trump, I laud #Maine Governor #JanetMills. But when it comes to #Wabanaki #Sovereignty, building wind terminals on undeveloped islands (#SearsIsland / #Wahsumkik ), destroying untouched forests to supply #WesternMass with electricity, or building highways through farmland (#MDOT), we definitely DO NOT always see eye-to-eye!

Governor opposed to latest change to #SettlementAct backed by #WabanakiNations

by Emma Davis
Wed, April 9, 2025

"Discussion of legislation to afford the Wabanaki Nations more authority over their land revealed that Gov. Janet Mills does not support the change, presenting a steep path for a plan that otherwise has bipartisan support.

"After not testifying during the public hearing last week, the governor’s counsel, Jerry Reid, told the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that Mills’ concerns stem from the inability to predict the future needs of state government, an issue also raised in written testimony from the #MaineDepartmentOfTransportation, which was made available after the hearing.

"When pressed by committee members, Reid said he doesn’t have a specific example of an infrastructure project that would warrant seizing tribal land but that, 'We need to write the law mindful of the potential for problems.'

"While Reid and Wabanaki leaders noted that progress has and continues to be made to improve the relationship between the state and Wabanaki Nations, Reid added, 'the fact that we have such a good relationship right now might not always be true.'

"The U.S. government can seize private property for public use, a principle known as eminent domain, however that authority is restricted by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires just compensation for land taken, as well as some federal laws.

"The 1834 federal Indian Nonintercourse Act prohibited land transactions with tribes unless authorized by Congress. However, the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act specified that that federal law was not applicable to the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, the #PassamaquoddyTribe and the #PenobscotNation.

"This is the act that has overall resulted in the Tribes being treated more akin to #municipalities than #SovereignNations. So far, sweeping changes to the act have failed due to opposition from Mills, but the governor, lawmakers and Wabanaki leaders have successfully made some targeted adjustments, including expanding tribal authority to prosecute crimes last year.

"The legislation being considered this session, #LD958, would amend the Settlement Act to prohibit the state from exercising eminent domain on trust and reservation land, which is protected under federal law, though fee land — or private property for which the owner owns the title — would still be subject to the state taking.

"The bill would also amend the 2023 #MikmaqNationRestorationAct to make this change for the Mi’kmaq Nation, which wasn’t included in the Settlement Act.

"On Tuesday, the Taxation Committee unanimously voted in favor of a bill to ensure equal tax treatment among all of the Wabanaki Nations, which Mills supports. #LD982 would provide the #MikmaqNation the same rights to sales tax revenue on its land that the other three tribes of the Wabanaki Nations were granted in 2022 through an amendment to the Settlement Act.
State hasn’t exercised this authority in decades, but argues it’s necessary

"The state hasn’t exercised eminent domain over #TribalLands since the #SettlementAct. However, testimony from Wabanaki leaders and state government officials underscore that it is a possibility."

Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/governor-opposed-latest-change-settlement-185134791.html

#MaineSettlementAct #EminentDomain #LandTheft #FirstNations #WabanakiConfederancy
#MaineFirstNations #Maine #MainePol
#NativeAmericanNews #TribalSovereignty #SaveSmilingHillFarm #SaveTheForests #MainePol