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MARC H 1967
APR
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PENOBSCOTS DEPLORE PROPOSED
INDIAN AFFAIRS BUDGET C UT
gf
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ans on t he Penobsc ot R e s erv nion h ope t h a t t h e Le gislature will not approve G ov. Kenne t h M . Cur t is' re commended cnr. in the
propose d bud ge t of the D e partme n t o f Ind ian A f f airs.
T he Indians we re op t imis t ic a ye ar ago when the ir own d e par tme n t
was cre a t e d .
"We w orke d long and hard f or this , " accor ding t o Pe n obs c o t Tribal
G ov. J ohn M . Mi tche ll .
Maine is t h e only s t a t e in the coun try t o have a S t a t e D e part me n t
'of Indian Affairs. C on gre s s i onal d e l e gate� and tribe s f r om o t he r s t a t e s
have alre ady e xpre s s e d a n i n t e r e s t i n t h is new appr o a c h t o Indian Af f airs.
Some fe de ral officials are als o v e ry in t ere s t e d in d e v e l o pme n t s in Maine .
It was the inten t of the new d e partme n t t o impr ove c on di t i on s on the
re s e rv a t i ons , in par t , by c r e a t i n g p os i t i ons f or the Indian whi c h w ou l d
b o t h help w i th govern i n g the tribe s a n d t o b o o s t e c o n omy .
O t he r propos e d pos it ions , s u c h as a h ousi ng and c on s t ruc t i on o f f i c e r ,
w ou l d be e s s e n tial if a .h ous i n g pr o gram were t o be adminis t e r e d on any o f
t he re s e rv a t i ons .
T h e fe deral gover nme n t w o u l d fund s uch a pro gram and
t he s ta t e would pay admin is tra t i o n and re la t e d s ervice s .
Indian Affairs C ommis s i on e r Edward C . Hinckle y has said that his d e
par t m e n t h a s b e e n l imi t e d 'by a relat iv e ly smal l budge t t o · t r e a t i n g on ly
"sympt oms" o f t h e problem d uring the :fir s t ye ar .
.
T r ibal leaders declare that it would be imposs ible f or the d e par t
me n t to f unct i o n as m·iginally intePcl'ed. ; i f t h e· Le gis l� t ure approve s t he
stc:1.t.e 's L'ecommcwlcd cut s.
S ome o f the d e par tment 1 � r e que s t s in t he Par t
lI lmdget ( ope rat ing f unds f o r improveme n t s and e xpans i on of s e rvi c e s )
·have be e n cut 100 per ce n t .
Erne s t Gos lin , Pen obscot Tribal C ouncil membe r , poin t e d out t ha t
"the salar ie s o f t h e commis s ion e r , t w o agen t s , an d a s e cre t ary , as we l l
a s office e quipme nt, t e leph one , and t ravel expense s a l l c ome from the
appropriat i on . S o de re gu lar s e rv ice s s uch as f ire pro t e ct i on , plowi n g
a n d rubbish remova l. T h i s d oe s d e p le t e the appr opriat ion s omewha t . "
According t o Triba l Gove rn o r Mitc�ell , 11t he s t at e bud ge t re c omme n da
t i ons so cut the D e partment ot Indian A f fairs' pr opo s e d•bud ge t t h a t i t
woul d be d ifficult for the departme n t t o maint.ajn e xisting s erv ice s , much
l e s s to do anything n e w.
Le gislat ive approval of t h e pr opo s e d bud ge t cut
would d e ny the Indian a j us t place in s oc ie ty, With an inade qua te bud
ge t
t he Indian mus t e n dure the embarras sment t h a t he is a ward und e r a
t rus tee ,
rather t han a be n e ficiary to a trus t. How, t h e n , can the image
o f the
Indian as a pe rpetual failure be e rase d?"
( Con tinue d on Page 2)
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PENOBSCOTS DEPLORE
C UT
( Continued f r om Page 1 )
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Mitc hell n o tes t ha t a n exten s i on o f the present water a n d sewer lines
and the c ons truct i on: of a c ommu n i ty bui ldin g are to_p pr i o r ity i terns ·f or
t he resictents o f the PenobRc ot R�servation .
There are presently 11 h omes w ith nei t her water nor sewerage d i s p o s al .
S ome o f these f am ilie s c urry water f r om a "fau cet house" .
T here is al
a wel l from whi c h five famj.lies draw water.
In addi t i on t o rel ieving
hardship f or these people , Mit c he l l p oints o u t that a new l ine would make
ava i l ab le new h o use l ots . F urthermore, t here are only f our.£ire hydran t s
on t h e is land , wh i c h is three and one-hal f mi les � n c ir c um feren ce. One
hydrant in the Oak H i l l area serves 24 h omes . T his is an obvious s a fety
h a z zar d .
Pen obs c ot Reservation water and sewerage is listed qui te h i gh �n t he
over a l l state c onstr u c ti on budget .
I f i t remains in this pos iti on, ther.e
is a g o o d c hance that the pr o j ect wi ll b e f un ded .
On the other hand, c on
s t r u c ti on of a c ommunity bu i ld i n g is a very l ow pr o j ect in t he overa l l
bud get and i t i s extremely unlikely that funds wi l l b e avai lable i f the
cut is approved .
Pen obs c ot Indians want a new buildin g t o replace the o l d T ribal Ha l l .
T he T r iba l H a l l presen t ly serves the c ommunity f or numer ous func t i ons .
Monthly c ounc i l meetings , genera l meetin gs, c h u r c h ga t her in gs, weddings ,
dan c es, and va rious you th ac tivities are a l l held there .
It would be a
t remend ous as set t o the c ommun i t y to have pleasant and modern s ur r oundings
f o r these func t i ons .
Fur t hermore , a n.ew bui lding c ould be a base f or �r o grams and improve
ments whi c h Mit c hell hopes to init iate d uring his term as govern o r .
In h i s inagura l ad dres s , ii t c he l l c i ted the need for a better you t h pro
gram and a c entra l o f f i ce f or t r ibal rec ords and statistic s . He envi s ions
a new building t h a t w ou ld make satis faction of these needs pos s ible and
serve t he c ommu n i t y in other ways as wel l .
A c ommun i t y building c ou ld be a center f or youth a c tivities o f a
s c ale and nat u re n o t pr acti c a l in t he o l d hal l . A c entr a l o f f i c e where
treatias and other d o c ument s w o u l d be preserved and open to inspec t i on
c ou l d be h oused in t he bui l d ing.
Presently s u c h papers are in t he possess
i on o f pas t and presen t t ribal o f f i c ials and s t ored, in s ome c ases, in
c ardboard b oxes .
A sec t i on o f the bui lding c ou ld c on t ain an I ndian museum .
Many va l
uable reli c s are f ound l o c ally and s ol d out of s t ate . S u c h artifac ts
c ou ld be purchased , ins tead, by t he t r ibe and displayed.
The d on ati on
t o the t r ibe of at leas t one f ine Ind ian rel i c c ol lection h as· been dec l in
e. d bec a use o f l a c k of f a c i l ities .
Mitchell emphasizes that the c reation
o f s u c h a museum w ou l d be a great help to s h ops on the i s land , and a lso
a t ou r i s t a ttrac t i on for the wh o le state .
A l ibrary w o u l d be an o t her p os s ibi l i t y .
Here again, it has been ne
c es s ary t o refuse o f fers o f bo oks .
( A p h o t ograph ac c ompan ied this ar t i c le w h i c h sh owed S tephen Paul
leavin g t he " fa u c e t h o use" at Pen obs c ot Ind ian Reservat i on at O l d T own ,
a fter d r awin g water f or h i s f ami ly . T he faucet serves s ix f amil ies . )
( Fr �m t he:Portland S unday T elegram, Mar c h 12, 1967, A r e a C or resp on d
en t , C harlene M . H a ll)
o
is by not Beck, order your for (See�
INDIANItTALES,stillHoracetooP. late. tofrom athereviewcopy of GLUSI<AP THE LIAR & OTHER
of this
Indian Newsletter, Vol. I, !-!o for Newsletter, book.)
6,
$5 . 95.
�FTiASH - FL.A.SH - FLASH - FLASH - FLASH .- . FLApH - FLASH - FLASH - FIASH - FLASH
Freeport
-
LATE EDITORIAL NEWS
the arrival of
WILLD.M QUTIJCY
Cn !t:arch 24th, Editor Eugenia Th o::np s o n reports
THOMPSON, checking in at 8 pounds, 15 ounceslU11
EDI TORIALS
THE JviAINE IND IAN NEJ'JSLETTER
EDITOR
E UGEN IA T. THOMPSON
( Pen obs c o t )
The Maine Ind ian News let t er is Maine'G only state-w�de Indj�n ncwBl����r ,
and is free o f c harge.
I
News an d s t ories may be submi t t ed t o the New s le t ter by t he 15th o f eac h
mon t h f or pub l i c at ion at the f ollowing address:
Pine St reet
Freeport, Maine 04032
(Teleph one:
865-4253)
Let t ers t o the· Ed i t or are wel c ome but mus t c on f orm t o the rules
required by every newspaper .
T hey mus t bear t he writer ' s c orre c t name
and addres s alth ough pen names are perwi t tcd at t he discre t i o n o f t he
E d i t or. All let t ers mus t be signed th ough names will be w i thheld from
publ i cat i on on req ues t . Preferen ce wi ll be given to let ters n o t over 350
w ords in len gt h .
Let ters are sub jec t t o c ondensat i on or e d i t i n g when
s pace l imi tat i ons require and to c orrec t i on of gr�mmer or o b v i ous err ors.
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ED ITOR IAL
The New s le t ter submi t s that it was un t h inki ng and unreasonable t o
reduce the Ind i�n Af fairs (.art I I ) and C on s t ru c t i o n budge t s from �263,315
t o $60,000 f or the next t w o years .
�e feel t hat our Indians s h ould n o t
take a back seat t o s u c h a " c u t "
We feel t hat o ur I ndians are people who s h o uld be given the same
advan tages as o t her c i t i zens.
It is true th�t the s tate has a treat y wit h
i t s Ind ians t o �rov ide certain serv i ces, sut�as heal t h , educat ion,
and welfare , but this s h o uld n o t mean the Ind ian would carry t he sarue
burden as a welfare recepien t . The Indians are a se gmen t o f o ur pop
u la t i on wh o have iden t i f iable problems whic h , even if they were n o t I n
d ian , s h o uld c on cern us , and whi c h should bear tendi n g. T hese iden t i
f iable problems are lac k o f running wat er , lac k of sewerage s ys tetas ,
. lack o f adequate p olice and f ire pro tec t i o n , lac k o f adequate h ous i ng,
things whi c h mo s t :Maine c i t izens take f or gran ted .
Wh i le we ought t o give bac k t o t he Ind ian measure f or £Lteasure, we
s urely can make a s tart in prov i ding f unds f or the3e pro jec t s .
Neces sary
t o man t hese pro j e c t s are:
Hous ing and C on s t ruc t ion Offi cer , So c ial �ork
er II , t w o Ac c ount C lerk I ' s , S o c ial �·welfare O f f i cer , and Ec on omi c ·a nd
Human Devel opment Of ficer, Many of t he needs o f the I nd ians w�ll be
lef t un f u l f i lled and uncared f or as l ong as we put �ff providing t he
people neces sary t o train and as s i s t our In dians to re-develop t heir
as well as o ur own heritage .
Many o f the I nd ian neeJs are n o t merely f inanc ial , yet t he ohly way
t h. e se needs will ever be met is by our spend in · . en ough rnoney t o prov i de
t he kind o f people t o s o lve t hese problems . A s �all �art o f t he .bud get
.( $2500) is t o pro v ide f or an i n c rease in the C 0Illli1 iss i.Jner ' s salary. We
feel t h i s is necessary because we s h o uld n o t expec t anyone t o s tay on
w i t h o u t t hi s t ype o f in cent ive . Any bus inessman would agree t o t h is ,
(Cont inue d on· Page 4 )
I'm s ure.
AN
•
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( An E d i t or i a l c on t ' d f r om page 3)
We r e a lize t hat the Le gis la t ive C om it t e e on ·Appropr ia tions raa;t n o t
f e e l t h e y c an r e in s t a t e t h e wh o l e Indian Af fairs budge t a s it should be ,
h oweve r , even t h o ugh t he D e pa r t me n t of I ndian Af fairs is a swa l l
d e pa r t me n t, i t s budge t s h o u l d be given the same c onsid e r ation a s w i l l be
g ive n t h e o t h e r s t a t e d e partme n t a l budge t s . hs mueh as p o s s ible s h o u l d
b e r e ins t at e d i n the I nd ian budge t i f the progr e s sive beginn ing Jade b y
t h e 102nd Le'gis la t ure is t o be c on t inue d.
Th e I n dians in Maine w i l l c ont inue to draw a t t e n t i on to the S t a t e ;
we f e e l t hat r e ins t a ting t h e budge t will e nable the I ndians t o impr ove
t he ir l o t and w i l l bring the r igh t kind of public i t y to the s t a t e
•
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GUEST ED ITORIAL
Th e w o r d " Pove r ty" has be e n p opular ize d by The G r e a t S o c i e ty, ye t a
c opper-co l ored pe ople who o n c e r oame d wit hout r e s t rain t t h i s vast are a
w e r e cognize as a �epublic , f e l t the pangs of pove r t y as have n o o t h e r
pe ople , who a c q uir e d their plight b y t h e a c quisition o f t h e i r lan ds and
u11j11"'t e xploj tation.
Th e minds o f many are be c oming e n ligh t e ned by our nat i onal t re a tment
o f the Ame r i c an Ab origine s .
H e r e and t h e r e have be e n champions who have
made e l o q u e n t appe als in be ha l f of t he R e d B r o the r .
Any one reading
the bril lian t ly writ t e n "Br oke n Pe a c e Pipe s " re c ognizes in the a u t h o r
a c hampi o n o f t h e Indian .
To r e a l l y be a u t i f y Ame r i c a , le t us first r e c tify our r e s e rvation
e r r ors, by giving aid as boun ifully and trus t f ul ly as we do abr o ad , t o
Indian l e ade r s , that ThRY a t t h e ir descre tion use s u c h t o re s t ore
r e se rvat i ons to places o f s u ffic ienc y and s e c u r i t y for t h o s e c on c e rn e d .
T-, IS we ow e TJlEM .
�e s ho u ld be pr oud the Ind ian d e s i r e s t o ke e p his ide n t i t y , f o r he
t r u l y is the f i rst Ame r i c an , do we wish to e x c lude him f r om t hat whi c h
h e is d e servlng because o f th i s?
Th e r e is talk o f termi na t i o n , again be ing the right f u l _iune r i c an ,
s ha l l we r e fuse t h e Indian , his fre e dom o f c h oi c e ?
- P o c ahon t as Hagy
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C ONS TRUCTION OF PAVILI ON MOVES 1-.h.EAD
Th e Indians of C anada Pavi lion is quic kly t�king shape and n e a ring
c omple t i on.
Th e s t yl iz e d t e e-pee is n ow c ompl e t e ly e n c l o s e d and basic c arpe ntry
on the in s ide i s finishe d .
Land s c aping i s 60% c ompl e te and i t wi l l be fini shed by e a r l y spring.
Mur a ls a r e t o be pain t e d by Ind ian artis t s f r om a c r o s s C an ada on the
o u t s id e walls a t t h e ba s e of t h e t e e -pe e.
The paint ings are to be finished
i n t ime f or the o p e ning of Expo 67.
Th e s i t e o f our pavili on is a par t icularly good one as it is f l anke d
on one side by the Unit ed Nations Favilion and the Canada Pavi lion on
t he o t h e r .
.
A mon o-ra i l , p o s s ibly the f i r s t of i t s kind in C a nada , wi l l pass our
Be yond the·mon o-ra i l lie s the
p avilion on the o t h e r s ide of t he s t r e e t .
S t . Lawre n c e River with the Mont r e a l skyline f orming a spe c t a c u lar ba c k
g r o und .
( Th e Indian Ne ws, Ottawa, Ontari o, D e c �, 1966)
·
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MAINE INDIA1\J GOVERNORS
RESTORATION
meetingFAJRMINGTON - Governors ofsupport in restoring this year'stoldofaproblemss
here Friday nighturged the public is becoming more aware woman'
that two Maine Indian reservations
facing requestpeople,theandtribes.
their fer
budgetJohn Mitchell of the Penobscot Reservation, and John Stevens of the
(Indian Association of University
Passamaquoddy Reservation, met spoke of the inception a
AmericanTownship)Department of IndianWomen. Both with the Franklin Chapter,
ear ago of
yreservations.the
Affairs, and both told of needs at the
time, first
st legislative
become"For a citizens," -.Gatovernor Mitchell stated,positiontheof equality." to He
equal long aimed thehelpingresidents ofathis"and longed
budget that Ind i.aisns believe the requestsachieve just, and are working toward
us be
added request the cuts made by GovernortoCurtis.
restorationspeaker said Maine Indians have long endured poor conditions and
of
The which keep them perpetual failures. He outlined some of the
situations
many contributions of theofMaine Indianswe toeat, language and state andused by
society
as
sucharmedtheforces, a demo�ratic form of government, and the tactics
many
the
and oth�rs. of the recent problems of Indian conservationtheservices,
In Mitchell
speaking
are about nuns. Whiteschool on Indian
the on attend
Governorwhere there saidathere teacher and twopupils at schoolschildrenreservations,
Island also. Afterlay fifth grade, students go to junior high and high
is the
the school the reservation. He said the schools were transferred from
schools off of
the jurisdictionJuly. the Health & Welfare Department to the Department of
Education last Mitchell outlined some of the budget requests in detail, which
Governor
included money for salaries of personnel, and otherworkers, water and sewage
projects, construction work and repairs, social Indians need the help of
Governorincluding legislatorstheandaudience that costs. attend the legisla
many hearings and learn what told Indianscitizensandwhohelp them achieve their
people, John Stevens the need will
tive
needs. "The Indians have been neglected for many years and need a lot of
things," Governor Stevens century"We notgoes. for only has just
want in catchpast withseethis said. budgetarrerequestaskingjustified."much, towelook
to the up to that our before it is One too
back Governor Stevens said there are about Indians on the two reserva
tions �aid Township Pleasant Point. cut the only opportunities
work.theatHeIndian mechanizedandwood operations had Men can work obtain seasonal
for Governor Stevens said the young people move off the reservation as soon
Indians.
as possible are slowly no as the young people interest in and
as
them. culture
handicrafts said there aredyingopportunitiestheforolder show noTheir does notlearning
them. He basket-weaving, done by
residents,
bring
in much money since the Indians receive only a pittance payment from the
wholesalers. said in the
there two and and a
teacherStevens school. in grades through area,s�venth.arewhitenuns Frenchlay
at integrated
the
pupilsGov. Stevens spoke of the Department of Indians Affairs as being ':a
are
the Indian,
newborn baby,Indians.mustHebestatedtothegrowi; andrequestits programs havehelp
fed
hope to the which (Continuedbudget said needed to given
on Page
URGE WDGET
legislative
at e
have
1967
country,
dev(O'lopme.nt
fnods
50
700
Petar D�na P�
6)
was
�(6)
( Continued from Page 5)
the Depar tment do i t s work t o he lp t he I nd i ans.
He sai<l the major i ty o f
t h e Passamaquoddy peop l e are now on welfare.
They have, he said, a lo t of
t imter and with he lp cou ld work up some type of wood indu s try.
In answer to a ques t ion, Gov. S t evens told o f find ing an o ld deed
wh7reby the Commonwe lth of Massachuset t s gran t ed acr eage to the Pa�samaqu
�
oddy
Tribe.
Re said t heir actual land is much less than the deed s tates.
An
attorney is wor�ing on thi s probl em.
Bo t h men sai d Ind ians have so many pr oblems they canno t s o lve thems elves ,
they go ou t side f or help.
Bo th reservat ions have been helped �y VI S TA
volun teers.
The se young people stay for a year and help in t he schoo l s wi th
tu tor ing, work af t er hour s g iving help t o students who need special attention,
anddeve lop recrea t i on pr o j ects.
Jim O ' Donnell, a.native of San Francisco and VI S TA volunt eer pre sen t ly
working with the Peno1sco t s , to ld the meeting of hi s work, and that he
hopes f o� a summer r ecr eat ion program w i t h spor t s and a day camp program.
David Berute, a nat ive o f Augu s ta, al s o at tended the meet ing.
He is
pr e s e n t ly with the Pas s amaquoddy working in educa t i on and recreat ion.
Both Governors and VI S TA worker s answered many questions dur ing a
s ocial hour f o l l owing the ir formal pr esent ation.
( F r om the Por tland Press-Herald, 2/20/67.
A s imi lar ar t icle appeared
in the F ebruary 24t h Farmington Journal
Chronicle}
&
INDIAN LEG I SLATORS ' LOT IMPROVED SLIGHTLY
The March 3r d Kennebec Journal reported: Hou se major i ty Republ icans
tr ied to g ive the two I nd ian repres entatives some postag e stamp s , phone calls
and auto mi leage Thursday (March 2nd} but some Democratic members held up the
ef fort.
"I think it goes a b i t too f ar," said Rep. James T. Dudley, D
Enfield.
"There are a b it too few of those people in the state."
Rep. Jo s e ph Binnette, D-Old Town, tabled the proposal unt i l the ·7th.
The order, pr esented by the House major i ty leader, Rep. Harri son L. Ri chards on,
R- Cumberland, was t he result of a GOP decision in caucu s on the 1 s t.
It
would have given Ind ian tr ibal representative s John Nel s on o f the Penob scot
Tr ibe and George F rancis of the Passamaquoddy Tribe the same postage and
telephone pr ivileges as other members.
It wou ld haye g iven them automob i le mile age for 10 r ound tr ips between
their homes and Augus ta.
Tile regu lar members get mileage f or one round
tr ip a week and the se s s ion usually lasts 20 weeks or more.
Ind i an repr e s enta t ives have seats in the House tut no vote.
They
receive $500 each, no t the full $2,000 of regu lar memb ers.
When the matter was brought up again, on March 7th, the Newsletter
unde r s tand s that it was again tabled, t his time until the 9th, by Rep. Frank
Miliano, R-Eastport, at the request o f Rep. Bi nnette.
On March 1 0t h, the Kennebec Journal reported: An order to g ive I ndian
r epresentatives pos t ag e and telephone cred it cards and reimbursement for 1 0
r ound tr ips t o the legislature during the regular session was passed after
being delay e d a week without explanation. The Senate passed it on March 14th.
The Ind ian Affairs Committee of the leg islature, at its first hear ing,
on March 8th, heard testimony on several bills.
Two of them, ·L.D. 186
1 88,
wou ld, i f enac·ted, g ive the two Indian legislative representatives 11the same
compensation, mileage and' allowance as any other memb er o f the Senate and
House of Representatives" as well as "a seat in the House of Representative s
and all pr ivileges, rights and duties o f other r epr esentatives, including
the r ight to s erve in. a nonvoting capacity on any coinmittee': with the ex
ception of "the right to vote on pend ing leg i slation" .
( Continued on.Page 7)
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INDIAN LEGI SLATOBS '
( Cont inued from Page 6)
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Al t hough t here was s ome d i s cu s s i on a t the hear ing r egar d ing po s s ible
changes concerning t he repr esen t atives' righ t to speak on t he f l oor of the
Hou s e , t he only witnes s who s poke in oppo s i t ion to t he ti l l s was Rep . Binnette .
The two ..L.D . s were j o in t ly spons ored by Rep . Car l ton Sco tt , R-v!ilton , and
Rep . G lenn S tarbir d , D-Kingman .
INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HOLD S FIRS T HEARING
&
In add i t ion to L.D . s 186
188 , described in the preced ing s tory ,
t he Ind ian Af fair s Committee of the legi s lature scheduled three other bil l s
f or hear ing on March 8th .
L . D . 144 ( Presented by Rep . S tarb ird ) , 11AN ACT Relat ing to Specially
Des igneg Mo t or Veh icle Number Plates f or Indian Agents and Commi s s i oner of
I nd ian iAffairs," was wi thdrawn at the reques t o f Ind ian Affair s Commi s s ioner
Edward Hinckley .
L.D . 634 ( Presen ted by Sen. Jon Lund , R-Kennebec) , 11AN ACT Provid ing
f or Review of Laws Relating to Maine ' s Ind ian Tr ibes , was \·l ithdrawn at
the request of Commi s s ioner Hinckley f o l l owing a specia l meet ing with the
Penobsco t Tribal Counci l and Pas samaquoddy Legi s lat ive Represen t a t ive George
Franci s .
L . D . 633 ( Presen t ed by S enator Lund ) , "AN ACT Relat ing to Conveyance
of Reservation Lands f or Penobsco t Tr ibe of Indian s , " was suppor t ed by
Hinckley, Penob s co t Legi s lat ive Represen t ative John Nel s on, and a numba.- o f
Penob s cot t r ibal member s presen t .
No one at �he.hear ing spoke in opp o s ition
t o t he bi l l .
An opinion rr om the At torney General ' s o f f ice was read to
t he Commi ttee indica t ing that pas s age wou ld "no t in any way adver sely affect
t he tenure which t he Indian s have in their l ots1 1 and wou ld n o t 11in any way
change t he O\.mer ship of l o t s already as s igned and wi l l n o t af fect the owner ship o f future l o t s which may be as s igned . '
The bi l l reques ted the el imination of the phrases "dur ing t he p l easure
of t he Legi s l ature11 and 11dur ing the wi l l of the Legi s lature;' from ind ividual
Penobscot deed s and from t he s t atutes refer r ing to t he as s ignment of Penob
s co t Reser �at ion lo t s .
The News letter under stand s that the eliminat ion o f
these phrases wou ld give Penob scot tr ibal member s "clear" t i t le t o their
as s igned lots, r ather t han t itle depend ing on t he whims of fu t ure legis latures .
1
·
L.D. 634 was reported out of the C0mmittee to the Senate with the
recornmendati0n that it be granted " Leave to Wi thdraw," on March 14th.
L.D. 633 was reported o ut of the Committee b the Senate with an "Ought
to Pass " recommendation, rm the 14th .
L .D. 144 was reported tc the House fr("m th e, C"mmittee with a " Leave t0
Withdraw" r ec<.-mmendati�n, and L.D. 186. ( pertai ning to c ompe nsati"'n and
allcwances for the Indian Legislative Representatives ) was reported to the
Hous e by the Canm:ittee with an "Ought ti") Pas s " recommendati on, on the 14th.
As of March 3 1 s t, the News let ter under stand s that these bi l l s are in
t he f o l lowing s tatus:
The two b i l l s to be withdrawn ( L.D. 144
634 ) have been withdr awn and
are "dead . 11
The two t i l l s per t aining to compensat ion and pr ivi leges of t he Ind ian
Legi slative Representat ives ( L . D . 186
188) are s t i l l being di scussed in
commit tee and on t he Hou se f l oor .
( See related s t ory on Page 19)
The b i l l pertaining to the word ing of deed s of Penob s co t Tr ibal members·
was s igned into l aw by Governor Cur t i s on March 2 3rd . ( L . D . 633 )
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�. (8)
INDIAN PAVILION EXPO
'67
by Duke Redbird
11.fay your form reflect
The symetry of our wigwams and teepees
May your structure incorporate
The strength of our leng houses both East and West
And may your walls create
The warmth ('If our fires
That have burned
a
hundred thousand years.
May your colors express
The pageantry of our ceremonies
May your tapestries weave
The story of our Great Men both Then and Now
May your fabrics portray
The contrasts of our culture
That has lived a hundred thousand years.
May your furnishings tell
The simplicity of our wants and needs
May your accoutrements spell
The multiplicity of our tongues both Old and New
May your designs whisper
The tale of
ur legends
That have been told a h undred th,,usand years.
May your fixtures cast
Th e li ght of
ur learning
May your shadows project
The mystery and depth of our religion both Remembered and Forgotten
May
your fountains recall
The bubble of our laughter and the silence of
our
That echo across a hundred thousand years.
May your floor combine
The past and t he future of
our
tears
people
II.fay your carpets spin
The mosaic of our complexities bi:>th common and unusual
May your foundation exhibit
The strength of our wisdom and knowlndge
For we have waitei a �undred thcusand years.
( The auth, r read this poem at the formal unveiling i:>f the scale model
The building will be erected at
ef the Indian Pavilion in Ottawa, Canada.
Mr. Duke Redbird is an Indian of the Saugeen Indian
the Mont.real E xpo T67.
R epri n ted from the Journal of American Indian Educatien,
Reserve in Ontario.
Tempe,
Arizona,
Jan�a ry 1967 )
MUSKIE SPONSORS STATE INDIAN RESERVATION BILL
This bill would enable Indians, such as our Penobscots and Passamaquoddies,
who live on State reservations to develop_their own Conmunity Action prsgrams
Pre
to"iimprove the quality of their lives under the War on Peverty pr gram.
sently, our Indians can only be a part of count y programs.
Under Senator
�1uskie's bill, they would have the option of designing their own programs
·
er of participating in c o unty programs.
( From Senator Muskie's "Letter to Maine, 11 March
4, 1967)
�. (9)
11THIS LAND WAS THEIRS"
A Study ef the North American Indian
by Wendell H. Oswalt, Associate Prefessor
of Anthropolngy, University of California,
leis Angeles
The North American Indian has fascinated children and adults ever since
the discovery of the continent - there have been romantic narri:itives, �(�110l:n:Jy
studies and stylized paintings.
"This Land Was Theirs 11 is the f j rst book
to describe the historically changing lifeways of Indian tribes in a parallel
framework.
Professo·r Oswalt describes ten tribes - the Chipewyan, the Be•thuk,
the Kuskowagamiut, the Cahuilla, the Fox, the Pawnee, the TJiugjt, the Hopi,
the Iroquois and the Natchez - and traces their diverse ways of life from
In a final chapter,
historic contact to their extinction or to modern times.
he sunnnarizes the position of Indians in modern Canadian and .American life.
Using a cult.ure area approach combitHrl w ith a br0ad geographical sam.pJing
of tribes, }'rofessor Oswalt discusses the same range of topics about each
A discussion
tribe,varying the emphasis in terms of each tribe's history.
of the aboriginal customs of each tribe.is followed by an analysis of the
changes which have taken place in it since hist�ric contact.
Professor
Oswalt has stressed the basic continuities in Indian life from the past to the
present and has documented the historical changes.
''This Land Was Theirs" brings to life ten ge,..graphically representative
tribes by considering an actual culture-carrying unit of the tribe - it shows
us the texture of North American Indian life yesterday and today.
( "This Land Was Theirs" is published by Jehn Wiley & S•ns, New York, 1966)
ARE I�iAINE
SKOWHEGAN
INDIANS 11DRAB1 1?
VJ.AN
THINKS SO!
Lyndon Huff and Harvey Doan Eaton, Jr., ef Skewhegan, have suggested
that the Tourist Heepitality Association of that town establish 11a symbel •f
community identity" for Skowhegan in the form ef a large statue of an Indian
to be erected in the business area of the community. Eaton has stated, however,
that preliminary study has convinced him it would be a disaster to use any
....... State of Maine Indian as the model.
11T�ey were not colorful.
Teurists want glamor and color.
Skewhegan
is not teaching Kennebec history, but making new American history.11
Tentative thinking is for a -wood statue about thirty feet above the
top of the base.
Redwood is being considered as a material.
In a March
1st report to the Skewhegan Te..irist Hespitality Associati•n, Mr. Eat•n stated,
"Of course the selectien of a model fer t.he statue strictly is an art
matter which you should handle.
No layman should de this. ' But I do believe
that it should be a gloriously colerful American Indian, loaded with showmanship.
It does not need to be a Maine Indian.
From what I have learned
they were mostly on the drab side. rr
Reports in the Waterville Sentinel of March Jrd and 4th, indicate that the
whole purpo_ae .. •f .the statue :,is publicity and promotion to benefit Skowhegan.
It has been suggested that Governor Curtis and California's Gover�or Reagan can
get "national coverage" through correspondence concerning shipment of Califor
nia redwood legs to Maine fer the statue.
The Newsletttir feels that - once again - American Indians are being used
to benefit only non-Indian oommerical interests, and that Maine Indians in
particular are being unfairly insulted a.nd disparaged.
The.Editor -wonders if
Sena�r Margaret Chase Smith shares the feeling of her fellow townspeople.
Readers'conments on this matter are invited!
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�( 10 )
.
OREGON INDIANS PLAN TIMEER MILL
by Ma lco lm Bauer
WARM S PRINGS , ORE. - A cen tury and mor e ago , s e t t l er s in the American
We st s e t t l e d t he Amer ican Indian on re servat i ons.
The r e s ervations consisted
o f l ands the whi t e s e t t l er didn ' t want - a t l ea s t at the t ime.
Chi e f Jo seph ' s Nez Perce wer e dr iven ou t of t he l and they wanted - Or e
g on ' s Wa l l owa Va l l ey.
Much la ter , t he Klama t h Indi ans of sou thern Oregon
s o ld a good par t of the ir r e s erva t ion f or the value of the t imb er - about
.
$40 , 000 per t ribal member.
Now t he t r ib e s on Or egon ' s Warm Spr ing s Re serva t ion ar e trying to make
the ir own way - in the whi t e man's way - free ent erpr i s e.
They ar e in the
pr oce s s of s e t t ing up a cor por a t ion to mar ke t the t imcer on t he 915 squar e
mi l e s o f t he r e serva t i on through the ir own mi l l oper a t ion s .
The Warm S pr ing s Re s erva t ion be s tride s U.S. 2 6 s ou the a s t o f Por t l and ,
j u s t sou t h o f M t . Hood.
On i t s l and , on the e a s t ern s lope of the Ca scade
Rang e , grow t a l l s t ands of p ine.
The growth is enough to supply 80 , 000
bo ar d f e e t 0 £ lumb er annu a l ly on a su s t a ined-yield progr am.
Tha t is adequate
to ma intain a ma j or lumber-mi l l oper a t ion, as ha s be en demonstrated by the
whi t e man ' s own ent erpr i s e in the Warm Spr ing s s t ands.
The enter pr ise of the tribe s ba sed on varm Spr ing s ha s already been
demons t r a t e d.
They have deve loped, w i t h federa l suppor t , the commercial
value o f t he s pr ing s t ha t gave t he r e s erva t i on its name.
The Kah-Nee-Ta
vaca t ion r e s or t in t he hear t of t he re s erva t i on is a succe s s ful t r ib a l pro j ect
ca t er ing annual ly t o thous ands of f i sherme n , swimmer s and hiker s .
F i ve y e ar s ago , tr ita l l e ader ship began t o s tudy the pos s ibi l i ty o f
deve loping the t imber r e s ource s previou s ly proce s s e d and marke t ed by others.
The Confeder a t e d Tribe s of Warm S pr ing s hir e d a cons u l t ing firm t o study
t he pr o s pect s.
The f irm , Corne l l , Howland , Hay e s
Merry f i e ld , advi s e d , in
effect: G o into bu s ine s s for y our s e lve s , a s you have a t Kah-Ne e-Ta.
The eng ine er ing f irm ' s speci f ic r ecommenda t ion was to hir e an oper ating
f i r m , Gunder s on
As s ocia t e s of Wa s hing t on , D. C. , to deve l op t he t imter re
s ources under direct ion of t he Confede r a t e d Tr ibe s.
A spoke sman for Gunder s on said the o t her day: ';I t 's a ha l lmark of Indian
affairs.
Thi s wi l l make the Conf eder ated Tr ibe s s e l f - suppor t ing.
They
wi l l own and oper a t e t he mi l l s .
One of the Ligge s t re s pons ibi l i t i e s we have
i s an obl igat ion to t r a in membe r s o f t he tr ibe t o the job s which they may
be abl e t o do.
I t is
a good bu s ine s s de a l. '1
The Bur e au of Indian Affairs suppor t s the propo s i t ion.
So do the
t r iba l l e ader s , including the Conf edera t ed Tr ibe s ' execu t ive director , Vernon
Jack s on , speaking for t he Warm Springs , l1a sco , and Paiu t e I ndi ans who ar e
memter s of t he r e s erva t ion counci l .
Mr. Jackson's j ob , among o t her thing s ,
is t o s e e t o t he l ive l ihood o f the 1400 Indi ans r e s ident on t he r e serva t io n .
The Warm S pr ing s Indians ' opport�ni ty s pr i ng s from t he same s ource
t ha t gave t he Klamat h Indians a big -do l l ar· her i t ag e - t he enhanced value of
t imb er.
Submi t t ed by a r e ader )
(Fr on-. t he Chr i s t i an Sci ence Moni t or , 3/7/67.
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MISCELLANEOUS
OLD
TOWN - Mr. and Mr s . Ger a l d Baumann and chi ldr en , Be l inda and B evin ,
wer e r ecent guest s o f her mo ther , Mrs . Hor ace Ne l s on and her sLst er , Mrs .
'The Baumanns have be en in Arequipa , Peru , f or the p a s t 2�
Wa t i e Akins.
year s .
Mr s. Baumann , the f ormer Eunice Ne l s on , wa s t he f ir s t Indian t o
gradu a t e from t he Univers i ty o f Ma ine and rece ived her PhD in p sycho l ogy from
A f t er visi t ing wi t h Mr. Baumann's pcr ents in Swi t zer
New Yor k Univer s i ty.
l and , t he coup l e wi l l r e s ide in Bo l ivi a , where s he wi l l t each ant hropology.
�( 11 )
HE WEARSbyTHO UNIFORNS: BOTH CraigPATRIOTIC
T.Sgt. Richard A.
- AlC loves
groundLIMESTONEAirman Patnode,toC.dance. partUnusual?kclerk ofFrug, an42ndbut Indian
safety office, Stephen whoPatnode, lvlchief Indian, the no,accomplished
The is Bomb Hing
style, yes. and he makes all of his o\om dance costumes.
ohmv
Indian Adancer of Massena; Y., isAirman Patode tegan studying Indian dancing
nativeas a
while serving begancounselorhisinown costumes. during thisgreat credit toofthe
was He
study thatofhethe Turtle Clan at the St.ItRegis Hoha�gives early periodof the
making
chieftain the Mohawk family groups, for guidance in·1kcreating the costumes.
one
oldest of and detailed costumes, made entirely byReservation,authentic
The elaborate Indian pieces, and are fashioned hand, are feathers,
copies of actual and beads.
horsehair,
bone, rawhide, deerskinthe Air Force, Patnode was the chief and choreographer
Prior to joining
of thefirst honors Indian Dance Group nine other groups andN.Y., awarded
Manatoanna in
tookcoveted 'iBest in competition with In at Massena, was his
the Holder of merit badges in scouting, and an Eagle Scout himself,
Indian Dance" trophy
Patnode believes scouting one the finest activities a
participate married to theisformerofMary Rose Delima Bernard,inawhichMacboy can
He is
from the Gaspee Peninsula, uebec... (From the Bangor News, Mic Indian
1 DREAM Victor BLUE HERON"
by OF THE Barnouw
Abook about the difficulty transition has written colorful
transplanted
movingHabus was h�ppyNetherlander,ofDr. Barnouw for Wisconsina Indians. and
withas they were able, and lived the old forward the
northern forests as muchwhenhis grandparents who hename and knowways future.
was looking his in to
the time ofhishis dream� ho hadhebeen working inhis lumber mills and was living
would receive
rutwhites, actually kidnapped him in theand sent him to school - a
father,
like
schoolthewherey theimpart disciplinehadtonosavagesforwasnpagan11 beliefs and believed
the only ·ua stuckadministrators slipped home at tovacation. When his father
to it out and then use beat them.
Wabushim there tussle and the old
came afterauthenticitywasofathe Indian details, grandfather was killed.Chippewa
The the
the the insight
lands,andandheart evocationemotionallylife isbetween description of the the
of school torn matched byworlds. into
mind (For the youngl:reader. Published by Delacorte, New York. pages,
of a oy
ages Submitted by a reader)
ARE
b1.
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•
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from
•
196 2 ,
.
group
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3/7/6 7 )
1905
tllO
$4 . 50,
191
12-16 .
MISCELLANEOUS
BRUNSWICK - Altrusa Club menbers at a dinner-meeting the week of February
13th heard a talk on the Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation.
Their guest
speak'er was Miss Deana Francis, of Pleasant Point Reservation, wh9 is doing
post-graduate study at Brunswick High School this year.
college and major in physical education.
OLD TOWN
She plans to attend
Officers elected cf St. Anne's Sodality, St. Anne's Catholic
Indian Island, are: pre�ident, Mrs. Ernestine Temer; vice-president,
M:-s. Rese Tomer; secretary, Mrs. Mildred Akins; and treasurer, Mrs. Elsie Lolar.
Church,
�(12)
AN ARTICLE ON lflAINE INDIAN AFFAIRS
appears in Ramparts magazine, March, 1967, pu.bl.isLe.rj oy °B..Bro�301 Broadway, San Francisco, California.
'-.� �aga?.::ir�>
Inn .. ,
DIOCESE ESTABLISHES NEW DIVISION
( The following letter was recently sent eut by Rev. Ilome ;Jr•• l'j
Island - Ed. )
P. O. Box 560
Old Town, Me.
Dear Frienri:
�r
e,
•f Tt1cl-i
:n1
The Roman Catholic Diocese of l'•rt-.land wh�, fer ever a century, has
served the thr ee Inrli an Rei:;e1:vat.i on.q •f Maine, has recently estahl lshed a
DivJ slon of Voln t+eer Serd ces under its Burean of Huma n RAl::i.t.ions Services,
tc cenl.··H u,'\.t e and assist to the needs �f both the Penobscot and f'ass-3TOaq1J0rJ<iy
Tr:ibes.
The Committee is composed of the following members:
Mr. Neil Michaud,
Administrative Director of the B.H.R.S.;
Mr. Edward c. Hinckley, State of Maine Commissioner of Indian Affairs;
Vir. John Mcran, Member •f State of Maine Department of Educati n;
Mr.
Charles N. Vickery, Program Director •f the Unitarian Unive1·s lisr. Pie.njce
Committee, Inc.
Rev. Kenneth Hawkes, Executive Director �f the Northeast District of the
Unitarian Universalist Association;
,
Rev. Paul u. Pare, Chaplain at the Pleasant Point Reservation;
Mr. Joseph Nicholas, Passamaquoddy Indian Member of Pleasant P�int Reservati�n;
Rev. Maurice Lemlin, Chaplain at the Peter Dana Point Reservation;
Mr. John Stevens, Passamaquoddy Indian Member of Peter Dana P�int Reservati<ni;
Rev. Rome• St.
Pierre,
Chaplain at the Indian Island Reservation;
¥.lrs. Jean Chavaree, Penobscot Indian Member of Indian Island Reservation;
Miss Donna Byers, Penobscot Indian Member �f Indian Island, Secretary
Having been elected to head this c mmittee,
I have been requested t".>
get in touch with you or the organization you represent concerning the interest
you manifested in t he Indian s ituation.
Primarily we need volunteer workers in the area of recreation, educatien
and social work, at least for summe r projects with a 11piltt program" f".>r
a year-round social wc·rker or public health nurse.
Secondly we will als� need funds tn subsid1ze such a program and p�bably
your organization might be helpful in that area.
Already the Unfversalist Unitarian Service Committee,
·
·
Inc., and the
Roman Catholic Di•cese of Portland have committed themselves.
We have every
reason to believe that the State of Maine Department of Indian Affairs and
other agencies will join in our effort to answer to the needs of our Indian
comm unities •
••••
We W)Uld certainly appreciate
receiving an answer from you by return
mail, as to what extent we can count on your participation in such potential
projects for the three Indian Reservations in Maine.
May
-we
Some of you might have already been in touch with Mr.
who has referred you to our conmittee,
hear from you?
Charles Vickery,
and requested that all further corres
pondence be sent to this committee.•
Respectfully yours,
/s/Rev.
( The
Romeo St. Pierre,
Chairman
Edit r suggests that pe�ple nr agencies interested in supp9rting the types
of programs for Maine Indians that are described in Rev. St. Pierre s letter
get in cqntact with him directly, at P . O. Box 560, Old Town, Maine, Ph.82'7-2l72)
�(13 )
LISTENERS ' R.E.SPONSE INDICATES JN TEREST IN JNDIAN S
On March 14th, Newsletter Editor Eugeni a Thomp se n and Penr.b sc,.,t Husson
student St�n Mitchell appeared with Commissi one r Hinr.ld .ey •n the 111'f e
tlk
Stuart Inquiry Pregram 11 of Portland radi0 station WIDE .
h.ssam aqnoiidy Br·m swiok H . s. student Deana Francis had also b e en invited to parti cip ate, but was
unable to be present .
Foll0wing a 25-minute general int erview fo rmat , conduct ed by Mr . Stuart ,
phone line s were opened and li steners invited to call in th ei r questions .
Mr. Stuart
Questicns and answers were both bro adcast frem 6 : JI to ? : J O .
indicated pleas ed surpri s e at th e ameunt of int erest in Indians and Indi an
affairs evidenced by th e constant succ es sien of c alls from list eners .
Questions and answers covered such g eneral t opics as Indi an art s and
crafts , reservation life, education, the Department of Indi an Affairs ' plans
for future pr0grams, tolerance and prejudice, Maine Indian hi story, what
ind ividua ] s could do t help Maine Indians, current le gi slati•n, and a few
ques �:i on s about we ste rn and southern Indian tribe s .
In th e course o f the pregram, Editor Thomp s n was given s everal 0pp,.,rtun
ities to de scribe the Newslett er - its purpo ses and content - and to invite
int ere sted listeners to send in their names to be placed en the mailing list
for the monthly i s sues .
The N ewsletter understands that Senater Richard N. Berry, Chairman • f the
Legi slative Commit tee en Appropri ations and Finan cial Affai rs, wa s en the
" Inquiry PM gram " a week er so earlier , and that during the c our se of hi s
parti cipatien (which was no.t en Indi an affairs ) Senato r Berry received s everal
calls from listeners supporting the current Department of Indian Affairs '
budget r eque sts .
There i s no que stion that thi s type of support can be very us eful, either
direct ed to members of the Appropri ations C�rnmittee •r to individual Senators
and Representative s .
This wi ll . be true even after the March 16th budget hear
ing, as th e Cemmittee must first co nsider the budget request s of all Stat�
department s, in executive ses sions , and the n the Hous e and Sena�e must consider
the entire budget do cument .
The Newsletter understands that· final legislative
de cis ions •n Department s ' requests for supplemental funds (Part II - new service s
and c onstruc tion ) are not made unti l quite lat e in t he legi sl ative s e s si�n.
All readers and intere sted persons are urged to contact their legislative r�pres�
enati ves and expres s thei r opini•ns regarding the Indi an Affairs budget .
LIVERMORE GRANGE HEARS AIDUT lliDIANS
The Livermore Grange, n February 25th, heard "an impres sive and educa
tional talk on Maine Indi ans from the e arly 1700 ' s to the p�esent time 11 given
by Mrs . Carlt.n S cott, of Wilton.
She sp�ke of the Abnaki s, Algonquins ,
Penobscot, Kennebec and Micmac Indi an s .
Many Indian relics were di splayed by
members ef the Grange .
COMPOSER TO WRITE OKLAHOMA STATEHOOD BALLET
INDIAN
SANTA FE, N 1 1
Leui s w. Ballard, Quapaw compMer, has been commi ssbned
by the State of Oklahoma to write the music for a ballet to be presented during
the 60th ann,ivers ary •f Oklahoma statehoo d in 1967.
Gcvernor Henry Bellmen
has personally invited five internationally fameus ballerinas ef Indi an heritage
to participat e.
Ballard is chairman •f the Musi c and Performi ng Ar-ts Depart
ment of the Santa Fe Institute of Ameri can Indian Art .
(From Indi an Progress . Central City, Nebraska, 11arch 1967 .
Taken from
Mr. Roger Gabri e l � (Passamaqne1ldy ) is currently a student
The Amerindian .
at the Institute - Ed . )
. 1
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�(J.4 )
DOWN THE RIVER
from last month )
( Continued
The Dead R iver � i nds through thi s ne c K of land , c onne c t i ng the la�e and the
Andr o s c oggin R ive r seven mile s away .
Some t i me s the Dead R iver flow s from the la � e
i nto the Andros c ogg i n , and when the grea t r ive r i s a flood s tage , the Andro.., . nrr.,0: 1 1 1
flow s b a c k into the lake i t s e lf .
I n my youth , I made thi s canoe tr ip seve ra l
.
t i me s ,
and w a s a lways f i lled w i th the thr ill o f me et ing the bright fa ce o f danger
Dead R i ver . . . pos i t ive that around a bend we would mee t a party of Ind i ans
on those da rk gla s s y wate r s .
Once we rea lly d i d . . . but they were not 1\na l'tagut i
on the
c ooks ,
the f ierce and war- l i Ke tr ibe of the reg i on whose home b a � e was Canton
They were j u s t three Indians from Old Town s e lling 'baP.l<:ets at s otne re R m: tr::
a long Th i r ty Mi le R iver .
Poi nt .
Not
long ago ,
tw o ge olog i s t s t ooK a t r i p down the Andros c oggin in a canoe ,
a nd ca me to the De ad R i ve r .
There in those da rK waters they found s ometh i ng unu
s ua l i n ma rine b i ology .
Unimow ingly they ca me i nto the Dead R iver unaw a re of the
s trange crea ture s they w ould find there . . . they sa� hundl'eds of fre sh water j elly
f i sh p1.i.mpi ng thems e lve s through the wate r .
c c urrenc e
It was the f i r s t reported
of the fre sh water hydroids , Genus Medusa
C ra speda c u s ta S owerb i i , in Ma ine
( name
)
g iven to all j e llyfi sh ,
Spe c ie s
There are tw o K i nds of fre sh water j e llyf i sh of which the Crasp . Sow erb i i i s
only form ever found i n North Ame r i c a .
I t i s very c ommon i n Chi na e ::; pe i a l ly '
in the Uangz tze Ba s in , and may have been introduced to thi s country on s ome of
the
the orient a l wa te r plant s .
The remarl{able thing is that the se f orms d o not seem
· t o be able to s pread
from one b ody of wa ter to another w i thou t the help of an out
s iSie a ge ncy
From a ll ind i ca t i ons , the j e llyf i sh c ould not pos s ibly s urvive in
the Andros c oggin nor LaKe Andr o s c oggin .
Thi s is a que s t i on for some Ma r ine b i olo
g i s t for r e s e a r ch .
How did they eve r ge t t o the Dead R iver?
Le av ing La ke Annr os � oggin and the Dead R iver w i th its s trange c reature s ,
dr ive a l ong Route
t o Bee ch H i ll .
And here i s anothe r unu s ua l geolog i c al
phenomenon
Here is a real de ser t .
F i e lds of drift ing s a nd have c overed trees ,
133
farms .
And early wr iter of Wayne H i s tory , C . F . lead e t ter , who d i d the
" I n the northwe s tern
i ntrodu c t ory chapte r f or the book pub li shed in
s tated :
part
o f Wayne
a r e s and h i lls of c ons iderable extent which a re the development of
c ompa ra t ive ly re c ent yea r s .
The terr i tory they oc cupy wa s or igina lly the most
f e r t i le and produc t i ve i n town . . . unt i l whole h i lltops and s i de s have be c ome va s t
pa s ture s ,
1898,
)
(
Mos t o f thi s geolog i ca l worK ha s 1:e en done w i thi n the mem
ory of pe ople now l i ving, and i t s progr e s s ha s been ob sel'ved from summer to sum
m er . "
Tha t wa s in 1898 .
Geolog i s t s
A more r e c e nt s tudy ha s other rea s ons for the se shifting s a nds .
a r e a s o f yellow s a nd
order ing the An
s a nd in the Hayne a 1·ea came .fl · ru sand depos i t s
" I t s EE ull B l i .Kely that th i s s and wa s
3- 4 miles to the we s t .
i·1 i nd- tra n �J..>Ol' J-,ed to i t s pre s ent. loca t i on sho1 tly ai'ter the area emerged from the
now thinK the
dro::;c.:oggi n R i ve r ,
u en
n otne 12 ; 0
y ear s a go .
Af ter· it w a s depn� ] t e d
.
b l i zed the and unt i l about
There
of s oil and vegeta t ion may have
i s probable tha t the s a nd was not eJ>.'}X•s ecl when they le ft for
y ea r s ago .
sta -
is there regardle s s of how it ca me to be , and it 'i s grm·1 i s n o ev1 dence tha t the Tni H a ns o f the Va lley Knew of i t s o i t
The de sert of Wayne
i ng yea r ly .
, the deve lopment
100 yea r s ago .
Canada . . . ab out 200
The branch of the .A.naRa gnnt i c coKs who d id spend much of the i r t ime
f r om Lake Andr os c oggin north were ca lled Caghnanga s . . . the fa mily center wa s i n the
pre s ent town of Leed s .
The i r tr iba l a ffa irs we re c onnu � ted a t Canton Poin t.
They were s a id to have been popu lou:=: and thri fty,
s i on of the Ana sa gunt i cooK na t i �n
mad i c
in na ture .
·
and were a powerful d ivi
They were s k i lled f i shermen and hunte rs ,
no
S ome . of the ir a r t i fa c t s have been found a ll a long the waterway
a nd tnany i n the gre a t bury i ng g1· l ln<i o n t.he r .a l'E' .1\nnrot-=: . oggj n j_ t s e lf .
(By
I Iel e.n Dn l dwel l
l�•1 :.::: hm : :m
�( 15 )
RICHARD BOUNDING IQ!OWS HO�T
EditorItofwas aPress-Herald: read Thelma Rollins ' letterRome, the editor published
the pleasure to
to
on Februarylong have the Maine Indians been misunderstood, together with the
Too
North American Indians generally. The Maine Indians have no wish Thetecome
1ofwhite men" withare in this way differentwish totheremain Indians. to Indians
darker complexions, from Negroes.
thisOfcountryIndian descent myself, butbemoan the fact that my children under
stand onlyMaine few words ofthink Wabanaki languageIndiansI have when able dress
teach go the npow-wow.1 1 They of not perceiveastheir Indian heritage, growing
them, and that they the do themselves that only been they to
up to the non-Indian community.
up in Indiansa should be allowed to maintain their sense of tribal identity if
is I wear not manthrust upon be red which they die,n want.
'itThoughtheirmaywish anda whitehave Cherokee.I ' llthem that man till I do not sang
Rainwater, II'anyself Richards Bounding Elk, reporter for the Rome Sentinel,
Oklahoma ' tie,
Thus as:
and also knownsign Richard M. Gaffney
(From Portland Press-Herald,
LANGUAGE OF M. Clark
by William POLITICS
1 The he said. 'jcrossed on the who to help the Indians
party The Republicans
themselves,allowancelinesprotectpompouspublicfirst effort ordinarily cutandtheirhelp
o�m lunch and gasoline money to the Indians." decided to unbelt give
telephoneive nothing, said. theou mean. purse some of
past
thefts1l WGhatever you call it, the ' �YDemocratsreturn
be
for thei :what ' s startling aboutvoted against thatyou learned yettothat working
rights of common that? Haven't
tency is non-partisan?" in Augusta," he said, "I ' d build a biginconsis
I werelawn and start sending up smoke signals. If anyonefire on
the Indians
me home." them' thats had toidea,1 1 some way to communicate with the stopped 1
back 1 1tell HThat' so· mad," hehave agreed. weren ' would make thatfolks
wouldn t agood day was about thisdawn fort the IV'iagang Indians.wires.1
said, "if "That the ine the APwent
Ithatshoutingstatementnewby a politicianprofessorbehasn ' t learnedthan theor
that
If to translated,
years let every innocentpast argue withthe hasshould know that whenina politic
ian sun will new day will da't-m foras usual, He thethe Indians meansbestowing
says, too to
Indians, politician but that
touching
the most brilliant
constituents. from Mr. Clark ' s
This
regular "Some a column, resolution toitem fumbling that went
to some political the trital
on
reimburse
mileageTOand postage, described on Page 6 - Ed.)
Mitchell,
HussonofCollege, Bangor, will
meetingannualtheWorkshop onChap
Franklin Indian
attended the 11th in many panel dis
participated
cussions
on
and affairs.(Sentinel,3 / 14/ 67)
ELK
UiDIArJS FEEL
r1 . Y .
20 .
I
to
a
Marv in
I
the
•
•
3/ 1 / 3 / 6 7 )
•
1'
to
11
the p l under from
I
• 1;
a r e s u p po s ed
men
it .
i;
n1 f
the S t a t e Hou s e
I'd
I
I
a
be
up ther e
tha t
to
:i
50
me .
one g o
pr o f e s s or i s
•
"A
•
•
•
the
11
r i s e in the morning
its
b e ams on the po l i t i c i an ' s
(Fr om the Por t l and Pr e s s - Her al d ,
Logro l l ing"
during p a s s age of
3/9/ 6 7 .
r e f er s
j o int legi s l a t ive
l eg i s l a t ive r e pr e s ent a t ive s f or
INDIAN
FARMINGTON - S t e phen
S PEAK
a s tud en t at
speak on Ind ian cul ture at the Thur s d ay evening
t er , AAUW .
Af f a ir s at
Mi t che l l ,
last
summer ,
the Univer s i ty of Co l orado and has
and o n r ad i o progr ams
Ind ian prob lems
60
�( 16 )
A 1-'iODES T RE lU°SST
Thurs day , Mar c h 16
S p e aking b e f o re t h e Le gis la t ive Appropr iat ions C ommit t e e in Au gus t a
a t t o rn e y D on C o t e swor t h G e l l e r s o f Eas t p o r t s t a t e d t he I nd ian C ommis
s i o n e r ' s b ud ge t was a c t ually a ve r y mode s t one .
G e l l e rs t o ld how t h e Pa ss ama q u o d dy fear t ha t a l t h ou gh t he 102nd
Le gis l a t ure mad e a good s t a r t t w o y e a r s a g o \f h e n t h e Ind ian de par tme n t
w a s c r e at e d , e v e r y t hing may s t op there.
" T h i s b u d ge t i s an in i t ia l vo.t e
o f c on f i d e n c � ' Ge l l e r s said .
Ge l l e r s t o ld how Indian c hi l d r e n living a t t h e rrin c e t on S t r ip ( a
pa r t o f I n d ian T ovmship ) deve lop s o r e s o n t h e i r b od i e s i n the s uLllll e r f r om
sw im.mi n g in t h e lake .
( G ove rnor C u r t is ' re c omLle ndat i ons w ou l d c on t in ue
t o i gn o r e t he pr e s s i n g ne ed f o r w a t e r and s e we rage fac i l i t i e s at t h e
S t r ip . )
.
Ge lle rs qu o t e d f r o m a B angor pape r de s c r ib ing h ow the Old T own f ir e
d e partme n t r e c e n t ly arrive d t o o l a t e on Ind ian I s land ( P e n ob s c o t R e s e rva
t i on ) to s ave a b urning b uilding and t he sma ll child s t i l l inside . B o t h
w e r e l o s t b e c a u s e t h e r e w a s n o fire fi ght ing e q uip1;1e n t r e ad i ly at hand .
( At one t ime t h e �e n ob s c o t s had s u f f i c ie nt e q uipmen t b ut while und e r
t h e j u r is d i c t io n o f H e a l t h a n d ;ve lfare several y e a r s a g o t h e i r e q uipme n t
w a s t ak e n awa y f r om t h e m a n d give n t o the f i r e d e par tQe n t i n O l d Town
and t 1 e P e n ob s c o t volun t e e r f i re d e par t me n t was disb ande d . )
G e l l e r s a ls o r e m in d e d the C ommi t t e e t ha t C ommi s s i on e r Hin c kle y i s
t he lowe s t paid C ommis s io n e r in A ugu s t a .
( An increase in Hin c k le y ' s
A A l A r y was als o in c lud e d in t h e r e q ue s t e d b ud ge t . )
Ea r l i e r C ommiss i o n e r Hinckl e y p o in t e d o u t that eve r y one of his
r e ommE=> n d A t i ons
for s e rvic e s have b e e n re c on11.1e nd e d b y vari ous priva t e
and s t a t e o r ga n i 7.at i ons f or t h e pa s t 25 ye ars .
And t oday the n e e d f o r
w a t e r , s e w e r a ge , h ousing c on s t r u c t i on a n d a s o c ia l w orke r s t i l l h e ad the
l is t .
R i n c kle y t o l d h ow the Indian we lfar e c a s e s are 111 t o one wo rke r
whi le t he Fe d e r a l s t andar ds a l l ow 60 t o one . T o Re pre s e n t a t ive Lo µ i s Jal
b er·t ' ,ss t at e rii e n t t ha t Indian we l fare w o rkers w ould n o t have t o t r ave l
whi le He a l t h and We lfare worke r s d o n e e d t rave l t ime , H i n c kle y p o in t e d
o u t t ha t t h e t w o Pas s amaq u o d d y r e s e rva t ions a r e s ome 6 0 mi l e s apa r t s o
s ome t r ave l l i n g t ime w o u l d b e ne c e s sary .
As Pas sama q u o d d y G ove rnor J ohn S t e vens of Indian T ownship t o ld the
C ommi t t e e , ' ' Vve a r e sick o f b e in g s urve ye d . hie 1 ve b e e n s urve ye d f o r
years and wha t we n e e d n ow i s a c t i on . "
H i n ckle y t ol d o f r e c e iving s ome t e n le t t e r s fro� o u t o f s t at e vis i
t or s l a s t s umme r w h o a s k e d why n o thing w a s b e ing d o n e a t t he S t r ip t o
h e lp t he I n dian s . ( Al l pr o j e c t s a t t he S t r ip , vis ib ly t h e w or s t o f f , w e r e
a l l p la c e d low on G ov . C u r t is ' li s t o f pri ori t ie s . )
I n d ian G o v . J ohn S t evens t o ld t he C ommi t t e e , " t he money we ask f o r
t o day i s j us t i f ie d b e c a u s e o f t h e ne gle c t o f H e a l t h a n d Ne l fare ove r t h e
pas t . "
A t this p o i n t S e na t or Ri chard B e r ry , C ommi t t e e Chairman int e r j e c t e d
t ha t w e s ho u ld n o t ove r l ook t h e ma j or s t e p f o rward t aken b y t h e 102nd
Le gi s l a t ur e when more mone y t han e ve r b e f o r e was gran t e d the I ndians
t
S e n . B e r r y was as s ur e d this was n o t ove r l o oke l and that t he Ind ianfu
w e r e gra t e f u l t o t h e 102nd . Leg i s l a t ur e .
G o ve r n o r J ohn hi t c he ll o f t he Penob s c o t T � ib e po int e d out t�at s inc e
t h e Pe n ob s c o t s a r e in an indus t r i a l a r e a t h e y have over 90% employm� n t .
The i r gre e t e s t ne e ds a r e for w � t e r and s e w� rage f o r s o�e o f t h e ir memb e rs ,
•
·
( C on tinue d , on Page 17 )
.
�( 17 )
( A MODEST RE�UE3T , c on t ' d f r om Page 16 )
and a C ommunit y B u i l ding in whi c h t o c arry on t r iba 1 f un c t ions and t o
h ous e Indian ar t s and c r a f t s whi c h n ow are b e ing l o s t b e c a u s e t he re is
no p la c e to pr e s e r v e them .
Jo s eph , Nit c h e l l o f t h e Pas sama q u o d d y re s e rv a t i on at Ple asan t
P o i n t s ai d his r e s e rv a t i on ' s gr e at e s t ne e d is p o li c e pr o t e c t i o n .
( I t was a t P l e a s an t Point 16 mon t h s ago that F e t e r F rancis was b e a t e n
Jh e n
b y s e v e r al Mas s a c hus e t t s hun t e rs a n d le f t d y i n g on t he gr ound .
a n o u t s id e p o l i c eman w a s ·c a l le d t o t h e s c e n e he d i d n o t wan t t o 1 1 ge t
inv o lv e d " and le f t t o inv e s t i ga t e a " t ip" h e h a d " r e c e iv e d " o n a c r ime
La t e r one o f t he hun t e r s was ind i c � e d
b e ing c ommi t t e d s ome Lili l.::s away .
f or mans laugh t e r and was a c q ui t t e d . )
D e anna F r an c is , n i e c e o f the la t e Pe t e r F rancis t o l d the C ommi t t e e
that young pe ople o n h e r r e s e rvat i on a t Pleasant P oint n e e d a s o c i a l
w o rker f o r guidan c e . 1 1Young pe ople a r e ge t t in g i n t o t r o u b l e a n d ne e d s om e
one wh o is int e r e s t e d in t h e m t o he lp t h e m ge t a b e t t e r s t ar t in l i f e . ; 1
Pa s s amaquoddy R e pr e s e n t at i v e Ge o r ge Fran c is t o ld t h e C omm i t t e e t o
" s e n d a d e le ga t i on d ovm and j us t s e e h ow w e live . T a lk t o t he pe ople
and see t h e ir c on d i t i ons . "
Ra y B inkl e y , a b us ine s s man f r om the � or t land a r e a spoke in s upp o r t
o f t h e I n d ian b ud ge t as did Repre s e n t a t i v e war r e n C o oks on who in t r o du c e d
t he l e gis la t i on t w o ye ars a g o f o rmi ng t h e new s t a t e D e partment o f Ind ian
Af fairs .
D oris D a v i s , A s s i s tant D ir e c t or o f the Upwar d B ound pro j e c t at
B owd o in C o llege t ol d t h e C ommit t e e t h at Indians should n o t . b e �e re ly
ob j e c t s o f c har i t y ,
In light o f t h i s she sup�o r t e d the C omLJ.i s s i o ne r ' s
b udge t .
F a t h e r Paul Pare , C haplin at Pleasant Point , s t a t e d t ha t t he C a t ho li c
Di o c e s e o f Maine s uppo r t e d 100% t h e Indian B ud ge t . T h e C hu r c h is as
c onc e rn e d f o r t h e I nd ians ' ma t e ri a l we l f�re as we l l as f or their spir i t ua l
we l fare ," Fat h e r Pare s aid
F a t he r S t . Pie rr e o f I n d ian I s land c omme nde d t h e 102nd Le gis lat ur e
and c le ar ly s t a t e d h e h ope d e v e r y t hing w ould n o t s t op t h e r e .
Ge o r ge S t e v e ns Jr . s t r e s s e d that n ow i s t he t ime t o a c t ; n o t t w o
years · f r om n ow .
O t h e r Pe n ob s c o t Indians s upf o r t in g C ommi s s i on e r H in ck le y ' s b u d ge t
w e re R e p r e s e � t a t i v e John Ne l s o n , Penob s c o t Lt . G ov . F r e d N i c h o la i
Ni c ho las S appi e r and E u ge n ia T h omps on .
( S e e this mon t h ' s e d i t o r i a l on
page t hr e e f or a s ummar y of the e d i t or ' s s t at eme n t b e f o r e t he C ommi t t e e . )
Mo r e t han 50 Indians and o t he r int e r e s t e d pe ople at t e nd e d t h e
C ommi t t e e hearin g .
GQv.
·..
• .
•
RESERVATI ON
*
•
•
•
s m� .ER PROJEC'IS
Old T own - T h e Adv i s o r y C ommi t t e e o f t he n e w ly e s tab l i she d D iv i s i on
o f V o l un t e e r S e rv i c e s o f the R oman C at h o l i c D i o c e san B ur e au o f Human
Re lati ons S e r v i c e s will hold its f ir s t me e t ing here honday a t t he P e n ob s c o t
Ind i an R e s e r v a t i o n .
The v o l un t e e r c ommi t t e e was s e t up in Jan uary , b y B i sh o p Pe t e r L .
G e re ty , apo s t o li c admin i s t r a t o r o f t h e D i o c e s e o f P o r tland .
T h e Re v . R ome o S t . Pierre , C a t h o l i c 'Chapl_ain o f t he I n d ian r e s e rv a t i on
and cha irman o f t h e c ommi t t e e , w i l l me e t w i t h t h e 11 c le r gy and lay
me mb e rs o f the c ommi t t e e .
A .s umme r p r o j e c t on t he r e s e .r va t i orui inv o lv ing Maine s e minarians ,
memb e rs o f t h e C hr i s t ian .Fami ly Mov e me n t and c ol l e ge s t u ci e n t s w i l l b e
( C o n t inue d an page 18 )
disc us se d .
�( 18 )
( Pe n ob s c o t S umme r Pr oje c t , c on t ' d f r om pa ge
17 )
Ind ian s p oke sme n t o ld t he d i o c e san o r gan i z a t ion t ha t among t he
imme d i a t e pr o gr ams the y w o u l d like t o s e e s t ar t e d are c u l t ural pro j e c t s
f o � Indian c hi l d r e n .
T h e s e w o u l d inc lude t r ips , r e me dial r e ading and r e c r e a t i o nal
a c t iv i t ie s .
T h e l ong- range p r o grams sugge s t e d b y I n d i an leaders inc lude pub l i c
h e a l t h a n d s o c ia l w o rk pr o j e c t s s u c h as hy�i e n e a n d family l i f e e du c a t i on
p r o grams .
.
( Fr om t h e P o r t land S unday T e l e gram , 3/19/67 . Se e r e l a t ed s t ory on Page 1 2 )
*
•
•
•
•
NAVAJ O GOV GRNl.l • NT IN D1 1·1 GER
I n f orma t i o n r e c e n t ly r e v e a l e d t o a t t orne ys in t he Le ga l D e par twe nt
had v i t a l s i gn i f i c an c e r e s pe c t ing t h e que s t i o n o f the c o nt inue d e x is t e n c e
'
o f t h e s ov e r e i gn gove rnme nt o f t h e Nava j o . T h e r e p o r t t o t h e Nava j o
Tr ib a l C oun c i l , in e f fe c t , sh owe d that t he int e nt o f t he D e par tme n t o f
t he I n t e ri or was t o d o away w i t h s ov e r ign Nav a j o t r ib a l gove rnme n t . The
s i t ua t i o n b e gan in an a t t emp t by Udall to f ire t he Nava j o t r ib e ' s a t t orne y .
T h e S e c r e t a r y o f t h e i n t e r i o r said h e was c on s i d e ring this a c t i on o n t he
gr ounds that he had c r e a t e d t h e C o un c i l by S e c r e t arial Or d e r in 19 3 8 , and
t he r e f or e c o u l d d i s s o lv e i t .
T h e S e c r e t ary ' s O f f i c e a l s o c on s i d e r e d t h e po s s i b i l i t y o f t akin g
ov e r , t h e t r ib e i f it d e e1 e d ne c e s sary .
B u t t h e T r i b a l C ounc i l says i t
h a s ope r a t e d in a n orde r ly 1ann e r , a n d b e s id e s , t h e Nava j o T r ib e has
r e t a ine d i t s s o v e r e ign i t y s in c e t he T r e a t y of 1868 .
I t is t he S e c r e tary ' s opin i o n t h at the T r i o e has no s ov e r e ign it y ,
t ha t i t i s in t h e na t ur e o f a na t i on de pend e n t upon t he U . S .
T h e r e p o r t i n d i c a t e d t h a t in t he e v e n t o f any t ake - ov e r o f t he t r ibal
gove rnmen t , t he f un c t i o n o f t h e C oun c i l would be adv is ory .
( Many S m o ke s , F i r s t �u a r t e r , 1967 )
i
.
.
.
"'
.
C O URT UPHOLDS NAVAJO S OVERIGN IMi 1UNITY
T h e F e d e ra l C ou r t f or t h e D is t r i c t o f Ar i z ona has gran t e d a s ummary
j u d gme n t w h i c h s t a t e s t ha t t he Nava j o T r ib e is a s ov e r i gn e n t i t y w i t h i n
t he 'u s
Judge W a l t e r C ra i g s t a t e d in t he d e c i s i on " t he p o s i t i on o f
G e ne ra l C ouns e l o f t h e Nava j o T r ib e , r e gardle s s o f t he mann e r o f his
e mpl o yme n t and re gard l e s s of the t i t le of · his po s i t i on is c omparab le t o
t he C h ie f Legal O f f i c e r o f t he Un i t e d S ��t e s , and s t a t e s t h e r e df , o r any
p o l i t i c al sub d i v i s i on . "
" l t is t h e opinion o f t h e· C o urt t h a t the pos i t i on o f Gene ral C o uns e l
f o r t he Nava j o T r i b e f a l l s w i t hin t he s c ope o f t he d o c t r ine o f a b s o l u t e
e x e c u t iv e priv i l e ge . "
( Many S m oke s , Re n o , Ne v ada , Fi r s t 0uar t e r , 196 7 )
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
RAMPARTS , a s e v e n t y - f iv e c e n t maga z ine pub lishe d . in S an F r an c i s c o ,
It
C a l i f or n i a has an i n t e r e s t in g ar t i c le in t h e Mar c h , 1967 i s s u e .
In t qe
c on c e rn s T h e Pas samaguo d dy I nd ians , and is wr i t t e n b y D a v i d We lsh .
Apr i l i s s ue o f t h e Ne w s le t t e r a p o r t i on o f t h e s t or y w i l l b e pr e s e n t e d
a l o n g w i t h a n e d i t or i a l c on c e rning t he a r t i c l e . B u t t h o s e o f y o u wh o c an ' t
wait and w o u l d l ike t o r e a d h i s t ory , t r u t h , and f i c t i on a l l in t e r e s t ingly
in t e rw o v e n s h o u l d pur c ha s e Rampa r t s an d ' r e ad t he s t o r y n ow . F o r t h e mos t
par t 1 i t is p r e t t y go o d .
�( 19 )
GOP SEEKS T O CLARIFY Ilill IAfTS ' LEGAL S TATUS
(AP) - Leg i s l a t ive ma j or i ty P.epub l i c an s in s truc ted t�eir l e ader s in
c aucus Wedne sday to s e ar c h f or way s to clarify the tor tuou s comp l exi t ie s of
t he l e gal s t a tu s of Ma ine Ind ian s .
1 ; I d on ' t wan t to depr ive the Ind ian s of the i r t r il: a l r ight s , i . s aid
Rep . Wi l l i am E . Denne t t of Ki t t ery , 1 1but I don ' t wan t to s e e the l e g i s l a ture
s o confu s ed ab ou t this t ha t it doe sn ' t know where i t ' s a t . :
Denne t t made a l eng thy caucus s p e e ch , cen t er ed on a pending b i l l t o g ive
th� non-vo t ing Ind ian repre s e n t a t ive s of the Penob s co t and Pa s s amaquoddy
Tr i b e s the s ame pay and expen s e a l l owanc e s as r e gular memt er s of the l eg i s l a
tur e .
'flie Ind ian s , he s'a id , 1 1 ar e not as s tupid as s ome peop l e wou ld have you
b e l ieve . "
He said they invoke oi: s cure 1 ' trea ty r i gh t s " when i t sui t s the ir
purp o s e bu t they a l s o ob t ain t. er1ef i t s o ther s do no t have and whi ch ar e far
t eyond any treaty agr e emen t tha t may exi s t .
D enne t t s aid he has d one con s ideral l e reading on Ma ine Ind ian a ff a i r s
ov er t he year s and i s wi l l ing to concede t ha t the Penob s c o t Tr ibe doe s have
a val id t r e a t y wi t h Ma ine .
Eut he s aid i t provide s only for 1 1 s o many bu she l s o f corn , so many
bu she l s of whe a t , so much gunpowder , so much sho t , and a supp ly of c a l ico , one
year of red and one year of b lue .
In o ther word s , it has ou t l ived i t s us e
fulne s s . 1 1
I f t h e Pa s s ama quoddy Tr ibe has a treaty w i t h Ma ine , " I wou ld l ike t o
s e e i t , i : he s a id .
D enne t t s a id t ha t i n 1 7 94 , wh ich wa s 2 6 y e ar s b e f or e Maine
s t a t ehood , c ommi s s ioner s from Ma s s achu s e t t s en t er e d into wha t wa s ' ; a t the
mo s t a c ompac t 1 1 und er whi ch t hey gran t ed I nd i an Township and the P l e a s an t
Point r e s ervat ion t o t he Pa s s amaquodd i e s .
' The s o l e con s ider a t i on , ' ' he s a id , • iwas that the Pas s ama quodd.i e s wou ld
c e a s e f rom mo l e s t i 11 g the ir whi t e ne ighb or s . n
Denne t t said t h a t over t he year s , the Ind ians have l e en tr e a t ed a s a
In 1 9 5 3 , when they g o t
f or e ign e l emen t f or s ome purpo s e s , c u t n o t o ther s .
t he vo t e , t hey wer e a l l owed t o vo t e f or mo s t o f f i c er s b u t n o t l eg i s l a t or s .
"Wi thou t doub t , 1 1 he s aid , : 1 in the p as t the Ind ians have b e en finag led
t o qui t e an ex t en t .
Appar en t ly they wer e depr ived o f cer t a in l and s , t r an s
ferred t o whi t e men und er t erms t h a t wer e n o t exac t ly e thical . 1 1
' ;And ye t I c an ' t go a l ong wi t h the ide a that they took away Ind ian own
er ship of l and .
The Indi an s didn ' t own any l and as we und er s t and owner ship
under our Ang l o- S axon c on c ep t s . 1 1
' 'When an Ind ian s o l d l and t o a whi t e man for a t hr e e - c ornered hat or a
hand ful of b e ad s he probably l aughed -up hj s s le eve , b e c au s e he didn ' t own
the l and .
He didn ' t even c l a im t o o"m i t . 1 1
Denne t t s aid t he Ind ian s wan t to pr e s erve t h e ir ' · e thnic pos i t i on as a
peop l e apar t , i ; and thi s 'protab ly c an be done .
But b e fore mucp new l e g i s l a
t ion is p a s s e d , 1 1 some t hing has g o t t o b e d o n e about t h e l aws already o n t h e
b ooks , : ; he said .
1 ' :A l t hough I mig h t b e der ided by the pr e s s as s quirming out of a r e s pon
s ib i l i ty , I think thi s s hou ld b e s en t t o a s tudy . 1 1
(From the Kenneb e c Journ a l , Augu s t a , 3 / 30 / 6 7 )
PAS SAMA"UODDY COMMUEI 'IY ACTION COMMITTEE
The newly - f ormed Pas s amaquoddy Commun i ty A c t ion Commi t te e , whi c h 't'li l l
admini s t er t he Tr ibe ' s r e c e n t l y - fund ed "war o n pover ty n cons i s t s o f Mr . F ranc i s
1 1 R ed 1 1 Sapie l , Mr s . R i t a A l t ava ter , and F a ther Paul Par e , of the P l e a s an t Point
R e s ervat ion , and Mr . Ar chie LaCoo t e , Mr . George S tevens , Jr . , and F a t her Maur i c e
Lemlin , o f the . Ind i an Town ship R e s ervat ion .
Mr . S apiel wa s e le c t ed chairman
( Con t inued on Pag e 20)
�( 20)
( Cont inued from Page 1 9)
of t he c ommi t t e e and Mr . LaCopte the vice - ehairman.
G overnors J0hn S t ev�r 1
( Ind i an To�mshi p ) and Joseph Mitche l l ( P leasan t Poin t ) ar e memb ers of the com
mi t t e e � of fic io.
The commi t t e e has had several me e t ings to review and scr e en appl ications
that have een r e c e ived f or the position of Passama quoddy Commun i ty Ac t ion
Director .
SECOND INDIAH AFFAIItS COMMI TTEE HEAR!
lG
On Mar ch 23rd , the Leg islat ive Ind ian Affairs Commi t tee he ld i t s se cond
pub l i c hear ing of the curr ent sess ion .
F ive t i l ls were 1rough t bef ore the
commit t e e , a l l sponsor ed ty Repr e senta t ive 7arren Cooks on .
They wer e :
L. D. 1 0 6 6 "Al\"! ACT to P.evise the Ma ine Ind ian Housing Au thor i ty Law"
L . D . 106 7 i lAn ACT Re l a t ing to C l er ks of Ind ian Tr ibes and Exc ise Taxes
on No tor Vehi c l e s Paid by Memb ers of the Passamaquoddy Tr ibe of Ind ians"
L.D . 1 0 6 8 1 'AN ACT Re l a t ing to B i enn i a l E l e c t ions of Penobsco t Tr ibe of
Ind ians; ;
L . D . 1 0 94 " AN ACT R e la t ing t o Special Of f i ces for Indian Tr ib e s 1 1
L. D. 1 0 9 5 1 1 AN ACT Re l ating to n i enn ial Elections of Passame quoddy Tr ibe
o f Ind i ans1 1
Among those peop l e testify ing a t the he ar ing were Penob scot ex-Governor
F r an c is Banco , Penobsc ot Tr ib a l Coun ci lwoman Vio l e t Franc is , Penobscot Leg is
l a t ive Represe n t a t ive John Ne lson , Passama quoddy Legisl a t i ve Represen t a t ive
G e orge Fran c i s , Passama�uoddy CAC chairman Fran c i s Sapie l , and Penobscot Lt .
Governor F r ed Ni c o l a.
As of Mar ch 3 1 , the Newsletter underst ands that the two tr ibal e l e ction
b i l l s ( L . D . 10 68
1 0 9 5) which wou l d amend exist ing e l e c t i on l aws o f the two ,
Trib es , wer e r epor t ed from the comrnit t e e with 1 1 0ugh t to Pass' ' recommendations
and ar e continu ing norma l progr ess in t he legislature .
The o ther thr e e b i l ls
have n o t y e t b een r epor t ed ou t of t he committe e ; some amendment s ar e b e ing
soug h t for L . D . 1067 to make it more inc lusive .
·
&
AMPHENOL DEDI CATES
HEW
PLANT ON
LAlID
LEASED FROM SEMil OLES
The S emino l e Ind ian Tr ibe of F l orida , whi ch once sen t a l l i ts messages
runner , soon wi l l become l and l ord for a p l ant that wi l l be the ro lrd's
l argest manu fac tur er of e l e c tron i c connec tors for the t e l e - commun i c a t ion indus
try
A 3 2 , 40 0 squar e foot p l an t bui lding was construc t ed on the ten- acre
tract o f l and l e ased by Amphenol Corpor a t ion of Chi cago from the S emino les in
an agr e emen t signed last Jun e .
ALout one -half t he initia l work f or c e o f 200
ui l l 1 e c ompr ised of local Ind i ans , t he company announced
(From the U. D . Depar tment o f t he I n t er ior , 3 / 1 5 / 6 7 )
by
•
.
•
.
.
�!BAL SELF -RULE I S CLOSER
By Ja� W a l z
IN
•
.
•
CA1'1ADA
4
OTTAHA , l'ar ch
.1.
- The C'anad i an Governmen t committed i t se l f t h i s week
to swe ep ing changes a imed at g iving wicl er freedom of de� ision to the coun try ' s
mor e than 250 , 000 Ind i ans and ' Eskimos .
When the steps under way ar e comp le t ed , the Ind i ans on r eserve s , num
ber ing about ?. 1 5 , 000 , wi l l te ab l e ' t o make t he ir aim d e c isions on local mat ters
Lar g e numt ers of the Ind i ans r emain skepti c a l , but others take hope that
the Governmen t , 100 ye ars after the found ing of the C anad i an c onfederation ,
wi l l sur e ly L ack up i t s promises wfth deeds .
( Con � inued next month)
• •
• •
•
�IF
YOU
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s end in news i t ems ,
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p l a in t s ,
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l"IAINE IND IAN NEWSLETTER
Pine S tr e e t
F r eepor t , Maine
0403 2
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Freeport, Maine
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Title
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Penobscot
Description
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The Penobscot people, who identify closely with the Penobscot River that is their home, have a reservation on Indian Island, near Old Town, Maine. Part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, they were among the tribes that won federal recognition in the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. <br /><br />A Penobscot scholar, Joseph Nicolar, was one of the first regional Native people to publish a book: <em>Life and Traditions of the Red Man</em> (1890). Since then, many others have written about their language and culture, including the performing artist Molly Spotted Elk and poet Carol Dana.<br /><br />The Penobscots have a rigorous process for protecting their intellectual property, asking any scholars who are studying or writing about them to communicate with their Cultural Heritage and Preservation Office.<br /><br /><strong>Resources</strong><br /><br />Penobscot Nation <a href="https://www.penobscotnation.org/" target="_blank">website</a><br /><a href="http://www.penobscotculture.com/" target="_blank">Penobscot National Cultural & Historic Preservation Department</a><br /><br />
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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<em>Maine Indian Newsletter</em> (March 1967)
Creator
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ssipsis (Thompson, Eugenia)
Source
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Colby College
Date
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1967-03
Contributor
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Julia Brush
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Digital images courtesy of Colby College Library. In making these images available, we also consulted with ssipsis’ daughter, Pam Outdusis Cunningham.
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English
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Document
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pdf
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DV-470
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https://www.dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/original/7eb8c50def326ef3ae81d91f2e180e07.pdf
e32a8c590c650f6b156dc04d97abb68e
PDF Text
Text
MAINE�I
NEWS LET Tc
c
FEBRUARY
V OL
UME 1, NUMBER 7
1 96 7
NEW
SERV I CES REQUESTED IN IND IAN BUD GET MAY MEAN
NO SERV I CES RECOMMENDED BY MAINE GOVERNOR CURT I S
(E d . no t e : t h e N e w s le t t er tak e s a look at the s er v i c e s whi ch migh t b e cu t
from the budg e t r e que s t s o f the D e par tmen t oI Indian A f fa irs. S e e page 11
i f you wou ld like to he lp r e s tore th e s e r eques t s . )
(A mt . r e
qu ir e d)
($ 2 9 ,25 6)
a)
( $15 , 964)
b)
( $11 , 90 8)
c)
( $ 7 , 696)
d)
( $ 806 )
e)
( $1 6,146)
f)
( $ 7 ,5 92)
g)
Requ e s te d in cr.ea s e would:
( $7 , 9 82 )
h)
( $2 ,500)
i)
( $ 9 9 , 850 Tota l)
In crea s e pay o f 6 Tr iba l Po licemen (2 for ea ch Re s er v a tion)
to $ 4 ,238 per year ( compar e d to pr e s ent pay of $1 800 a ye ar);
Cr ea t e a D e par tmen t Hou s ing-and-Con s tru c tion O f fi c er po si tion
a t $ 7 , 9 82 per y ear( pr e s en t Hous ing-and-Con s tru c t ion O ffic er
is b e ing su ppor t e d for on e year by the Ameri can Fr iends S er
v i c e Co mmi t t e e);
Cr ea t e a So c ia l Work er I I po s i t ion b eg inning at $5 , 811 per
y ear for the Pa s samaquo d dy f i e ld o ff i c e;
Cr ea t e a D e par tment C l erk- Typist I I pos i t ion beginning a t
$3 , 75 7 p e r year;
Provide for r e c la s s i fy ing De partm�pt Clerk-Stenographer III�
b.b a C l erk I V;
Cr ea t e two A c count C l erk- I po s i t ions b eginning a t $ 3 , 93 9 per
y ear for th e Pa s samaquo ddy and Penob s co t field o f fic e s;
Cr ea t e a D e par tment So c ia l W e l far e O f fi c er pos i t ion beginning
a t $ 7 , 5 92 per year (b eginning in 1 96 8-1 969);
Cr ea t e a D e partm en t E conomi c-and-Human D e v e lopmen t O f f i c er
po s i t ion , beginning a t $ 7,5 92 per y ear (beginning in 1 9681 96 9);
Provide for in cr ea s e in Commi s s ioner' s sa lary .
Th e above s erv i c e s r e qu e s t e d were " c u t " from the bu dg e t
·( Par t I I) . Th er e was no r e comm enda t ion by th e go v ernor to
in c lu d e any o f the abov e. Th is m eans tha t the D e par tm en t
o f Ind ian A f fairs wi ll be exi s ting on i t s sk e le ton bu dge t
for the n ex t t�o y ear s . Th e pre s ent bu dg e t amoun t s to
$ 46 ,470 per y ear, prov iding for salar i e s and wage s to
c las s i f i e d s ta t e employ e e s .
(Con t inu e d on pag e 2)
�(2)
NEl/f SERVICES
N O SERVICES
(C ontinued fr om page 1)
•
•
•
(Ed. n ot e :
The f o l l owing increas e s that were r e que st e d f or 1967-1968 ar e
F or the year 1968-1969 an in cr ease. of $8 6,488 is r e qu e st e d . Th e
r e c omm e n d e d b u d get '' c ut" a l l ows only $30,000 a ye ar f or t he· f o llowing s er
vi c e s . )
$74, 477.
(Amt . r e
quir e d )
R e quest e d i ncr e ase w o u ld:
($3,600)
a)
($1,440)
b)
($10,080)
c)
($53,040)
d)
($18 '096)
($26,715)
e)
f)
($19,968)
g)
($2,400)
h)
($2,000)
i)
($22,100)
j)
($1,526)
k)
C h 60,965
In cr e a s e pay o f 3 Tribal G overnors t o $600 per year (19E71968) and t o $1200 per ye ar (1968-1969).
Pa y si nce J uly·l,
1966 has b e e n $300 per ye ar;
pri or t o July 1,1966 it was
$100 p er year );
In cr e as e pay o f 3 Tribal Li e utenant G o v ernors t o $240 per
.
ye ar (1967-1968) and t o $480 per ye ar (1968-1969).
Fay
sinc e July 1,1966 has b e e n $120 per year; pri or t o July 1,
1966 has b e en $50 per ye ar�;
Pr ovi d e pay f or 24 Tri bal C o unci lm ember s at $180 per year
(1967-1968) and ax S240 per ye ar (1968-1969).
(At pr e s ent ,
t he y r e c ei v e no pay );
Pr ovi d e f or 3 R e s ervati on C o nstr ucti on F or ew e n at $7,800
per ye ar plus e xpens e s , r e quir e d f or d e sir e d hom e c onstru ct
i on pr ograms on e a c h R e s ervati on;
Pr ovi d e pay f or 3 Tribal C l erk s , b e ginni n g at S2, 938 per ye;.
Pr ovi de pay f or 3 Tribal Maint e nan c e me n , b e gin at $4,342�
per year;
Pr ovi d e pay f or 3 Tri b a l Hallk e eper s , b e gin at $3,250 per
year;
Pr ovi d e f or rental o! Tribal P o li c em e n' s uni f orw s (now
b ei n g pr ovi d e d b y the M aine C o uncil o f C h ur c h e s );
Pr ovi d e f or fir e pr ot e cti on fr om the City o f O l d T o wn f or
t he P e n o b s c ot R e s ervati on;
Pr ovi d e f or ne c e s sar y i ncr e a s e s in trav e l, t e l eph one and
o per atin g e xpens e s t o s upport r e que st e d new positi ons;
Pr ovi d e f or ne c e s s ar y i ncr e a s e s in o f fi c e s uppli e s f or th e
r e que st e d new p ositi ons .
T ot a l ) The ab o v e s ervi c e s were !! c ut" d o1,vn t o only $60,000 f or th e
y e ars 1967-1968 and 1968 -1969. Wit h thi s c ut the H aine
Indi an.:n ot.�·mal9e any pa±egie.§s i n d e v e l oping the r e s our c e s,
t h at c ou ld mak e the R e s ervati ons an attracti v e place t o
liv e as we ll as t o visit.
....
A r eq ue st e d i n cre as e in t h e b udget f or p erm ane nt eq uipm e nt and fi e ld
e q ui pme nt am ounting t o $2,500 f or 1967-1968 and 1968-1969 had b e en " c ut"
t ot a l l� fr om t h e In di an A f fair s b udget (part II ) . Thi s m e ans t hat th e D e p
artm e nt wi ll b e op erating on a b udget o f $948 f or capita l eq ui pm e nt.
·
In ad diti o n t o D ep arthl e nt a l fund� f or R e�airs and Mi n or Irapr ov em e nts
on the thre e R e s er v ati on s , the foll owi n g fund s have b e en r e qu e st e d f or m aj or
R e s ervati on c on structi on pr oj e ct s:
( Continue d on page 4)
�(3 )
E
D
I
·T
0
R
I
A
L
S
THE MA INE IND IAN NBdSLETTER
ED ITOR
The Maine Indi an N ew s lett er
and i s fr ee.. o f c har ge.
•
•
•
E UGEN IA T. TH OMPS ON
(Pe no b s cot )
i s Maine' s only st at e-wi d e In di an n ews lett er ,
N ews and �tori e s may b e submitt e d tq the N ew s le�t er b y t h e 15th o f e ac h
month for pub li c ation at t h e fo l lowi ng addr e s s :
Pi ne Str e et
Fr e e port , Maine
0 4032
(Te le phone :
8 65-4253 )
L ett er s to the E ditor ar e w e lcom e b ut must con for m to the rul e s
r e quir e d b y e v er y N ewspap er . T h e y must b e ar t h e writ er' s corr e ct name
and addr e s s a lt ho u gh p e n name s ar e per mitt e d at t he discretion o f t h e
E ditor . A l l lett er s must b e si gne d t ho ugh name s will b e wit hhel d from
p ub lication o n r e que st . Pr e fer e n c e wi ll b e gi ven to lett er s not over 35 0
wor ds i n ...l en gth .
Lett er s are s ubj e ct to cond e n s ation or e diti n g when s p ac e
limitations r e q uir e and to corr e ction o f gr am, er or ob viou s error s .
A START
•
•
•
W h e n the 102nd L e gi s lat ur e e st ab li s h e d the Mai n e D e par.tment o f
Indi an A f fair s , it appe ar e d a s t ho u gh t her e was le gi s lativ e int e nt to
do somethi n g for the I n di an s aft er all t h e s e ye ar s .
It di d not app e ar
as t ho u gh le gi s l at ur e want e d to k e e p t h e Indi ans as t h e y wer e , b ut want e d
It wi ll tak e a r e stor
t o h e lp po lis h th eir prid e a s ori ginal Am eri ca n s.
ation i n the b ud get (part I I ) t h at was pr e s ent e d b y the Departm e nt of
I ndian A f fair s to mak e a st art in r e- b ui ldi ng a herit age o f which we
c an a ll f e e l a part .
With the last two ye ar s o f planni n g b e hind the new d epartm e nt
o f layi ng t h e gro undwork , s ur e ly it wo uld b e ni c e to t hi nk o f t h e 103r d
L e gi s lat ur e as making a start in getting t hings done for t h e I ndi ans .
T h e b ud get r e qu e st s for e xpandi n g s er vi c e s s u c h as n ew per sonne l to
as si st in provi d•ihg· ad e quat e po li c e , fir e prot ection, wat e -r and s ewer a ge
syst e ms and in t h e constr uction o f home s, ar e a start .
Your s upport o f t h e b ud get propo s als wil l gain the att e ntion o f
mem b er s of le gi s lat ur e who wi l l b e li st e ni n g t o yo ur opi nion . S e e page i l
under Indi an Af fair s B udg et H e aring, for instr uction on gi ving yp ur s upport .
LE T T E R S
.(Ed. not e : The fo l lowi n g l ett er was s e nt to t h e Mai n e I n di an N ew s lett er
from Go v. John St e v e ns , as t hi s copy o f t h e l ett er was s emt to him . )
R aymond F . S ar ge nt , Inc.
G e ne r a l Contractor
P . O .Bo x 539
El lsworth , Mai ne
Re :
Co l lection Tr e atme nt Expansion and Tr e atm e nt
Faci lit y P eter D ana Point , I ndi an Townshi p ,
Pri n c eton , Maine
D ear Sir:
T hi s l ett e r i s i n r e s po n s e to the conv er s ation we had at D ana Point
on J�ly 27 , 19 6 6 r e gardi n g prob l em s we mi ght e n count er duri n g t h e �onsttirctio
(Continu e d on page 4 )
�(4)
NEW
T it l e
a)
b)
c)
d)
SERVICE S
NO SERVI CES
(Cont in ue d fr om page 2
St at e
Fun d s R eq u e st e d
Pleasant P o int S ew erage S y st e m
$ 129,900
Pleasant P o int W at er S ystem
38,000
P e t' er· D an a P o int W at er Syst e m
73,800
Pen ob s c ot W at er & S e wer age System
63 , 000
--..-.
S u bt ot als
��
�-
$304,700
e)
f)
g)
h)
Peter Dan a P o int C oillJ'.ll un it y B l d g . $
Pen ob s c ot C omm un it y B u i ldin g
Pr in c et on " Str ip" S ewerage S yst e m
Pr in c et on " Str ip'' W at er Syst e m
S u bt otals
34,ooo
35,100
62,200
72,700
Fe d eral
Funds Ant i c ip at e d
$ 109, 000
30,000
60,900
51,800
$251,700
$
29:300
30,300
50,200
59,600
$204,ooo
Tot al s
$169,400
$508,700
$421,100
The st at e r e c omm en d s that the f irst f our pr oj e ct s be list e d quit e
" h i gh" i n t h e o v erall St at e C on str uct i on B ud get . I f t he s e .:_Jroje ct s r ew ain
in this p os it i on in t h e St at e C on str uct i on B udget , th er e is a good chan c e
that t h e y w il l b e fun de d .
H ow e v er, t h e st at e r e c omm ends pla c in g the last four pr oject s list e d
av ove v er y " l ow" in t h e overall St at e C on str uct i on B udget. I f the s e pr o
j e ct s remain in this p o s it i on in t he Stat e C on str uct ion B ud get , it is
extr em e ly unl ik el y that the y wi l l b e f un de d . ( Se e pag e 11 f or mor e d et ai l
o n t h e l os s o f f e d eral f unds as w e l l as the h ous in g pr oj e ct f or the " Str ip".
(Ed. n ot e:
Y o ur h e lp as inter e st e d in divi duals , an d organ iz at i ons in
s upport im g t h e M a ine In dian t o r e st or e the expan d e d s erv ic e s t o the budget
o f t he D e partment of In dian A f fair s w o uld be appr e c i at e d . )
(L E T T E R S )
(Ccnt i� u e d fr om page 3 )
on t h e ab ove c apt i on e d pr oj e ct .
On this pr oj e ct as on an y c on str uct i on
pr oj e ct w e have enc o unt er e d var i ous pr ob lem s . As the s e pr ob lems m at er ial
iz e d, the en gin e er in g f irm of Wr i ght , Pier c e, B arn e s & W ym an have d on e an
ex c e l lent j ob o f r e ct i fyin g the pr oblems � ithout an y de lay t o us on the
proj e ct .
S e c on d ly I w ould l ik e t o st ate that G ov ern or J ohn St e ven s and the
pe ople at D an a P oint hav e b e en v er y c o operat iv e dur in g the c our s e o f the
c onstr uct i on. On m ost of our pr oj e ct s we en c ounter a gr e at d e al o f vandal
ism, s u c h as t h e ft an d damage of mat er ia l an d e q uipment . T h is has n ot b e en
the case at D an a P o int . In fact we have mis p la c e d num er o us .t o ol s , e q uipmen t
et c . dur in g t h e c o urs e o f c onstr uct i on on the pr oj e ct which w er e foun d by t he
p e ople at D an a P o int and r et urn e d t o us . Very un usual in de e d .
An other p o int I would lik e to mak e is in r e gar ds t o the lab or f or c e at
D an a P o int. On s e v er al o f o ur pr oj e ct s we hav e f o un d a s h ortage of l o c al
lab or . At D an a P o int w e w er e ab l e t o f in d en o u gh l o c al lab or o f the c alib er
ne e d e d t o d o most phas es o f the pr oj e ct. In fact w e hav e had tw o m en·fr om
D an a P o in t that w er e ex c e pt i on a l w ork ers.
I have t a lk e d w it h man y pe ople who hav e a gr e at mis c on c e pt i on o f t he
pe ople at D an a Po int. I w ould have t o s ay aft er b e c omin g b ett er ac quaint e d
with t h e pe ople an d t h e ir pr ob lems at D ana P oint th e y ar e in n o w ay d i ff er eL
( C ont in ue d on page 16)
�(5)
MEET YOUR INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The present 103rd Legislature in February appointed a Joint Select Com
mit tee on Indian Affairs "to handle the heavy load of bills pertaining to
Indian Affairs" expected during the current session.
An Indian Affairs Committee of the legislature was in existence from at
least 1917 through 1949.
In 1951, following a report by the Legislative
Research Committee, the total number of legislative committees was reduced from
41 to 23, and the Indian Affairs Committee was one of those eliminated.
During the 102nd legislative session, 19 bills pertaining to Indians were
introduced, and were referred to 7 different rommittees of the legislature.
With this number of committees holding hearings on Indian Affairs bills, it
was difficult for Indians or others to be present at all the hearings to offer
testimony on the bills.
The Newsletter is pleased that the 103rd Legislature has recognized these
problems and has created an Indian Affairs Committee once again.
The estab
lishment of this committee will certainly make it easier for the Legislature
to collect testimony on the many important Indian Aff�irs bills which are being
presented to it.
The Indian Affairs Committee (like all legislative committees} is composed
of three Senators and seven Representatives.
The membership is listed below;
the biographical information is taken from the special publication of the Daily
Kennebec Journal for the 103rd Legislature.
MEMBERS
Senator Herald J. Beckett (Committee Chairman)
Born in Eastport.
5 Key Street, Eastport, Washington County.
Age 70.
Republican.
Congregational.
Married.
Insurance Agent, Real Estate Broker.
Educated in Eastport schools, U.S.Army Mechanical School.
Member, Eastport
Republican Committee 30 ye rs; Republican State Committee 10 years; finance
chairman, Republican County Committee one year.
Washington County Commissioner,
1937-1966; chairman of board 1956-1966.
Senator Theodore S. Curtis
23 Main Street, Orono, Penobscot County.
Age 66.
Born in Freeport.
Republican.
Protestant.
Married, four children.
Educated University of
Maine, B. S.
Faculty manager of Athletics, Emeritus.
Member, Orono planning
board.
Member, State Executive Committee and State Camp Committee, Y�M. C. A.
Past president, New England College Conference on Intercollegiate Athletics.
Past secretary-treasurer Yankee Conference and New England Intercollegiate
Athletic Association.
Trustee, Lee Academy.
Member, Maine Natural Resource
Council, Masons, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
Senator Frank Norris
West Peru, Oxford County.
Age 57.
Born Lithuania.
Democrat.
Mar
ried, 3 children.
Educated Mexico, Peru & Dixfield High School.
Member
School Committee.
Selectman.
Past Democratic Town Chairman and County Trea
surer of the Democratic Party.
Member Peru Town Committee.
Member of the
102nd Legislature.
Representative Catherine Carswell
26 Panoramic View Drive, Portland, Cumberland County.
Age 44.
Born
Brighton, Mass.
Democrat.
Catholic.
Married.
Licensed cosmetology in
structor and owner of Suburban Beauty Salon.
Educated in Portland parochial
(Continued on Page 6)
�(6)
(Continued from Page S)
MEMBERS
•
.
.
.
and public school systems.
Graduate of Portland High School, Golden School
of Beauty Culture in Portland.
Member of Mental Health Task Force, Maine
Council of Social Agencies, Portland League of Women Voters and Business and
Professional Women's Club of Portland.
Member of Portland Democratic City
Committee.
Organizer and past president of ,Saint Catherine Guild of Saint
Joseph's Home for Aged Women.
Member Cumberland Democratic Women's Club.
Member of Health and Institutional Services Committee and Retirement and Pensions·
Committee.
House chairman, Health and Institutional Services Committee.
House chairman, Retirements and Pensions Committee.
Member, Legislative Re
search Committee - 102nd Legislature.
Elected to 98th, 99th, lOOth and 102nd
Legislatures.
Representative Warren H. Cookson
RFD No. 1, Bangor, Penobscot County.
and 102nd Legislatures.
Republie an.
Member of the lOlst
Representative Nicholas W. Danton
12 Milliken Street, Old Orchard Beach, York County.
Age 47.
Born in
Biddeford.
Democrat.
Greek Orthodox.
Married.
Attorney.
Educated
Biddeford High School, Roosevelt Aviation School, Mineola, N.Y., Hawthorn School
of Aeronautics, Orangeburg, S.C. , Portland Junior College, Portland University.
Member of Old Orchard Democratic Town Committee, York County Democratic Committee.
Member of 102nd Legislature.
Representative William E. Dennett
185 Rogers Road, Kittery, York County.
Age 58.
Born in Portsmouth, N. H.
Republican.
Protestant.
Married, two children.
Insurance and Real Estate.
Educated at Portsmouth, N.H., Elementary and High Schools.
Selectman Town of
Member of the House 94th, 95th, 96th, 99th, lOOth and lOlst Legis
Kittery.
latures.
Representative Neal A. Jannelle
Born in Portland.
Ferry Road, Scarborough, Cumberland County.
Age 37.
Republican.
Congregationalist.
Married, four children.
Educat�d at Scar
borough public schools, (CED) courses University of Maine, Portland.
Building
contractor,
Licensed Real Estate Broker.
Nine years selectman, assessor of
Scarborough; chairman for two years.
Served on several local boards and
committees.
Member of the Lions.
·
Representative Frank J. Miliano
11 South Street, Eastport, Washington County.
Age
39.
Bor n in Long
Former Eastport
Retail rrerchant.
Catholic.
Republican.
Ysrnber Arrerican Legion, Eastport Fire Departrr.ent, Republican
Chief of Police.
Island, N.Y.
Town Committee.
Representative Raymond M. Rideout, Jr.
Age 41.
Born in Portland.
I".anchester, Kennebec County.
Repub lican.
Educated at Universit y of :Maine, B�A.
Ma.rried, four childre n.
Protestant.
Alderman and Mayor, City of Hal lowell.
in Business Administration.
of World W�� II, Combat Engineers, ETO.
Veteran
The Newsletter congratulates these legislators on their Committee assign
zrent and is confident that they will give thoughtful consideration to al l
Indian legisla�ive natters, both on the Committee and in the House and Senate.
�(7)
PINE RIDGE MOCCASINS
In February, 1967, the Dakota Moccasin Company is expected to begin
operations on the Pine Ridge Reservation at the southeast end of Pine Ridge
town.
It is expected that the company will employ 75-100 people.
Initial
production is expected to reach 250 pairs of moccasins per day, with a max
imum of 2,000 pairs a day at its peak production.
Six workers began training December 1st and from this group will come
the plant foreman.
Lake Church Leather Products of Belgium, Wisconsin, is
the parent company of Dakota Moccasin and it will supply the manager.
(From Indian Times, Denver, Colorado, December 1966)
A NEW DAY FOR THE AMERICAN INDIAN
By Hubert H. Humphrey
Vice President, The United States of America
(Continued from January Newsletter)
Fortunately, Indian resistance is breaking down.
Fears and mistrust
by the older generation are giving way as younger men and women, who have had
access to long.er schooling, bring new experiences and new views to their
tribal communities.
Over the past hundred years - although not intensively until passage
of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 - the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs
has been in the business of education.
At first it attempted to teach only
Eventually the Bureau expanded its
the simple trades and farming skills.
outlook on Indian education to provide elementary, secondary and vocational
training.
But Federal schools until fairly recent years were often the
Over the past decade, however,
only non-sectarian schools open to Indians.
there has been steady exodus of Indian children from Federal to local
public school enrollment, as public school districts have been established
on or near reservations.
In some instances, the Federal and local schools
pool resources to operate a cooperative school for Indians and non-Indians.
And still the average reservation adult of middle age has less than a
fifth grade education, and many are totally illiterate in English.
Only a
few hundred Indian high school graduates of last year have gone on to college
this Fall.
The habit of higher education has not yet taken a firm hold.
Family income among the reservation dwellers still falls far below the
$3,000 floor which the Office of Economic Opportunity calls the "poverty line,"
although new housing programs and comm9nity development.programs are making
some inroads.
Indian health is improving as the Public Health Service
expends its network of hospitals, outpatient services and mobile clinics.
But there are still too mariy disease-borne deaths and the infant mortality
rate is still considerably higher than the national average.
The Indian
birth rate doubles the national average.
The Indian population is growing
at a rate so fast that the land base of the reservation can no longer support
the people.
To put the land base to new uses, industries seeking locations for plant
expansion are being urged to explore Indian locales, with the Bureau of
Indian Affairs offering on-the-job training for Indian workers.
Their
manual dexterity and aptitude for precision work is earning for Indians a
first-rate reputation among specialized industries such as electronics.
At the same time the Bureau is encouraging Indians to move off the
less promising reservations and into industrial centers where work opportun
ities are more plentiful.
A package program - vocational t�aining and job
placement, with all expenses paid for trainee and family - has lured about
50,000 Indians into successful urban living in the past ten years
(Continued on Page 8)
•
•
•
•
•
�(8)
(Continued from Page 7)
A NEW DAY
•
•
•
•
The paternalistic approach is good no longer.
In its worst manifes
tations, it resulted in a culture of poverty; even at best, it encouraged
a dependency approach to life.
Instead, we must foster active participation
by the Indian people in all affairs that affect their own welfare and the
well-being of the nation as a whole.
Until this happens, Federal agencies and Federal laws can be only half
effective.
What then is our goal?
Justice and opportunity for our Indian fellow
citizens, so that no longer will they be a "colony of strangers."
(From The Optimist Magazine, November, 1966)
DID YOU KNOW THAT
Marc E. Widdiss, Wampanoag, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard D. Widdiss, 172 School
Street, Wayland, Mass., now: is a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts,
in Amherst?
INDIAN ACT " 'IYRANNY " SAYS CHIEF PAUL
Canadian Indians are still being exposed to political tyranny by the
limitations of the (Canadian) Indian Act, said a spokesman for the National
Indian Advisory Board in Winnipeg.
Phillip Paul, chief of the Tsartlip Tribe at Brentwood Bay, Vancouver
Island, said most Canadian Indian bands want more autonomy from the federal
government.
" The Indian Act, as it's geared now, seems to take initiative away from
�he Indian, " he said.
"We seem to be under political tyranny."
Mr. Paul was commenting on discussions of the board, which held its
third meeting in Winnipeg in December.
The board, established a year ago,
is made up of 18 Indian leade�s from across Canada and it met twice before
in Ottawa.
Mr. Paul said most of the board members want some of the powers now
held by th� minister for Indian affairs transferred to the Indian band councils.
"The Indian Act is full of•powers for the minister," he said.
"It says
the minister may do this and has the power to do that, but it gives very
little authority to the Indians to govern their own affairs. "
He said the main problem of most bands is the financial situation of
the reserves, but that no solution can be found until changes in the Indian
Act allow the bands to develop a broader financial base for their reserves.
The board, set up to advise the federal government in matters of
national importance in the administration of Indian affairs, has been studying
possible amendments to the Indian Act
(From Indian Record, Winnipeg, Canada, January 1967)
•
•
•
•
FEDERAL INDIAN BUREAU TRANSFER URGED
By William M. Blair
WASHINGTON - A presidential task force has recommended that the Bureau
of Indian Affairs be transferred from the Department of the Interior to the
Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
The administration is under
stood to be considering sending the proposal to Congress, where it is certain
to touch off a fight.
Signal flags of opposition already are flying on
Capitol Hill.
The group named by President Johnson more than a year ago to study the
(Continued on Page 9)
·
�(9)
FEDERAL INDIAN BUREAU ••
(Continued
from Page
• • .
8)
Indian problem found th�t Indian difficulties were fund.:iErrBntally educmtionail
As.. one
s:ociaJ. problems amd fitted more brocrdly into H.E. w. programs.
informed aoUJ:rCe commented,, uH.E.W. is more people-oriented,,"
The Interior
amch
view; is that the Indiansr
nattural resources should be developad to provide
them with wider opportunities,
Tha Sec�y of the Interior,
stavmirt L. Udall,
�sked �bout the group's irecommendC!l.tions.
a:ire working on
a
had 11.no comrnent11 when
He and Indian Affa:irs officials
legislative program of ruq:>anded aid thmt would enable
Indians to mana:ge more of their own OBffairs and davelop their Jlai!ld resourcen.
Dis:.closure of the task foree recomrrendation came when Rep. Wa;yne N.
Aspinall, D-Colo., who i� chad.rman of the House Interior Committee, expressed
atrong opposition art a_ committee meeting with Indian a£fairs officiails.
11Just as s o on CES a:nyb�dy in the Unite.ct Staates,11 he said, "decides to
place Indians in the aan:e position� other beneficiaries of H.E.w., then
When Indians become 11beneficiaries of welfare
Itm oppoood to it,11• he saU.d.
in H.E.w.,11 he added, 11the u.s. had better ]ook to its hole itard.11
Rep. Jares A. HaJley, D-Ala:., and chairman of the cominitteat s sub
committee on Indian affairs, said tha.t Aspinal].ts views "'p.Il'etty much
expressed the view s of the subcommittee.11
Furthermore, he added, H.E.w.
11haiantt done too good a. jo b on thait ( welfare ) with the money theytve had.11
AapiJa.11 brought up the JPrOpos:ed transfer as. Robert Le Bennett, Ce�
i
.missioner of Indian Affains, and his assistants prepared to review Indian
progl"ams and legislation for the panel.
The study group
wcrs
R.
The Coloradian said he wished to
discuss the proposal but Assistant Se<tretary Hairry
11we prefer not to get into it at this time."
headed by Dr. Walsh
Anderson told him
¥cDermott1
Fa.:rrand Livingston
professor of Heail.th and Plreventive M:ldicine at New York Hospit� - Cornell
M:ldietal Center.
Indians were in the group.
of the Indians.
It also re-commended tha..t ·funds be tripled to bring Indians
The group reported that the transfer sholJld be effeeted with the consent
into the mainstream of American ]ife with broad educartional. program&..
(From the Bangor Da:i. ly News, 1/2.8/67)
(Editorts
The N�tionaJ. Congress of AITBrican Indians, CBt its
Note:
1966
annu�l
meeting, passed a resolution opposing tha t ransfer of Indiam educ�ion res
ponsibility from the Dept. of the Interior to the Dept. of Heailth, Educa tiom
and Welfare. )
INDIAN ISLAND FIFTH GRADERS vrsrr UNIVERSITY
It ·was a big day when
25
fifth graders from the Indian Island school
in Old Tewn were taken on a tour of the University of M.:linets barns at Orono
by the Student Aetion Corps, ro. community service campus, organization.
The
hour-long field trip was p:Ianned by Old Town School Superintendent Philip c.
LibbyJ the teacher,
Scarborough.
(From
Sister
Mary
Norma; and UM atudent Valerie Lamont of
The reactions were those of discovery for sone of the pupils.
the Portland Sunday Telegram,
l/29/67)
CURTIS CONFERS WITH HATHAWAY
A UGUSTA
( AP )
I
- Gov. Curtis conferred for an hour here with u.s.Rep . Wil�
gressman, Peter Kyros•••• In ro statement issued after Mondayts conference, the
liam D. Hathaway, then set up a· meeting for Tuesday with Yainets other con
governor's office sai.d ••• they also discussed the status of Yaine's Indian
schools under civil rights la�s.
(From
the Portland Press Herald,
2/14/67)
�(10)
ESTHER LOUISE SABATTUS WEDS RAPHAEL SOCABASIN
PRINCETON - A February 11th ceremony united in marriage Miss Esther
Louise Sabattus, daughter of Albert Sabattus of Pleasant Point and the late
Alice Sabattus, and Raphael Socabasin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lola Socabasin of
Peter Dana Point.
St. Anne's Church, Princeton, was the setting for the ceremony.
Offic
iating was the Rev. Maurice Lemlin.
Sister Thomasine was organist and Mrs.
Joseph Deschene, soloist.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a gown of white bridal satin,
with a bodice of scalloped chantilly lace.
Scalloped lace finished the
hemline of the skirt, which ended in a chapel-length train of lace.
Her
veil of lace-trimmed imported silk illusion fell from a miniature Danish
crown of pearls and crystal drops.
She wore a double strand of cultured
pearls, �nd pearl drop earrings, and she carried a missal and white rosebuds.
Miss Betty Stevens was maid of honor.
Miss Laura Nicholas was junior
bridesmaid and Miss Romona Nicholas was flower girl.
The maid of honor wore a powder blue satin brocade street-length dress
fashioned like the bride's gown.
The junior bridesmaid's dress was of rose
brocade.
They carried colonial bouquets of porns in colors matching their
dr�sses.
The flower girl wore a floor-length dress of white satin brocade.
Patrick Socabasin was best man.
Ushers were Harry Stevens and Stuart
Tomah of Peter Dana Point.
After the ceremony, a reception was held at the Lion's Club meeting hall.
Assisting were Mrs. Blanche Moore, Mrs. Ramona Stanley, Mrs. Robert Wheaton,
Also, Miss Anna Lola of Pleasant
and Mrs. Marie Borsovsky of Robinston.
Point, Mrs. Vergie Johnson and Mrs. Bert Tuttle.
The bride.attended St. Mary's School and John Bapst High School, Bangor.
The groom attended schools at Peter Dana Point and Princeton.
He is employed
by St. Croix Company.
They will reside at Peter Dana Point.
(From the Bangor Daily News, 2/17/67.
Eoitor's note: A very attractive
full-length photograph of Mrs. Socabasin in her bridal gown accompanied the stor}.)
ESKIMO-INDIAN LAND RIGHTS
•
•
•
•
The clash between developers and conservationists over the (Alaska)
Rampart Dam project is only one aspect of the broader struggle for control of
tPe land, a struggle that beclouds Alaska's centennial year.
When the state
hood law was enacted, 99. 8 per cent of the land was still owned by the federal
Under provisions of the statehood act, Alaska was given twenty
government.
five years to select more than 104 million acres from the federal public domain.
Now Eskimooand Indians are attempting to block the state selection by
pressing their aboriginal rights to vast tracts of Alaska, including the Arctic
Slope and the Yukon Flats.
(The 1867 Treaty of Cession failed to define the
entitlement of natives to the lands they were using and occupying, and Congress
to this date has ducked the issue. )
In their claim to the Arctic Slope and its potential oil wealth, the
Eskimos use an argument that should appeal to all conservationists.
Noting
the white man's proclivity· for despoiling the land and polluting the rivers, the
Eskimos warn that the oil explorations might kill fish and disrupt the migration
Sam Taalak, president of the Arctic Slope Native Association,
of caribou.
We must prepare for
told a visitor to Barrow last summer: " Let me be blunt.
the day when our children may have to live by hunting again.
I tell you, this
We ·run out of game animals and we will hit the relief
is a harsh country.
rolls pretty hard. " . .. .
(From the Saturday Review of Literature, 1/7/67)
�(11)
SPECIAL AMERICAN INDIAN CALENDARS
for 1967 are now available from American Indian Calendar, 79 Emerson Street,
Denver, Colorado 80218.
The calendars, which cost $2.00 each for 1 to 25,
or $1.40 each in quantities over 25, are illustrated with photographs of var
ious Indian crafts, include significant quotations from past and present Indian
leaders, and indicate many important dates in national Indian history.
INDIAN AFFAIRS BUDGET HEARING
The Budget Hearing for the Department of Indian Affairs' Part II (new
services) and Construction budgets will be held in Room 228, State House,
Augusta, on Thursday, March 16th, from 10:45 - 11:30 A. M.
Individuals, or persons representing groups or agencie� tha� wish to
support the Department's budget requests for new services and construction
could bring or send a written statement to be left with the Chairman of the
Legislative Committee on Appropriations:
Senator Richard N. Berry, Chairman
Committee on Appropriations & Financial Affairs
103rd Legislature, State House
Augusta, Maine 043 30
Members of the general public who are able to attend the hearing will certainly
be given a chance to indicate their feelings by briefly stating their name and
opinion, or by rising at the end of the hearing when called upon by the Chairman.
The Part II Budget request is for funds (in addition to existing funds)
with which the Department would finance new positions, services and programs.
The Department's requests for new funds total $117,293 for 1967-68, and
$146,022 for 1968-69.
The State's recommendations for new funds total $30,000
for each of the two years.
The difference between these figures represents
the presently-recommended "cuts" in the Department's Part II budget; these
"cuts" amount to $87,292 for '67-'68, and $116,022 for 168-'69.
None of the recommended $60,000 for the two-year period involved new State
personnel positions, and the Department feels this shortage would have a par
ticularly damaging effect on plans to upgrade Tribal Constables, administer
Reservation housing programs, and increase field office staff.
The Departm� nt's Construction requests are for funds to provide 50% of
the cost of various major construction projects on the three Reservations. The
Department anticipates receiving the remaining 50% proje·ct costs from various
Federal cost-sharing programs.
Current State construction priorities place Pleasant Point water-and-sewage,
Peter Dana Point water, and Penobscot water-and-sewage projects "high" on the
priority list.
Princeton "Strip" water-and-sewage, Penobscot community build
ing, and Peter Dana Point community building projects are very "low" on the
The Department feels that lack of funds for water-and-sewage
priority list.
construction at the "Strip'' will make it impossible to include the " Strip" in
anticipated new housing programs.
PENOBSCOT & PASSAMAQUODDY PUBLIC PRESENTATION
·
Penobscot
Governor John M. Mitchell and Indian Township
Passamaquoddy Governor John Stevens jointly addressed the February meeting of
the Frankl�n Chapter, American Association of University Women, in Farmington,
on February 17th.
Topic of the program was: "The Legislative Problems of the
Maine Indians.''
Governors Mitchell and Stevens, as well as Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy
Governor Joseph Mitchell were invited to address a public meeting held at
Bowdoin College on February 20th, with Indian Affairs Commissioner Hinckley.
Bad weather that night prevented the Governors' attendance at the meeting.
�(12)
LONG LAKE CAMPGROUND
The Maine Department of Forest Service has just issued an attractive
The
brochure on the Long Lake Campground of the Indian Township Reservation.
pamphlet describes the location and facilities of the campground, as well as
the facility's regulations and procedures to be followed in making campsite
reservations.
Copies of the "Long Lake Campground" pamphlet may be obtained free-of
charge by writing: Campsite Coordinator, Maine Dept. of Forest Service, State
House, Augusta, Maine 04330.
(See article on Page 1, December 1966 Newsletter.)
RED TAPE
(A charred fragment of deerskin was recently excavated by the Plymouth
County, Massachusetts, Archaeological Society on the site of an early seven
It bore curious inscriptions, apparently
teenth century Algonquin encampment.
hasty' notes made by a volunteer secretary in primitive spcedwriting.
A crude
translation follows:)
Sachem
Warriors squaws Algonquin Village Association come to order.
cast one vote accept unread minutes last powwow.
Special meeting: zoning.
Problem: Impending population explosion, increased real estate values,
substandard housing, litterbugs, river pollution, junkpiles, infiltration un
American types.
Zoning essential preserve character community.
Samoset say: First white man come, OK.
We give fish, corn.
He come
back, bring friends.
Wrong color, strange gods.
Wise men read omens.
See
PTA, DAR, ESP, AT&T, LSD, SEC, DDT, BPOE, A&P, RCA, Radcliffe, Trailer, barbecue,
power mower.
Eat outdoors, go bathroom indoors.
Bikini, rock'n'roll corrupt
papoose.
Stop before too late.
Move 1,000-acre zoning.
Amendment: 2,000-acres.
Yak yak yak.
Appoint study committee.
(From Saturday Review of Literature, 2/11/67, by Harland Manchester)
INDIANS HAVE THEIR PRIDE
by William M. Clark
My two year residence in Princeton, years ago, certainly doesn't qualify
me to suggest specific ways to upgrade the social, economic, and educational
status of the Maine Indians who live near that town.
It serves only to make me realize that the ways must be specific, not
generalized pressures toward some pattern visualized by a proponent of regimen
tation.
The Indians who live at Peter Dana Point, near Princeton, are Passama
quoddies.
We had a few of them in high school.
He visited out at the point.
We liked them.
I think some of them liked us, but about this I am not posi
tive....My memories of the Peter Dana Point Indians involve a few things I'd
like to pass along.
The first one is that the Indians held tightly to their pride in a past
racial greatness.
They kept alive certain skills and lore that had been
handed down to them with their culture.
They had a superb sense of humor.
Most of their jokes were subtle, but they enjoyed them immensely.
They were
constantly surrounded by dogs, amazing numbers of dogs.
I'm sure they never
abused them and they never abused their children either, except unknowingly
in a kind of innocent neglect.
All this may sound like too poetic a description of a group of people
who were living in deprivation.
But we were all living ·in deprivation.
How
else could we live when the sawmill was paying $18 a week
! don't think
(Continued on Page 13)
.
I
.
•
•
�(13)
(Continued from Page 12)
there were over six bathrooms in Princeton.
I know we didn't have one.
So deprivation didn't enter into the picture except in one way.
The
Indians· weren't as concerned about the lack of THINGS as the rest of us were.
Their drives took different forms.
The plea I'm making today is for a remembrance of difference.
This
is not the same as a suggestion of inequality.
The mass planners seem to
have trouble understanding that.
It is past time for many things in Maine, but we can't go back and
predate our activities.
We've been too slow in extending the sincere hand
of genuine helpfulness to the Maine Indians
There's no sense in sobbing.
Action is what is needed.
In the case
of the Indians, though, that action must not take the form of bludgeoning
them into a pattern that the bureaucrats decree is universally beneficial.
Planned "improvement'1 must be adjusted to conform to the Maine Indians'
desire to preserve identity.
The Great Society concept of a·path tcward
the perfect life is a generality.
To order the Indian to fellow it, for
saking his own culture, would put one more mark on his blackboard of bitterness.
This dictated dogmatism that destroys differences is what I fear, be
cause we are becoming so tolerant of ruthless regimentation.
(From the Portland Press-Herald, 2/6/67)
.
•
•
.
MALISEET TRIBE TO GET NEW VILLAGE
WOODSTOCK, N.B. (AP) - The white man's need for hydroelectric power is
driving a band of Maliseet Indians from their village established along the
St. John River near here more than 270 years ago.
However, the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission and the federal
Indian affairs branch are cooperating with the Indians to provide the band
with a new village which will cost more than $187,000
The new village will comprise 17 new homes and the relocation of three
recently-constructed buildings on a gently rolling hill about three miles
south of here.
Streets, sewage and water lines are being built and a sewage
treatment system using a new process will be installed.
Members of the Maliseet band decided on the type of houses in the devel
Once occupied, the homes
opment and will be given certificates of ownership.
cannot be sold to anyone but members of the band.
It is expected that the
school building, largely unused since Indian children were integrated into the
provincial school system, will be converted for use as a community center
(From the Portland Press-Herald, 2/9/67)
.
•
•
•
.
•
.
.
.
MISCELLANEOUS
Wilma Louise Victor, a Choctaw Indian and the Bureau of Indian Affairs'
top-ranking woman educator, has been selected as one of the six women in
Government to receive the coveted 1967 Federal Woman's Award.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C., has named a 16-man Nati'.m
al Indian Education Advisory Committee.
15 members are Tribal leaders; all
are Indians.
Tribal membership includes Pima-Maricopa, Apache, Sioux, Choctaw,
Hopi, Alaskan, Papago, Creek, Pueblos, Navajo, Paiute and Cheyenne.
An article on Maine Indians appears in Hi Way magazine, March 1967, pub
lished for teen-agers by the United Presbyterian Church (WitherF-poon Building,
Philadelphia, Pa. 19107) .
Alvin Josephy, Jr., and Mitchell A. Wilder are two newly-appointed mem
bers of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
They replace Rene d'Harnoncourt and Erich Kohlberg.
�FIRST LOOK REVEALS NO INDIAN SCHOOL SEnRBiATION .
By Bob Drew
.
.
.
.
.
•
.
•
OLD TOWN-A federal education team investigating alleged discrimination in Indian
schools on three reservations in Maine gave some indications here Monday that they
found no major evidence of a Civil Rights law violation, but at the same time
cautioned against any premature conclusions as to the ultimate findings.
Members of the Penobscot Indian Tribe, obviously concerned about the matter1
were told at a tribal meeting Monday evening by Charles Bechtold of the Boston Re
gional Office of the United States Office of �ucation that "I do not see segre
gation in the Island school." However, Bechtold told approximately 60 people at
Tribal Hall that the federal group was only on a fact-finding mission, and would
not maKe any final determinations.
Bechtold, John Lagomarcino, a civil rights attorney with the United States
Health, Education and Welfare Department, and Edward Snyder, a civil rights speci
alist with the Equal Educational Opportunities program of HEW, have been sent to
Maine by HEW to determine whether or not claims that reservation schools at Old
Town, Perry and Princeton are discriminatory in that their pupils are mostly In
dians.
Lagomarcino said a final decision on the matter could be expected, probably
within four to six weeKs
"I think you'll see that this is handled rather
promptly," he told the NEWS.
Tribal officials will be informed of the findings
at the same time that state officials are, he said.
Federal officials came to Maine a week ago at the behest of Gov.
Curtis after the discrimination charges arose.
Kenneth M.
Indian spoKesman here, for the most part, were highly critical of the actions
of ��ine Education Commissioner William T. Logan Jr., Monday night, when they said
there were indications there had been talk about closing the Indian schools prior
to the time the State Education Department took over their operation from the
Maine Department of Health and Welfare.
Some of those present requested that the federal team disclose \/ho had made
the complaints about discrimination, but this the visitors said they were unable to
do.
Lagomarcino said it came to the attention of the federal officials as a re
sult of sommunication and correspondence between the Maine Department of Education
and the United States Of!ice of Education.
Other speaKers from the floor suggested that there was no sense in trying to
find a "goat" but merely settle the problem.
Bechtold emphasized that the federal team was only gathering facts which it
would submit to higher authorities in Washington.
"The federal government does not have the authority to close the Indian
schools," he declared.
He added:
"Yes, the government could hold bacK federal
funds from the state, but the facts here don't point in that direction."
Bechtold
stressed that closing the Indian schools was a responsibility of the state, not of
the federal government.
"For myself, I see no problem," he declared.
Snyder told the group, "We can't tell you what the Comm\bS.sion of Education
( U.S. )
is going to say."
A woman from the floor asked the question:
"If the state decides to close
our schools, can the Federal government help us Keep them open?"
Lagomarcino replied that to the best of his Knowledge the matter had never
been discussed.
"I don't Know," he replied, but indicated that it was doubtful.
The Washington attorney said at one point that only certain federal funds
would be withheld from Maine if it were found to be in violation, rather than all
of them.
Tribal Gov.
John Mitchell, who conducted the meeting, promised his people that
"as your governor, I shall carry this through."
plause�
(Continued
He received a large round of ap
on Page 15
)
�(15 )
IND IAN SEGRfilATION. .
(Continued from Page 14 )
. . NO SCHOOL
Other speaker� inc luded Indian Rep. John Nelson ,
Pierre ,
Ernest Goslin ,
Fr .
Romeo St.
who gave a report of a meeting between Federal offic ials and Indian repre
_sentatives and others at Augusta last weeK,
and S chool Superintendent ,
State Rep .
Warren Cookson of Glenburn
Philip Libby of Old Town .
The Federal team spent most of Monday visiting the Indian school here and
t alking with teachers and others as well as with Libby .
Tuesday , �he team will move into Washington County where they w i ll vis i t the
reservation at Princeton and meet with tribal leaders and others that evening.
Wednesday , they will visit the Pleasant Point reservation and have another
evening meeting with tribal leaders .
In each instanc e ,
the superintendents,
(From
they are visiting the schools c on c erned and
� alking
with
teachers and other interested persons .
the Bangor Daily News ,
H . E . W.
2/17/67 )
AGENT IS FINISHING INDIAN SCHOOL STUDY
Perry- "Whatever the Indian has to say, we want to hear, " were the words of
a civil rights specialist Wednesday night, as he summed up the purpose of a fed�
eral fac t - finding group sent to M9.ine by the Health,
Education and Welfare De
partment .
Edward Snyder was the only remain;i;;ng member of the three- man Federal education
team investigating alleged claims that reservation schools at Old Town, Perry ,
and
Princeton are discrimina tory because most of their students are Indians.
Snyder said Wednesday ,
while in Eastport ,
that both Charles Bechtold of the
Boston Regional Office of the United S tates Office of Education ,
marcino ,
a civil rights att orney wi th the United States Health,
and John Lago
Education and
Welfare Department left early Wednesday morning to fill " prior c ommittments . 11
The three , since Monday, have toured the Old . T own and Princ:eton reservations
in an effort to dig up sufficient f9 c ts to enable decision maKers in Washington to
arrive at a final decision as to whether or not the schools are discriminatory .
A " c olleague from Washington 1 1 was scheduled to j oin Snyder for the fac t
searching tour at the Pleasant Point reservation Wednesday, but due to Tuesday1 ·s
storm, the official was unable to keep the appointment .
Snyder indicated that the
news was a strong disappointment in view of the mountainous chore of gathering as
much information as possible in the relatively short period of time allotted to the
m ission .
The specialist said he expected to visit with a number of Indian leaders and
school officials at Pleasant Point and Eastport before attending a tribal meeting in
the recreation hall on the reservation at
7 : 30
P.
M.
He noted that some had c oncluded that Washington had said that i t was going
to c lose the Indian ' s schools .
n ot close
the
" This is not true," he said ,
1 1 the government can
schools but it can withhold federal funds if it deems necessary . "
Snyder repeatedly made it clear that he had no opinion to release regarding
whether the schools were or were not discrim inatory, but pointed out that it was
" strictly a governmental decision" which c ould not possibly be determined until the
matter had been studied from every c onceivable point .
When
asKed when suc h a decision by the government might be forthcoming,
he
said that he would t ry to insure prompt decision on the matter, but did not ex
pect tha t the o�fic e of education would have developed an offic ial opinion from
t he fac ts revealed by the tour before four or five weeKs or longer- depending upon
the comple teness of the fac ts .
(Continued
on Page
1 6)
"
�( 16 )
H . E. W.
AGENT IS FINISHING INDIAN SCHOOL STUDY
(Continued from Page
15 )
There are a lot of factors involved in the tnaking of such a decision and any
facts could have a de cided e ffec c on the outcome ) said Snyde r ) pointO
ing out that the Title S ix program was only two years old and suggested that an
nual reports on the program , needed in the present study for comparison purposes,
one of these
may not be immediately available .
"He would like to know the per capita cost of
operating the Indian schools fqr the past 15 years ,
made available for some time , " he said .
but these f i gures may not be
The civil rights specialist concluded by expressing a belief that there was
yet much worK to be done after leaving the reservation ,
but gave the assurance
that the final decision will "not be made in haste . "
(From the Bangor Daily News ,
2 / 9/ 67 )
TWO SKELETONS UNCOVERED AT PEMAQUID
By Helen Camp
On the 19th of August ,
Dig .
196 5 ,
two skeletons were d iscovered at the Pemaquid
They were found ten fee t from the Tavern site )
at a depth of two feet.
One skele ton was lying on its side with i ts Knees drawn up in a flexed po
sition .
This is believed to be that of an Indian , since the position is typical
o f a number of Indian burials .
The bones were in such a poor state of preserva
tion ;
that they could no � be removed one by one .
They and the surrounding earth
w e re hardenec with a resin and removed as a block .
The other skeleton lay parallel to the " Indian 1 1 ,
one was lying on its back .
torso was covered with three hammered brass plate s ,
been placed.
length
3 strand )
then folded together to form a bundle .
9- 3/ 4 to 10- 1/2 inches in
braided cord,
which may be
This second skeleton was taKen to Dr .
W G:l S
Under the entire skeleton was
the barK of a tree
Natural History for study .
This
The
over which a de er hide bad
Across the shoulders were 5 brass tubes ,
These were strung on a single ,
o f sinew,
separated by five feet .
The skull was resting on a round brass plate .
Junius Bird of the American Museum of
We give an extract from his report :
"Dr. Harry L . Shapiro (Chairman of the Department of Anthropology of the
American Museum of Natural History ) examined the remains and believed the adult
to have been a woman under 40 years of age .
He did not reach any positive opi nion
as to whether she might have been Indian or White.
A baby was placed naKed in the grave , apparently on top of the adult body
with its head resting on he r right shoulder .
days old .
It was very young )
possibly only a few
The navel is visible in the preserve section of the stomach skin,
but
does not show any residual umbilical cord.
The sKin of the infant ' s forehead retains some fine ,
of a band )
There
about 3/ 8 of an inch w ide ,
darK hair and a portion
which apparently encircled the head .
is nothing I can report which might explain this rather curious burial.
Professor James Griffin of the University of Michigan,
North American Indians,
a leading authority on the
examinec the re ma ins and says he bas never seen anything
l i Ke it . "
We are waiting for the results from a s ample of bone submitted for a Carbon
14 dating .
.
(From the . Maine Arche ological Society Bulletin,
(L E T T E R S C n t inue d f r om page 4 )
f r om t h e pe ople and the ir prob lems in any c ommun i t y w e hav e worke d in . We
have en j oye d a t D ana P e in t as you c an s e e , and have had v e ry f e w pr ob lems .
Ve ry t ruly yours ,
Raymond F . S arge nt , Inc .
C . T h omas Le av i t t , Engine e r
( C on t i? u e d o n page 1 7 )
4/ 5 / 66 )
�tl7 )·
(L E T T E R S
c on t inue d from page J6 )
S't a t e o f Maine
S e na t e C hamb e r
Augu s t a , Main e
D e ar Mrs . T h omps en :
T hank you f o r your s e v e ral le t t e rs c on c e rning t h e I n d ian le gis l a t i on and
s o li c i ting my c on t inue d support in the ir cause .
I s hall plan t e s e nd you , as s o on as p o s s ib le , the s ugge s t e d ar t i c le
expr e s s in g my v i e ws f or pub li c a t i on in your newsle t t e r .
S t.a t e of Main e
H ou s e of R e pre s e n t a t ive s
Augus t a , Maine
S inc e re ly
Ric hard N� B e r ry
/
D e ar Mrs . T h omp� on :
In r e gard t o your que s t i ons re gar d ing le gi s lat ive p lan s in pers uan c e o f
t he b i lls giv ing Indian R e pre s e n tat ive full pay , allowan c e s , e t c . I migh t s ay
t ha t I hav e n o t f orme d any de fini t e plan s ye t . The b il ls , two o f t he � , we re
in t r od uc e d t o day ( Jan . 18 , 1967 ) . R e p . C arlt on S c o t t o f W i l t on , and I are t he
c o -s p on s ors . The inea is t o give t he b ills as much b ipar t i s an suppo�t as p o s
s ib le . W e a r e runn in g in t o s ome oppo s i t i on o n b o t h side s o f t h e par t y f e n c e .
In view o f the fac t that the pay b ill and the bill t o v o t e on pendin g le gi s
lat i on is c o -s p on s ore d I d on ' t b e +ieve there w i l l b e any s e par a t e par t y b il l s
on t he s ub j e c t .
I b e li e v e the b ill Mr . S c o t t and I hav e s p ons ore d c on t a in s
a l l that is ne c e s sary t o b r ing Ind ian Re pre s e n t a t iv e s in t o as n e a r e q uali t y
with o th e r S t a t e R e pr e s en t a t iv e s s s t h e F e de ra l C o ur t d e c i s i ons will pre s e n t ly
allow . T h e y w ill hav e und e r our b i ll , in e f f e c t , the s ame s t a t us as the o ld
T e rrit or ial D e le ga t e s or the Pre s e n t Pue r t o R i c an R e s ident C ommis s i on e r d o e s
i n t h e F e de ral H ouse o f Repre s e n t at ive s .
T h e b i ll r e ad s as f ollows :
"Wi t h t he e xc e p t i on of t he r i gh t t o v ot e on p e nd in g le gis la t i on , the me mb e r o f
the Penob s c o t Indi an T r ib e and t h e me mb e r o f the Pas s ama qu oddy I ndian T r ib e
e le c t e d t o r e pre s e n t his t r ib e at the b i e nnial assemb ly o f the L e gis l a t ure
s hall have a s e a� in the H ou s e of R e pre s e n t a t i v e s an d all priv ile ge s , righ t s
and du t ie s o f o t h e r repre s e n t a t iv e s , inc luding t h e r i ght t o se rve i n a n on
v ot i n g c apac i t y on a n y c ommi t t e e . 1 1
I hope t his will answ e r y our q ue s t ions and I h ope t h a t b e f o re an o t h e r
mont h o r s o h a s pas s e d w e w i l l b e ab le t o t e ll y o u more h ow t h i s b i ll and
t he ? ne to rais e t he Indian R e pr e s e n t a t ive ' s pay and allowan c e s is c omin g a l on g .
V e r y t ruly yours ,
S . Glenn S tarb ird , J r .
ANNOUNCEMENT : T h e o f f i c e o f t h e D e partment o f Indian A f fairs has mov e d f r o m
189 S t a t e S t . t o t he S mi th" H ou s e o n 108 Grove S t re e t . This b u ildin g is l o c a t
e d a t t h e re ar o f t h e D e p o s i t ors T r u s t C ompany b ran c h o f f i c e ( a c r oss C ap i t o l
S tre e t f rom t h e S t a te H ou s e O f f i c e b uildin g ) . T he addr e s s f or mail w i ll s t ill
be :
D e partme n t o f Indian A f fairs , S t a t e H ou s e , Augu s t a , Maine 0433 0 .
ANTI -POVERT Y D IRECTOR WANTED
Washin g t on (Eas t er nm o s t U . S . ) C oun t y , Maine , n e e d e d f r o heading c ount y -w ide c om
mun i t y a c t i on pr o grams ( salary $ 10 , 500 ) and als o dire c t or for I nd ian R e s e rv a t i onE
pregram , s ame c o un t y . Matur e c o lle ge graduate with e xperie n c e and/or demon s t ra
ted int e r e s t i n e c onomi c s and "The O t h e r Ame r i c a " . Airmai l r e s ume , spe c i fying
j ob pr e fe re n c e (and minimum s alary a c c e ptab le i f in t e r e s t e d in I n d ian p o s i t i on )
t o : Was hingt on C o un t y Re gional Ac t i on A ge n c y , Pos t O f f i c e B LD G . , Mach ias , Maine .
(Fr om t he Por t land S unday T e legr am , 1/15/67 )
�( 18)
DOHN THE RIVER
By Helen Ca ldwe ll C u shman
(An Introduc t i on to our neighbor to the s outh ,
Wayne )
Wayne , or i g i na lly Known a s New Sandw i ch , i s a bea utiful town .
uni que fe& ture s wh i ch a dd to the inte r e s t of anyone interes ted in
And it ha s a wea lth of fa s c ina t ing Ind ian lore .
Much of the pa s t of Wayne ,
s ulted f r o m the loc a t i on .
It ha s many
nat.n1·a 1
h i s l�ory .
even ba c K in the t i me of the Ana sugunt i c ooks ,
To the north ,
Wayne
is
re
s e pa ra ted from the waterways
which dra in into the Sandy River by he ights of land .
Off to the ea s t is the Ken
All the waterways leading J:'1·otn the north to Wayne r i se in K i mball
nebe c R iver
and Boody Ponds on the mounta ins beyond Vienna v i llage .
One early vis i tor to the .
r e g i on , a Mr . Bowen, came by water from Lew i s ton i nto La Ke Andro s c oggin, and the nce
up the long s e r i e s of laKe s unt i l he rea ched a long w ind i ng stream between M:inne
h onK and Taylor Mi ll Pond .
He and h i s party of t i mber c ru i s ers ca mped on the stream which is a s w i ld
it wa s when ·che Indians used it for a thoroughfa re .
The next morning ,
t oday a s
a nd thi s wa s b a c k in
1760 ,
Mr .
Bowen c l i mbed
a
h i ll s outh of the s tream and then
a ta ll p i ne tree
and looKed out over miles of virgin t i mber .
The h i ll bears h i s
name t oday .
He wrote that they had rea ched a point going ups trea m a ll the whi le
from Lew i s ton about thirty m i le s .
And the waterway ha s born the name of Th irty
Mi le R iver ever
s ince .
Thi rty Mile R iver r i s ing a s
vi llage of V ienna drops
until
it doe s
in the he i ghts north of the p i c ture s que
s tead i ly through a long s e r i e s of la Ke s ,
i t rea che s the Dead R iver from whence i t flows
ponds and s trea ms
i nto the Andro s c oggin .
There
i s a drop of more than s ix hundred fe et from the s ource to the outlet . . . all adding
t o the wa ter power whi ch once tur ned the wheels of the indus t r i e s a l ong i t s banl{S . .
a nd a
century ago Wayne was an i mportant indu s t r ia l town . . . important,
tha t i s ,
by
s t a ndards of the da y .
When the tumb l ing r ive r rea che s We s t Mount Vernon, i t i s j o ined b y the north
w e s t b ra nch .
Ea r ly s e ttlers in the Sa ndy R iver often went thi s 'Jay from Par_ker
to Dav i d and Ti lton Ponds ,
and thence by a carry to Mosher Pond and a water c ourse
tha t led eventually i nto the Sandy R iver .
ry i ng pla ce s
known to the Indians ,
All a long the waterway are tnany car
and lmown to many ca mpers on canoe trips to
thi s day .
In 'bhe
s outhe a s t part of Wayne
I nd ians whi ch dra ins through Berry ,
R iver .
there
is apother wa terway a ls o u s ed by the
Dexter and Wi l s on Ponds
i nto the Kennebec
From Morr i s on He i ghts wh i ch sepa rated the two water sheds . . . that
long one of the Andro s c oggin and the Kennebe c i s
is the
one of the mos t beautiful v iew s
i n Ma ine .
The we s t pa rt of La Ke Andr os c oggin is
the
There a re s even i s la nds
was
in Leeds .
From a lmos t any h i ll around
la Ke there are pla ce s where the i s lands and the Cape s ta nd out l i ke j ewels .
in the la Ke ,
and one at the outle t whi ch one writer sa id
" e mbra ced between the two bra nche s
s urr.ounds
One
of the la rge i s lands towards Leeds was
s a cred pla ce
later . .
of the Dead R i ver whi c h here s epa ra tes and
it . "
to the Ana sa gunt i c o o1rn .
b u t it
is
once
More of thi s
an Ind ian bury ing ground ,
a
land or i s land and one other
s trange that b oth of the s e a re c overed w ith bla c K sand .
Excava
t i ons have been made o n one a nd many Indian re l i c s found .
In the s outhwe s t part of the
laKe
i s a ne c K of land Known a s the Cape whi ch
exte nd s i nt o the laKe a d i s tance of two or th.ree mile s .
There are s evera l hundred
of meadow land wh i ch i s flooded in the high water of s pr ing and on whi ch
Cape haying was an event in the early days of the township .
grew exce llent hay .
(C ont i nued
a cr e s
next month)
t
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Penobscot
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The Penobscot people, who identify closely with the Penobscot River that is their home, have a reservation on Indian Island, near Old Town, Maine. Part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, they were among the tribes that won federal recognition in the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. <br /><br />A Penobscot scholar, Joseph Nicolar, was one of the first regional Native people to publish a book: <em>Life and Traditions of the Red Man</em> (1890). Since then, many others have written about their language and culture, including the performing artist Molly Spotted Elk and poet Carol Dana.<br /><br />The Penobscots have a rigorous process for protecting their intellectual property, asking any scholars who are studying or writing about them to communicate with their Cultural Heritage and Preservation Office.<br /><br /><strong>Resources</strong><br /><br />Penobscot Nation <a href="https://www.penobscotnation.org/" target="_blank">website</a><br /><a href="http://www.penobscotculture.com/" target="_blank">Penobscot National Cultural & Historic Preservation Department</a><br /><br />
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<em>Maine Indian Newsletter</em> (Feb. 1967)
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ssipsis (Thompson, Eugenia)
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Colby College
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1967-02
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Julia Brush
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Digital images courtesy of Colby College Library. In making these images available, we also consulted with ssipsis’ daughter, Pam Outdusis Cunningham.
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English
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Document
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DV-471
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https://www.dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/original/acc6c6d057d89d8c2bad4c4f97d80e73.pdf
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PDF Text
Text
MAINE �.INDIAN
N E W S L ·E T T E R
VOLUME
1,
NUIVIBER
6
JANUARY 1967
INDIAN RESERVATION
SCHOOLS TO BE INSFSCT:CD
The three Maine Indian reservatio�s �ill have their sc11ools inspected
federal official of the U.S. Depart �nt of He<llth, �duc�tion and .ielf&re.
HEW contends that ti-ie schools are in violc:.,tion of the Civil Rishts itct of 1964.
This announceraent ca&e in answer to the telebra� sent by, GovernorCur
c<nd Comvisioner of Indian J-1.ffairs,
tis; Com,.1isi·oner of Education, Logc..tn;
Hinckley, which requested a review of the threatening situation to �ithhold
federal funds from the sto.. te 1 s Education Depurt .ient.
(A co;y of Gov. Curtis 1
telegram follows this article.)
The HE· re2resentative, Theron Johnson scheduled a �eating on January
27th, and will spend as much tifile as nece�3�ry to loo� into the situation.
by
a
GOV"SRNOR
Clr:?TIS .SE.ms TELt;GR•·ci
The Governor of t:iaine, Kenneth ·!. Curtis sent a telegrnm to the U.
Office of Education about the Civil qights hCts ,�it a�plies to the Maine
The text of the telegrl: follows:
Indian children.
11i�1r. David. S. Seeley, Assistant ComuJisioner
·
.,,-..'CAL �Due l'IGr�1�L O:.? 0 TUF"ITI-:s .L ROGR.-tr;
Office of Education
U
:ashington, D.C. 20202
•
•
•
As a result of your letter of August 3u, 19u01 &nd subsequent
recent action by the Maine St· te Board of Education in prepar
ing ap roprinte leGislntion for cowpliance, serious questions
have been rnised �vithin the Der--c.�rt··ent of :,�ducation, Depart"1ent
of Indi�n Affairs, Ro�an Catholic.Diocese of Fortland, �ewbers
of the State Le�islature and the Governors of the Penobscot
and Passanaquoddy Reservations concerning the infor1.!ation on
which your opinion was based.
On behalf of the State of Maine, in conjunction with Commis�ioner
nd Cow: -issioner
Hinckley of the De!>artment of Indian Affairs,
Logan of the Department of �ducation, I urgently request that
you or a representative of your office coille to Maine as soon
as possible to conduct a detailed personal investigation of
the current program for the �ducation of our Indian children,
to consult with the agencies �entioned above, and to report to
me your findings.
It is the aim of this Administration to provide the best possible
educational oyportunities for all J\·laine children including Indian
children and in addition to ensure that this stEte.is in coillpli
ance with all provisions of the Civil Right� f ct."
�(2)
IND IAN Gonm 'ORS S.t-Eru".. OUT
MaiDe
IDdians Make
Plans To
Oppo&e Any E fLar t T o C lose T h e i r
,ch o ols
b y B ob Dr e w
Augus t a
and many
- The
of Mai n e 's
in pr o t e a t
T h is t ime
ove r what
it
''G r e e t \t'J hi t e Fo.t he r "
1 , 200
t h e y consi d e r as ano t h e r
is s£ho ols
Le ad e rs
of
( January 17 t h)
in gt on C ount y,
i n ,Jashin- t on
r e se rva t i on Indians are
on
the
t h e Passamaq u o d d y T r i�e
at
�nd
Pie asan t
the
of
r e se rv� tione .
Faint
has d o11e
to
i t again
the veroal w�rpa th
l one st ring of
a
injust ices .
held counci l sessi ons T u e sday
and Pe t e r Dana
P e n obsc o t Tribe
t aking
had
a
oint
Rcse rvd t i ons in
s e ssi on sched ul�d
trte
iash
f o ll ow
ing ,Je dne sday e veni11.:; at O l d T own wi t h o f 1icials o f t h e dc.. i ne D e par t.nent
of E d ucat i on and the i1'la ine D e par t went of Ind i2n Af fairs .
S t i l l a t h i r d r.ae e t i ng was sche dule d T!iu rsday at Au gus ta �vh e
re pre
t h e Maine R o man C a t h olic d i oce oe con f e r \Jil;ll e d ucc..t i o n c:.nd
s e nt a t ive s o f
t r ib al l e ad e rs.
C ath olic nuns s t af f
Ind ian l e ad e rs are
the
t h re e
incense d b e cause
e le �ent ary scho ols .
t h e s t ate h�s s�id
Jay have
it
t o cl ose t h e sch o ols
0c �use o f a U.S. Ofiice o f Educati on ruling th� t
d o n o t c omp l y w i t h t h e C i vil Rign t s Ac t of 1964.
T h is
the
Go v .
"We
feel
and state
our
I n d i ans d eny .
John Mi t che l l
t ha t
the
of
t h e Pe nobsc o t T r i b e
f e d e ral g ove rnment
mat t e rs wh ich
hq_d
o f Maine .
t r e a t y right:s to
Old T o�n,
T h is we
sa i d
Je dnesday,
of haine,
the S t e.. te
f o rme r ly hand l e d
t r.bu l
f e e l is a vi ola t ion o f
ifvh e n t h e C om..... onw e a l t h
t he S t a t e
r e sp onsibili t i e s t hat had b e e n
at
ove rst e p}Je d i t s aut h or i t y in
d o n o t conce rn i t .
t r e a t y wi t h t h e S t a t e
sold c•.ir
they
by
o f I·iassachus e t ts
of Ma ine assume d all
t h e C ommonw e a l t h
o f Mass
achuse t t s.
T h e s e t r e a t i e s s t i p u la t e .t ha t e ver y t r i b a l me w b e r sha ll n o t
d e pr ive d o f h e a l t h, e d uca t i on an d we l f·r e .
The
f e d e ra l g ove rnme n t
fe els that
the
St .::.. t e
of ha ine
is not
be
in c o m
p liance w i t h t h e C i vi l Righ t s l e gisla t i on o f 1964.
� J e fe e l it is . "
M i t che l l said t h e r e are p r e se n t l y Indi�n and n on- Ind ian st ud ents
at t e nd ing t he
the
pas t .
f ive ,
and
field
"We
by the
of
of
He
Ind ian
t ha t
fee l
sai d
Island Sch o o l a t
t ha t
the
Indian
o ld e r st u d e n t s
the state
e ducat i on.
p r e se n t s t at e
go
Old T own and t h is has happe ne d in
Island Sch o o l is
for
grad e s one
t o sch o o ls in O l d T own wh ich are
is p r e se n t ly me e t ing i t s o b l i gat i ons t o us in t h e
W e also
f e e l w e a r e n o t b e ing discriminat e d agains t
gove rnme n t ';" .Mi t ch e l l conc l u d e d .
Tri b a l l e ad e rs a t b o t h Pleasant
f i rm c onvict i on t ha t
Point and Pe t e r Dana P o in t w e r e
t he y w o u l d s t and
sch o o l ch i ld r e n w h o a t t e n d
grad es
one
t h e i r g r o und and n o t
t h r o ugh
f ive ,
the
t o a t t e nd p u b l ic sch o o ls if
r e se rva t i on sch o o l s t o o d w i d e
Ona
of
t h e y d es i r e ,
open
t h e s t r onge s t advoca t e s o f
t inue d i n d e fini t e ly is J os e p h Nich o las,
P oint
t o a t t e nd what
the
t h e y sa i d
t he
The
the
gover nor
l e ade r
of
the
the
fame d lnd ian dancing gr o up
has m o ve d
opp o r t un i t y t o acce p t
can b e
e v e n t ual assimi lat i on o f
whi t e man's socie t y . "
way t h e s t at e
in t h is e f f o r t
t he
Nich' o las r e f e r r e d
to
the
of
r e ce nt
of
the
r e j e c t i on of
1
on page 13)
P l e asant
o f E d uca t i on is a
Indian r e se rvat i ons
the
i t a s a p e opl e ,
d e a l ing?"
(C ont inue d
of
of
tri b e sai d
is h i g h l y und e m ocra t ic.·
plan o r r e je ct
accompl i sh e d b y t h is way
t h r o ugh
door
r e s e r va t i on sch o o ls b e ing con
a f o rme r
Nicho las f e e ls t h e move by t h e S t a t e D e part m e n t
to
the
their
t h ose
th ose s t u d e nts t o o .
gr o u p .
"s t e pping st one
int o
for
but
also
p e rmi t
o u t s i d e the r e se r va t i ons cal l t h e p ub l ic sch o o l sys t e m.
T h e governors d i d h o w e ve r give appr ova l t o t hose in gr&d es six
e ig h t
t hr o u gh
int e gra t e d.
Ne
" t he
had n o
I ask m y se l f,
wha t
a pr o p os e d Sch o o l Adminis
�(3)
E
D
I
T
0
R
I
A
L
S
THE HAil'iE IHDIAN .NF: !SLETTER
EDITOR:
EUGENIA T. ThOMPSON
(Penobscot)
The Maine Indian Newsletter is Maine's only state-wide Indi2n ne'.vsletter,
and is free of charge.
News and stories way be submitted to the Neivsletter by the 15tl1 of each
�onth for that-month's publication at the following adlress�
Pine Street
Fre..J·>ort, Haine
:
04032
(Tel � phone: 865-4253)
Letters to the Editor are .telco1J1e but u.1ust con.i:o.cm to t;he rules
required by ev�ry newspaper.
They must bear the writer's correct name and
address altl1ough pen ndmes are rJerILiitted at the discretion of the Eclitor.
All letters wust be signed thou�h nR�es will be withheld fro� �ublication
on request.
Freference will be given to letters not over 350 words in length.
Letters are subject to condensation or editing �hen space limitations reqtire.
Pli.S8Ai
Ji�-.;uoDDY GOif R1-0R CIJ.'ES J1IS FECFLE ON
l•.ET'
lIC IfiAUGU�. TIO!�
To The People of the Pass[lli1aquoddy Tribe:
I want to thank each of you who took part in the Inaugural Cere onies.
This was the first tiiJe in the history of the Passa 1aquoddf Tribe thcit both
ofthe governors (Indian �ownship and Pleasant Point Reserv2tions) were sworn
into office at the same time.
11y thanks goes to Delia Mitchell for organizin� the Indian dancing
group.
This group was wade up of members of both reservati0ns and perfor.1ed
durii1g the cere1.rnny. I a · very �'roud of each perfor..:ter and I vrnuld like to
cor11rliment the;:.1 on their beautiful leather costu:.:es they ;.1ore.
I would li.tCe
to encourage �ore perforillances of these original Indian cere.:onial dances.
I wish to thank each oi you for giving �e sup_ort and I pro. ise to
do my best to l1elp each and every one of you during . .,y ter,; ns your governor.
Honor&ry guests ·ere Colll11 issio.u.er Ed Hinckley and r·,r. L 1· rs. Don C.
Gellers, Attorney for t11e Passa1 aq uoddy Tribe!
I wis to ti_ .... 11.k Fa 1..'ier Pare
1..
and Father TJe_.!ilin for tn :ing part in the Inau ura.l :-uere onies 9-l1d also,
for doing the (injun) far Dance.
Sincerely yours
Chief John Stevens
Indian To �msllip
Princeton, 'le.
.•
....
GLUSICliP 'fh LIAR & OtHER IHDIAi-1 TALES
(See page 15 and 16)
How curious it is to read this fine book on the Penobscot Indians �hen
as a young Indian I never had the opportunity to listen in when the elders
talked.
Gluskap the Liar l, Other Indian T·1les by Horace P. Beck provides
(Continued on Pa&e 4)
",
�(4)
(C ont inue d
the
f r o1.1 p a ge
r e ad e r with
Indian c u l t u r e .
of
tales o f
the
st ill b e l ieve d
For
�oving hist o r y whi c h p o in t s o u t
Y o u w i ll
Ind i ans t h r o ugh rr .
t he
so
3)
fast
a
t ha t
imacina�y
to
be
wh o are
est e d
in d e e pe r s t u d y,
(T he
have
f ind
the
, idst
wi ll amuse
w10
wai t ing on H t .
t h e Indians y o u w i ll
in t he
c h ar a c t e r Gluskap a n d
int e r e s t e d
und e r s t anding o f
y o u rse l f
De c k's b o ok ,
t h e In d i ans w i ll
t h ose
f ind
you vi t h
e n t e r t a ining g r o up
· olk l o r e i n
·11 o is
tle ir
his f r i e nd Kat adh in,
Ka t adhin f i l l ing h i s t i p i with a rrowheads
t he ir
day and aven�e
in samp).. ing t h e
t his b o ok
Mr.
int e r e sti.1 fac e t s of
o f an
the
l o r e and
t o your
li l. ing .
wr ongs
of tist ory .
t h e hwn o r o us s i d e
For
Be ck has c ompi le d n o t e s t o as�ist
Origi � al Ai e r i c an's f av o r i t e
f o l l owing le t t e r was se n t
Appr opr iat i o ns C ommit t e e b y t h e Ed i t o r
to
pasttiJte
t h e C hai rraan
of
rvl10 a r e
t h o se
of
you
of
in t e r
in d e e pe r
o f s t ory - t e l l ing .
the
Le gislat ive
t h e Ma i n e Ind ian Ne wsl e t t e r. )
D e ar Sir:
Ove r the
o f Maine .
H e al t h and
pe o p l e
ye ars
·e l fare
Maine ,
It
and
li t t le
t h e stat e
it
for
had
to
ove r
was a n o b l e
par t me nt
b ut
that
to
It
be
to
has had t h e
t he
ye ars . )
ge st u r e
be
ap r o priat e d
is my
o f t he
f e e l i ng t h a t
the
by
appe a rs
to
of
the
102nd L e gisla t u r e
t h e Spe c in l Se ssi on .
the Ind ians d o n o t
t o qe
the
d one .
A
t r iµ
c onsi d e r
to
the
a
D e ar E di t o r,
A f t e r r e a d i ng y o u r D e c e mb e r issue
I d on't b e l i e ve
owne d b y t he Indians ,
t i o n t ha t I r.1e t Hr..;;.
and her
sist e r .
fac i l i t i e s,
and
a n d n o t th e
we
inc l u d e
would
l ike
We w o u l d
t his l a d y has ab o u t
calle d
grant e d and
pr ovi d e d
t h e F lat s.
(Par t s I and II)
ind is c r iill i na t e l y
b e gun by
the
w r i t t e n b y ".rs.
for
t�
103rd Le gis
102nd .
was int e r
the
c o r r e s
I also want
r ente d .
and I
t e n ye ars ag o,
live
I
'I'here sa :r:au l .
by
t o we n
only Ind i an h ouse s t hett w e r e
�ere
t o se e a l l t h e
l ike
C e r tain ly,
pr o p ose d
or iginal b ud ge t
y o ung gir ls,
wh o
f o r,
c u l t ur e .
t he arti c l e wr it t e n
The i r h ou1e was
a l l t he Ind ians,
their
c r e a t e a new d e
to be
cut
of
t h e stat e
the Ind ian N ewsle t t e r,
o�es that
we r e
I visi t e d h e r aun t ab o u t
q u o d d yand Mal ise � t .
l ike
of
Br o oks ,tl e n t i on e d
Paul wh e n we
was l iving in a r e n t e d h ome.
T h is w o u l d
to
so
r e l ying on t h e
life
t h e H o u l t on Fla ts ,
Mr .
t h ese
t r uly yo urs,
t h is lady und e rst o o d
Jli.l orris Br o oks .
to
r e se rvat i ons wi l l show y o u t ha t
better
Ve ry
pond e n t ,
the
The Ind ians are
pr omise s f o r
l e t t e r ab o u t
the
by C omi11issi one r Hinckl e y whe n h e
y o u wi ll
the S t at e
r e st o f
funds we r e
in r e a c hing tnis g oal .
was )r e sen t e d .
fulfill
e s t e d i n the
wish
of
t h e De p t .
r e s e rva t i ons o f
m one y in
insu f f i c i e n t
by
tribute
f o r th e
isi on r e gard ing t h e Indian b udge t
b u t I h ope
is much work
lat u r e
(Th r e e
t hat a l l D e pa r t 111e n t a l b u dge ts w e r e
Gov e rnor,
Ind i ans a s i t
t h e re
de
inst r um e n t al
It
by the
your
p r ovi d e d
r e s o u r ces t o re d e ve l op t h e i r
appe ars t h is was consi d e r e d
I h o�e
use
Even t h e n,
h is b udge t .
will be
t he st a t e .
c onsi d e rat i o n i n r e t urn
t h e Ind ians .
p r ovi d e d w i t h
negle c t e d p e op l e
a
t h e sus t e nanc e
has b e en a ve ry meager
l965
wh o have given so much
"Ind ian T r us t Fund"
more
Indians have b e en
c onsi d e r
up unt i l
own land was ve ry
of
the
Y o u migh t
one
and at
kne w he r aun t ,
t ha t
o f t.rn h o use s t ha t
houdes have
on
t o see acre
also
the
Ind
ad e q uate
Fla t s,
an s have
t iwe sh e
had b a t hr o om
fac i l i t ies .
i•1i c - dac ,
Passama
ple asant
we w o r i e s
Sin c e r e ly,
rlrs .
Pa uli
e :3ro oks S t e v e ns,
Prin c e t on
�(5)
SUMMER WORK AMONG INDIAl�S BEING SET
UP
A new program for recruiting elementary teachers for worK among the Amer
can Indians has been inaugurated with the issuance of a new civil service.exam-·
ination 'for these positions
The positions are located in the States wfie.re the
Indian population is concentrated, principally in AlasKa, .AF�zona} Montana, New
Mexico> and North and South DaKota. Fewer schools are in other States: Florida,
Iowa; Louisiana: Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina} OKlahoma and Utah. The
costs of travel to their first duty assignment may be paid by the Government for
those who are appointed from this examination.
Beginning teachers are paid $5,331 a year, and must have a bachelor*s de
gree including appropriate elementary teacher training or eligibility on the
National Teachers Examination. Others with additional experience and/or grad
uate ed-ucation may qualify for higher level positions paying $6,451 and $7}696
a year.
For complete information and instructions ask for Announcement VA-6-08
which you may obtain from Carl Mosher, located at RocKland Post Office, or you
may write to the Interagency Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners for New
Mexico} 421 Golden Avenue} S W., Albuquerque} New Mexico} 87101.
(From the Cour�er-Gazette, 12/27/66)
CHIPPEWAS ON WARPATH, PALEFACES TASTE DUST
When is an Indian not an Indian? An Indian is not an Indian when he is a
"Wild Indian."
Such, at least, is the view of the palefaces who handle advertising for the
General Electric Co.
It is not the view of the Chippewa Indian Tribe of Red LaKe, Minn.
So the Chippewas hit the warpath, via Western Union, and Whaddaya know? For
a change, it was the palefaces who bit the dust.
It all began with a new ad for General Electric photo flashbulbs, headed:
"When you decide to shoot wild Indians} you can*t afford to miss."
The ad was built around a snapshot of some youngsters dresaed as Indians.
As paleface parents know, "Wild Indians" is a more or less affectionate term for
lively children.
To the 4,800 Red Lake Chippewas, however, an Indian is an Indian and the
term "Wild Indian" is a snide reminder of the bad old days.
Accordingly, Roger Jourdain, who is chairman of the Tribal Council, weighed
in with an indignant telegram to GE, saying) among other things: "You should be
able to sell your product without resorting to this type of advertising."
Shocked to the core at the thought of arousing the Red Man's long dormant
hostility to the paleface} GE swiftly dispatched an emissary from its Cleveland
office to offer the pipe of peace.
"Wild Indians" in GE's context, the representative assured Jourdain, is a
term of endearment.
Jourdain declined to smoke the pipe.
"It wasn't too endearing to us," he declared. "We're trying to coexist,
and we take exception to this advertisement."
James C. Forbes, GE marKeting manager, conceded. that the Chippewas might have
a point.
Plumping for conciliation, he announced: "We certainly had no intention of
being derogatory to Indians. But we have canceled plans for any future use of
this ad."
(From the Portland Evening Express, 1/14/67)
_
·
�(6)
INDIAN FAMILY IN FIT'ST REAL HOME
THANKS TO GOVERNMENT PROORAM
An Indian family of eight on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota re
ceived a nice present from the federal government-it's first' houRe.
Prior to that, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Sharpfish and their six children, aged
four months through seven, lived in an abandoned car, a trailer and a tent.
They' ·d still be living in the tent, but it burned down.
Four federal agencies have put up a total of �pl 7 million to build the
Sharpfish house and 374 others on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. The Sharpfish
house is the first.
It has a l iving room, Kitchen-dining room combination, two bedrooms and a
bath. That's not much for a family of eight, but it's a lot better than an a
bandoned car, a trailer or a tent.
The house was prefabricated and assembled by fellow Sioux tribesmen under
sKilled supervision. It was furnished with surplus furniture taKen from a
Bureau of Indian Affairs school no longer in operation.
The prefab unit was developed by the Batelle Memorial Institute of Columbus,
Ohio, a non-profit corporation. It contains 620 square feet of living space and
costs $3000.
As the Sharpfish family's income grows, its house can be improved and ex
panded. It has a stove and is designed sc that electricity and running water
can be installed later.
The Sharpfish family will pay $10 down and $5 month rent for the next five
years.
Components for the house were produced in a factory set up on the Reserva
tion and staffed with 20 Indians, who are learning carpentry, plumbing, glazing,
roofing and electrical wiring. After all 375 houses have been produced, the
plant will try to supply the surrounding area with prefab homes and components.
Here's a rundown on what each of the four federal agencies is supplying for
the project:
-The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing the basic
construction materials at a cost of $610,000.
-The Office of Economic Opportunity is paying $642,000 for training and
labor
-The Public Health Service is providing water and sewage lines at a cost of
$367,000.
(From the Portland Sunday Telegram, 1/15/67)
NEW
ENGLAND VIGNETTES ( CHIEF'S LAST STAND )
Chief Black HawK of the Golden Hill Tribe of Pequot Indi9ns once made a
pretty good living attacking wagon trains.
That was 50 years ago when he was a member of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West
Show that barnstormed the nation featuring a mocH: Indian attack as part of its
daily fare.
Now the chief, also Known as Edward L. Sherman, 78, is retired to his quar
ter-acre reservatipn in Trumbull, Conn. , and only occasionally breaks out his
tribal headgear and peacepipe-never a war bonnet.
He does watch the enactment of Indian.wars· on television even though he says
"none of it is true "
Sherman's reservation is believed to be one of the smallest in tbe world.
It used to be 18 acres, but over the years the land was sold.
Connecticut owns the land and takes care of major repairs on the house while
Sherman handles the day-to-day upkeep. He pays no taxes.
( Continued on Page 7)
�(7)
NEW El'U LAND VIGNETTES ....
(Continued from Page 6)
The state welfare department says it does not Know how many members of the
Golden Hill 'I1ribe remain, but only Sherman and wife live in their 125-year-old
house on the reservation.
Sherman can remember the days when he and his father could roam their acres
and nearby fields and woods to hunt raccoon, �eer and sKUnK.
11S1rnnK>" he recalls, "now there's something good. If you Know how to dress
it, it tastes liKe chicKen or better."
(From the Portland Evening Express, 1/3/67)
INDIAN FAMILIES ENJOY
THEIR
FINEST CHRISTMAS
The 32 Indian families of this Upper Michigan Reservation enjoyed the best
Christmas they've ever had. The families received hundreds of' presents, so many
gifts, in fact, that they shared them with others in Upper Michigan.
The food, clothing and toys poured into the tiny village by plane, truck and
car. They replaced an earlier donation destroyed in a fire at a mission church
Wednesday.
The man whose concern for an Indian girl sparked the outpouring of goodwill
returned to the reservation Saturday
Harry Mitchell,48, a Port Huron telephone worker, arrived aboard a cargo
plane carrying two tons of gifts for the 325 Chippewas on the reservation. The
military transport flew from Selfridge Air Force Base near Detroit.
Last month, while deer hunting, Mitchell came upon a little Indian girl
standing barefooted in the snow in 12-degree ·leather. He told some of the tele
phone company workers, who launched the first drive.
Word of the fire spread rapidly, setting off the second drive to gather goods
for the Indian families.
By Saturday, some 7,000 pounds of gifts had been sent by people in Minne
apolis; Muskegon, Mich. , and the Detroit area. More gifts were promised from
Buffalo, Ky; Tipton, Ind. , and Neenah, Wis. Cash donations were also being sent
to help rebuild the burned church.
"Everyone has been wonderful," said Roy Cavanagh, president of the Bay Mills
Indian Council. "I want to thank everyone for everything that's been done. "
(From the Portland Press Herald, 12/27/66)
INDIANS
HANDLE
SUDDEN
WEALTH WITH
CARE
Their land lies hard by the shores of CooK Inlet and for countless decades
the Tyonek people have waged unceasing war against hunger and hardship.
Only 11 years ago, after a disastrous fishing season, thei chief appealed
to the people of Anchorage, 50 miles east of here, for clothing and for food.
"Our people do not want to accept charity," said Simeon ChicKalusion, the
last hereditary chief. "They would much prefer to work, but there is no choice.
Food is needed now."
Today, the TyoneKs; only 265 strong, are one of' the richest of American In
dian Tribes.
Petroleu� companies, encouraged by substantial oil and gas discoveries on
the Kenai Penirnmla and under the waters of CooK Inlet, two years ago paid the
TyoneKs $11 9 million for drilling rights on 27,000 acres of Tyonek land.
The Tyoneks �ere not dazzled by such a windfall. On the contrary, they have
exhibited an amazing cpnservatism in hancUing their funds.
(Continued on Page 8)
�(8)
INDIANS HANDLE SUDDEN WEALTH WITH CARE
(Continued from Page 7)
Their efforts have centered on im�roving their standard of living and in
suring the financial security of tribal members, through tight control of the
oil money they have received. Theirs has been a story of rapid progress, tinged
with boGh humor and tragedy.
After they accepted the $11.9 million, they were besieged by promoters and
salesmen. Finally, their young elected chief, Alberts. Kaloa Jr., placed an
advertisement in Anchorage newspapers, addressed to salesmen in general.
"Don't call us. We'll call you. The scalp you save may be your own."
Kaloa lost his life last Sept. 12 in an Anchorage hotel fire which claimed
the lives of 13 other persons. His passing cast a pall over every member of
the tribe.
11Kaloa was young, smart, with a tremendous amount of common sense," said
Stanley J. Mccutcheon, the tribe*s attorney. The Tyoneks probably felt a keener
sense of loss than if the death had taKen place in their own family.
Besides the original payment, the TyoneK leases bring in an annual rental
fee of $1.25 an acre and a 16 2/3 per cent royalty on all oil and natural gas
prc�duction. The Indians also get free natural gas from wells drilled on the
reservation
One of the first acts of the Village Council, after the lease sale, was to
pay of.f a ti·31,434 mortgage on the village store. Reconstruction of the village
community hall came next.
Then the council approved a 10-point program, including improvements to
village roads, extension and expansion of the air strip, and health and welfare
projects. The Tyoneks established a $200,000 trust fund to insure that Tyonek
youngsters will always have the means to pursue an education.
The village also adopted what it chose to call a family improvement plan,
in which families are entitled to a base amount, plus $5,000 per person, to a
maximum of $40,000 per family.
Payments under the new plan have been rigidly controlled by the Village
Council. No funds can be paid out until each family, regardless of its resi
dence, whether in Tyonek or elsewhere, develops a sound plan for use of the
money and it is approved by the Village Council.
This year, the TyoneKs set up a $50,000 scholarship loan fund which will
enable any Alaskan of native blood to take post-graduate col1ege worK.
The past two years have seen completion of 59 pew homes at TyoneK, one for
every family living here, and an eight-room guest house, at a total cost of $1.5
million. All homes are equipped with the most modern electrical appliances.
For some 50 Tyoneks living in Anchorage, the Village Council constructed
new homes at a total cost of some $500,000. The Village Council encouraged the
buildi�g of duplexes and triplexes, to provide their fellow tribesmen with a
continuing source of income as well as new housing.
An investment program has given the TyoneKs controlling interest in an
Anchorage-area utilities firm, complete ownership of a radio-television store in
Anchorage and part ownership of an Anchorage firm dealing in the title a�d trust
business. They also own a small commercial building in Anchorage and another
building now under long-term lease to a nationwide business machine company.
But the jewel in their investment program is a new $1 million office building in downtown Anchorage. It is known as the Albert S. Kaloa Jr. Memorial
.
Building, and is leased to the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs at $108,000 a year.
"The Village Council has stacks of contemplated ventures under considera
tion," Mccutcheon says, "but it is interested only in blue chip investments."
The Tyoneks approved construction of �e Kaloa building prior to his death,
on ground given to them by an Anchorage resident for that purpose.
(Continued on Page 9)
�(9)
( Continued from Page 8)
"We have budgeted the money received from the oil and gas leases cc:.refully
in order to provide for the future education of our children and to provide for
housing for our people at Tyonek, " Kaloa wrote in the village Newsletter.
"The balance of the money we must invest to make our program self-sustaining.
Otherwise, our funds will be exhausted and our people will ultimately be reduced
to that degree of poverty, hardship and suffering experienced over centuries."
At Tyonek itself, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has completed a four-classroom
school, with a paved outdoor play area and a gymnasium-auditorium, at a cost of
$737, 000
Electricity for the village is supplied by a generator powered by free na
tural gas from the one gas well drilled on the reservation. Another generator
is en route to the village and arrangements have been made to sell the excess
power to oil companies operating on the west side of Cool<: Inlet.
Three other wells, drilled on the reservation, were dry, but oil exploration
around the reservation continues and the Tyoneks have earmarKed, by resolution,
any future royalties. The resolution specifies that if oil is found on the
reservation� every other native in AlasKa will have the same opportunities which
the bonus money gave the Tyoneks before they will spend one cent of the royalty
money on themselves.
Mccutcheon said the Tyoneks are extremely sensitive on this point; putting
it this way:
"It's pretty damned shocking to see the disease and actual starvation which
occurs in some of Alaska's native villages. It's an old, old story: as the
TyoneKs Know from bitter experience. They want to help.
(From the Portland Sunday Telegram, l/ l/67)
·
PEOPLE
Tecumseh Deerfoot Cook, chief of the PamunKey Indians of Virginia, drove up
to the Seate House in Richmond last week and dragged a nine-point buck from the
trunk of the 1967 Chevy. He was delivering his tribe's Thanksgiving tribute in
lieu of taxes to Governor Mills E. Godwin Jr. When Deerfoot thumped out a for
mal PamunKey hello on a tom-tom, Governor Godwin asked him to perform a tribal
dance. Deerfoot declined. He explained that he had a sore foot.
(From Sports :.P.lustrated, 12/66)
MAINE COMMISSIONER SAYS INDIANS
FACE SCALPING UNDER CURTIS BULDET
The Maine Commissioner of Indian Affairs protested Friday that Indians in
the State will get scalped if the budget as presented by Gov. Kenneth M. Curtis
is approved by the legislature.
Edward C. HincKley charged the Democratic chief executive "apparently no
longer feels that any different approach or direction of programs involving In
dians is necessary."
He charged the budget as set forth by Curtis Thursday represented "a com
plete turnabout" in the State's approach t o Indian affairs and said, "it gives us
just a whisKer more than what we already have."
The Department of Indian Affairs is new to the state and was the first such
state-level department of its Kind in the nation. It came into being last Janu
ary under_the 102nd Legislature following about 10-15 years of growing concern
for the lot of the state's oldest citizens.
Information reaching the Department in the first year of its existence indi
cated Indian tribes in States across the nation are watching closely the develop
ment and �rogress of Maine's unique social experiment.
(Continued on Page 10)
�(10)
INDIANS FACE SCALPDG UNDER CURTIS
(Continued from Page 9)
EUCGET
HincK}ey said the legislature has a clear cut choice.
"It can say we have changed our minds about programs involvJng Iniiians and
hence will not provide any funds to the Department, or it can say we realize that
putting Maine's Indian affairs on a new trail will take an intial investment of
the State's monies at a slightly higher level than had been true in the past,"
he said.
Hinckley asked for $750,000 for the next biennium in current services and
supplemental funds.
This was slashed by about $243,000.
He said the current yearly Indian affairs budget excluding capital improve
ments is about $240,000
He requested a yearly gudget, excluding capital improve
me.nts of about $300 a year for each reservation resident.
Hinckley said the Department was created in response to a growing mutual
concern among Indians and non-Indians aliKe.
The State possesses two major tribes, the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.
Hincley said he came to Maine "to take charge of the mandate from the 102nd
legislature and implement a creative approach to the problem. '
He said the department obtained emergency supplemental appropriations from
the special session of the 102nd legislature which "literally Kept it (the de
partment) from dying four months after it was born."
"Right now this supplement is enabling the department to continue only the
former level and type of services to Indians with practically no change or inno
vations and certainly no expansion. "
"It was supposed to be a time for change," he said' adding, "the governor
was supposed to have an action plan."
According to the Commissioner, about $70,000 in state funds was spent over
the past 10 years for construction programs with no federal cost-sharing involved.
"In considerable contrast, we are asl{ing the legislature for some $500,000
for the next two years which we expect to be able to match with an equivalent a
mount of federal funds," he said.
Hinckley said the "major problems facing Indians in the state are the results
of a series of unfulfilled commitments from the past. "
"Maine has never fulfilled its cotIUnitment to its Indians," he said.
Some 2,000 Indians live in Maine, 1,200 on three reservations, and about 800
off the reservations.
The commissioner said without constructive and cooperative worK to solve the
problems of the first Americans, "what chance do we have to satisfy the needs of
any of our citizens?"
"The presence of these tribal tnembers·within the state should be a source of
pride and honor to all ci.tizens. of Maine, instead of a source of confusion, em
barrassment, shame and constant hostility," he said.
When informed of Hincldey' s displeasure, Curtis said, "I felt that I could
not endorse his request by 100 per cent. "
"My budget does call for improvements for Indians living in Maine in addi
tion to programs suggested by the Commissioner," he said.
"Among those I recommended for Indians were improved educational programs for
Indian children)" Curtis said.
"We cannot go beyond our fiscal limits," the governor said.
(From the Portland Pre!Ss Herald, 1/14/6�()
�(11)
E LEC T TRIBAL
PENOBSCOTS
OLD T O�N -
inaugurat e d
J o h n �ur ray Mi t che l l
t r ibal gove rno r
of
the
of
GOVERI"OR
Oak Rill Str e e t,
P e n obsco t
tribe
c onduc t e d by T he R e v e r e nd R e al Nad e au of Saint
was h e ld
t r ibal
in t h e T r ibal Hall.
M i t c h e l l was e l e ct e d
gove r n o r i t w il l be
c ommi t t e e s ,
and
A ls o
J ohn S.
to
his
the
off ice
du t y
t o -l e ad h i s pe o ple
acc o r dance
s t at e
with
Wit h
the
b y p opul a r vo t e
in a l l affairs .
r e p r e se nt a t iv e .
e xce p t i on
of nine
He
y e ars spe n t
o n I n d i an Island .
fe e ls t ha t
on
Indian
h is pe ople
his
He
in t he
t rave l s w h il e
t o i mp r ove
s i d e rat i on .
6d
He
calle d f i r s t
r ive r wat e rs ar e
t h e wint e r,
the
of
'{1-;i t ch e ll
t he t r ib e .
e nab le
out li.·e d several
a ska t ing r ink c ould be
is no p lace
a cent e r
Mi t ch e ll a l s o p r o p ose d se t t ing up
in
Mit che l l
10,
h im t o
and i s
vie w c o n
, r or;-ra ..
1s for c o n
fo r
Re
sugg e �t -
in t he
t h e m t o sw im .
of ac t iv i t y .
t ribal
a
and
y e ars
i s anx i o us t o u o r k w i t h
y oungst e r s e n t e r t ainlile n t
there
two
and
16
all f o r a b e t t e r y o u t h pr ograM.
p o i lu t e d,
As
var ious
go v e rn o r,
eve ry
ages
se rvice
ceremony,
c l e rks,
Arwe d F o r c e s,
i n a new pe r spe ct i v e a n d he
t h e i r si t ua t i on .
tha t a swiraming p o o l w o u l d pr ov i d e
As t h e
held
has t w o sons,
in
JRlRnd was
T he
succe e ds Fran c is -Ranco.
He
Island
In h is inaugL>.ral a d d r e ss,
of
li e u t e nant
Ele c t i o ns a r e
e mpl o y e d a t Tuck e r's Sh o e Cowpany a t B r e w e r .
d i t i ons
1.
t o ap · o i n t a c o ns t a b l e ,
t r ibal law .
has always live d
In�ian
o"-.an C a t h olic C hurr.h
J o seph 1 s
e le ct e d as l e a d e rs we r e F r e d N i colar,
Ne ls on,
on J an .
o ffice
whe r e
suwu1e r .
In
r e c o r d s and
s t a t i s t ics c o u l d b e k e p t in o r d e r, and f r e e f o r i nsfe ct i on.
He s t at e d h is
int e n t i on of car r ying _on t h e - re j e c t of bringing wat e r and s e wac,e d i sposal t o
h o .e s wh ich d o n o t have t h e m .
In conclusi on, h e calLe d upon h is le ople t o w o rk t oge t h e r wi t h t h e
ne wly cr e at e d Ind ian Affa i r s D e par t Lle n t .
Mi t ch e ll r e �inde d th e cl tha t t h e y
had w o rk e d f o r a l o ng t irue
.t he m t o c o op e r a t e
P e nobsc o t T r i b e .
t o have
thei r
t hei r
in i n i t i a t i n g n e w p r o grams
C LOSING OF THE
own d e pa r t ment .
t h a t w ould b e ne f i t
·
He
urge d
t h e . whole
I�D IAN SC H OOLS
by Kat h e r i ne h . E . Fr e d r icks
T h e S t a t e Boar d o f E duca t i on rue e t i11 g on Jamary 1 6 t h , was inf or _;_ed b y
C ommiss i oner �il l i am T . L o gan Jr., " of a comfilunica t i on rece ive d b y nim _
August 30, 19�6 f r ou1 D avi d S . S e e l e y, Assis t an t C omw.issi one r , Equal O_: o r t un
i t i e s P r o gra�,
Maine
be
as n e a r
ruore
with
t h?- t
Since
the
t hr e e sch ools
t h e chi l d r e n b e
t e r ;:a as r· ossi b l e .
t J1e Sis t er s
t han one
the
s t a t ing t h a t
c l o s e d and
hundr e d
ye
of Me rcy have
r s,
Mr .
b e en
to
the
to
learn
it
if
1Ji s e
it
T h e B oa r d me e t i n g was n o t c l ose d
qu i e t
the
i nf o rmal mee t in g .. e l d
t-..1. l k b e t w e e n Mr .
g o vern ors,
many m e mb e rs
19>b-67
tb
to
Logan and
of
and
t he
t be T r ib e s,
(C ontinued
with
the
up
t �e
no t
rims a t t e n d e d by
a.fu l l comp l i1ue n t
12)
confer�nce
its
G ov e r n o r s o f
wa"'
of t h e
a f e w i nt e re st e d pe rsons,
on page
�
o n t �e Re s e r va t i ons .
pr e ss p i c�e d
but
or
sch o ols f o r
hold
on Thursday afte r n o on
t he niocese ,
re pre�e n t a t ive f r o � G ove rnor Curtis,
and one Re p r e se n t a t i ve .
..ie
s h o o l year
·ro u ld c o n t inue
Ind ians and r e tain t h e Sist e rs
Af t e r r e ce iving his answe r Mr . Logan w ould t h e n m e e t
the R e se r va t i ons a n d e xplai n t h e Was�ing t o n o r d e r .
T .. 1e r e f o r e ,
I n d i�n Res e r va t ions irr
tbe
t e .:tch e rs at
Logan d e e �e d
Maine Ro�an C a t h olic d i oceBe
o t h e r obl i ga t i ons
on t h e
r e assi�n e d f o r
st o�y .
j us t
the
a
I n d i an
Cl e rBy,
a
one S e nato r,
�( 12 )
Conti nued from page 1 1 )
C LOS I .t . G OF T
I IfD " hi\J
-3 C H O C LS b y
Katherine } 1 . E ..., reJ.r icks
.
Mr . Lognn read and explained the ruling fro1u Se.� ley , s 2 •/ illG 1;.e had
repl ied on S epteu!ber 7 , 196 6 , but had received no furtl er comruunication fro�
Washington .
Ho·.�ever , at u. meeting of th e C 0111r1iss ioner s froil1 all states,
held last fall in New Orle ans, he had asked Mr. Seeley to send a represent
ative from his depc rtill e nt to Naine to vi s it the Indinn schools nnd becocle
familiar w ith all pha ses of their oper�tion, but to no �vail.
In fact,
Seeley, in his A u gu s t letter, had c lr e ady stated th�t h is st�ff wRs too b u s y
to cowe to kaine.
The Baine diocese gave � b s o l ute ass u runce of coatinuing tLeir 0 0 li gation
to th e I n d i an s , and t h en the meeting really o · ened up. i · r s . Catherine c � rs
well, Re... resen tative froul Fortland, said she ; c.;.d , 1 e;.:tr c1 of the iueeting i ·urely
b y c h n n ce and criticised l'ir . Log.:.1.11 for his failure to notify botJ) houses of
t h 0 Nn s h i n g t on · r u l i n g and th e weeting
.
Mr. Logan, .!hile repeatedly syrnpi.1 thizing •ii th th e I ndi .::. ns, rei ter....ted
th2t he held o u t no ho�e the ruling might be set aside .
Neither d i d M � .
h i nckley, Indian Commi �sioner .
S evero.l enlightening thi n gs came out at th is 11e -·ting.
Fil'st :
David
S eeley ' 1:;; letter had inaccuracies .
" On l y Indic-i.n ch ildr en w·v ho live
To ti t :
on the Rese rvations 2.tte11 d these schools. 1 1
(At Plo .:i.sant l'oi it 20 per cent
of the 84 _pupils are non - Indian .
The other t·-vo sc hools have d. fal.:1ller per
cen ta ee of wh ite children but nevertheless are not segregated . )
' ' The children who attend the Indian s c h o o l s receive an education w h ich
is inferior . 1 1
( Th is i s not true .
\·1 a.s tran sferred
. i ;en Indian . &in<:�ation
froi.i H ealth and vVelfare to E d u c a ti on , the schools were s up D l i e d I i t h exactly
the same t e x t b o oks used in all D Ublic schoo l s in the st · te . 11 J followed the
sa�e curriculum . And all t e a c h e r s there � are�certi r ied )
"There h as b e e n ap;'arently lit tle or no exercise of t{Je f r e e choice
available in grade of L ered b y the Reservation schools . ' '
( A g�i n th i3 i s un
true.
lv b i te children are pre s e n t l f at t e11 din g tl ese s c h o o l s and many Indian
ch ildre n go to off-Reservation schools .
Much testifilony 11as �iven that full
freedom of choice h a d b e n in rract i a e for wany years . )
S ince last A u g ust 30th, t h e r e has b e e n no official correction to theee
e rr on e o u s s t a l, e i 11e n t s .
Mr . Logan gave as an e. cuse that t h e r e w e r e several
...:
1 1 1' ' .t· e e d ow
of C h o i c e " c a s e s p e n d i n g in courts und he ho} ed the decisions would
be favorable. They were not .
Another im1)ortant :i? O int lies in the fact that for a . :· e riod of four ci.nd
a half mon t lls, Hr .
Logan failed to u- i n g tJi is ruling to tl e at teution of other
authoriti es, to th e I udi cns theLlselves, or to the Maine citizens.
It was
.Mr. John Nelson, not Mr. Lo gan , who got in touch 1 J ith S enators S ith and
Muskie after the ne ws1 apers carri ed the stor y .
Th e Indi !ns b ad to learn
about t he ruling from th e saL1e source as llr . Nelson, even thou. �h they vrnuld
b e t h e ones hurt by it.
Th e State of Maine has a sound fi ghtin g �oi nt in th is for t h � re &re
s e v e r a l Reservation · s c h o o l s in tl1e W e s t wl1i c lJ are coiJ�Jlet �ly s e reg ... ted by
the sanction of the FederRl Gov ern1.1ent . A s S enator Norris stated, "This �s
a p r o b l em for everyone in th e state and certa i n l y for t h e L e �i s l& t ur e .
It is
not a i)roblei;1 to b e con f in ed to one departLtent . "
In rep ly to several exai11ples of v\Ta s h i n gton r u l i u gs in the So uthern
states, on wh ich hr . Logan based his lack of hope ? � r d . C a r s well in s i s t e d
t ha t fii a ine shou ld work for the gr e a t e s t good o f a l l � J i t hin her
bo.rders, no
matter what happened in ot her a r eas
( Continued on page 1 9 )
..
.
...
�( 13 )
( Indian S c h o ols , C o n t ' d f r om Pa ge 2 )
t r at iv e D i s t r i c t i n t he a r e a b y E a s tport and s ome t owns .
1 1 •r t P- Y a r. J <=> ;:'I s t
had a chan c e t o v o t e
We w e r e n e t s o p r iv il e g e d t he n and s b_ J J_ have n o
s a y in t he mat t e r o f w h a t w e a r e t o b e t aught , w h o b y , h ow , o r wh e r e , "
he de c lare d .
H e said h e a l s o i n t e r pr e t e d t h e S t a t e B o ard o f Ed u c a t i o n t o mean t ha t
t h e nuns w e r e n o t d o ing t h e j ob c o rre c t ly - 1 1 s o le t t h e s t a t e d o i t . "
N i c h o las s a i d ' ' t h i s w e d o n o t like or a c c e p t .
The s i s t e r s hav e b e e n
h e r e s in c e 1830 and at t h at t ime t he Ind ian c ou l d n o t s p e ak En g J i s h .
Now
w e are ab l e t o . "
T h e l e ade r a l s o t o ok i s s ue t hat t h e r e s e rv a t i on s c h oo ls we r e d i s
c r i minat o r y .
·o d e h a v e h a d o t h e r t han
" Ours is a pub l i c s c h o o l , w i d e ope n .
Indians make app l i c a t i on and at t e n d the s c h o o l h e r e .
No appl i c a t i o n has
b e e n turne d d own . "
Jos e ph Mit c h e l l , t r i b a l gove rnor at Ple&sant F o i n t , f e l t t he I nd ian
was b e ing d i s c r imina t e d agains t by f o r c ing t h e c hi ldren o f f t �1 e r e s e rv a t i on
and he a d d e d t h a t t he mov e , i f c arr i e d t hr ough b y t h e s ta t e , w ou l d c aus e
c ons ide rab l e h�r d s h i p t o t h e f am i l i e s b e c au s e o f t h e � o s s i b l e f e e l i n g o f
" n o t b e ing w ant e d " i n t he white s c h o o l s ys t e m
" t he p e o p l e f e e l t h e y are
b e ing pus he d into another s o c i e t y and the y d o n ' t c are to i n t e gr Q t e , " he s ai d .
John S t e v e n s , t r ib a l gov e rn o r at Pe t e r Dana Point , Pr i n c e t o n , s a i d
"we are r e ad y t o f i gh t .
I f t h e nuns are f orc e d t o le .s:. v e , I wouldn ' t wan t
t o live here
T h e r e are g o o d pe ople h e r e t h a t are h o l d i n g on b e c ause
o f t h e ir exaL1p le . "
As a prac t i c a l mat t e r , t h e Ind ians are c aught in a s i t ua t i on whi c h
was none o f t he ir d o i ng .
I t s t e ms f rom s c ho o l i n t e grat i on _;_: r o b lems in t h e
S ou t h .
Pr e v i o us ly , Maine Indian c h i ld r e n hav e h a d l i f r e e d om o f c h oi c e " ,
me aining t h e y c o uld a t t e n d r e s e rv a t ion s c h o ols o r pub l i c s c h o o ls .
Nq w ,
t he U . S . O f f i c e o f E d uc a t i on says t � is is n o t a c c � p t ab l� .
Maine E du c at i on C or.miis s i one r liJi l l iam T . Lo gan , Jr . has f o und hims e l f
i n a b ind o v e r t h e ma t t e r b e cause the f e d e ra l gove rn�e n t c o uld wi th h o l d
f u n d s unt i l t h e s t a t e c ompli e s w i t h t h e la w .
One p o s s ib l e s o lut i o n might be making t h e s c h o o ls o v e r in t o pri v a t e
par o c h i� l ins t i t u t i ons . A l t h o ugh the y are run b y t h e S i s t e r s o f Ne r c y , th e y
are n o t P. r o� h i_a J s � h o o ls a t pre s e n t .
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
·
GOV .
C URT IS PLED G BS S U P _ ORT FOR nrn r11.11s
In the I na u gural A d d r e s s o f Mai ne Gove r n o r , Ke n n e t h i· i . C u r t i s t o
t h e 103rd Le g i s l a t ure o n January 5 , 1967 ,
G o v . C ur t i s gav e h i s s up p o r t t o
th e Maine I n d ic n s .
He s t at e d , " We m u s t a l s o pr o v i d e f or e xpan d e d i:) r o f e ss
i onal s e r1 r± c e s and s up ·._ .o r t f o r s e l f -0·ove rnrne n t f or I n d ians on r e 9 e 1· va t i ons .
I f ur t h e r r e c omm e nd tha� Indian r e pr e s e n t ::i. t i v e s t o t he Le t' i s l a t ur e b e gr an t
e d f u l l pr iv i l e g e s to spe ak on all l e gi s la t i on on the f l n r o f t h e H o us e ,
and t h a.t t h e y b e gra n t: e <l Ra l a r y a n d P xpe n .c:i e ci 1 I "w.":l l l c e s e qual t o t h a t o f
o t h e r repre s e n t ,,. t iv e s . "
IND IAN IS LAI·iD S vJ I1·i. n�-G POOL
I
A r e pr e s e n t a t iv e · o f t he Pe n o b s c o t Ind i an T r i b e w i l l b e name d t o a
c om m i t t e e t o ad m i n i s t e r a p r o po s e d in- d o or , out - d o or s w j rnm i n g p o o l t o b e
b u i J. t i n Oln i'cnvn , t h P. BE ng_c_>_r _ D.a iJ v News
A n n o n n c e d o n D e c e illb e r 30 t h .
...
�( 14 )
T he Or i ginal Arae r i c ans
CJ.iITROKKB.S FROVE H : D IANS C lui ShED , J 1 . I'r E
, d:
11HA CIS11
( Las t o f t h re e ar t i c le s )
By JAC1( V . FOX
Uni t e d Pre s d I n t e r na t i o n s l
T u cke d awRy in t h e Appa la c h ian Moun t ains o f No r t 1 C & ro L ina n e a r t h e
T e nn e s s e e l ine l i e s a C he r oke e r e s e r v a t i on w h i c h a s t h e d i s t inc t i on o f b e
i n g one o f t h e rare example s of t h e A �e r i c nn In diun t hr owing o f f t h e w h i t e
man ' s pa t � r na l i s m .
Among t h e 1 0 r e t han 600 , 000 Ind ian s s c a t t e r e d . -.. c r o s s t he Un i t e d S t a t e s
t h e C h e r oke e s n e a r S moky I· oun ta.in Na t i onal Park hav e e r t e d t h e u1o s t s e lf
s u f f i c i e n t I n dian. � 01UL1un i t y in t h e na t i on by c a s h ing i n on t he c ur i o s i t y
a b ou t t h e r e d man .
E a c h su1nme r s i n c e 1 9 50 t h e y have e nac t e d an out d o or y>age c. n t , 1 1 Un t o
T h e s e R i l l s , ' ' w h i c h t e ll s t h e h i s t o ry o f t h e C h e r oke e .
T 1 ose livin� the� e
s t i l l are d e s c e n d an t s o f r e ne ga d e s who h id f r om f e d e ral t r o ops when t h e
Uni t e d S t a t e s f c r e e d t h e C h e r oke e t r i b e in 1 0 3 8 'on a L.!e. r c h a l l t he w a y t o
Ok lah oma .
Ha l f o f t hem d ie d .
The dra1ila b r o ught t o ur i s t s in e v e r 0r o .vin g n umb e r s and t o day t h e r e
are 3 5 mo t e ls o n t he r e s e rv a t i on , t hr e e quar t e r s o f t h e m own e d b y t he
C h e r oke e pe ople ·.and 7 5 p e r c e n t o f t h e e mp l oye e s Ch1e r oke e� .
T h e Indians ab out 10 ye ars a go a l s o s t ar t e d a f c t o ry :1! • i c h ake s
t om- t oms , he ad d r e s s e s , b as re t s a n d o t h e r Indian re ga l i a .
T h e i r ur oduc t s
a r e n ow marke t e d n a t i o nwide a n d s e v � ra l o t h e r f a c t ori e s have b e e n s tart e d
b y t he t r ib al c o un c i l .
The N o r t h C a r o lina C h e r oke e s u c c e s s is n o t �b l a b e c au s e it is v i r
t ua l l y t h e on l y s u c h e xample o f a t r i b e r i s in g f r ofil t h e poli c y of f e de r a l
pa t e rn a lism whi c h in t h e ma in h a s l e f t the In dian a h e lple s s a n d n e ar
h ope le s s d r � g o f s o c ie t y .
T h e r e are s i gns t h e gov e rnrJe n t iJe.. y b e t ci{ing a n e w c our se .
R ob e r t L . B e nn e t t , a 5 4 - y e ar - o ld On e ida Indicm f r ow �/ i s c ons in , r e
c e n t ly w a s name d . t o h e &d t he B ur e a u o f Indi�n A f fair b , �£ 1 i c h i s t h e main
f e d e ra l a�· e n c y d e a l i n g wi th In dian r o b � lms .
B e n n e t t i s t h e f i r s t I n d ian
to hold the p o s t i n 95 ye ar s .
�h i t e men h · ve b e e n in cha r ge s i n c e 1871
�.r h e n F' .i i F . Parke r , an ap r o in t e e o f pr e s i d e n t Ulys s e s s S . Gre.n t , re t i re d .
T h e B I A finan c e s and s t a f f s 260 s c h oo l s f or s ome 58 , 000 Indian c h i l d
r e n o n t h e r e s e r va t i ons , t h e gre a t fila j or i t y o f t h e m e lemen t a r y s c ho o ls .
It has b e e n o n e o f t h e f e w s o lid ac c ompl i s hme n t s of f e d e r a l � o l i c y
b u t e v e n i t h a s h a d t he t ragi c e f fe c t o f b r eaking u p I n dian fawi l i e s and
c r e a t in g in the young pe ople a s e n s e of s hame ab out t h e ir par e n t s a nd t h�
way t he y l i v e .
B e nne t t s p e aks w i t h e n t h� s i asm o f t he e f f o r t s v a r i o u s t r ib e s ar e
now making wi t h t h e h e lp o f B IA and t h e O f fi c e o f E c on omic Oppo r t un i t y t o
The y a r e p i t i fu lly f e w , b ut t h e y
a t t ra c t i n d us t ry t o re s e rv a t i ons a r e as .
are a s ta r t .
N e x t t o emp l o yme n t, h ou s i n g i s t he brea t e s t I n d i an prob lem an d on
R e s e r va t i on I n dians own t he i r land and
mos t r e s e rv a t i on s it i s wre t c h e d .
t h e y pay no t ax e s b u t t h e r e is a l s o t he fa c t the y c ann o t s e ll t he land .
F o r t ha t r e a s on t h e y cann o t ge t mor t 2ag e s or loans f o r impr o ve file nt b e c au s e
t h e l aw pre v e n t s b a n ks and o t h e r l e n d i n g age n c i e s f r om f or e c l o s in g .
( C on t i nu e d on Pa ge 15 )
=
�( 15 )
( T h e Or i ginal Ame r i c an s c o n t in u e d f r om Page 14 )
.
I n Oklahoma , a s t at e wi t h one o f t he lar ge s t I n d i an � o � u lat i ons numb e r
i n g we ll o f 60 , 00 0 , t he re s e r va t i on c on c e }t was lar ge ly d i s c arde d ye ars a go .
Ab o u t 90 pe r c e n t o f the Ind ian c hi ld r e n go t o pub l i c s c h o o ls b u t t h e d r op
o u t rate in high s c h o ol i s t hr e e to f ou r t ime s h i gh e r than that o f the non
Ind ian .
r r An
S ays C har l e s P o e h lman , d ire c t o r o f Indian e du c at i on in Ne vada :
Ind ian c hi ld h o lds b ack in c la s s r o om d i s c u s s i o n d i s c us s i on b e c au s e he w o u l d
n e v e r answ e r a q ue s t i on unl� s s h e �n e � h� �as : �i �h € . � On . t h e o t h e r hand , h e
w o u ld n e v e r answe r a que s t ion t ha t o n e o f h i s f r f ends h a d mi s s e d . 1 1
Nor t h and S o u t h D ak o t a and Ne b raska have an In dian Dopu l a t i on o f ab o u t
65 , QOO , mo s t ly S i oux . O f t he 4 5 milli on s c o r e s o f range land on t h e r e s e r
v a t i o n s , m o r e t han one third i s b e i ng w o rke d b y uh i t e r an c h e r s w h o l e a s e i t
t hr o u gh t h e B IA w i th t he i n c ome going t o t h e t r i b a l c o un c i l s .
V e rnon Ashle y , a f u l l - b l o o d S i o ux who gr e w up on t h e C r ow C r e e k R e s e r
vat i on , � is b i t t e r ly c r i t i c a l o f t h e B IA and i t s f a i lure t o t rain I n d i ans in
d oi n g t h e i r own farming and ra n c h in g .
In t he s t a t e o f Was h in gt on , s a l e s o f timb e r , min i n g c laims and farm
land hav e mad e s ome I ndian s r i c h .
The 5 , 000 Yakimas are s t i l l gr e a t I ndi an s .
T h e y run c a t t l e , s h e e p
and h o r s e s , hav e i r r i ga t i on f o r t h e i r farms a n d ap!lle o r c hards , h u n t and
f i s h f or t h e ir ne e ds year round in t h e area of M o un t Adams .
The N u c ke ls h o o t s , on t he o t h e r ha nd , live a f e w m i l e s s o u t h o f S e a t t �e
on land s o p o o r t he y have a hard t i we growing p o t a t o e s .
T h e y f i s h f or a
l iv in g b u t s i n c e t he s ta t e g o t an in j un c t i on a year ago aga i n s t ne t t in g
s t r e ams o u t o f s e a s on , e v e n t h i� s our c e o f inc ome has b e en c l o s e d .
Los Ange l e s i s an o t h e r o f t h e b i g c i t i e s t o whi c h Ind ians have b e e n
r e lo c a t e d o r a t t ra c t e d o n t h e i r own .
I t has m o r e t h an 2 5 , 000 Ind ians i n
t h e me t r op o l i t an 2.re a .
The S t a t e Adv i s ory C om. Li s s i on o n Indian A f fa i r s i n
a r e p or t t h i s year c on c lud e d :
"The s o c ia l c.nd e c on omi c c on d i t i on o f t h e
Ind ian ar e t he lowe s t o f a n y min o r i t y i n t h e s t a t e . "
. And the r e p o r t was i s s u e d a f t e r t he· N e gr o r i o t i n Wa t t s .
Wall S t r e e t.
.To1 u-1 1 ::1 1 -
Oc t h e r
7 , 196p
H ow You May O b tain C op i e s O f
GLUS KAP THE L I AR
& OTHER IND I AN TALES
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"Mu s t warn ,. pa l e f."l c c..� t 'l' h '1 i n r-i-c . l i P. n t .n
this pipe are d e eme d t o b e i n j uri o us
t o h e al t h i f inhale d ! "
T h e Maine Indian N e ws l e t t e r
w i l l r e c e ive o r d e r s f o r Gl usl ap
the Liar & Qther I n d ian T a l e s
S end
wr i t t e n b y H or a c e P . B e ck .
your n ame - and addr e s s a n d t h e
numb e r o f c o1 i e s you w o u ld l ike
t o t h e E d i t or .
S e e page 16 und e r B o ok
Rev i e w for a d e s c r ip t i on of t he
new b o ok tha t us e s the Maine ·
Pe n ob s c o t In d i an s as a c e n t r a l
gro np .
t U lilety S e H d a · e h e ck:.:o.f.:
.i c n e y or d e r---· f d r i5 ;· 9).. ' € e . t i1e . ::·
l• .a i ne I n d ian-- N e '.Y s l w t t e r , Pine
8 t r e o t. , F1· e e1 o r t , f·ia i u e 04032
e
�( 16 )
B 0 0
K
R E V I
GLUS C AP THE
LI
E W
R
& OT h Jl:R I N D I AN TALES
by
Horace
H um o r , t e r r o r , t r i c ke r y ;
t r an s f o r�e d c r e a t ur e s - - s u c l
and
b e c om e
v o lur;1e .
an
I n d i a n ma i d e n ' s
P.
B e ck
v a111 1.: ir e s , w i t c h e s
as t he s n ake t h � t
love r - - are
t h e ma j o r
and
sl�d
c an n i b a l s ;
brave
,?;i r l s
i t s skin e ac h ni � t
i n gre d i e n t s
of
to
facinat ing
t 1 is
A c h ar a c t e r wh o d om i na t e s many o f t � e s e t a l e s is G lu s.��p , t h e f r i e
1 dly
w i t h s t on e e ye b r ows , wh o s e ews t o hav e b e e n a re l a t i o n o f t h e g r e a t
g i a n t Ka t ah d i n , a n d w h o i s a s s i s t e d b y t h e d w c.:. r f M ikue1w e s u , s o h e a v y he
s ank
kne e - d e e p in t o gr an i t e w h e n he w a lke d .
giRnt
On e
storie � ,
ques ,
gr o u p
of
tales ,
whose
amo r a l
b e hav i o r
t o Mr . B e c k , N ' J a c q u e s
t h an G lu 'S kap .
a
Using the
c o n s i d e rab l e
l o gi c a l s urv e r y
the ir
am o n g whi c h s o me
e xh i b i t s b o t h a E ur o p e an a n d
is
I n d i ans
the
trib e
he
f o lk l o r e ,
in
way
a
s or t s o f
up
to
has
s h own h ow
the
the
present
�a t e r ia l
e x t e n d o u r und e r s t and ing o f
fits
� u t h o r has
his t ori c al ,
T h r o u eh a l a r � e
in t o
them .
Ac c o r d i n g
pe r haps m o r e
the
t i me .
" s haggy d o g "
s c r ap e s .
I n d i an s ,
a s a c e n t r a l gr o up ,
our
T h e y c on c e rn N ' Ja �
o f t h i � b o ok t o a n a r c h ae o l o g i c a l ,
of
I n d i an s a n d c an
h im i n t o a l l
v e r y p o pu lar a m o n g t h e
Penob s c ot
s e c t i on
le ads
r e s e i ·. b l e
I nd i an b a c kgr o u nd .
the
lives
of
so
de v o t e d
e thno
b o dy o f
t he s e
T h e r e e r e L 1 y t h o l o gi c a l
t a l e s t h .. . t s e e m t o . v e r i f y t h e ar c h ae o l o gy , h i s t o r i c a l t a l e s t h c.t h a v e t h e i r
r o o t s in h i s t o r i c a l f a c t , m o r a i t a l e s t ha t s u � e s t c e r t a i n c h a rac t e r i s t i c s
o f t h e P e n ob s c o t c u l t u r e , and E u � o p e an t a l e s t h 2 t t h e I n d iL ns p i c ke d u p f r o m
s e t t le r s
and m i s s i o n a r i e s
Many o f
the se
and adap t e d
la t t e r a r e
to
t h e ir
s t i l l qui t e
own e nv i r o nme n t .
re c o gn i zab le
as
v a r i an t s
o f st ories
among t h o s e c o l le c t e d b y t h e b r o t h e r s G r i..rru:1 , w h o s e f a. i ryt a l e s have n o ur i s h e d
s o man y ge n e r a t i o n s o f Ame r i c a n a n d E ur op e an c h i l d r e n .
T o s h ow h ow r e pr e s e n t
a t i v e a l l t he t a l e s a r e o f t h e e n t i r e New E n gla n d r e gi o n , M r . B e c k has a l s o
i n c lu d e d s oill e wa t e r i a l f o rm t r i b e s
Rather
t� ll
t h an
except
for
one
andhas
the
s imp l e
oral
t a le
t r an s ra i s s i on ,
t old
of
the
dire c t
in
n � ighb o r in g t h e
s t o � i e s v e r b a t im ,
the se
diale c t ,
native
in
a s t yl e
i d i om a n d
q ua l i t y o f
Mr .
s t yle
Pe n ob s c o t .
e e k h a s t r ans c r i b e d t h e m ,
t ha t wa i n t ains
pe culiar
to
the
the
c olor
of
nar ra t o r s ,
f o lk a r t .
As i d e f r om t h e p l e a s ur e t h e t e x t w i l l g i v e t h e l a yman r e a d e r , a c on c i s e
app e n d i x , v a l u ab � t o t he s e r i o u s s t u d e n t o f f o lk l o r e , p r ov i d e s a d i s c us s i on o f
the
s ou r c e s a n d t h e
$ 23 , 1 1 9
1 AS · I NGTON -
p ov e r t y pr o r_� r ams
Sen .
the
E d .uund S .
The
motifs
GRA.NT�D
in
c o l l e c t i on .
FOR ANT IPOVERT Y PL1w
Ap 1· r ov a l
of
�23 , 119
a
b-e n e f i t in g }\'J a i n e ' s
Mu s k i e a n d Re p .
f un d s w i l l b e
t h is
fe deral
1.) a s s ama q u o d d y
H l liam D .
e< l l o c ct t e d
OF ' �l.J ODD Y I i. D I A! S
by
the
gr£. n t
t o d e v e l op an t i
I n d i a n s was
by
th e
Pa s s ama q u o d dy
T ownship re serva t i ons .
H a t haway s a i d
s o c ia l a n d e c o n o m i c
within
the
Muskie .
t r ib e s . 1 1
( F r om Por t L nd
the
gr an t
prob lems
Dr .
ann o un c e d
Offic e
o f E c o n o -i c
O�yi o r t u n i t y t o
wi l 1
be
I n d i a n t r i b e a t . t h e P l e a s a n t P o i o t and
wi l l b e
of
the
Pr e s s H e r a l d ,
to
�vi l l
d i i· e c t
1/12/6 7 )
aJ. ,.uin
Indian
' ' ill o u n t a pr o g r a � t o d e a l w i t h
us e d
I n d i an s
Jau1e s Pays o n
by
H a t h awa y .
Wa s h i nc;t o n C o un t y Re g i onal A c t i o n A � � e n c y i n Ma c h i a s and
istered
to
i n v o lv e d
in a n
e ffor t
the
to
alleviate
pr o j e c t ,
p ov e r t y
ac c o r d i n g
�(17 )
FA CT SHEET FOR LEGISLATORS
The w�te r ial on th is pa ge , and on Page
a fact s he e t f or ITE mbers o f 1 a ine '
Following a
re que s t
s 103rd
18 ,
wa s pre par e d or i g inally a s
Le gislature .
f r o m Re pre se nta t ive
Glenn Starbird
Editor a s se mble d th is ba s i c inf o rmat i o n on Mdne
e a stern tr ib e s
Rep .
in general and mime o graphe d it on the
Starb ir d plans to di s tribute the s e sh eets
tor s .
1 , 2 00 Ind i an s l iv ing on
t h e r e a r e an e s t ima t e d
-
th e Penob s c o t Re s erv a t i on i n c l ud e s a l l
all
( n e ar Pr inc e t on ,
t ha t a c on s i d erab l e numb er
Uni t e d S t a te s ,
t he
whi l e
MAINE .
in exchange f or
-
thr e e Re s erva t i on s
the Penob s c o t R iver
t h e Pa s s amaquoddy R e s e rv a t i on s ar e P l e a s an t Po i n t
- an e s t ima t ed 8 0 0 MAINE IND IANS
-
reade rs .
i s l and s
in MAINE ?
f r om
to Ma t t awamkeag ?
of Ind i an Town s h i p
and
gree n News l e t te r ma s the a d .
the bene f it of the le gis la
It i s included here f o r the be ne f it o f Newsle tter
-
O l d Town
f or
(D-K ing�an ) the
in part icular and
Indians
l ive
( n e ar Perry ,
Ma ine )
l ive o f f -Re s erva. t i on-- t- hr oughou t
t hr oughou t New Eng l and and
s t i l l ma i n t a in ing
and
Ma ine ) ?
the ir
t ie s
t o t he ir
the
the r e s t
s ta t e ,
of
the
Tr ib e s ?
R E SERVATIONS were g iven the Penob s c o t and Pa s s ama quoddy Tr i b e s
all
t h e r e a r e more
of wha t
i s n ow t h e S t a t e o f Ma ine ?
than 500 , 000 Ind i a n s
hund r ed s o f d i f f er en t
Tr ib e s ,
t ime s a s g r e a t a s among
in
t he Un i t ed
States ,
and t h a t b ir t hr a t e among Ind i a n s
b e l ong ing t o
i s abou t 2 �
the c oun try ' s popu l a t ion a s a who l e ?
- Ma s s a chu s e t t s h a s an Ind i an popu l a t i on o f ov er
2 , 0 00 Ma s hpe e s , Wamp anoag s ,
and N i pmu c s ;
Connec t i cu t ha s a n Ind i an popu l a t i o n o f a lmo s t
and Paugu s e t t s ;
1 , 00 0 P e quo t s ,
Mohegan s ,
S c h agh t i c oke s ,
Rhod e
I s l and has an Ind i an popu l a t i on of a lmo s t
New Hamp s h i r e h a s an Ind i an popu l a t i on of
Vermo n t h a s an Ind i an popu l a t i on o f ov er
- i n add i t i on t o t h e New Eng l and · s t a t e s ,
l iving in nor t he a s t ern ,
of
east
c en tr a l ,
over
50 ,
1 , 00 0 Nar r a g an s e t t s ;
1 0 0 Pennacook s ;
b e l ong ing
there are
1 1 5 , 000 Ind i a n s
s ome
a n d s ou t hern s t a t e s
and
t o var i ou s Tr ib e s ?
-
t h e gr e a t ma j o r i ty
t h e s e h av ing no F ed er a l admin i s t r a t iv e c onne c t i o n ?
- MA INE I ND IAN S have n ever h ad a n y admin i s tr a t ive
g overnmen t ,
- MAINE
c onne c t i on wi th the F ed er a l
and d o no t �?
is
t h e ONLY S TATE in
the c ou n t r y
t o have
a S t a t e D e par tmen t o f
Ind i an A f f a i r s ?
- Congr e s s i o n a l d e l e ga t e s and Ind i an Tr ib e s f r om o t her
expr e s s ed an in t er e s t
in
t he f ed er a l Bur e au o f Ind i an A f f a ir s a n d t he U . S .
of
Ind i an Hea l t h )
s t a t e s have a l r e ady
t h i s. n ew a p p r o a c h to MAINE INDIAN AFFAIRS ,
ar e a l s o very in t e r e s t ed
( OVER )
and t h a t
Pub l i c Hea l th S erv i c e
in d eve l opmen t s
in MAINE ?
( D i v i s i on
�The Admi n i s t r a t ion of
(From " RE POR T TO THE 1 0 2ND LEG I S LA TURE :
b y the
ture ,
I n t e r im J o i n t Commi t t ee on I n d i an Af f a i r s o f
January ,
1965 )
"F or a t ime
fo l l ow i n g the e s t ab l i shmen t of
Maine a s a s e p ar a t e p o l i t i c a l en t i ty ,
left
to
t h em s e lv e s .
As
t he S ta t e o f
n ego t i a t i on s w i th t h e
Tr i b e s w a s e n t i r e l y l e g i s l a t ive a n d for
wer e
Ind i an A f f a ir s "
t h e l O l s t Legi s l a
the momen t
t h e year s pr o gr e s s e d ,
o f t h e I n d i a n s b e c ame more a p p are n t .
the
Ind i an s
the p l i gh t
Leg i s l a t ive ma t t e r s
also
were b e coming d e e p and comp l i c a t e d and t h e n e e d s and wan t s o f
a
The pr o b l ems of
growing wh i t e popu l a t ion came f ir s t .
Ind i a n s were
shun t e d ab o u t by a s u c c e s s i on o f
the
l e g i s l a t ur e s ,
f in a l ly end i n g up w i th the De par tme n t o f He a l t h and W e l f a r e . "
" I n b o t h t h e l O O t h and l O l s t Le g i s l a tu r e s b i l l s w e r e in t r o
du c e d wh i c h wou l d h ave t r an s f e r r e d t he
superv i o ion a n d adm i n
i s t r a t i o n o f In d i an A f f a i r s f r om t h e De par tme n t o f He a l t h and
We l fare
•
•
•
I n the
l O O t h the b i l l f a i l e d of p a s s age and in t h e
lO l s t
i t w a s r e f er r e d t o t h e s tudy w h i c h i s
r e p or t
•
•
•
"It is
t h e o p i n i o n of
t he Ind i an
manner
We
tr ib e s w i t h i n
t h a t i s conclu s ive
fe e l
the b a s i s of
this
"
t h i s Comm i t te e
that
t h e a f fa ir s o f
t h i s S t a t e ar e n o t b e i n g hand l ed in a
to
the b e s t i n t er e s t s of
t h a t any onu s o f b l ame f a l l s r i gh t ly upon
l e g i s l a tur e s
t h a t f a i l e d t o d o any th i n g o t her
t he Ind i a n
.
.
•
.
the many
than t o
see
t ha t
the
I n d i a n h ad s he l t e r , w a s c l o t hed and f e d and tha t h e ke p t
The S t a t e of Ma ine ,
h i s d i s t an c e fr om t h e l e g i s l a t u r e i t s e l f .
f or a l l pur p o s e s ,
i s de a l ing w i t h
the Ind ian
today in
the same
mann e r in wh i c h he d e a l t w i th him one hundred and for t y - f ive
year s ago
•
•
•
"
" In c o n c l u s i on ,
of
t h e Commi t t e e f ind s t h a t i t i s
t h e Ma ine Ind i an
b e g iven
to impr ove h i s
lot .
He f e e l s
t h e de s i r e
tha t h e mu s t
t h e o p p o r tun i ty t o have a v o i c e in g ove r n i ng hims e l f
an d h i s a f f a ir s .
H e i s c o g n i zan t o f
the f a c t t h a t
thi s can n o t
come abou t overn i g h t bu t by n e c e s s i ty mu s t be a l ong r ange a f f a ir .
He doe s no t w i s h t o l o s e h i s i d en t i ty a s an Ind ian b u t b e l ieve s
w i th some a s s i s t a n c e b o th he
(From
and h i s
tribe
t he RF. PUB L I CAN PLATFORM FOR 1 9 6 7 - 6 9 , Mar ch ,
"We r e c ogn i z e
s ove r e ign n a t i o n s
hund r e d y e ar s ;
can
s h ow pr ogr e s s . "
1966)
tha t t h e Ind i a n s o f our S t a t e have gone
from
to d e p e nd e n t commun i t i e s in a s pan o f two
t h a t un t i l r e c en t ly a l l
t h e I nd i a n i s a we l f ar e pro gr am •
•
•
t h a t h a s b een o f f e r e d
We u r g e t h a t
the Pa s s amaquoddy
and Penob s c o t Tr ib e s be g iven the n e c e s s a ry gove r n me n t a l and
e c onomi c a s s i s t an c e t o e n a b l e t hem to have
as
t o t h e ir f u tur e r o l e i n o u r s o c i e ty . "
(F rom t h e DEMOCRA TI C PLATFORM FOR 1 9 6 7 - 1 9 6 9 ,
May ,
a
cho i c e and a v o i c e
1966)
"We c ommend t he 1 0 2nd L e g i s l a tu r e f o r e n a c t ing
tha t •
•
•
shou l d enab l e
l e g i s l a t ion
t he Pa s s ama quoddy and Penob s c o t Ind i an s
and t h e s t a t e g overnme n t wor k i ng toge ther t o d e v e l op a pr ogram
that w i l l e n ab l e the Ind i an s
f l our i s h and pr o s p er
•
•
•
l iv i n g on the r e s erva t i o n s t o
W e urge
•
•
•
t h a t r e s e r va t i on I nd i ans b e
gr an t e d a gr e a t er d eg r e e o f s e l f -governme n t and a l ar ger v o i c e
in t h e ir own a f f a i r s . "
( The MAINE I ND IAN NEW SLE T TER is a pr iva t e ly s po n s o r e d and pub l i s h e d mo n t h ly
mime ographed N ew s l e t t er d evo t ed t o news of Ind i an A f f a i r s in Ma i n e and t h r ough
Curr en t ly suppor t e d en t ir e ly by d o n a t io n s , t here is a s ye t
ou t t h e c oun t ry .
no
sub s cr i p t i on charg e .
Wr i te t he Ed i t or t o b e p l ac e d on the ma i l ing l i s t . )
�( 19 )
H:D IAN � C HOO I..S
C LOS D!G OF
( C o n t in u e d
B y far t he
1824
was
i·J.r .
to be
unto
of
f or c e d
out
Lo gan
Mr .
H i nc k l e y .
.; r a s
c o 1.ip l i an c e
1454
basis
ized
only ,
an d
t 2 28 , 500
lid
.s e t
f o r � on t h s ' t h e re
the
Tlrns
c omp l ie d , i.:.r i t h
S 0 !·1 e
l east
S tate .
r o un d
,
they h� ve
In
a
loses
their
las t
of
it
l o ok s
t he
t ake n
and
the
the
those
o f f i c ia l s
q u e s t i on
of
d i s c r i. 1i11 a t i on .
S&:f t h e r e i s d i s c r i;;1in a t ..i. o n
fident
they are
t .. . i s s t a t e . "
Tb e
i s s ue
say t he y wan t
1 1The
act ,
I n d i an
"Th e y
•
was
•
31,
�1 - i t �r n r
s ch o o l s
over
to
us
tJ1e
on
t he
has
no
i n t e 11 t i o n
11 I t wan t s
to
of
been
cl
los
Po r t L:m d Pr e s s H e ro. l d ,
oc
. .; t
�I 1 /u 7 )
of
ruling
to
us
they
tLem I
at
t h e ir
an o t h e r
c l oic e .
of
stated
he
c h i l d.c e n ,
in
raising
not
are
in
educ a t i on
f e d e 1n a l
ha. s t y "
li t t l e
But
f un d s .
sovere ignty ·df
I n d i a n r e s e r v ci. h
the
t ui t ion
r e ad y
f .: e l q u i t e
to
� on
i s n o d i s c ri ; ,1 i n a t i o n i n
t he r e
a l l o w i n g c: n y
pr o v i d e
in
ruling
tl0e
I n d L- i1 s w o u l d l os e
t a lk i n c; w i t h
t h i::!. t
an
unde r
the
have
to
on
un o r ga n -
in
G o vernor C ur t i s
indicated
F r 01r1
ke e p .
s t cl. t e
t he
•
re1 ort
said .
childre n . 11
( F r o .:i
•
r;o i n g t o
to
C ur t i s
" t h e y .£.ay h a v e
fe e l
a
on
.
b e e n ke p t
lla s
t h e J'o r � ln d R.r e � § II e r_?- l d t h � . t af t e r c on f e r r i n g i J O J.1 d a,j �1i t-11
o f f i c ia l s c o D c e rn i n g s c h c r n 1 1 n g t r � v j s i. 0 1 1 s f o r l' , & i n e 'r nd i an
t h i nks
d e s c r ib e d
r e s i de
f r e e d o.u1
the
le f t :
S e c t ion
.� u a r d i an
� ·1 c i e s
spot .
by
for
f u ;:i d s .
school
on ' Ja n u ci r y
held
t h is
the
t h o u &h
as
t he y b a d
not
do
196 3 .
of
as
pr iv i l e � e s
on
choice
apJ : r o v a l
apJ_: r opr i a t i o n s
er
b r i n g pre s s u r e
c oLl!: l y and
f r e e d ow
r i gh t
c on f e r e n c e
F e d e ral
to
re f u s e d
h m·1e v e r ,
the
news
Eaine
h2v e
ke pt
haine ,
a lr.1 o s t
In
or
states
really
is
Le p;i s la t u r e
iJ o. r e n t
b e cause
to
t ifile
li t t le
is
pe ople .
for
The
e du c a t i o n a l
children
and
r u l i D g wh e n
t his
h is
e 1 d i n g Ju n e
•1i ;; h
t o �hool
n e ar
is
d e a d l in e
for
E d u c a t i on
of
ye ar
l oc a l
of
�n o Nn
t11 i s
t h r o u gh Mr .
n e c e s s nry a p r o p r ia t i o ns
the
r e s id e
these
that
n o t 1u i t h s t a1 1 d i n g
aside .
1·1 h o
h
l''. e i p.; b o r i n .c;
in
he
c o n c e rn
·11 0
.
2 r o se .
such
"E,.ie r g e n c y n .
fisc �l
the
en t i t le d
be
s ha l l
1454
·l/a s h i n gt on
the
t o raise
c h i ld r e n
"All
ti.ie
c h i l dr e n
a l l ma t t e r s
d i s t r ib u t e d
h ad
no
be
I n di a n
the
j us t
not
be
D e pa r t ue n t
the
for
t e r r i t o ry . "
T he
th� . t
said
r u l i n g a n d e ar.Jarke d
the
with
I n d i a n R e s e r v a t i on
s e c t i o ns
is
to
S d i d t ha t
ii\fa s h i n g t o n a n cl p l e d
to
d e s i gn e d
and i s
ar e n o t t o e x c e e d
o f t h e b i l l re ads :
by
d r aw n
been
has
bill
A
Le � i s l a t ure ,
the
gone
hav e
h e w:rn l d
Iuad e
F r �n c i s
G e o r ge
E x -G o v e � n o r
it
'.i1 e r e
there
if
o n t h e R e s a r v a t i on s h o u l d
the
wo uld
i n f o r ma t i o n
that
and
an d
f�rther
them at
b e fore
should b e, laid
a gr � e d ,
lived
s c h o o ls
Reservation
G o v e r n o r Mi t c l 1 e l l
them .
Indians
the
ing
of
the
to
r e t ur n e d
then be
t h. � t
said
c h i ld r e n w h o
.� i t e
the
choice
O l d •r o 1m
of
J o h n I ii t c h e l l
G ov e rn o r
nation
a
t h e .:1 s e lv e s .
fre e d on
of
the
s c �r e �a t e d ;
re�lly
be
n c f'
S t o.. t e mu s t }.lr o
t h e T r u ct t y go.. v e
b e yo n d . t h L t
s1
life
the S t a t e
}ith
the
t ha t
s t at e d
and
ga t e s
the ir
c lose
to
out
e du c a t i on ,
and
we l fare
r i gh t
the
I n d i an s
1my of
t �.: e i r
b e en
ti.• e i r T r e o. t y
he
nann e r
c on t r o l l e d
and
of
t e rli1s
the
of
s or,1e
gav e
qu i e t
h e alt h ,
vide
i;1ha t had
t b e<. t
n e w s pap e r s
the
c onne c t e d
d i s r up t e d .
Gessil
In a
l'1aine .
in
r e ad
to
The y had
!...1 i s hand l in g of t � 1 i s i·.:ia t t e r is t h e
.
:.
-ri t h i t .!l orn t h e J nri 1 ::n1 s ;
of
i n f o r ma t i on
all
of
Fr e d r i c ks
. •
i t e &ll.
L ·p o r t a n t
least
• J i t hh o l d i n g
c omp l e t e
I1·i . T
b y Ka t h e r i ne
12 )
pa5e
f r o�
e
a 1J u s e
ns-
of
11 c at i on
11 1 i c h
t l1 ..)
it
t !1 e
c iv i l
c an
to
In dians
r i gh t s
the
I
�' ( 20)
A Ifr-, l D � y fi'OR
Vice
Pre ai den t ,
( C o n t i� u e d
'!Ve
I tl d i - n
t ouch
s t a t us - st a t us
t h e ir
the
: i ere
' f f ai r s :
H ow
as
0.1
to
t: e
s o) ' 1e
na t i o n a l s c h e · te
of
t he
c on f u s e d
t l i i n e; s .
of
To
t h i nks
par t
h e lp t h e m
that
F r om t h i s
sive
in
the
h ou r
pr o gr am
Un i t e d S t a t e s
gr e s c iv e ,
has
f o rw a r d ,
has
the
the
the
c ome
we
v e n t u r e s o r.1e ,
are
of
·erica
)
�
l l .Ja11
to
G 0 1·1e
to
put
going
o a i n �::; ,
, rh o
of
of
the
f o un d
c.lr e
•
I n d ia n s
it
fa r s i gh t e d . "
to
o rk •
t ha t
�e
•
•
they
on
In
fit
in
of A s ia and .l\ f r i
c o111 i n g i u t o a
ta� e
ca ,
co n
a
' ' Your Pre s i d e n t
J o hn s o n s t at e d :
b e gi'ir
I want
I n d i ans .
wa y t o
the
of
c o un t r y a t t ai n
·Ihere
n ow
f i r s t Arae r i c L � s
•
the
o.nd
<t o unt r i e s
t ribes
quite
U . S . B u r c::: au
this
s t a t u s as
c o1tlt11U n i t y .
the
•
of
the y are
Indinn
to
c o r i i r o n t i u t:; t · i e
citi. ens
vay Pr e s i d e n t
c on s i d e r e d .
and
J
la r 6e r
a d v an c e m e n t
ever
i s ::; ue
t h e y h av e n ' t
find t he ir
t irne
for
but
a f fairs
as
Li · ,_e
s t ruc t iv e
s e l f - aw ar e n e s s
HiD IAN
" tat e s
� 11 - IndiLn
po vir e r s ,
of
Un i t e d
The
s tatus as
are
IC Ld\J
1
"
H ui.t}.'h · e J
f r o ! 1 D e c e u1b e r Ne ws l 0 t t � r
l on g d o min a t e d b y f o r e i gn
sense
A}
very bedrocl
he l· �
c it i �ens ,
o w n min d s ,
.CJ 1
TJy Hub 0 r t H .
first
ou r &g�nd a •
on
the
mos t
t h e G ov e r n � n t
c o und ,
•
•
c ompr e h e n
of
re alis t i c ,
the
pr o
vh o g r e w up a!..i.l o n g h i s own t r i b . 1 :. e op le , t h e One i d as
o f h' i s c o n s i n , a n d w h o has b e e n inue r s e d i n I n d ian a f f a i r s t h r o u gh o u t his
e n t i r e l i f e has s t a t e d :
" I am f a r m o r e i n t e re s t e d i n pr o111o t i n g c o n s t r u c t i v e
C om.J:.t i s s i on e r B e nn e t t
a c t ion
will be
t hun
i n r e c r im ina t i ons
t he
,na j o r g o a l o f
n e w i d e as a n d p r o gr ams
t hr ow
off
To
o ld
p la c e
l and ,
s l 1 ip s t a t u s
the
B ow
s t a t ut e s ,
l an d s
assure
ed
the
e v ol v e d
f r ou
has
far
net
par c e l s
c o�1 e
fo�
of
to
is
the
These
c on c e p t
is
t ha t ,
is ,
I ndian
the
in
in
aa r s
and
o wn e r s .
the
the
of
the
But
us
for
of
whole .
a
the
such
the
as
are
of
s o me
a t t a ck b y t h e
s o on b e
e c o n omi c
of
I � d i an
q> n e r ship
next ,
th�
has
uia j o r
lands .
The
of
in
hav e
lagge d
I n d i an
th�
of
offer
h i gh
hav e
c re a t ing
I
as
c osts
little
I n d ian ar e as .
mon t h )
re s o u r c e
a
of
of
the
to
in c oill e
aii.1 c on f i d en t
s orae
to
a c q u ir e d
1 1 c h e c k-
farmi n g o r
t he
land
the
to
a r is ing
f l e xib i l i t y in
loosen
of
I n d ian
re sourc e s
b e h i nd
c o mt e ... p o r a r y pr o b l ems
of
these
v i nb i l i t j
c oru· I B r c i a l
in
tribes
a l s o va c il la t e d .
I n d ian par c e l s ,
lack
m i l l i on
51
Tru s t e e
i s o f t e n ob s c ur
n on - I n d i a n s
re d u c e d
t ha t
some o f the
a c c ui.1u lat ion
init iative
re sult ed
that will
(C ontinued next
of
B y an
policies
n e w C ommi s s i one r .
pr o p o s e d
gr o w t h
t us
d e v e l o p i n g na t u r a l
l ar �e - s c a l e
to
1 9 t h C e n t ur y a f t e r w h i c h
r e s e rv a t i o n b o unda r i e s ,
had
c it izens
o f ab o u t
s upe r v i s i o n
Me anwh : l e ,
and it
in i t ia t e
pr o gr e s s . "
e xami n e
trus tee
I n d i an a r e a & has
localities ,
of
to
/e s t e rn S t at e s .
l e ga l s t
I n d ian
and G o v e rnL1ent
f r a c t i on a t e d
to
c t i on ,
o u r Indian
let
F e d e ra l
i n a d m i n i s t e r i n g h o l d i n gs
b r ie f ,
f as t e r
is
�ar d sh i p .
o r i gi n a l
s ome
purpo s e s ,
indiv i dual .
under
to
b y law ,
a r e s ponsi b i lity
I n d i an
ge n e r a t i on
r eme d i e s w i l l
p e r rn i t
pe r s pe c t iv e ,
appropr i a t i on s ,
c o un t r y a s
More ov a r ,
in
e na b l e
t r u s t e e s hip r e s p on s i b i l i t y g o ?
and
pa s t
a wuch quicker 1 a c e
o f wh i c h
d e v e l o pme n t
l and w i t h i n
f r om o n e
Int e rior
par t
s e n t i iJle n t ,
t ha t
tr u s t e e s h ip s t a t u s
lat iv e
and
th0
i n v o lv e
F e d e r a l G o v e rnme n t
t he
f ulle s t
s ov e r e i n t y
t ri b ua l - u s e
a n y s in gl e
h o µe f u l l y ,
f o l l ow i n g t h e
to the
pat t e rn
r an c h i n g .
pas s e s
in
the
l a r ge s t
1 1 war d s h i p 1 1
of
r e s 11 on s i b i l i t y f o r
s ys t e m w a s e s t a b l i s h e d ,
does
re s u l t
. e r b oa r d ' 1
t h a t wi l l ,
r e ma r k in
r e gu la t i o n s ,
u t i l i za t i on
lan d
o ne
bene L it s
by the
t he
I n d ian B u r e a u un d e r m y l e ad e � s h i p
o f F e d e r.a l � Ind ian r e l a t i o n s .
r e s e r v a t i on
c h ange d
The
this
The S e c r e t ar y o f
of
oer
f r u s t r a t i o n s a n d a c h e iv e
c r u c i a l a s pe c t s
acres
the
the
t ha t
the
fr
t ru s t
l e gi s
s ha c k l e s
m
c
�6? '8
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·� -�.:::__\, - �. -
- news 'lf Indian affair s
and around
Maine
the country ;
- /
� -?
..
- t o know what other
Tribes are doing, thinking and planm.ng;
����;-::t-- I
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i
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1·
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F ILL OUT THE SU BSCRIPTION SLIP
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,
�
..
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Penobscot
Description
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The Penobscot people, who identify closely with the Penobscot River that is their home, have a reservation on Indian Island, near Old Town, Maine. Part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, they were among the tribes that won federal recognition in the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. <br /><br />A Penobscot scholar, Joseph Nicolar, was one of the first regional Native people to publish a book: <em>Life and Traditions of the Red Man</em> (1890). Since then, many others have written about their language and culture, including the performing artist Molly Spotted Elk and poet Carol Dana.<br /><br />The Penobscots have a rigorous process for protecting their intellectual property, asking any scholars who are studying or writing about them to communicate with their Cultural Heritage and Preservation Office.<br /><br /><strong>Resources</strong><br /><br />Penobscot Nation <a href="https://www.penobscotnation.org/" target="_blank">website</a><br /><a href="http://www.penobscotculture.com/" target="_blank">Penobscot National Cultural & Historic Preservation Department</a><br /><br />
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Title
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<em>Maine Indian Newsletter</em> (Jan. 1967)
Creator
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ssipsis (Thompson, Eugenia)
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Colby College
Date
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1967-01
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Julia Brush
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Digital images courtesy of Colby College Library. In making these images available, we also consulted with ssipsis’ daughter, Pam Outdusis Cunningham.
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English
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Document
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pdf
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DV-472
-
https://www.dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/original/6e4284acfa9d8a01a8aca3cd4dce2f7c.pdf
1a50a54dc4307c850d6576d5ec5a2ecb
PDF Text
Text
MAINE� I ID ·.A
NEWSLETTER
L
VOLUME
1,
NUMBER
5
DEC:SHBER
B
PROVID!:,S ENJOYilENT FOR
All over i"inine family c ·J..!.Lpin� is becoruing
of our vacation industry.
inexpensive vacation enjoyment,
having
a
C1J,iPZRS
1�1ore importc:::.nt _p:::.r t
Fiith more fauilies ta.king longer v2ca.tions
and travelling further distances,
for the return trip home.
o..
340
1966
the c�mpground is providing relatively
end still leaving enough spending money
For many it oeans the difference between
vacc:::.tion or no vacation ut 211.
The high costs of filany summer
time motels provides even filore incentive for
a
f2.8ily cc:::.mp out •
.
One
motel owner told us last s ummer that the many ne�rby camping 2.rees had
taken away much of his business.
some provi�e electricity and even
Nost ca pgrounds provide water,
a few �dvertise showers.
any campgrounds
nearby,
are in wooded,areas with man-Lladc
some are on the ocean and some are on lakesides.
swimning pools
" One of the
latter is Long Lake Campground on Indian Township Reservation.
Lake is as beautiful as
o. n y
I
Long
have seen in Naine. T he Campground wc:::.s
Duri:rig the peried" frQm July_ 8th
1966 from Nay to November.
.
to ·Jtily 29th; 83 .:.parties 0f 3h1::Campers used ,_the Campground.
operated during
The foJlow�ng statistics
are prov�ded by the Depart�ent of Forest
Servicei
-
Residence
Referred to
Campground
I: nine
- 16
- 13
Pennsylvania
- 10
Massachusetts
Connecticut
New York
Canada
Ohio
New Jersey
Indiana
Florida
Maryland
N.H.,
"vi.Va.,
R.I.,
Del.,
Va.,
Mich.
Totals
Types of Shelters
by:
- 18
- 15
Road Sign
Guidegooks
Local Stores
- 11
Forest Rangers
8
7
7
6
3
3
2
2
Tents
Tent Trailers
- 10
Repeat Visits
Friends
Maps,
Chamber of
Commerce,
ickup Campers-10
Travel Trlrs.
Auto Assoc.
- 2
-
Cars
-
Cabins
9
7
6
Live Nearby
-40
-18
-
6
5
4
each
1
Not known
-l each
83
83
(Continued on Page
2)
�(2)
(Continued from Page 1)
The Department of Forest Service feels that the Long Lake Campground is
a resource which c&n be developed to benefit the Passamaquoddy Tribe,
and can make plans in this direction.
The Newsletter is pleased with these results. There is nothing
more we would like to see then new means of income for the Passamaquoddy.
As tourists are attracted to the Passawaquoddy Reservation many ·rill be
interested in visiting the Indian Stores and buying bnskets and other
Indian goods.
Perhaps more Tribal dances will then be held to entertain
these visitors. So many people are interested in learning more about
Indian history, arts, craft and Indian lore that the oppor unities seem
unlimited.
It is up to the Passamaquoddy to decide if this is the kind
of life he wants , and then to proceed accordingly.
The Penobscot Indians on Indian Island in Oldtown , 11aine own a
string of islands in the Penobscot River wost of which are not being
used for anything of a permnneht n&ture. Perhaps one of these islands
could be used to make a similar c.=.r.apground. I can think of proble111s
arising but they seem no greater than those fe.ced at Long Lake, at
Indian Township.
•
CORRECTION
It has been brought to our attention that in the November Edition of
the Newsletter in our story of the Passamaquoddy Tribal Election we
left out one of the Tribal Councilmembers. Rebecca Francis was elected
to the Tribal Council at the Pleasant Point Reserv2tion. Our apologies
to Councilvvol11Gl.n Francis for this omission. At this time The haine
Indian Newsletter extends CONGRATULl�IONS to you.
SIOUX �VARBONNETS ON
,JORLD F IR
�JAY 'i10
12 Sioux warbonnets are to be featured at the un·ted States Indian
at the 1967 orld ' s Fair in Montreal, Canada.
The United S tates Information Service recently bought the warbonnets
to form a canopy over the rest of the Indian exhibit.
The warbonnets, which ranee �rom nine to 15 feet, are wade of white
turkey feathers dyed_ black at the tips.
Except for the substitution of turkey feathers for eagle feathers,
the bonnets are authenic (sic) in detail.
The Joe New Holy family of the Pine Ridge reservation trimilled and
matched the feathers for the bonnets.
The New Holys did much of the beading on the bonnets, too.
of the bonnets took place at the Tipi Shop
Remaining constr:.:".�: ::..t=Jl
in the Sioux Indian Museum and Craft Center at Rapid City.
( Rosebud Sioux Herald, Rosebud, South Dakota, 12/19/66.)
oxhjhft
*
*
•
*
*
*
*
*
*
•
103rd Legisl�ture
The 103rd Legislative session will soon be taking place in Augusta.
Upon investigation the Newsletter learned that during the last session
(Continued on Page 12)
�(3)
E
D I
T
0 R I A L S
THE l\ AINE INDIAN NE
EDITOR
..
iSLETTER
THOf. PSON
(Penobscot)
EUGE1IA T.
The Maine Indian Newsletter is Maine's only state-wide Indian newsmedia.
News and stor_ies may be sublllitted to the Newsletter by the 15th of each
month for publication at the following adJress:
Pine Street
Freeport, Maine, 04032
(Telephone:
865-4253)
Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conforw to the rules
required by every newspaper. They must bear the writer's correct name
and address although pen names are I·eraitteu at the discretion of the
Editor. All letters mu�t be signed though na1es will be· withheld from
publication on request.
Preference will be given to letters not over
350 words in length. Letters are subject to correction of gra;nmer or
obvious errors, and are subject to condensation or editing when space
limitations require.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
*
•
•
•
The Newsletter received a very interesting letter from a man in
Portsmouth N. H . During early colonial times it seehls the uriter's
5th great gnandmother was an Indian girl coaing from a tribe somewhere·
north of Dover N. H. but probably not into Canada. Her married name
was Nute or possibly Newte.
Later on her brother came to live with the
f am.i..ly. The spelling may be incorrect but his name was pronounced Barkus.
The writer is interested in finding out pomething about her or atleast
about the possible tribe from 1hich his ancestor originated. The
period in which she lived is popularly known as the French and Indian
War Feriod. If any of our readers have any information on this or have
any ideas which they would like to share with. us, ·we will be glad to
forward it on to Mr. Gallagher.
• ••
Every few days the Newsletter receives a lett2r from an individual
library who wishes to receive the first two or three issues of the
Ne�§].�. We are trying to meet these requests but are down to the
bare minimum which vie must keep for our files.
Those of you who have
requested these back issues and have not yet received them can rest
assured you will hear from us in the near future coneerning them. If
we can not supply these issues we will still let you know.
or
a
LETTERS
Dear Editor:
After reading your October edition of tl,e Newsletter, I cane across
(Continued on Page 4)
�(4)
( Letters, Continued from Page 3)
an article concerning the Indians in Houlton who are living on the Flat.
The Correspondent Morris Brooks was given the wrong in forwation by
Mr. Leo Tomah and Mr. ?olchies. I know, I was born in Houlton, in
fact born on the Flat and always lived in comfort.
We are not from the hie Hae tribe as stated-, the only die 11ac I
Indians in Houlton are the out casts that are driven out from their own
reservations and they were never accepted on the Flat because of
their bad conduct.
�y father's family were the first Indians on the Flat, they moved
over from Canada since 1912 and they have all passed away.
Just a few
years ago my sister and I moved frou the Flat , she was the only Indian
who had � bathroom in her home and ny aunt who lived ·cross fro� her.
To me, the Flat as they called it, is really Bridge Stre�t. and
we left behind many hap]y memories.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Theresa Paul
Old Town, e.
•
***
Dear Editor:
t
vJe were delighted to hear of your tvork with the iJ. I IE nmI1 N
NE,VSLETTER and VJould like to receive copies of it as they come off the
press. Enclosed is our contribution of $1.00 to help defray some of
your expenses in a small way.
Earlier this year, we became interested in the work of John Chris
topher Hartwick, a Lutheran Pastor, ho served so..·e of the tribes
around Otsego Lake and Coopersto •n about 200 years ago. In his will
he provided. for the establishr ent of liart.1ick Seutina.cy on the �rnst bank
o f the Susquehanna River in t�e Town of liart�1ick, just south of Coopers
I am wondering whether you way have had any articles in previous
to�n.
issues.concerning tribes and missionaries who lived and worked in what
is upper and central New York state.
While teaching history several years ago, I learned tlia t Saqison
Occum, an Indian scholar from Connecticut who raised sub stantial funds
which were later used for founding Dartmouth College, 1oved to the
Adirondacks as a result of his disappointment when t he school he
.As far as I know, no trace
labored for was not built in eonnecticut.
was ever found of his grave, or last place of residence.
Congratulations and best �ishes for your new venture.
Sincerely,
Bernard C. Wojan
1
West Hartford, Conn
·
•
•••
Editor:
I re�d the Maine Indian Newsletter for the fir�t ti�e and found
-· -it very interesting. Icarne to f-;aine Aug. 30 and �ever thought there
were any Indian tribes here. I met Viola Dana (You ran an article on
her last month. ) and she told me what trib.es were here in r1aine. I ' m
interested in working w�th Indians and I have hlet many people from dif
ferent tribes here at the Center.
I am a 0innebago India� from Wi�consin. My vocation here in the
Job Corps is library assistant and when I graduate fro� that course in
(Continued on page 14)
Dea.r
�(5)
FULL INDIAN RECEPTION GIVEN THREE-WAR VET
by Clayton Beal
PERRY - Fourteen years before he was given the right to vote in a national
election and less than two years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
Sabatis Mitchell, a proud American Indian, was serving in the United States
Navy.
Today he is back home on the Ple asant Point Passamaquoddy Indian Reser
vation here, where he was given a surprise welcome home party night by his
fellow Indians in full tribal regalia.
20
"Mitch", as his Air Force buddies called him,
retired November
30
after
years of active milit ary service which concluded with a year in Viet Nam,
after service during the Korean conflict and in World War II.
As he bounced his seven-month-old son on his knee, Mitchell d escribed
·
the war in Viet Nam as la war without lines - one where it is too often
He is deterntine(l�
difficult to say where tomorrow's battle might be fought.11
however, that the war must be "WOn.
Pleasant Point has a long history of contributing manpower for America.
A monumen t aean«tJ. today on the bank of Passamaquoddy Bay here erected by
40
the Daughters of the American RevoluttQa.honoring some
Indians who fought
for America, their homeland, during the Revoluntionary War.
Those presently serving in the military from "The Point" include such
men as Harry Tinker, James Moor e, Richard Socobasin, Francis Nicholas, Melvin
Soctomah, Louis Homan, Peter Bailey, Jr., Howard Dana, and John Mitchell.
Four
are nearing the 20-year service mark.
Like many of his Indian brothers who became admired and liked by their
fellow qervjcemen for their "peculiar" heritage of unwritten language, religion
and hablt s, Mitchell recalled that he had been called upon many times to
pe1·l\n·m the many dances which his f orefathers portrayed long before the white
man came to power on the North Am erican continent.
As the familiar Indian drums beat out a dance rhythm during the surprise
party, Mitchell took advantage of the opportunity to show his friends that he
can stil l set a fierce dnnee pace, brogans and all.
During the evening's activities,
\\hich were highlighted by a colorful
Indian dance team, Mrs. Mitchell and son Sabatis, Jr., also "cut th e rug."
Fr. Paul Pare, of Saint Anne's Catholic Church of Pleasant Point, shed
his traditional garb and donned Indian headdress to show the smiling Passama
quoddies how really simple it all is.
Immediately following the brief
performance, which left him panting, Fr. Pare was adopted into the tribe as a
fellow dancer.
Joseph Nicholas, of the tribal governor's counc il, served as master of
ceremonies and welcomed the veteran back to the reservation.
Mitch, however,
revealed that his a.lln is to secure as quickly as possible a civil service
position at one of the ma.rwgovernment installations in Maine.
( From
the Bangor Daily News,
12/9/66)
BUFFY STRIVES FOR TRUE IMAGE
Cree folksinger Buffy Saint-Marie wants the white man to put some truth
Indian.
11I'm insulted as an Indian and
children have to read lies in history
texts, 11 she said in Vancouver where she gave a concert
"Children must be raised t'.) realize nations as well as individual
s make
mistakes," the Saskatchewan-born singer said, "and it's time to correct
those
mistakes. 11
Miss Sainte-Marie said films, advertising and comics all portray
the North
Indian as "a _character. 11
"They think the Indian lost to
superior �dds in fair fights, 11
said, 11when in fact he was b eaten by broken
treaties."
From In:iian Record, Winnipeg, Canada, December 1966)
in his history 0f the North American
appalled as an American that Indian
• • •
American
(
she
�(6)
INFOR1"1ATION OBTAINED FROM BACONE COLLEGE
Bacone is a privately operated junior colle ge having no connection with
the goverr.ment or tax support.
Most of the operating income of Bacone is
derived from the gifts of individuals,
churches and organizations.
American Baptists comprise the largest group of contributors to Bacone,
thqugh other organizations also help the school,
including the Daughters of
the American Revolution.
Bacone College is incorpcrated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma.
It is a junior college cffering courses with a liberal arts emphasis leading
to the Associate in Arts degree.
Many s tudents come to Bacone from Indian reservations and definite Indian
areas of the United States.
are td a t tend college.
Most of these require scholarship help if they
Bacone has a unique Work Scholarship program, made
possible by the contributions of churches, organizations and indivi duals,
whic h enables these students to earn all by $35.00 of their room and board
costs per semester.
Tuition and fees for full time students are
per
semester.
$150.00
Students needing addi t ional financial assistance may apply f or
grants-in-aid made possible by scholarship gifts to the colle ge.
Defense Student loans are also available.
National
Bacone is accredited by the North Central Association of Golleges and
Secondary Schools and by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
A new nurse training program enables nursing students to attend Bacone for
in co
a 24-month period of c lassroom instruction and hospital experience
tion with the Muskogee General Hospital .
They are the n qualified for
(
)
era
their R.N. certification and the Associate in Arts degree from Bacone.
Bacone serves both Indian and non-Indian students; however,
ship funds are awarded to Indian students.
of
40
all scholar
Ind ian students represent upwards
1964 enrollment was 550 students from 29 states.
1880, primarily for the education of A merican
different tribes.
Bacone was founded in
Indian youth.
It is the oldest institution of higher educati on in the
state of Oklahoma.
Bacone is lccated in Muskogee,
approxima tely
persons.
40,000
Oklahoma,
a city of
For further information, persons may write: President, Bacone College,
Bacone, Oklahoma
( From
7 4420.
Bacone College Annual Bulletin,
1966-1967)
PIMA INDIAN HOUSING PROGRAlv'f NEARS COMPLETION
The thirteen participants in Sacaton
( Arizona )
who are in the Mutual
Self-Help Housing Program are very near to completion of their houses.
unbelievable to see.
It is
A modern home and w ith its modern appliances, the
privacy, sanitation, and above all the feeling
f owning a home providing
shelter for their children.
truly be proud.
A home that children in t hese modern times can
So may we point out as this project is about to be comple ted
that within the very near future, there will be an open house and the date of
this occasion will b e annouced.
( From
the Gila River
( Pima )
.
News, N vember,
1966.
Sacaton is one of
the Indian communities on th e Gila River Reservation, south of Phoenix, Ariz. �Ed.
PlMAS REVERSE TRADITION
SCOTTSDAIE, ARIZ.
(AP)
-
In a reversal of the first Thanksgiving in this
of
nation,
the white man will sit down Thursday as guest
dale.
Pima Indians have invited officials of Phoenix and nearby cities to
Indians near Scotts
share their Thanksgiving feast on the Salt River Indian Reservation.
( From
the Lewiston�Auburn Journal,
11/21/?6)
)
�(7)
INDIANS
AND
AMERICAN S)CIETY
American Indians have contributed much to American political ideals.
Federalism, the view of leaders as servants of the people, and respect for
diversity are all part of the Indian tradition.
In other ways, however, this tradition is distinctive.
While Indian
cultures differ, certain common threads have continued - even strengthened through
400
years of interaction w ith the European tradition.
Acquisition
and exploitation of their la nds continue to distress Indians, who live in
oneness with nature an d believe that the earth is their mother.
place great val ue on hard work or e fficiency.
Many do not
Cooperation rather than compet
ition appeals to them.
D is�tion of their cultures and destruction of traditional bases of
their economies have made.the half-million Indians perhaps the poorest group
in America today.
cars or in the open.
They suf fer from inadequate housing,
some sleeping in gutted
Most efforts to help them have been based on the goals
of t he dominant culture and have only deepened their problems
Caught between two competing views of the world, young IndiAns suffer
•
• • •
feelings of conflict and in feriority and adjust poorly to American society's
demands,, first in school and later in employment.
Indian parents are rarely
given any responsibility for policy or curriculum in the schools their children
attend.
Language is a barrier for many children starting school.
• • •
Since colonial times, members of the Society of Frien ds have campaigned
for just and sympathetic treatment of Irrlians.
The .American Friends Service
Committee has been
work ing
with .American Indian s since
-working with Indians in Arizona,
Washi.ngton and Montana.
(Frem
an
1948,
and is currently
Colorado, Minnesota, California, Maine,
AFSC Bulletin, Septenber,
1966)
INDIAN DONATES KIDNEY 'IO AILING YOUTH
...
CHICAGO (UPI)
Richard Redhorse and John Dickinson under n ormal cµ-cum
stances would not share much in cormnon.
Redhorse,
is a Sioux Indian who
was born on a reservation in South lakota.
honor s tudent from Crown Point, Indiana.
35,
, 15,,
Dickin se n
is a high school
But because circumstances in their lives were not normal, today they share
a bond only a few persons in the world share.
Early this year, .doctors told John's parents that he suffered from
nephritis, a chronic kidney disease.
J�hn q�gan taking artificial kidney treat
ments but his condition worsened.
When his 'kidneys could no longer rid his
body o f the poisonous wastes that ae�umulated, doctors· said John would have to
have a new kidney or he would die.
No one the Dickinsons knew, nor any relative, was medically suitable as
a donor for John's particular Type O blood.
He began lapsing into comas and the
situation became urgent.
His parents, in desperation, placed an advertisement
in the Chicago Tribune asking for a k idney donor.
Redhorse read the a dvert.isement.
He remembered his baby sister, who died
in
because she needed a new kidney and couldn't g et one in time.
"I said to myself that someday there might be somebody who needed a kidney
to go on living, and I wuld help them, 11 Redhorse s aid
He telephoned the
Dickinsons and volunteered one of his kidneys.
ransplant was performed last week and was successful.
Today John's
n� kidfiey was "functio ning beautifully, 11 according to doctors.
He appeared
healthier than he had in months, his parents said.
1962
.
�� �
��
"'What Redhorse did is really beyond the call of duty for any human being,"
of the doctors said.
( From
the Portland Express,
11/28/66)
�(8 )
PASSAMArUODDY VISITOR TO BE HOSTESS ON HOLIDAY
BRUNSWICK - Thanksgiving dinner with the Indians - the Passamaquoddy of
Pleasant Point, Maine - will be a unique experience for the family of Mr.
and Mrs.
Edward Born this week,
as they travel northward to the home of
Deanna Francis and her family.
Deanna, who wants to go to college, has left
her reservation for a year of work and post-graduate study at Brunswick High
This will be the first time her "two"
School, and she lives with the Borns.
families, the Borns and the Francis, will be getting together around a big
Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey and all the trimmings - but not the
porpoise meat that Deanna says she would frankly prefer.
"We go out in a two-man canoe with a shotgun and
a.
spear,11 Deanna
reminisces, "And you have to shoot the head so as not to ruin the meat.
is a black meat and you eat it broiled or fried.
It
It's better than steak,
I'd say," and she has forewarned her mother that the Borns would like a
sampling of porpoise - so some is being planned for later in the Thanksgiving
weekend.
Deanna's feelings about her reservation and her people are very strong.
She is immensely proud of her tribe - their closeness with one another, their
efforts to preserve their unique culture, their natural abilities - but the
story she tells of life on Pleasant Point is the story practically every
American Indian tells, one of steady,
unremitting injustice and deprivation ....
"There were eight of us.that started high school in Eastport together,"
she recalls, "but we had no counseling and we didn't know what we wanted t<?
do with ourselves.
We had always gone to Indian schopls on the reservation
and it was hard to mix in when we started school.
the reservation.
years old.
We never knew people off
In fact, I spoke only Passamaquoddy until I was eight
So we were put into the commercial courses at school, and advised
against trying for the college course because we were told we couldn't make
the grades."
"How did they know that?" Deanna wants to know, "If we had never been
given a chance to try, how could they say we couldn't make the grades?"
Of the eight who started in the commercial course, only the four girls
finished.
One boy went back as a policeman on the reservation - this, with
out even a high school education - and the other three scattered.
"All the Indians celebrate Thanksgiving," says Deanna.
"No matter
where they are they try to get home, and families spend Thanksgiving together.
Everybody goes to church, to
have an early dinner, between
8
a.m. mass on the reservation, and then we
12
and
2.
Then there's always a big celebra
tion, a big dance, and everybody goes, not just the teen-agers."
The reservation, .though, is a fairly bleak place, almost totally with
out trees or gardens.
any kind.
The houses are small, and most lack indoor plumbing of
The language commonly spoken there is Passamaquoddy, which is not
now a written language, and the children go to a school run for them by nuns.
During the summer the people work at a fertilizer plant, in small factories,
or in the one woolen mill;
in the winter they work in the woods or, as now,
make Christmas wreaths for shipment south.
among the Indians;
Maine,
Employment is the great problem
there is little employm�nt for anyone in that section of
but almost none at all for those who have no education, are untrained,
or are discriminated against as a minority group.
Deanna Francis' family is pleased that she has taken the initiative and
left the reservation, for they know that she wants to come back.
to major in physical education-- a continuation,
perhaps,
She hopes
of the Indians'
leg·
endary skill in athletics and games--and come back to Pleasant Point to start
a physical education program for the people there.
"I don't want to be a secretary," Deanna says,_"although
(Continued on Pag� 9) ,
·
1
was accepted
�(9)
PASSAMAQUODDY VISITOR ••••
( Continued
from Page
8)
at Husson College this year to take their executive secretary course.
want to go away to college,
a chance on me."
I
and now I'm looking for a college that will take
To prepare herself, Deanna is studying algebra, French,
and college English at BHS.
economics,
last summer she worked as a teachersf aide
in the Head Start program in Topsham, but this summer, if she can, she hopes
to go to the University of Maine and pick up some more credits toward
regular college enrollin.ent.
110nly the young can ever get away,11 she s ays practically, "And there's
nothing down there for them anyway.
But now I think the people are going
to do something - they're trying, anyway.11
EAGLE MASK: A WEST COAST INDIAN TALE
( Written
The
$3.00)
and illsutrated by James Houston, Harcourt, Brace & World, 63 pp,
author, whose first book, Tikta'liktak, won the Canacl"ian Library
Association's award for the best English-language book of 196 5, has for many
His
years lived and traveled in the Canadian Arctic and the Northwest.
Indians
is basic enough to keep the cultural
knowledge of the West Coast
details of his story from being obtrusive; his quiet writing has a simplicity
that is eminently appropriate for the rich and dignified living patterns of
the Eagle clan.
Tested for
Skemshan, his protagonist, is a young prince of the clan.
his courage, he goes for the first time on a sea hunt, then is initiated
Ages 10-12.
into rull manhood with a splendid potlatch.
From the Saturday Review of literature, 11/12/66)
(
MALECITE INDIAN GRADUATE
The September, 1966, edition of Americans Before Columbus, Denver,
Colorado, reported on the graduation from the University of Maine of Mr. Harold
Tomah
Mr. Tomah received a Bachelor of Science in Education.
(Malecite).
Information reaching the Ne�Pletter indicates that Mr. Tomah
t.eaching in the Wells, Maine, High School.
INDIAN CRAFTS APPRECIATED
( Continued
from the November Newsletter
is presently
)
Archaeological discoveries show that Indian jew�lry dates back over a
thousand years in the Southwest.
Much of the early jewelry was made from
shell, bone and brightly colored stones.
Turquoise was obtained for the
jewelry from mines in Arizona and New Mexico, and shells were traded for by
tribes on the West Coast.
It was not until the coming of the Spanish that the Indians first learned
the art of ��rking with silver.
Early Indian silver was worked from cpanish
and Mexican coins.
Navajo, Zuni and Pueblo jewelry now shows distinctive
qualities of its own, as the tribes have adapted culture and environment
into their jewelry.
The Navajos are known for their sandstone casting; the
Zunis p rimarily for their inlay work.
Pueblos, but there a re
their jewelry.
some
Very little silver work is done by the
families who have distinguished themselves for
( Continued
on Page
10)
�(10)
INDIAN CRAFTS
(Continued from Page 9)
•
·
·
•
•
•
Although the Taos Indians are known as farming people, two tribesmen,
Bobby Lujan· and Alfred ·Lujan, have produced a limited supply of jewelry.
·
The
Taos inen have developed originality in their work and their jewelry is ahn.r
acterized. by a more modern flair.
Ih�ia� pottery, until.very recently, was becoming scarce.
However,
through the· efforts of Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso, pottery once more
has become popular .
Now, many tribes which previously stopped producing
pottery are reviving the old techniques and producing fine work.
Weaving, on the other hand, is not as wide-spre�d among the tribes as
other crafts.· ·:The Navajos are the exclusive weavers in New Mexico, having
begun to weave after the arrival of the early Spanish colonists.
The first products of the Navajo looms were natur8.1. grey and white blan
kets, ponchos and serapes.
With an adverse influence from white traders,
the Indians began to dye their products artificial�y, producing bright, gaudy
colors.
The flashy rugs and poncho� at first were very popular with an
undiscriminating public; however, through the efforts of traders and con
scientious persons, the Navajos gradually began to make use of na ural dyes
and colors once again.
(From the Nava.jo Times, 10/20/66)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
NBC-TV plans a "Project 20" presentation, scheduled for showing on
March 16th, on American Indians.
Entitled 11End of the Trail,11 this special
program will include some'-rare photos of American Indians collected in a three
yenr $earch.
(From 1Y. Guid_g, n re111ber 10-16, 1966)
Being part
couidn 't
=
•
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·
, Indian, I just
bring mys elf to
; :n3'm�:�e�;: in
,
�
n
!(i
,
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California.
�
�Instead, I found
u h,
i
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'h'·-'' .
1
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-�base . I carried
around its
the dirt off
/ �and distributed
it under
�<.
ther bushes.
Then I
� s:traightened the
bush, and its�
branches completely cov.ered the excavation. You
: could have walked
within three
;feet of that foxhole and not
)<nown it was there.
When our'· com--�
�mander inspected
the area, he
�said, "Sergeant,
I don't see
�enough
for the
�ber of en here. 11
I proudly ex-�
fplained why he
"Oh, let tem stay for. a while.
couldn't see �
imine. He beamed
Wha:t possible harm can they do?"
.
,................................,, ....,.,,,,.. ,t o show it to him.
, ,
, ,
and asked me
and nev9r
In a very un--Indi.an manner, I turned over every bn sh wj +.bin J 00 yards
four.cl it!
EFrom the Readers Digest, JP.nu�ry·l9�7).
!
·
·.
.
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-·.-, :· "- ·'
·
.
.
•
•
J:.-1
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:���-!ir��:nh<>le
o
foxholes
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-
�(11)
( At this time of year; �hen High School Seniors should be making plans to con
tinue their education, the Newslet ter would like to rep rint the following infor
mation regarding the State ts Indian scholarship programs. - Ed. )
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
Five full tuition scholarships are available each year to members of the
Passamaquoddy or Penobscot Tribes.
Applications for these s cholarships or
more information about them can be obtained from the Office of Student Aid, on
the University of Maine campus in Orono.
In addition, there are many other
programs of financial assistance administered by the Student Aid office which
will allow any student, Indian or non�Indian, to obtain almost complete financing
of the cos t of a University education, based on personal need.
These Indi an tuition scholarships, which have been available since 1934,
'are listed �r. Page 19 of the University's Financial Aid Bulletin for 1966-68.
STATE COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS
The minutes of the May 27, 1966, meeting of the State Board of
contain the following paragraph:
11It was moved by Mr. Bailey, seconded by Dean Mardner,
and voted-that the Board 6ffer free tuition, fees and, if
available, room and board, for one Maine Indian student at
each of the five s tate colleges, each of the vocational
technical institutes, and each of the Schools of Pract� cal
Nursing, and that free tujtion be offered to .as many qual
ified Maine Indians as are accepted for enrollment."
Ednl'!nJ,j
•>rJ,
The schools involved are: Aroostook State College ( Presque Isle ) ,
Farming ton State C oll ege (Farmington), Fort Ken t State College ( Fort Kent ) ,
Gorham 3�ata College (Gorham), Washington State College (Machias ) , Central Maine
V-T Institute ( Auburn ) , Eastern Maine V-T Institute (Bangor), Northern Maine
V-T Ins titute ( Presque Isle ) , Southern Maine·V-T Institute ( South Pc.,rtland ) , and
Maine Schoolsof Prac tical Nursing ( Portland, Presque Isle and Waterville) .
Further information can be obtained from the various schoo�s.
Information
just reaching the Newsletter indicates that the State Board of Education recently
voted "unanim011sly to amend and clarify its original scholarship policy for our
Indian youth" to provide one fl,lli s cholarship each year to qualified students
at each of our vocational-technical institutes and state colleges.
In this way,
rn.•we than one Indian student can be in attendance ( on scholarship ) at each
institution each year.
·
THE FIRST AMERICAN IS LAST
American Indians have received on the average ·only five years of schooling
an::l have a dropout rate today exceeding 50 per cent�
They learn virtually
nothing about the postive aspects of Indian historY., an d grow up hna ble to cope
well with either reservation life or life in the white ma n ts world.
These were
am•ng the charges made at a conf e re n ce last month of the education committee of
t.he Association on American Indian Affairs.
While a majority of Indian children attend public s chools, a large per
centage are shipped off by the Bureau of Indian A ffairs (BIA) to .federally-run
boarding sch o o ls, of ten hundreds of miles from heme.
These schools were
attacked mos t severely at the conference as harmful to the youngsters' education
a.rx:l 'to their mental health.
Carl L. Marburger, new chief of education at the
BIA, declared that he is trying to change the policy and bring more children
back to day schools on the reservation. ( From Saturd ay Review, 12/17/66)
�(12)
(Continued from page 2)
(103rd Legislature)
19 Indian bills were introduced and referred to 7 different co.mmittees
for hearings. Thus up to 7 trips were necessary for Indians and other
persons interested in these bills to be present in kuguuta for the&e
hearings. We haven't learned whether there will be a change now that
we have the new Department of Indian Affairs but we were told by the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs in hugu_ta thut he has talked �ith
State legislators and legislators-elect on the scheduling of Indian
bil�s in the forthcoming session. One of his concerns was this very
problem.
Desirable changes may of necessity be slow in coming, but
at least we have a Department finally that is working only with Indian
interests and problems and not concerning itself w�th so many areas that
the Indians become only one more division to be ad.Jinistered as one
would a welfare agency, as when the .In ians fell under Health and 1/elfare.
I am not implying that Health and ,�elfare did not do anything for the
Indians, but only that much more should be forth coming from the new
Department of Indian Affairs. The Newsletter realizes, though, that
what the Department can accomplish is in large part controlled by the
Legislative fingers holding the �u�se strings. So, ·�nally it is these
legislators who will decide what progress will be made by the Indians
here in f·mine. The better they are inf armed of IV hat the problei'Jl.6 are
and what can be done to help the situation the better able they will be
to vote intelJigently on any Indian question they are faced 1ith.
The Indians are not a special interest group; They are citizens
who have contributed a great deal to this State over the years &nd who
have often come up uncomplaining on the short end of a bargain, ·1hen
lands have been taken, .1hen restrictions have been placed on them and
when Trust Funds have been �ithheld from them 1ith no adeqQ.te reasons
given.
During the forthcoming Legislative session fhe l�ine Indian
Newsletter will keep you informed of legislative nerys regarding
Indian matters. ind, V!here it is possible we will let you know how some
of the legislat rs feel regarding the Indian bills.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
*
•
BIA HIGHLIGHTS
From the Rosebud Sioux Herald (12/19/66) re gleaned the following
highlights of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, an agency of the Federal
Government,.
SISSETON- .j,.i.J:1!=:.�:T01 RI:· E�VATION, S. D., Jan. 13-- Herter' s Inc. of fllinne
sota has announced plans to produce 12-gauge shotgun shells here.
It is expected to employ 40 men in a t1�0-shift operation. Three
new buildings aill be constructed at a cost of �130, 000.
***
CREEK NA'l1ION, O.R:la. , Jan. 13 -- 1-:iore than tvrn million acres ceded to
the U.S. on August 7, 1856 had been valued at �1.00 an acre at that time.
·The Indian Claims CoromiBsion decl8rcd recently, however, that the
U.S. only paid �l milJ�on and still owes another �l million.
***
CATTARAGuS RESERVATION, N.Y., Jan. 13 -- The first Seneca
Corporation has laid out plans for a pillow factory here to eventually
hire 300 Indians.
The Seneca Nation invested ��800,000 and expects to solve reservation
·(Continued on Page 13)
ur.f�ployment.
SENECA
�( 13 )
( BIA Highlights , Continued from Page 12 )
I HITE l"i0UNTAIN APAC HE R"SSERVATIO�, Ariz. , Jan. 13
This reservation
is still abuzz over having one of its trees lit up at the �hite House
in �·Jashington, D . C.
- -
* **
'HNSLmv , Ariz. , Jan. 13
Ab out 30 Nava jos began training here under
the BVD Company of New York C�ty.
If the training is successful, the company has indicated it will start
a plant near here.
- -
***
COCHITI P UEBLO , N . M. , Jan. 13
A $ 50 Hillian, earth - filled dc..m has
been approved by this pueblo.
It will be built on the Rio Grande River and cover 5 . 3 miles, while
flooding 4 , 000 acres o f Indian land. About � 1 45 , 000 was granted to the
Indians for easement .
Known as the Cochiti Dam, it will be the second biggest o f its
• ••
kind west of the Mississippi.
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•
NE#
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TRAINING COURSES
The Maine Employment Security Commission announced three new
training courses madeav�ilable through the Manpower Devel opment and
Training Act (HDTA) in November . These are Nurse Aide , Genera l O f fice
Clerk ( refresher), Sheet Metal Installer. More infor@ation on these
(and other) training and employment programs can be obtained from the
nearest o f fice of the Maine Employment Security Commission.
*
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*
WATER HOOKUP CONPLETED
Pleasant Point- Housing O f ficer, Tony Kaliss reports that the water
hookup at the P leasant Point Reservation is completed , with the
exceptmon of a few minor details.
18 families were to be hooked up.
Two turned out to be already hooke·d up ; two were too far from the
main lines, thus making the ditch digging costs prohibitive ; and one
person �as unable to make any contrib ution toward the cost of being
hooked up ; the rest however have been hooked up and now have running water.
Several families on their own have installed hot water heaters and at
least one farnily has installed all the necessary pluiub ing for a toilet.
The Newsletter is pleased with these results and ho�es it 0ill not be
lon g� th e f u 1- n re be fore these other fami lies can h ave running \vater.
*
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•
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*
Mr. VineDeloria, Executive Secretary o f the National Congress o f Ameri
can Indians ( NCAI) , in Denver Co lorado, is interested in the possibi lity
of NCAI being able to of fer f uture · techn i cal assi s t ance to .Maine ' s
Tribes in econ orn� c development o f the Reserva t � ons, end p l ans to
contact Tribal o f f i c iR l s s ome t i m e next Spring.
�( 14 )
( Le t t e r s ,
C o n t in u e d
I
Ap r i l ,
I
wish your
Wisc onsin will
4)
f r om F a ge
plan o n g o in g h ome
pape r
and
the
o r gani z e
s tart
best
of
a pape r
c o l l e ge
luck
like
and
in
I
t h e I: i .:: in e
Lily
the
hope
ha i n e
FARS . J B LL
THE L! ST
5,
Indians
The
on c e
B ut
Our V a l le y )
they
c ame
se t t le
d i d r e t urn
Liv e rill o r e ,
t he ir natural dis t ru s t
to
have
c ould
left
c ome
After
t he
t he
and
to
t he F r e n c h a n d
I n d i an s .
As
i n C an a d a .
t he r e w e r e
b e fore
most
I ndians
of
t hem l e f t
first
were
un f r i e nd l y .
so
whi t e
up
But
He
li v e
here
he
o v e r c ame
e v e n �as s a i d
any I ndians
disease
se t tl e r s
the
river ,
I nd i a n s
to
t ha t
to
0 h e n D e a c on Liv e rwo r e
going b y
fire .
I n d ian w a r s ,
the
500
our V alley neve r
At
unlocked
�h e n Liv e r m o r e
o n l y ab o u t
le f t
ye ar .
t he y v i s i t e d h i m r e gu la r l y .
sleep by his
A n a s ag un t i c o o ks m ov e d
c o u s in s
each
h i s ki t c h e n d o o r
in
o f Valley
H e le n C a l d v e l l C u s hman
gr e a t A n a s agun t i c o oks
a gai n .
to
of
in
Le w i s
* * * * * * * * * • ·· · · · · · · · · ·
( Pa r t
I n d i ans
I n d i an Ne w s l e t t e r .
F oland S pr ing ,
By
fall .
the
d e c iilla t e tl
man y
of
up o n
them
t he
in
the
b orde r
nudb e r
t e r r i t o ry ,
j oining t h e i r
are a .
and
the
t he ir
w a s pe rmane n t ly s e t t l e d
le f t
c r oss
had
e n c r oache d
It
l iv e
177 9 ,
ab o u t
wasn ' t
with
l ong
t he S t .
F r an c i s
I n d ia n s .
Ye t
vis i t e d
each
t he
year
and
h un t e d w a t e r
gi n
to
t h e D e ad
In
gr ound .
the
T he r e
the
l ow e d
of
pi lgr image s
l e r r yme e t i n g B a y .
and
thence
on
p a in t ,
tne
a nd
down
to
the
the
o c e an ,
A l l m e mb e r s
too
o ld
or
They
It
such
the
was
in
herbs
17 96
f ow l w e r e
smoke d
f or p r e s e rv a t i on
s av e d
an e w t h e
the
l as t
the
trip t o
i n b r i gh t war pa i n t
friends ,
a n d s a i d a s a d adie u ,
the ir an c e s t ors .
t h e y abandone d
I n d ian
these
in s o l i t ud e
b u r yi n g
An d r o s c o ggin
p o r t age
they
to
c ar e
for
a n d pai d
to
of
t he
t he
to
they
t omb s .
f or
on
fol
to
of
t he ir
t he m ,
a w ar
abode
They
t h e i r whi t e
an c e s t e r s .
s e a w a s hla d e .
final
wh o
two
d i gn i t y
o f many o f
the
those
t he
f i sh a n d c u r e
the
in w i n t e r .
their
c ame ,
out
c a �e
t ake b a c k
use
lives
t he i r
forever
t he
c l e an
beneath
They v i s i t e d
S t ill aloof ,
holy plac e s
except
a lways
to
gra v e s
gr e a t An a sagun t i c o ok na t i on .
of
to
as we r e
t h i ef c e
on
g r av e s
t he
the
t h e Ke nn e b e c wh i c h
c hildren
t a sks
whi c h ha d
that
t h is
and
s q uaws h a d
other
c ons e c ra t e d
f e a t h e r p lumage ,
ma d e
to
p i l g r iwaGe
ma d e
S q uaws
s un - d r i e d
their
friends .
o th e r
to
t h e y ma d e
f ar.1 o u s I n d i an
tribe
f i s h and wat e r
c o ll e c t e d
a
ca p at
t r y s t i n g p la c e .
the
of
i n f e rm .
do
and
first
furs
An d r o s c o g
a t Iv r r yrue e t i n g B a y .
1e
J f t e r all
The
the
T h e y w ould
this
gr oup r e t urne d
The
d own
c om i n g t o ge t h e r
annual vi s i t s .
i n C an ad a ,
c awe
They
their
c e r e mo n i a l d r e s s
to be
thence
rive r .
all
c ar r y w a t e r a n d
r io r .
full
One
sea .
Pond and C ob b os s e e c on t e e ,
to
in
t he
a n d t h e y s old
Pond .
reached
I s la n d known
pa r t y d i v i d e d ,
d own
They
t o Wa yne
s c a t t e r e d par t i e s
ge s t ur e s
and pad d l e d
H i l s on
we r e
f ow l a t
t h e i r b r i l l i an t
pr ope r
River
two
t h e i r anc e s t o r s ,
R iv e r ,
Le e d s unt i l a l l
the
t h e y ma d e
grav e s
sacred
l on e
their
In
go r ge o u s
survivors
of
f e v whi t e
respe c t s at
the
c e r t a in ly w i t h h e av y h e a r t s
leaving here
T h e n in t he
and there
s unse t ,
a
l on e
they pad
d l e d up t h e And r o s c o gg.in t ow a r d s C n n a da , n e v e r t o r e f urn .
For she er
d rama t i c pa t h os t h e r e hav e b e e n f e w s u c h s c e n e s i n t he h i s t o r y o f o u r
Nat i on .
( C o n t in u e d
on Page
15 )
�( 15 )
(The Last Farewell , continued f rom page 14. )
The Indian was certainly right in defending his homeland .
It is
n ot to our cr edit, this chap ter in history . · The French w e r e al �ys more
patient and gentle th&t the English, they treated the Indians as brothers ,
shared their hardships , intermar ried with the�. The Eng lish were arrogant
and presumptuous and cap tured many Indians and so ld them as slaves . No
'
wonder there was b loodshed and cruelty. I would like to close this brie f
piece about our Va lley Ind·ians with some wise words f rom l'ir . Starbird.
"The treatment of the Anasagunticooks by the English was harsh, cruel,
perfidious, dishonest . Even then there were roany acts o f kindness and
faithfulness on the part of the Indians . H ad the c-0 lonies reciprocated
their kindness and the white people treated them \1ith any degree of f a i r
neus , thousands of innocent lives , both English and Indian , w ou l d have
been spare d the sacrifice. "
* * ** * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *
( E d . Note : The fol lowing is part 2 o f a UPI series which we r �printed
in the September Newsletter . The f inal part will. ap1)ear in the J anua.1· y
issue .
The Original Americans
VISTA 0 9rkers En larging
By Jack V . Fox
Indian �eservation Program
•
•
•
The high desert 1J1as blazing hot in the Arizona sun and the Nava j o
sheep and goats had been herded from 3 0 miles around t o rough rock for
the once a year dip in disin fectant to rid theru o f ticks and lice.
Tugging and hauling away at the sheep were two gir ls v1ho lilight have
been debutantes- Sheila i' iarvin of P1teasantville, N . Y . and Linda Elsner
of C r ystal Lake , Ill. Twenty yards away , Indian squaws holding their
young stared at the white gir ls in astonishment .
The gir ls were VISTA ' S- Volunteers in Service to .!�u.erica, a sort o f
domestic Peace C orps . They were wrestling the squirfiling sheep toward
a smelly trough in an idealistic , naive but hea rt-tu gging attempt to
show that the white people want ed to help the nation ' s lar gest Indian
tribe up out of a poverty that is as rnuch o f soul as of body.
The Nava j o reservati on spreads over a par t of Utah and New t 1exic�
but most of its 24 , 000 square miles lies in Northeastern Arizona .
C rossing its great plateaus and mesas is a trip as long f rom Boston to
Washi n gt on. On it subsist 110 , 000 Nava j os , illost o f them living in
Aoga.ns , round or hexagonal shaped buildings o f timbers chinked with mud
and over laid with a roo f of sticks and mud or hides .
The hogans have dirt f loors , no plu bing and no heating except for
an open fire which also serves for cooking. The one coi1llilunity we ll for
water may be as far as 20 miles away.
Defeat caue to the Nava j os in 1863 at the hands o f C o l . Kit Carson
and the U . S . C avalry. They were stripped of guns , horses and their
f lo cks of sheep and driven 300 miles on foot to what amounted to a
concentration camp at Fort Sulillle r , N.1•1 .
l
In 1868 , when they were re l <? � 1;1 0 il .q n d pe r m i. t t e d to return to their
b a rro n land , only 3-000 n ! m :: d n 0 d .
They exist now by raising sheep , goats
and some ca t t l � � n d by planting pathetic little patches of corn , beans
and squash.
A few pf the women make blankets and rugs and sode of the older
artisens u1ake the heavy Nava j o silver j evrn lry . But the bracelet the
tourist pays $24 for in a curio shop o f f the Indian reservation has
(C ontinued on page 16 )
..•
�( 16 )
( The Original Ame rican Continue d from iage 15 )
be en mark ed u p f rom the �8 paid the .Nava jo silv e r ::: ..1ith.
Their av erage pe r capita income is only a f aw hundr e d dollars a
y e ar •
The 1965 p e r capita }: er..:ional incoi,1e of the av er2.ge A .ierican was
$ 2 , 724 .
The remoteness of the tribe is almost unbe lievable.
Pat Arizas
o f Duluth , Minn . , anoth er VISTI volunte e r , recently drove a high chassis
Ford Bronco ove r th e trails to Nava jo Mountain not far from the Gr and
Canyon.
He was the firGt white the Indians had ever se en. The oldest
m e mber of th e community, a man in his 8o • s , told Ari zac tDat his fath e r
once had told hi� about the white an .
In a flat stone building at Fort De fiance that w�s once a 1 ilit ary
j ail is the of fice of Peter MacDonald.
He is an ex-harine , holde r of
a de gre e in electrical engin e ering, a forme r pro j ect engine er for the
Hughes Aircr a ft Co. in the development o f guidance sys t e ms for th e
P olaris missle
. The 37 ye ar-old J. :acDonald is a Nava jo , born in a hoga.n on the
r eservation 100 miles horth of Fort De fiance . His nam e prob ab ly was
given one of his ancestors by a soldie r who couldn ' t spell the Nav a jo
name and donated his own.
Macdonald is the director of the Of fice of I avajo :Sconomic Oppor
tunity . H e reports to Sarge at � river ' s 1� ar on Pove rty ope ra t i on in
:,h
Washington �
He d escribe s . the plight of the N avajo this way :
"Conditions on the r eservation have re ached the stage � 1he r e no
amount of give away programs, no amount of money , can correct t i e b asic
inne r pove rty of the Nava jo. This is poverty of the soul.
You s e e it
eve rywh e r e and it is be coming especially evident in the young people.
It ' s whe n someone says ' to he ll with everything, I ' ve given up' "
MacDo�ald' s hope--and he is hope ful--is the education of young
Nava jos in colle ges p lus job expe rience off the r eservation with the
f undamental condition that they come back a fter a few years to he lp
their trib e.
H e also is helping· to lure light industry to the re servation .
Largely
Largely through his e f forts , the Fairchield Co . of San F rancisco ,
manuf actur e rs of e l ectronic e quipment, e stablished a factory 18 onths
ago at S hiprock.
It e mploys 400.
Fairchiald was attracte d by t h e big
available labor marke t and the fact that Indians have exceptional manual
hand-to-eye d � xterity in working on tiny devices.
A new demon� tration school opened this fall at R o ugh Rock.
Financed by the O f fice of Economic Opportunity and headed by Rob e rt Russell
on leave from Arizona State Unive rsity, it is on e of the most promising
e nd e avors yet unde rtaken for th e Navajos .
The de monstration school �Jill concentrate as much on bringing in
adult Navajos for training and education as on youngs ters. There is an
arts and cra fts department heade d by Ambrose R ori n h o r s e , fame d throughout
the reservation for his j ewelry and l e a t her work.
Th e Nava j o r e servation proha b ly will ne v e r attnact he avy industry
and for one basic r e ason- lack of water • There are no railroads and the
near e st e ast-west con t inental - highway is route 66 south of th e r � se rvation .
As a tribe they are fairly we althy. They receive approximately
$ 1 0 mil lion a ye ar f rom gas and oil royalties. The money is not
distributed indiv i d na lly however, but ms used for t r ibal e xpenses
including wel f ar e . The re are coll e ge scholarships for ambitious
y o u!?-gs t e r s but f e w e v e r r e t urn .
•
�( 17.)
NATIONAL INDIAN ARTS EXHIBITION ANNOUNCED
The Scottsdale (Arizona) National Indian Arts Council, Inc . , will pres ent
the sixth annu al National Indian Arts Exhibition on March 4th .... 1 2th, 1967, in
Scottsdale .
Classification cf entrie s under Secticn A (Paintings and S culpture) include
Water Based Paintings, Paintings with New Vistas, Student Paintings, Special
Student Competitfon, Sculpture, Experimental, and Drawings and Print s .
Under Section B ( Crafts) the following classifications have been estab
lished : Pottery, Textiles ( Constructed), Decorat ed Fabrics, Metals, Basket s ,
Carvings (other than s culpture ), Beadwork, Special Classif i cation, and Student
Craft s .
Po etry, Legends, an d Short St�ries have been set a s the c lassificaticns
under Section C ( Creative 'Writing) .
Entries for Sections A and B must be r eceived not later than Febrnary 1,
1967 .
Entries for Section C must b e re ceived not later than January 15 , J 967 .
Fonn.s and. mor e ] nformation may be obtained from :
Scottsdale Nati onal Indi an Art s Exhi bition
P . O . Box .381
Scott sdale, Arizona
( Submitted by a reader )
A
DAY FOR THE AMERICAN INDIAN
by Hubert H. Humphrey
Vice President, The United States of America
NEW
Our people t s thinking helps determine our country ' s future .
As we
accurately recognize our national problems, we take a giant step forward.
A c ase in point of the need for clear understanding is the "picture " in
some people ' s minds · about the ft.merican Indian .
Unfortunately, a remnant of a long-past era
an image of a monosyllabic
In<li au-:l n-war-bonnet
widely persi sts.
'!'his 11picture11 is unfair and damaging
to a half million American citizens .
When the French nobleman, Alexi s deTocqueville, vi sited the United States
in the 1830 ' s and wrot e his piercing analysis, Demo cracy in America, he
commented that the Indians were "a colony of strangers in the midst of numerous
pecple. 11
I am pleased to have an· opportunity • • •t o help �iepel scme of the myths
and fancie s that, regrettably, keep many American Indians "a colony of
strangers " even today.
The outmoded image of the American Indian doe s dis
servi ce to the hundred s of Indian men and women who are leading citizens in
our national life as scientists, educators, busine ssmen, industrialist s,
artists, entertainers, and lawmakers .
An even greater di sservice is done t� the less prominent but not les s
important Indian people who live quietly among us i n o ur cities and suburbs,
working diligently at jobs , striving to provide good educations for their
children, and seeking above all to be a part of growing Ameri ca without having
to sacrifice the unique heritage they bring to our varied culture .
The Ind ians who still cling to reservation life, wary of the bewildering
pace o f the outer connnuni ty and not aspiring to it are probably the ones who
are injured mo st by perpetuation of the notion that Indian ways are 1 1 colorful . 1 1
They are too often regarded as a colle ctive national monument, an object o f
curious intere st, like the ancient r.e�wood forests or the Grand Canyon .
(Continue d on Page 18)
-
-
�(
18 )
( Con tinued from Page
There i s no thing "colorful" about pover ty,
17)
racial di s crimination,
of preparedne s s for change tha t makes a minorit y fear and mi s tru s t
or lack
the inevit
able progre s sion o f the human race from one pha s e o f cultural and 6ocial accomp
l i shment to the nex t .
These are the shackles tha t tend to bind some 380 , 000
American ci tizens who are t he " re s ervation Indian s" of this decade .
Because of such fe t ters ,
Indian men and women,
the record of personal achievement for individua l
over the pa s t century,
is all the more notewor thy .
A
de s cendant of O s age and Kaw chiefs wa s Vice Pre siden t of the United S t a tes in
the adminis tration of Herber t Hoover .
Indians have fre quently held seat s in
t he Hou se of Repre sen tatives -- and, indeed,
in the 8 9 th Congre s s.
there is a Sioux from Sout h Dako ta
One of the world's grea te s t ballerinas is an Osage ;
Indian ar ti s t s are so numerous
that
ver ten t ly- - o t hers of e qua l renown.
to lis t bu t a few wou ld be to omit
and
- - inad
In sport s , Indians have broken world r e c o r
s .
Indians in the armed services of t he United S tates include heroes who were pri
va tes and heroes who were general s ,
es t
tribute,
De s pi te t he
tremendous
and glory of t h i s cou n t ry,
lookers as
and several have ear n e d
t h e Congres sional Medal o f Honor.
contributions
tha t Indians have made
to the grow t h
mos t of their brethren are s t il l n o more
the res t of the nation proceeds
than on
to build a truly Great Socie ty.
In the his tory of Federa l - Indian rela tions
uing s .
the Na t ion's h i gh
there have been coun tle s s begin
Programs and policies imposed in one era have been dis carded in the nex t .
Some of the policies have had the be s t intere s t s of Indians at hear t.
no t .
Some have
Bu t, regardle s s of mo t ive s , i t can be said wit h certain ty tha t no real
answer s have yet
been found
people become part of the
to this basic ques tion :
How can all the Indian
total spectrum of American po l i tical,
nomic life wit hou t each one having to a s k himself the ques tion :
t o be an Indian? "
social and
ecu
" To be or not
(Con tinued next mont h )
BISHOP VISITS INDIAN ISLAND
The Most Reverend Peter L. Gerety, C ')adjutor Bi shop of th e Catholic Di1)cese
Por t.l and, made an offi cial visitation at St . Ann ' s Pari sh, Indi an Island,
Sund ay ( Decemb er 11th ) .
The Bangor Daily News of De cember 12th showed a pic
ture of Bi shop Gerety talking with Tribal Governor Francis Ranco , Pastor Rumeo
St . Pi e rr e , and Legi slative Repre s entative Jvbn Nelson .
of
IMPORTANT L
�DIAN AFFAIRS BOOK PUBLISHED
An il luminating book whi ch pr esent s some challenging ideas concerning
Indian problems and Indian a dmini stration has come on the market recently.
It
is "must " reading for anyone connected with Indian affair s .
The book was com
piled by a blue-ribbon staff under the Commis sion on the Right s, Libertie s and
Re sponsibilities of the American Ind ian .
It wa s printed by the University of
Oklahoma Pre s s under the title of " Th e Indian - Ameri ca ' s Unfinished Busine s s . "
This compilation of ideas includ es the thoughts of William A . Brophy f former
Commi s s ioner of Indian Affairs ) and Sophie D. Aberle, as major authors .
Cthers
include W. W. Ke eler, Karl N . Llewellyn, Soia Met s chikoff, Arthur M. S chles!nger,
and o. Meridith Wilson .
" The Indian - Ameri c a 1 s Unfinished Busine ss" can b e ordered from the
Oklahoma Pre s s , University of Cklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, for $5 . 95 per co,y .
( From the Navajo Time s, 12/22/66 )
·
The Indi an name for crer.barr�e s
was
" i-bimi ", meaning "bitter berry. 11
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Penobscot
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The Penobscot people, who identify closely with the Penobscot River that is their home, have a reservation on Indian Island, near Old Town, Maine. Part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, they were among the tribes that won federal recognition in the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. <br /><br />A Penobscot scholar, Joseph Nicolar, was one of the first regional Native people to publish a book: <em>Life and Traditions of the Red Man</em> (1890). Since then, many others have written about their language and culture, including the performing artist Molly Spotted Elk and poet Carol Dana.<br /><br />The Penobscots have a rigorous process for protecting their intellectual property, asking any scholars who are studying or writing about them to communicate with their Cultural Heritage and Preservation Office.<br /><br /><strong>Resources</strong><br /><br />Penobscot Nation <a href="https://www.penobscotnation.org/" target="_blank">website</a><br /><a href="http://www.penobscotculture.com/" target="_blank">Penobscot National Cultural & Historic Preservation Department</a><br /><br />
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<em>Maine Indian Newsletter</em> (Dec. 1966)
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ssipsis (Thompson, Eugenia)
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Colby College
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1966-12
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Julia Brush
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Text
7
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VOLUME l, Nl1MBER 4
NOVEMBER l966
COLBY COLLEGE
. .l
MUSKIE TO FlLE BILL 'l10 H'ELP l'it.AINE IND!ANS
(Ed. notes I itltantled to in�l�de this �rtiele in last months issue but
the art1clt3 was misplaced until the issue was completed. News items th-is
old would n ot usually ba included in the Newsletter, however in this case
I felt tha material was of special interest.)
PRESS HERALD i3UREAU - WASHINGTON -- Sen.
Edmund
S.
!v1uskie said
Thursday
that Indians living on st ....te reservations in haine End other Ee.stern states
are being shortchanged in the feder�l antipovity program.
The senator said he will file legislation next January to cl&rify the
status of state reservation Indians under the Econo�11ic Opportunity Law.
Although Indians living on federal reservations in the West
allowed separate antipovity programs,
are
i•mskie said those who live on state
reservations are not specifically covered by the language of the act and
the agency has
refused to make them eligible.
Muskie protested to Director Sargent Shriver and announced he plans to
file a clarifying bill which he said should also serve as &n incentive to
the separate tribes of state reservation Indians to iraprove their econom
ic and social condition�.
Nost of the state Indians are located on the Eastern Seaboard,
explained,
P1,uskie
and because of their early tribal treaties with the separate
colonies have never been considered automatically eligible for federal
aid prograLs enjoyed by the �estern Indian tribes.
Indians has never been clearly defined,
said Muskie,
The status of state
and as a result,
each federal agency has set its own rules for eligibility
(Portland,Me.,Press Herald,
Friday,
Oct.21,
INDHN PREDICTS COLD,
1966)
for programs.
LITTLE SNOW
ROCKY bOUNTAIN HOU::iE, Alta. (AP) - The son of Chief Walking Eagle predicts
winter's arrival �·1ill be late and when it co,.:es it ·.:ill be cold without
much snow.
Isaac Beaver, who inherited the prognosticator role at his
father's death last year,
says he's not old enoulli yet to comrJune with
Valking Eagle did to make his predictions with uncanny
Beaver depends on observat�ons of aniaals and birds pre�aring
the gods as
accuracy.
for winter.
(I'ort:ln.rHi.,r··10_
.!.t·e�s Her3lo,
Wcdnesciay,
Nov. 2,
1966)
�-2VISTA
on Indian Reservations:
A REASON �OR HOFE
"For 100 years the white man has been co ,1ing to 1 help' the Indicm. Now,
for the first ti1�1e, he comes to serve."
- From a speech by a tribal chief at
the graduation of a VISTA training class in Arizona.
A young Alerican Indian•- chances to groH into self-reliant, produc
tive adulthood have been slim.
His mortality rate has been high; his
If he survived, unedu
school dropout rate has been a tragic 45 per cent .
cated, he has been considered unecployable.
He has re�ained in poverty,
trapped by lack of opportunity, meager incowe and the nidely held miscon
ception that he is incapable of thinking and acting for hli1self .
Now, for the nation's 500, 000 Indians, there is new reason for hope.
Indian communities are developing their own plans for improvement side by
side with VIS
TA Volunteers . VI0
TA projects are in operation in more than
half the country's 79 reservations. Nor are the 120, 000 Indians who do
not live on reservations being forgotten.
To insure that their needs are understood, Indians themselves
participate as key advisors in VISTA Volunteer training. Volunteers spend
a month of the concentrated six-week prograw living and working on the
reservations, in many cases as guests of Indian families.
How much can be accomplished has been proven even during the training
period.
One group of trainees helped organi2e a com1unity campaign to
re-roof a community center. Another involved a community in a cooperative
effort campaign that led to a new coat of paint for many of the houses.
Still another group used lWllber to build extra roo .. 1s on overcro -,ded houses.
Those Volunteers who have com�leted their training and are ITorking in
the field live on the reservations as accepted members of the Indian
com.wunity. Their assign!"ents are as varied as the tribes they work with.
At the same time, they are discovering that they, too� are benefiting
from their work with Indians.
They are learning tribal languages and culture -someti1;1es rlith unusual
results .
One tribe welcomed VISTA Volunteers to its reservation uith a
celebration that included teaching them the rain dance. Thereafter, it
rained steadily for t�o days .
It proved to one Volunteer, he said only
partly in humor, "what we can do r1hen 1ve all work together. 11
While learning old skills, Volunteers pick up techniques that are
sometimes required for modern living: One Volunteer was given the task
of delivering the children of an Indian co1J111unity to a VI�
TA pre-school
program; she has become the accomplished driver of a four-speeJ panel truck.
Finally, there has been yet another reward - Indians thewselves are
becoming VISTA Volunteers.
Following are afew of the VIS
TA projects on Indian Reservations.
ARIZONA - Gila River Indian Com_1unity Sacaton): Volunteers are assisting,
(
through instruction and supervision, in progra�s concerning adult education,
home management, law and order, civics, welfare, pre-school and day care
activities, recreation, sanitation and truck gardening.
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Commnity Tribal Council
( Scottsdale): Volunteers are participating in community work
with young people, parent leadership development and the ore;anization of
conscructive leisure pnrsuits.
(Cont.j nned on page IL�)
·
�-3E
D
I
T
0
I
R
A
L
S
TfIE hAINE INDI.!-JIJ NE.�SLETTER
EDITOR •
T . THOHPSON
( enobscot)
P
EUGENIA
•
T he iaine Indian Ne 1:rsletter is !-'Laine' s only state-vvide Indian newsletter,
and is free of c harge.
News and stories may be submitted to the Newsletter by the 15th of each
month for publication at the following address:
Pine Street
Freeport, Maine, 04032
(
Telephone:
865-4253)
Letters to the Editor are welcome but must conform to the rules
required by every newspaper.
They must bear the writer's correct name
and address although pen names are permitted at the discretion of the
Editor.
All letters must be signed though names will be withheld from
publication on request.
Preference will be given to letters not over 350
words in length.
Letters are subject to correction of grammer or obvious
errors, and are subject to condensation or editing when space limitations
require.
Governor Elect Curtis
Aware of Indian Needs
The Newsletter was interested in the recent campaigning to see that
occasionally a candidate showed awareness of our Maine Indians and their
needs.
Several times Kenneth�. Curtis, the Governor elect, referred to
the Indians of Haine in .hia campaign. speeches.
_A.t _one�point Mz; _Curtis.:._
called for "improved education, housing and economic conditions for the
Maine Ind:i�ns."
Mr. Curtis is aware, I am sure, that this is a generality
Rnd does not apply to all of the �aine Indians, nevertheless is is import
ant that he realizes that many Indians do want a chance to live a better
life, and have these needs he has mentioned.
\1f hen l,\'ir. Curtis seats himself in the Governor's chair in January, he
will be a very busy man; but we hope he will not be so busy that he forgets
�11 that he said on the campaign trail.
__ ....
•
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*
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Name The NE:JSLET :R Contest
T
It may have been due to the novelty of the Maine Indian Newsletter,
or maybe because there have been other newsletters and newspapers relating
to the Haine Indians, which have not survived, but v1hen the Newsletter ra'll
the Name the Newsletter c.:rntest, we received only three letters with
suggestions_for names ; two of which were from Indians.
There seemed to
be an attitude of "wait and see" if the Newsletter puts out t�1e next issue.
T he Newsletter is saving these letters with the sug, ested names and
wi 11 ot.::trt running the contest again s·oon.
The reason we did not end the
(Continued on page 4)
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contect and use one of the names submitted was sihlply that although the
suggested names were good, the name we chose will be with us for a long
time so we should chose from a wider sellection and thus stand a chance
of having a name which will have that "something special" about it.
LE T TER S
( The following is a letter from an 11 year oih<l who is looking for a pen
pal . -Editor)
Dear Sirs:
Noveober 6, 1966
Could you arrange for me to have a iialecite, Fenobocot, or Abenaki
pen pal? I would be very grateful .
I'm a boy, and 11 years old . Thank
you very much .
Your friend,
Lars Nielsen
Canaan, New York
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( n the September Newsletter on page 2 and continued on page 14 e ran
I
a story by Jack V Fox, PI,
U
reprinted froru the Fortland Press Herald,
entitled 11Plight of Host Indians Rated :,forse than Kegro, Other l!inority
Groups . " Shortly thereafter we received a letter from the Editor of fhe
Amerindian, published in Chicago, from Yfhich we want to quote two paragraphs.
First, however, I want to mention that the Newsletter does not pretend to
know what is best for the Maine Indian.
Several times articles have been
included in the Newsletter with which we did not agree but the Newsletter
does not want to feel that it must hide these stories from the •laine Indian.
It is left to the -enobscot, Passawaquoddy and other interested �arties
to read all sides of an issue and then be free to w ke up their own minds .
It is for this same reason that we re rint a portion of this letter now . Ed.;
Dear Editor:
On page 14, it is stated that the relocation program in Chicago has
been almost a total failure . This is certainly not the case . The majority
of relocatees are doing •,rell, have good jobs, illany are going to night
school.
The ones who are the problems are also problems at home .
I think
if you will contact the BIA Field Employment Office in this city, facts
and statistics will prove to the contrary and it is unfortunate to have
this erroneous information given circulation.
In fact, most o the article
is in error.
For example, there is very little discriwination against Indians
I don' t know where the writer got his
away from the reservation area .
material, but it is entirely out of line .
I repeat, it is too bad for arr
Indian publicRtjon to give it credence by publishing it
Sincerely,
�.arian E. Gridley
Editor
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Dear Newsletter:
I was surprised and pleased to find in my mail a Newsletter and I
want to thank you for sendine me one .
I have read it and find it very interesting, informative, and well
organized.
( Cont' d on page 15)
�(5)
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE
JtiviERICAN INDIAN
T he REFERENCE EJ.'JCYCLOPEDIA OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN tells the reader at a
glance the nature of the Indian-related collections and exhibits of over 600
museums and libraries; gives details on private organizations and government
agencies involved in Indian affairs; contains information about monuments and
state parks; includes varied coverage of all u. s. reservations and their
tribal couricils; contains a listing of related publications of government and
private organizations; contains a valuable section of audi -visual instructional
aids and sources of authentic Indian crafts; lists U. s. colleges and univer
sities offering courses on the American Indian; includes listings of over 2,000
related adult and juvenile books, classified by subject, with annotations; a
section of biographical sketches of prominent living American Indians, and of
non-Indians active in Indian affairs; with a special introduction by Commissioner
Robert L. Bennett, recently appointed head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs of
the United States Deparbnent of the Interior.
The ENCYCLOPEDIA is an absolutely essential tool for anyone interested in
any aspect of Indian affairs, for it presents in an easy-to-use and concise
format information which is of use not only to the librarian, the sociologist,
anthropologist or archaeologist, but also to students and teachers and those
involved in curriculum planning at all educational levels; to the many Indian
and American history "buffs", and to the professional or amateur researcher
in any one of the many subjects to ·which the American Indian is related.
The ENCYCLOPEDIA unlocks a wealth of infonnation, some of which previously
was unavailable, the balance available only in a myriad number of sourcebooks,
pamphlets, directories, bibliographies, newsletters, etc.
A staff of research
ers have worked for over one year to compile this 45C>-page book.
The REFERENCE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE Al�.tER IC AN IND IA N is offered on approval
After the first printing is
in its limited first printing at only $15.00.
For more information, or to order
exhausted the price will be $17.50 per copy.
a copy of the ENCYCLOPEDIA, contact: B. Klein and Company, 104 Fifth Avenue,
New York, N.Y. 10011
(Submitted by a reader)
INDIAN CRAFTS APPRECIATED
The fascinating world of Indian crafts, now becoming appreciated for its
artistic value by the American people, began, cent�ries before the white man
came, as a functional and religious necessity.
Today, however, many of the hand-made Indian crafts are being collected
as pieces of art by an ever more art-conscious society.
Americans are collect
ing basketry, jewelry, pottery, weaving and paintings produced by the American
Indian much as it was produced centuries ago.
Basketry, according to Brice Sewell, who has devoted many years of his
'
life to the preservation of original Indian crafts, is fast becoming a lost art.
In years past, the Apache, Pima and Yavapai tribe's were famous for their basket
weaving; however, today it is the Papago tribe of southern Arizona which excels
in basketry made from devil's claw, yucca and desert grasses.
Originally,
baskets were made by the Indians to be used in the storage of grain and other
food stuffs.
Some of the baskets were used also in religious ceremonies.
Very few of the young women in the various tribes are learning the art of basket
ry today.
(From the Navajo Times, 10/20/66; Continued next month)
A READER
explaining to her children that ' -ac" before a name generally meant some one
of Scottish descent, while the prefix 11Mc11 generally mear1t
Jrifhmen.
"Then, rr
..
she c ontinued, "there are the llicmacs1 and they're Indian,. 11
-was
�(6)
McGOVERN ASKS S TATEBENT OF NATIONAL INDIA!
POLICY
U. S. Benat or George clcGovern (D . - S.D.) t oday intr oduced a r e so l ution
in the Sena te cal ling upon t he Congres s to clear ly enuncia t e a new s t atement
of Nat iona l Indian Po licy.
"I think it is time for us no ·1 to make a serious
appr ais a l o f our at titudes and aims for these origina l Americans ,11 �cGovern s aid ...
In a major addres s accompanying t he introdu c t ion of the resolution, Mc
Govern ca l led for ''a renewed effor t to break the chronic grip of pover ty on
Indian people.11
nindians as a gr oup,11 McGovern s aid, "are only half as wel l
educ a ted a s o ther citizens; have approximately two-thir d s the life expec t ancy,
and are receiving between one-four t h and one- t hird as much annual inc ome."
The Sena tor no ted that wit h t he pa s s age of the Economic Opportunity Ac t
o f 1964, Indians have moved to join the uar on pover ty.
Many of the real
succe s s s tories of this Har are i)eing writ ten by Indian people.
'
McGovern spel led ou t seven charac teris tic s of an ef fective Indian pr ogram:
(1) Self -determina tion, (2) Self -help, (3) Consi s t ency, (4) Adequacy, {5) Innova
tion, (6) Geogr aphic a l orientation, and (7) E f ficiency of oper ation
(The f o l l o�ing r emarks are from Sena t or McGovern's Oc tob er 13th speech
in t he U. s. Senate.)
11No o t her group of citizens s t and in precisely the s ame rel ation to the
Federa l Government as do t he Indians.
The unique nature of t his r e l a t ionship
is deeply r oo ted in treaties and l aws of the United S t ateG which gives the Fed
era l Governmen t responsibility for the pro tec tion of Indians and their resources.
I t i s f r om t his base that a 1ide r ange o f services - Federal, s t ate and local have devel oped and are direc ted to Indian people for t heir improved wel f are.n
"I t is prob ably more than coincidence that t he British, the Colonial, and
l a ter t he.Uni ted States Government l ooked upon the Indian tribes as sovere!gn
na tions and deal t �'11th them through treaties and diploma tic service.
F or a
period of time at lea s t , Indian tribes maint ained a numer ic a l superiority
over the ear l y set t ler s.
The fir s t set t ler s were faced wit h t he t a sk of no t
only maint aining a livelihood on a har sh f rontier, b u t in e s t ab l ishing friendly
rel ations wit h t he tri· a l groups."
i'The se f actor s undoub ted ly inf l uenced our original liber al and permis sive
Indian po licy which was embodied in t he Ifor t hwes t Ordinance of 1787:
The u tmo s t good f aith shal l always be observed towards t he
Indians; their l and and proper ty shal l never be taken from
t hem wit hout t heir c onsent; and in their property, rights
and l iber ty, t hey shal l never b e invaded or dis turbed,
unles s in ju s t and l awfu l war s au t horized by Congres s; bu t
laus f ounded in ju s tice and humanity shal l f rom time to time
be made f or preventing wrong s done t o them, and f o r pr eserving
peace and f r iend ship with them.
Bu t a s t he year s pas sed, t he Co l onies grew in to a na t ion and the tal ance of
power shifted f r om the Indians t o t he whites, creating a changing pa t tern o f
r e l a t ionships between t he two groups . 11
"Thi' s po licy and many o ther s -.·1ere to give way to the l and hunger of t he
advancing f rontier smen and o ther requirement s f o r the devel opment of the nation.
And f or the maj ority of t he t ribes, the 19th century wa s characterized by
mil i t ar y c onf l icts, physical and s o cia l upheaval, excessive disease ang·il lnes s,
severe r educt ion in number s, broken promj�es by whi tes and Indians alike and
always t he u l tima te defea t from. the end less waves of settl ers who were des tined
to o ccupy t his va s t new nat ion."
"The cumu l a tive ef fec t s of t hese l ong years of hardships had by 1900 re
du ced this once proud people from an estimated one mill ion per s on s to 250,000.
A l l sembl ance of former tribal government s had l ong since vanished and tr adition
a l socia l and cultural patterns were undergoing r apid change.
The reserva tion
(Continued on Page 7)
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system and the Indians ' dependence on the Federal 9overnment for livelihood
had become a ·way of . life for all but a feH Indians .
The roots of the many
faceted Indian problem had taken hold; and half a century later stubbornly
resist solution . 1.
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(From the Office of Senator George McGovern, 10/lw/66)
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OJIBWAY CRAFT CENTER OPENS
The recent official opening of the new $50, 000 Craft Center at Curve
Lake Indian Reserve, 15 miles to the north of Peterborough, Ontario, marked a
major step on the road to greater independence for some 600 Oj ibway Indians .
According to Chief Dalton Jacobs, what started as "just an idea11 four years
ago has now developed into a thriving business capable of providing an income
for many of his people on the reserve .
On observing the creative skills of the Indians 't·1hen fashioning headdresses
and costumes for their own use, Chief Jacobs and Councillor Clifford Hhetung
.felt their people could produce hand-made souvenirs equally as well.
From a
small beginning, the trade has now nrushroomed to the point where they have
established a substanial mar!�et both at home ar.d abroad� principally in Europe,
Australia, and southern parts of the United States .
The band noH specializes
in novelty items, such as feathered headdresses, carved totem poles, and min
iature canoes .
On the practical side, one might purchase hand sewn moccasins,·
deerskin wear, baskets and place mats.
·Most of the raH materials required in
the production of these articles, such as birch bark, porcupine quills, and
hides, are obtained right on the reserve .
Business is now being conducted from the new craft center, which . has a
40-foot by 60-foot showroom on the main floor for displaying the handicrafts
and a basement for offices, workshops, and storerooms .
The building, construc
ted of logs and fieldstones, was built by local labor and from local materials .
On the right of the main entrance to the building stands a 25-foot colorfully
painted totem pole .
Within, wooden supporting pillars, and even the raiFng
uprights on the stairwell leading to the lower level, are carved like totem
poles .
The expansive interior is finished in natural wood .
Although the business is owned by Hr. Whetung and his wife, Eleanor,
The
the band council signed a resolution to back a substanial loan for them.
ne"t·7 industry grosses close to $50, 000 annually and, over the same period,
increases the wages of band members to an estimated $16, 000 .
Since tpe Indians
are sharing in this tlu;iving adventure, Chief Jacots claims that conditions on
the reserve have improved to a marked degree .
Where poverty was once consid
ered a plague, particularly during the TrTinter months, and 'tvelfare payments were
the norm, both have virtually become a thing of the past .
Since the Indians
are now working together for the betterment of the reserve as a 't·1hole and them
selves indiv�dually, there has �een a general uplift in morale .
Every able
bodied person, including the children, are involved in some phase of the craft
1
business .
An example of their.aLility to meet committments was recently demonstrated
yhen they had roughly just over a month to complete a relatively large order
for approximately 12,000 items .
Throughout this period, it was not uncommon
Pre
to see Indians working far into the night to finish their particular job .
cisely one day in advance of the deadline, the shipment was completed
(From the Indian News, Ottawa, Ontario, October 1966)
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ROBERT GERONIMO
77, nonbelligerent son of the Apache chief who led Indian raids against the
U.S.Government between 1876 and 18G6, died of pneumonia and.diabetes, in Mesca
lero, N.U., October 25th .
Educated at Carlisle Indian School in Philadelphia,
he was an adviser to moviemakers on authentic Apache life .
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(Frooa Hewslr.eek , 11/7/66)
�(B)
WORK - SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIAN STUDENT3
The Harvard-Radcliffe American Indian Project is an �rganization of students
who donate their skills and energies to American Indian communities throughout
the country.
The American Indian Project offers its services to tribal
councils or to individ ual communities and sends volunteers upon request t
organize and carry out summe r programs.
The form of each program depends upon the needs
and
desires of the InciiAn
group it serves.
Programs in the past have been quite varied.
Volunteers
have conducted summe r schools for grade school and pre-school children , done
-tutorial work with high school studenta, organized baseball and basketball
leagues for children of all ages and for adults, and given classes in arts and
crafts.
Other volunteers have worked in the offices of the tribal councils
or in youth camps.
TARGET SERVICE is a part of the American Indian Project.
It enables
Indians to spend a summe r "Drking on a reservation for approximately 8-9 weeks
with AIP volunteers in one of the AIP programs.
The jobs may be either educa
Generally only one Indian student is assigned to
tional or recreational.
each AIP undertaking.
This program presents an opportunity for Indian and non-Indian students
to work together as equals.
The fact that the students are roughly the sam e
age and s houlder the same responsibility represents a significant departure
from previous Indian • non-Indian relationships which have existed in similar
programs in t he past.
The program g ives Indian students a chance t� visit other reservations
and to get a new perspective on themselves and their fellow Indians.
Teaching
and serving is always a learning experience.
The Indian student, as well as
the non-Indian student, is presented w ith a picture of a kind of w:::>rk which
might be continued in later life.
Each participant is awarded a $550 scholarship grant, of which $150 is
At the beginning of the summer's pr gram the student is
for transportatien.
provided $250 to cover transportation and living expenses.
In September,
after completion of the project ( most projects run from about June 20th to about
August 6th ) , the student receives the remaining $300.
For application forms or furth er information, write: American Indian
Project, Phillips Brooks House, Harvard Un iversity, Cambridge, Mass.
·02138
AN INDIAN SPEAKS
Melvin
D.
Thom)
( Paiute )
"The forced a�stmilation and cultural genocide to which Indian people
have b een subjected is a deprivation of basic human rights without parallel
in the free world.
We believe that the concept �f a great society could give
recognition to the fact t hat cultural diversity is an asset, and not a liability,
to this Nation • • • •
We will call upon President Johnson to take measures to insure full
recognition of the basic legal status of Indian tribes and Indian reservations.
�We desire this not that we may be separate, but that we may find security in
our homeland, and that we may sm·vive as a pe ple in the American system • • • • 11
( From
the United Church of Christ Journal,
Septenber
1966)
11PIEGAN11
by Richard Lancaster, published by Doubleday & Company, Inc.,
is "a 1 ok from
within at the life, times and legacy of an American Indian tribe - as seen
through the story of its chief," 109--year old Chief White Calf.
The book is
reported to be the most comprehensive and yet frankly intimate portrait of the
contemporary American Indian ever created.
�(9)
PASSAi�A�UODDY GIRL WINS ADDITIONAL HONORS
Last month's Newsl etter
( Page 5)
reported that Miss Viola Dana,
daughter
of 1'1.Lr. and Mrs. Albert Dana of the Indian Township Reservation, had won a
Retail Sales Award at the P�land Springs Job Corps Center.
The Newsletter has just been infonned that Miss Dana has also received
awards and trophies "for athletic attainment in soft ball and swimming" and has
decided to extend her enrollment in order to work toward High School equivalency.
Miss Dana was also recently elected to the C0rpswomen1s Student Govern
ment at Poland Springs.
Following her election, she received the following
memorandum from the Coordinator of C rpswomen 1s Government, rr.tr. Frank Petty:
"May I take this opportunity to congratulate you upon your
election to office as a member of Corpswomen1s Government for
the next six months.
The C rpswomen have expressed their
confidence by placing you in the most influential organization
The office you now hold is one of trust and
at this Center.
honor.
It shal l require a great deal of effort and time.
Your actions at all times must reflect the best interest �f
all
Corpswomen and the Center."
CHEROKEES UNDERTAKE CULTURAL DEPTH PROJECT
TAHLEQUAH, OKLA •.
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The groundwork for a two million dollar Cherokee
Cultural Center has begun on the ashes of the historic Cherokee Female Seminary,
destroyed by fire in
1887.
Sponsored by the Cherokee National Historical S�ciety, the four-part
project will include an Indian village, a continuing Cherokee drama for summer
presentation,
Cherokee museum and a Cherokee archives building.
the project will have great tourist appeal,
Although
it isn't a tourist expl�itation
but a "depth project" in Indian culture and history , the sponsors say.
Construction of the Indian village, representative of such a village
is geare1 to a 1966 suninier opening.
The drama, "hopefully scheduled
to cpen in 1967," will be a s equel to the famous � These Hills which has
in
1750,
played to tremendous crowds for the past fifteen years on the Cherokee Reser
vation in North Carolina.
Sponsors plan for the museum construction in 1967, and the archive housing
in l 96S.
Funds have been appropriated from the Cherokee Foundation ($100, 000),
the Cherokee Tribe
($100,000) ,
the State Legislature
($150,000),
state indus
Nearly a million dollars
tries ($120,000) and individual contributions.
is still required and a membership drive in the Historical Scciety is to be
launched on a national basis which will help 'With f inancing.
Cherokees will be e mployed for construction v.ork and in the completed
center.
The bricks for the Female Seminary, a school opened by the Cherokees
after their removal to Oklahoma, wer.e made in Cherokee-owned brickyards, and
·the Irrlians will again make· the bricks f or the Cultural Center construction.
( From Indian Progress, Central City,
from the Amerindian )
Nebraska,
October
1966,
reprinted
11THE ARAPAHO WAY"
by Althea Bass, published by Clarkson N: P0tter, Inc., is the "memoir� of the
li e of Carl Sweezy, deceased 1953, one of the last of the thousand full
blooded Arapaho lpdians.
The Arapaho as described in this small book are
people who accepted d efeat and change with courage and proud humility."
SEND IN YOUR
Subscription Slip, from the la.st page of the Newsletter without delay, tn re
ceive regular mont�ly copies of Maine's only Indian publication.
�(10)
INDIANS DEDICATE PARK
Wampanoag Indians of the Federated Eastern Indian League participated
in the official dedication ceremonies of the Cape Cod National Seashore
Park with Secretary of the Interior Udall, in early summer.
This was very
near the spot (called First Encounter Beach) where the ancestors of the New
England Indians had their initial contact with the Pilgrims from the Mayflower,
before the founding of Plymouth, Mass.
This item and a photograph of the Wampanoags with Secretary Udall were
contributed to the August issue of Indian Voices by Russell H. Gardner.
STUDENTS PRESSURED
A British Columbia anthropologist has criticized public schools for
trying to turn Indians into middle-class white children.
Dr. Barbara Lane, who has just .'completed two years as an anthropol ogi i::t
with the University of British Columbia, last month told a conference on
educationally-deprived children this pressure is bringing Indian students
into conflict with their teachers and harming their educational chances.
"Most educators I have talked to as an anthropologist have wanted to
know what is the key, the trick, the short cut, to turning Indian children
most effectively into good middle-class white children," she said.
'11The job of the school is not to force everyone into the same monotonous
mold, but to transmit information and skill."
(From the Indian Record, Winnipeg, October 1966)
PASSAMA(UODDY TRIBAL ELECTIONS HELD
The Passamaquoddy Biennial Tribal Elections were held on the Pleasant
Point and Indian Township Reservations on November 1, 1966.
Indian Township
incumbent Governor John Stevens was re-elected for a two-year term commencing
The new Lieutenant Governor for the Township is.:.�. �.,:
January 1, 1967.
George Stevens, Jr., and the 6-member Reservation Council will consist of
the following persons, elected from
ten-candidates: Maurice Brooks, Archie
LaCoote, Basil LaCoote, Allan Sockabasin, George Stevens, Sr., and Pauline
Stevens.
Pleasant Point incumbent Governor Anthony Mitch.ell, not a candidate
for re-election, will be succeeded by Joseph Mitchell, with Timothy Newell
as Pleasant Point's new Lieutenant Governor.
Again, ten candidates competed
for the six Council positions at Pleasant Point; winners were: William
Altavater, Irene Lewis, Frank Lola, Jeanette Moore, and John Nicholas.
The Passamaquoddy Representative ·to the State Legislature, elected by
both Reservations together, though coming from each Reservation alternately,
is George Francis of the Pleasant Point Reservation, who will replace George
Stevens, Jr., of the Indian Township Reservation.
Over 100 tribal members from each Reservation cast their votes in these
elections, which were held simultaneously on the two Reservations.
209 per
sons voted for the combined position of Legislative Representative.
Assisting at the polls at Pleasant Point were Ballot Clerks Peter A.
Mitchell and Margaret A. Nicholas; Indian Township Ballot Clerks were
Anna Harnois and Delia Lewey.
Commissioner Hinckley officiated at Pleasant
-.. the ·Hon.arable Warren Cookson acted as the Commissioner's
Point while
personal representative and officiated on the Indian Township Reservation.
(The Maine Indian Newsletter extends CONGRATULATIONS to you.
If the
Ne�_sl�tter can help in implementing your programs during the next two years,
it would be our pleasure.)
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SHORTCHANGED MANY TIMES
Bangor, Maine
To the Editor
Bangor Daily News:
Mr. Peter A. Mitchell, Tribal Clerk of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, has
brought up a point (see October Newsletter, Page 13) that is evident not
only on the local scene.
but also in national and international affairs, a
lack of understanding
The Indian has been shortchanged many times since the first settlers
arrived in the New World, but perhaps the shoddiest "progr.ess of civilization"
perpetrated upon them occurred last year.
In the beautiful mountain region
of western New York and Pennsylvania, the Seneca Indians lived on a tract
of land given to them in a treaty signed by George Washington.
The govern
ment, against the protests of the Seneca Nation, forced them to give up their
homes and land so that the infamous Kinzua Dam could be built.
Though
invitations were extended to many high-ranking politicians and government
officials, none were present at the ceremony opening the new dam;·it was an
unpopular event and bad for their "image" to be associated with it.
The Senecas refused to attend, having long since named the backed-up
waters Lake Perfidy .
Kenneth C. Collins
Husson College
(From the Bangor Daily News, 11/10/66)
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INDIAN BRINGS AN EARLY THANKSGIVING
Abraham Leo Neptune, a Penobscot Indian living in Gardiner, helped more
than 20 children celebrate an early Thanksgiving at the Neighborhood Center
Wednesday.
Neptune, a brother to one of the aides at the center, appeared about
11 a.m. in full regalia.
He wore a buckskin suit handed down to him from
his father and bead-embroidered moccasins.
The suit was made by his father
just over 34 years ago.
Leo Neptune made his own moccasins.
Around his·
neck was a large pendant shaped like an Indian head.
Leo Neptune, of Brunswick Road, Gardiner, delighted the small children.
He danced for them and then taught them a war dance.
The visitor sat at
a bead table during dinner and ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal with the
children
A center worker said she "never saw those kids so quiet for such a long
time."
(From the Kennebec Journal, 11/17/66)
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CALIFORNIA INDIAN STUDY RELEASED
A comprehensive analysis of the social and economic barriers facing
California Indians has been outlined in a Progress Report by the State
Advisory Commission on Indian Affairs released earlier this year.
The Commission was created by the California Legislature in 1961 to
study Indian problems and suggest corrective legislation or other remedial
action.
The report noted that because California Indians live in small scattered
settlements and rancherias instead of in large groups, they have been ex
cluded from many of the new national programs devised to help depressed com
munities.
The report calls for full Indian utilization of all programs,
(Continued on Page 1 2 )
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CALIFORNIA INDIAN
(Continued from Page 1 1 )
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a t every l eve l o f government .
However , it not es that "Calif ornia shou ld not depend for programs ,
p lanning , or thinking on the Fed eral Government or its agencies , but should
step out vigor ously and imaginative ly in the search f or a solution to the
social and economic probl ems of its Indian peopl e."
Whi l e the Advisory Commission's 27 r ecommendations covered a l l f acets
of Indian life from education to housing and sanitation it said "the key
to the solu tion of the prob l ems of Indians , whether in the areas of education ,
we l far e and heal th , or living conditions lies in the dev e l opment of the
economic employment potential o f Indians and in the economic d eve l opment o f
t heir land r esources." . . . .
The plans and proposal s of this group , or any other l ike it , stand a
much better chance of success if Indians themse lves ar e directly invo lved in
their p l anning and imp l ementation , the report said .
The r epeated failure
of pr ograms p l anned by o t hers f or Indians has cr eated a resentment among
Indians "so that the y become skeptical o f any new pr ogram and re fuse to
coop erat e with any pub l ic o f f icia l . "
(From Indian Record , U.S.Bur eau of Indian Af fairs , October 1966)
(A r eade r just submitted a copy of the Pr ovidence Evening Bu lletin f or June 9th,
which contained the f o l l owing int eresting story concerning the Tuscarora
Tribe of New York S t at e . )
DAUGHTER OF CHIEF UDATNAHNEECHRE
Talk t o a r eal l ive Indian and al l the tal es of t omahawks , teepees and
tribal dances concoc ted on Ho l lywood sets wil l seem quite remote .
Neverthe
l ess , Indians stil l l ive on reservat ions across the country , bu t one Tuscarora
l ives right her e in Providence , on Medway S tr e e t.
D e l ma Mount P l easant , the 23-year-o ld daughter of Chief and Mrs . Edison
P . Mount Pl easant , was raised on a r eservation , thre e mi l es squar e , in Louiston ,
N.Y.
Abou t 1 , 000 Tuscaroras live on the r eservation in ordinary houses (not
t e epees) and the majority of them work in neighboring towns .
"Actual ly the
r eservation is very rural .
It's just like living in the countr y , " the
Indian maid en exp l ained .
The Tuscar oras original ly came f rom North Car olina.
In 171 3 , after l osing a clan of warriors in the Tuscaror a Har , the
tribe h eaded up t he Eastern coast until final ly se ttling in upstate New York .
In her Medway Str e et apartment , D e lma Mount P l easant has her fu l l Indian
dress .
"We onl y wear the costumes on special occasions , " she said.
"At the
annual New York State Fair held in Syracuse , there is an Indian village . The
six tribes of t he Ir oquois Confederacy al l come t oge ther there , wearing trad
i t ional tribal dr ess . . . . "
The Tuscar ora Tribe is divided int o family clans .
Being a matriarchal
society , the chil d inherits the clan name of his mot her , although he d oesn"t
Miss Mount P l easant be l ongs t o the Wo l f C l an , whi l e her f ather is
use it .
11We don't marry anyone in our c lan because that wou l d be
a Whit e Bear .
marrying a r e lation , 11 she said.
A council o f . 14 chiefs forms the g overnment o f the Tuscar ora R eservation
where �iss Mou n t Pl easant gr ew up.
Chie ftanship is gained by merit , it is
no t an inherited tit l e .
However , the name given t o a man when he is appointed
chie f is a tradi tional one .
Her f ather's Indian name is Udatnahneechre ,
which means a branch of a pine t r e e.
Ever since the establ ishment o f the
( Continued on Page .. 1 3 )
�( 13)
DAUGHTER OF CHIEF
(Continued from Page 1 2 )
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Iroquois Confederacy, the pine tree has symbolized peace, because to cement
the truce the six warring tribes buried a hatchet, symbol of war, under a
pine tree and the tree grew ov�r it . .
The counci l of chiefs cooperates with local municipal of f icers and turns
over any disciplinary problems to the state police.
However, land problems
are settled by the council because the land is owned by the Indians .
Only
with special permission from the chiefs can a land case be taken to an out
side court . . . .
WHAT DO INDIANS DO ?
EVERYTHING �
All over America, Indians are at work in jobs of every description.
· That pretty stewardess for the airlines is a Nava j o ; th e construction super
intendent for that huge dam is a Sioux-Catawba .
Forest f ires are put out
Here is a Choctaw-Chickasaw
by trained crews from some 30 Reservations .
artist and technical illustrator .
There is a waitress (Salish-Kootenai ) who
works in the famous lake resort owned by her tribe .
You name it - any
occupat ion or calling has Indians, working right along with other Americans.
In the factories and industrial plant s you ' ll see Indians galore these
days .
They work inside and outside, on production lines and in laboratories.
.
Clear headed, qu ick and clever with their hands, natural-borp craftsmen and
art isans - these men and women win the enthusiastic commendation of their
employers .
Where precision counts, Indians excell .
Watch the Pima- Papago workers
cut valuable diamonds, giving them just the right facets for Winston ' s
jewelry, at Winston ' s well-guarded plant south of Phoenix, Arizona .
" They
are as good as the Swiss, " says their enthusiastic superv isor .
Many prominent manufacturers have delibera tely located new factories
on or near Indian Reservations, to make the most of a timely oppor�unity.
Other parts of the country may be having labor shortages while there sti l l
are ample i abor pools t o draw from o n several of the Reservations . . . .
(From the National Congress of American Indians, Ind ian Resources Studies)
(On Page 9 of the Sep tember issue of the Newsletter there was a report on the
National Congress of American Indians ' campaign to encourage buying from
companies whose labor policies favor employment of Indians .
Here is the f irst
list of such f irms, provided by N . C . A . I .
We urge all Indians, and friends
of Indians, to support these f irms with your purchases . )
Wright & McGill ' s EAGLE CLAW fish hooks and tackle (Sioux, South Dakota)
' GROVES Archery Company archery se ts (Isle t a and Sandi� Pueb los, New Mexico)
CHIEF CHIPPEWA fiberglass canoes (�ond du Lac Chippewa, M innesota )
, WINSTON diamonds and other f ine jewelry (Pima and Papago, Arizona)
BULOVA watches (Turtle Mountai n Chippewa, North Dakota)
BABYLINE playpens and baby cribs (Navajo, New Mexico )
SEQUOYAH carpe ts (Cherokee , Oklahoma)
SPARTUS elec tric clocks (Choctaw, Mississipp i )
SIMPSON elec tric Qteters and parts (Lac d u Flambeau Chippewa, Wi sconsin)
TIARRA or CAMEO marble top tables (Cherokee and others, Oklahoma)
WHITE CROSS bedding, qui lts and bedspreads (Cherokee, North Carolina)
NAMBE MILLS tableware and accessories (Pajaoque Pueblo, New Mexico)
ALABAMA Charcoal Company barbecue charcoal (Cherokee and others, Oklahoma )
INDIAN HEAD and NAMEKAGON moccas ins and garments (Chippewa , Wisconsin)
(Cont inued on Page 18)
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V IS TA - C on t ' d f r om Page 2
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M INNESOTA - i Jhi t e Ear t h ( C hippewa ) R e s e rvat i on Busine s s C omi.ii t t e e ( ';/aubun ) :
Among t he pro graws in whi c h V o lun t e e r s are par t i c ipating are c onu. uni t y
d e v e l opme n t and impr oveme n t , r e c r e a t ion , hmme manage .>1e nt , day car e and
s e ni o r c i t i z e n s ' pr o j e c t s , ope rat ion of a s t udy c e n t e r , ar t s an d c r a f t s
ins t ru c t i on , v o c a t i onal t raini ng , h e a l t h an d the d e v e l opillent o f t e a c hing
of the C hippe�a language and his t o ry .
NEW MEX IC O - Alamo Nava j o C ha:i:Jt e r ( ! k;;. d galena ) : As s i s tan c e in pre - s c ho o l
and r e madial e du c a t i o n , r e c r e at i on and ar ts and cr a f t s ins tr uc t ion .
NORTH CiiROLINA - Eas t e rn Band o f C h e r oke e Indians ( C h e r okee ) :
id in t h e
d e v e l opmen t o f a mul t i - s e r v i c e fami ly c e n t e r , home;;mking deillon s t ra t i ons
t o indige n ous l e aders and fa�ily life e duca t i on .
OREGON - Warm S prings R e s e rv a t i on :
.As ..:: i s t a n c e in c ornmun i t y d e v e l op ._e n t
t o i n c r e a s e employab i li t y and impr ove j ob pe r f orL1 an c e t h r o ugh b as i c
e du c a t ion , a n d t h e d e v e lopme n t o f sani tat i on , s e l f - he lp hous in g , h e a l t h
a n d h ome manage me n t , yout h , aging , pre - s c h o o l , r e c reat ion and a d u l t e du c a t io�
p r o gr ams .
SOUTH DAI OTA - Oglala S i oux Trib a l C oun c i l , Pine Ridge R e s e rv a t ion :
V o lunt e e rs are w orking in prog�ams c on c e rning day c ar e f or pr e - s c h o o l
c h i ldre n , r eme dial t e ac hing a n d gu idan c e a n d e mpl o yDe n t , a r e assi s t ing t h e
Indian Bure au i n s up e r v i s in g Youth C orps Camp a c t i v i t i e s i n c onse rva t i on ,
irr i g�t i on and h e a l t h , and are par t i c ipat ing in a s e l f - h e lp h ousing
p r o gr am .
R o s e b u d S i oux T r ib e : · s s is t an c e in t he d e v e l opme nt o f adu l t e du ca t i on ,
c ommuni t y h e a l t h and r e hab i l i t a t i on c e n t e rs , s e l f - he lp h o using , gard e n
pr o j e c t s , c r e d i t unions and marke t ing c o ope rativ e s .
( V ISTA , Washingt on , D . C . )
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HOUS ING AND C ONSTRUC T I ON OFF ICER TO hl-itill HO US E -TO -D OUS E VIS I TS
An t hony ( Tony ) Kal is s , assigne d t o the rfaine D e par t 1 1e n t o f Indian
Af fai rs as H o us ing and C ons t ru c t i on O f f i c e r by the Ame rican Friends
S e rv i c e C ommi t t e e ( AFSC ) , has been busy since arriving in Laine las t
Augus t . F i r s t o f a l l he s t ar t e d talking to F e de ra l and S t at e o f f i c ia ls
t o s e e what t he r e is avai lab l e and as we l l , he has b e e n talking wi t h
many Indians t o s e e what t h e y se e a s t h e ir gre at e s t ne e ds i n this ar e a .
T on y is making h ous e - t o-h ous e v i s i t s on t h e P e n ob s c ot Re s erva t i on t o
me e t and t alk w i t h t h e Indians f i r s t hand . A f t e r this T ony plans t o
v is i t I nd ian T ownship and Pleasan t Point and oake t he same v i s i t s , h o us e
t o - h ous e .
T ony has v i s it e d a l l thr e e Re s e rvat i ons alre ady b u t as you can s e e
h e plans a v e r y t h o r o ugh f o l l ow up . A t t h e Ple asant P oint r e s e rva t i on ,
r e c e n t ly , T ony ob s e rv e d t he ins t al la t i on o f t h e wa t e r lines and s inks
in the h ome s of s ome 18 f ami li e s , nomina t e d by t h e Gove rnor and C oun c i l
a s n e e ding t o b e h o ok�d up t o t h e wa t e r su�ply .
I t is t h e E di t or ' s unde r s tanding that a l t h ough T o ny had n o thing
to d o with t his par t i c ular pr o j e c t b e in g b r o ugh t ab out , this is , n e v e r
the l e s s , t h e t yp e o f pro j e c t T ony will b e c on c e rn e d wi th in t h e futur e .
''Alt hough the work is j us t b e ginning ,
Re c e n t ly Mr . Kaliss s t a t e d :
I mus t say that my c onve r s a t i o n s wit h S t a t e and Fe deral o f f i c ials and ,
most impor t an t e f all , wi t h t h e Indians c on v i n c e me that a l t h ough t h e r e
are many pr ob l e ms t o b e ov e r c ome , b o th phys i c a lly and h uwun , a l l o f t h e
r e s e r v a t ions c an b e c ome b e au t i fu l , h e althy a n d a t t rac t iv e � oLllilun i t i e s t o
live in , w o rk i n a n d r e t ir e t o . "
�- 15-
( C o n t in u e d f r om page 4 )
( Le t t e r s t o t h e E di t or )
I am a P e n ob s c o t I n d ian f r om Old T own .
I hav e b e e n liv i n g h e r e a t
B ar Haro or s i n c e 1956 .
I a m ac t iv e i n p o l i t i c s .
I a m T r e as ur e r o f H an c o c k
C o un t y D e mo c ra t i c Par t y , a n d ran f or S h e r i f f in 1 9 6 4 a n d in 1966 .
I ( l os t )
b y 2 8 v o t e s t h is t ime .
S in c e r e ly your s ,
R o ge r Ran c o
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D e ar E d i t o r :
R e a d o f y o u in The C h e r oke e T imes ,
B e in g non - Ind ian , was n o t e e r t ain
o f my e li gib i l i t y in r e c e iv i n g your News l e t t e r , but t h ou gh t I w ould t r y .
I was giv e n m y name b e a d i r e c t d e c e ndant o f t he I n d ian P r in c e s s
Po c ah o n t a s w h o a l s o b or e t h e name of t ha t gr e a t lady .
F r om t h i s pe r s on
I l e a r n e d e a r ly t o have an ab iding i n t e r�st 'in t h e A ae r i c an Ind ian .
Jvw s t s i nc e r e ly ,
Poc ahon tas Hagy
Ab ingd o n , V irginia
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D e ar E d i t o r :
I was v e r y ple a s e d when I r e c e iv e d t h e Newsle t t e r s u b s c r i p t ion .
It
is
v e r y i n t e r e s t in g t o r e a d ab o u t o t h e r I n d i an s , a s we ll as my own kind
o f Indians .
I wan t e d t o t e ll ab o u t my e xp e r i e n c e in t h e J ob C orps .
I hav e b e e n
i n t h e Job C o rps f or alm o s t s e v e n mon ths , a n d I hav e e n j oyed e ve ry s e c on d
of it .
Whe n I f i r s t c ame in t h e J o b C orps , I w a s a li t t le s c ar e d , I d i dn ' t
kn ow what t o e xpe c t , b u t when Mr s . H inkle y d r o v e me up h e r e , I b e gan t o
r e lax . i'Jhen w e c ame in , I was s e n t t o t h e Inn , and I me t ruy t w o r o ommat e s ,
T h e y w e r e n i c e and w e all lik e d e a c h o t he r .
S o t h a t was my f i r s t e xp e r
ience .
T h e s e c ond w a s w h e n I s t ar t e d m y t r a ining and s t ar t e d g o i n g t o
I was v e ry e age r t o le arn , an d I c an say t h a t I hav e learn e d
. school.
a l o t o f t h ings t ha t I ne v e r kn e w b e f o r e .
On D e c e mb e r 2 , I w i l l b e gradua t i n g f r om R e t a i l S al e s as a C as h i e rs
C le r k b u t I hav e d e c i d e d t o s t ay on and go f u r t h e r in t o i t , and hope t o
ge t t he e quivale n c e h e r e .
A l s o I wan t e d t o say t hat I was e le c t e d on t h e S t ud e n t G o v e rnme n t
f o r t h e c e nt e r , whi c h I was v e r y pleas e d .
I shall ne v e r f o r g e t m y g o o d
e xp e r i e n c e a t t h e c e n t e r .
I hav� mad e many f r i e n d s h e re , when I l e a v e f or g o o d I s hall miss
, t h e m , b u t a l s o , I shall be r e ady f or t he working w or l d o u t s i d e .
I hav e
b e e n h ome t o v i s i t my par e n t s s e v e ra l t ime s ,
I mis s t h e m all , b ut w h e n
I ge t w h a t I c ame h e r e f o r , I ' ll b e h ome w i t h t h e m again .
I l o v e my
par e n t s v e ry m u c h and wan t t h e m t o b e proud o f me , and lov e t he m m o r e f o r
b r inging me i n t o t h i s w o r ld .
S in c e r e ly your s ,
V i o la Dana
Job C o rps C e nt e r for , Jome n
Fo land S pr in g , Main e
�-16-
If you
DID YOU KNOW our s ub s c r ip t ion list is growing by le aps and b o unds ?
are not on i t and want to b e - j us t fill out t he c oupon on t he next page
and mai l i t in t o day .
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FLINT Al' D FELS ITE
By H e le n C ushman
( La s t mon t h we prin t e d part 4 in e rr o r . T his �1onth we are prin t in g par t
In t h e D e c e mb e r is sue we will have t h e f inal installme n t in this
3.
s e r i e s These Ind ians We re H e r e . Ed . )
P o t ters our V a l l e y I ndi ans M e r e n o t - f e w Algonquins W d re . B u t t h e ir
s t one ins t rume n t s show t h e m to hav e been kee nly obse rvan t r o c k c o ll e c t oE s .
'
Wha t e v e r t h e y ne e de d t o make , t he y picke d t h e b e st rock f or the ir purpos e .
T h e i r most impo r t an t hous e h old implefilent was the mor t ar and pe s t l e
f o r grinding c o rn .
Usually t h e mor t ar was ma de of a hard s t one i n wh i c h
a c a v i t y c o uld b e mad e .
The pe s t le o f the Anasagun t i c o oks w a s lon g ,
usually fashi one d of c ourse s lat e , and was r o und e d at one e nd . A sma ll
h o le �as b o r e d t hro ugh the handle . Then t h e � e � t l e would be s uspe n d e d f r om
t h e b r an c h o f a . tr e e b y a t hong whi ch made grindin g e - s ie r .
Other kinds of pe s t le s a.p d mat c hing mortars have b e e n f ound in v ari ous
s i z e s su gge s t ing the ir use for h e r b s or me d i c ine s .
Few of t h e m hav e b e en
as e la b o r a t e as the e xq u i s i t e wh i t e f l int one ploughed u p in a fie ld alon g
30 M i l e Riv e r .
This pri c e le s s a r t i f ac t w a s a de e p ye l l ow wh e n dis c ov e r e d
s t ain e d b y ye l l ow ochre . T h e f i e ld i t s e l f b y a we l l-known Ind ian spring
had b e e n t h e c amping ground o f t h e C a ghnaugas , a o r an c h o f t h e gr e at - -
t h e ir spe c ia l pr e s e rv e re nouned e v e n then f o r i t s superb f ishin g . H ow
e v e r the f lint mor tar and pe s t le and s e v e ra l o t he r art i f a c ts unear t h e d in
the r e gion n e ar ly 70 ye ars ago were all de e p ly staine d with o c hre and
undoub t e d ly pre -da t e d o ur V a l l e y Indians . More ab out t h e s e mys t e r i ous
pre -D awn Pe ople la t e r .
I t is o f int e r e u t t o r o ck h o unds t o n o t e that t h e
s our c e o f a l l t h e se ar t i fac t s w a s f li n t whi c h prob ably c ame f r om � t . Kine o .
N o t unt il t h e y b e gan t o t rade w i t h e ar ly e xplorers did our own Ind ians
u s e me t al .
The y fas h i one d r o c ks or she lls int o h o e s f o r the plan t ing o f
c o rn a n d o t h e r c r ops . The grin�ing w a a d o n e exc lus iv e ly b y t he women o f
t h e t r ib e a s w e r e a l l t he agr i c u l t ural c h or e s . The y u s e d a s c ont aine rs
f o r t rans por t in g c orn b as ke t s ma de of w ov e n re e ds of e v e n hid e s .
I f you ' v e e v e r t r i e d t o skin a squirr e l with a sharp kn i f e , you wus t
appr e c ia t e t h e ski ll of t h e s e I ndians . T h e y u s e d a s t one impl e me n t shape d
like a chis e l as w e l l as sharp s e a she lls .
T h e i r b ows and arrows w e r e v i t a l t o our Valley Indians .
Fish and
game supp l i e d most of t he ir good and c l o t hing .
Only a few memb e r s o f
t h e t rib e w e r e ski l l e d e n ough t o make arr ow h e a ds .
"The r e t h e an c i e n t Arrow-make r
Mad e h i s arr ow h e ads o f sands t one ,
Arrow heads o f c halc e d ony ,
Arrow heads o f f lint and j aspe r ,
S mo o t h e d and s harpe �e d at t h e e d g e s ,
Hard and polishe d , ke en and c o s t ly . "
T h e s e poin t s had t o b e exac t ly c ar v e d and pe r f e c t ly balan c e d .
The s t ones
b e s t suit e d to arr ow he ads c ame f r om o u t s ide the Andr o s c oggin Vall e y .
F e l si t e ; a l s o r e f e rr e d t o as h orn s t one , c ame mo s t ly f r ora Ut . Kine o . S t ripe d
j aspe r f r om B e r lin Falls was h i ghly pri z e d as we ll . Ro ugh quar t z was
The w o o d of t h e
f r e q u e n t ly us e d b u t s u c h arrow h e ads w e r e o f t e n un t r ue .
h ornb e am a n d b e e c h w e r e s a i d t o have b e e n pr e f e rr e d t or t he arr ows t he m
s e lv e s . T homgs o f m o o s e ( hide . fa s t e n e d t h e a�� ow h e ads t o t h e s t o c ks .
C on � inue d on page � l )
�- 1 7( C on t inue d f r om page 16 )
F lin t and F e ls i t e By H e l e n C u s hman .
T h e b ows o f t h e Anasagun t i c o oks w e r e v e ry h e a v y w i t h a rull e x c e e d
ing t he ab i l i t y of most wh i t e me n .
T h e w o o d u s e d migh t vary b u t i t had
to be t ough and e la s t i c .
The b ow s t r in gs w e r e l e a t h e r .
T h e s e Ind ians
were v e ry ac c ur a t e marksm e n and c o uld hit a moving t arge t a t more t han
f or t y yards .
G r e a t c r a f t smanship was r e quire d t o make spe ar h e ad s , t o o .
I n f in i t e
c ar e and pre c is i o n w e r e ne c e s s ary t o fashion t h e l o n g s le nd e r h e ads .
F li n t
a n d j aspe r w e r e appar e n t ly pre f e r r e d . S ome s p e ar h e ad s hav e b e e n f o und
e igh t o r mor e in c h e s long and s harp as a r a z or a f t e r two c e n t u r i e s unde r
·,t h e gr ound .
Among o t h e r w e apons w e r e was c lub s .
One was mad e f r om t h e r o o t o f a
t r e e , hard e n e d b y f i r e , h igh ly polishe d w i t h t he r o o t pr ongs l e f t at t h e
end.
T h e r e w a s a l s o a pole , 8 t o 1 0 f e e t long , w i t h a s t on e s harpe n e d a t
b o th e n ds o r a de e r horn fas t e n e d t o t h e p o i n t .
I t is c e r t a i n t hat t h e V a l l e y I nd ians us e d t r aps and sna r e s .
Few
d e s c r i p t i on s o f t h e s e hav e e v e r b e e n f o un d .
T h e r e s u l t s o f wh at e v e r k i n d
the y d i d u s e w a s ama z in g � C apt ain J o hn s ·. d t h s ai d t h a t h e g o t l� , 000
b e av e r skins as w e li as illa ny o t t e r and mar t i n in 1614 .
T o h o l l ow out t h e ir large b oa t s , t he I n d ians us e d a goug e ,
The y
w ou l d b urn t h e s ur f a c e of a l o g on one s i d e un t i l i t was c har r e d e n o u gh
t o d i g out .
The s e b ou t s , unw i e l d y
T h e pro c e s s was r e p e at e d man y t ime s .
a n d c lums y w e r e t o o h e av y t o p o r t a ge b ut w o u ld c ar r y as many as f o r t y
Ligh t , t h e y
pe ople .
H e n c e f or mo s t purpo s e s t he s e I n d i ans us e d can o e s .
w e r e mad e o f b ir c h b ark w h i c h was sewn t o a frame b y r o o t s or f ib e r s o f
t r ee s , ( a s t h e lar c h o r t amarack ) , o r w i t h t h in t h r e ad like t h ongs o f h i d e .
Fragi le as t h i s c r a f t was , t h e An asagun t i c o oks c ould gu i d e it t hr o ugh t h e
Whe r e t h e wa t e r was t o o l ow , 1
r apids o f t h e An d r o s c o ggin w i t h gr e a t ski ll .
or t h e falls t o o s t e e p , t h e Indians had a w e ll d e f in e d s y s t e m o f carryi n g pla c e s . S ome o f t h e s e p o r t age s and t h e wat e rways b y whi c h they t r av e le d
are w e ll d e f i n e d e v e n t o d a y .
T o v i s i t t h e ir c ousins , t h e Ama s c on t e e s ,
o n t he S an d y Riv e r , the y w e n t f r om C an t on P o i n t t o t h e D e a d R iv e r , t h r o u gh
N a yn e P ond and up 30 Mi le Riv e r t o t he nor thwe s t b ranc h .
F r om a p o r t age
at David Pond t h e y w e n t to t he p onds e n t e r i n g Li t t le N or r i d g e w o c k S t r e am
or b y Mos h e r Pond i n t o McGurdy S t r e am and t h e r e t o t he S an d y Riv e r i t s e l f
( Ne x t mon t h ) we w i l l c on c lude wi t h t h e e f f e c t o f t he whi t e
s e t t l e r s o n t h e Anasagun t i c o oks , and t h e i r f li gh t t o C anada t o j o in t h e i r
c ousins , The S t . Fran c i s Indians , a n d t h e ir yearly v i s i t s t o t h e grav e s
o f the ir an c e s t or s .
T h e i r las t fare we l l , on..e o f t h e m o s t p o i gnan t b i t s o f
Maine his t o r y , has b e e n supe rb ly wri t t e n b y Re ginald S t u r t e vant t o whom w e
JJ.r e inde b t e d f o r much o f t h e inf orma t i on i n t h is b r i e f a c c ount o f t h e
Jndi.ans o f o u r Andr os c o ggin Valle y .
(From t he Liv e rmo�e Falls Adv e r t i s er , Liv e rmor e Falls , Naine 8/18/6 6 .
o b e c on t in u e d n e x t mon t h . )
o
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A Lo ok At Vhat ' s C oming
In f uture i s s u e s o f the News l e t t e r we will be hav i n g ar t i c l e s b as e d on
in t e rvi e ws wi t h vari ous pe ople of int e r e s t t o the Pe nob s c o t s and Pas sama
quoddi e s . � e h ope to h av e i t e ms o n s uch pe ople as the T r ibal G o v e r n o r s ,
the lndian R e pr e s e n t a t iv e s t o t he S t a t e Le gi s la t ur e , and o t he r in t e r e s t in 0
Indians . Als o , w e will plan an ar t i c le on t he S t a t e D e partme n t o f Indian
A f fairs , which will .b e a ye ar old on January 3 , 196 6 . S e nd in your s ug
ge s t i on s an d as t ime pe rmi t s w e ' ll l o pk i n t o them .
�( 18 )
BUYERS I GUIDE
( Cont inued f r om Page 1 3 )
VAS SAR hair s ty l ing a c ce s s or i e s ( Cheroke e , Nor th Car o l ina)
LUMM! HEAVERS garment s , p l a c e ma t s , ve s tmen t s (Lummi , Washington )
SAFFORD Manu fac turing Company women ' s appar e l ( S an Car l o s Ap�che , Ar i zona)
GOLDEN EAGLE spor t swear {Omaha , Nebr a ska)
BVD und er shir t s and shor t s (Nava j o , Ar i z ona)
BAYLY Manu fac tur ing Company br and s (Yakima , Wa shing t on )
ROTMANS s e afood s (var ious trib e s , A l a ska)
BAKE. WELL p o t a t o e s ( Sho shone and Bannock , Idaho)
"
S IOUX au t o muf f l e r s (Crow Cr eek S i oux , South Dako ta)
NAVAJO PINE and SOUTHWEST prefabr i c a ted hou s e s (Nava j o , New Mex i c o )
KAI SER Aluminum cu lver t s and build ing produc t s (Coch i t i and San t o Doming o Pueb l o )
CARLON p l a s t ic p i p e (Navaj o , New Mex i c o )
S T . MARIE'S p lywood { Coeur d ' A lene , Idaho)
MONTEZUMA p lywood (U t e Moun tain U t e and Navaj o , Co l orado)
C HI PPEWEYAN AUTHENTI CS t oy s and nove l ty i t ems ( Chippewa , Nor th Dako ta)
GUILD ARTS & CRAFTS Company p,l a s t i c produc t s ( Nor thern Cheyenne , Mon tana)
BUY Amer i c an INDIAN MADE Pr oduc t s
U S E Ame r i c an INDIAN MADE Pr odu c t s
AN INDIAN S PEAKS
Mary Wanatee ( S ac -Fox)
"F i r s t , I t r ied to make more c l ear in my own mind exac t ly wha t tho se
v a l u e s are that Ind ians have tha t are d i ffe ren t fr om tho se of the l hi te s .
I
can ' t he lp b u t th ink tha t the who l e conf l i c t s imp ly l i e s in the b a s ic d i f fe r
enc e s in ph i l osophy .
The Ind i an s t r ive s t o harmon i z e w i th wha t ex i s t s around him , wher e a s
t he whi t e man s t r ive s t o make exi s t ing t h i n g s harmon i ze wi th him .
I t seems
to me that the wh i t e man d oe s not g ive enough recogn i t ion to t he r e s t of
Cr e a t ion - he p l aces mankind at the cen ter of a l l thing s her e on ear th , as
though he were the who l e goal .
The Ind ian c on c e iv e s of mankind as only a par t of a who l e .
He ha s
deep r e spec t and r everence f or n a ture and the things ther e of , and he i s very
'awar e ' of a l l that i s , ou t s ide of h ims e l f .
He u s e s only what i s needed ,
b e c au s e of t h i s awarene s s .
Hi s re l ig i on i s thi s way of l i f e , c on t inua l ly
expre s s ing acknow l edgemen t of h i s purpo se and po s i t i on . "
( Submi t t ed by a r e ader)
MI SCELLANEOUS NEWS
The E a s tpor t Counci 1 , Kn igh t s of Columbu s , ·wer e recen t ly en ter t ained
by memb e r s o f the Plea san t Point Ind i an Dance Team , l ed by Mr . Joseph Ni cho l a s .
Mr . Nicholas i s D epu ty Gr and Kni gh t of the E a s tp or t Counc i l .
Dur ing the summer , an Iroqu o i s Ind ian from Bran t ford , Ont ar io , nP.med
Ro -wa-dna , or " Spr ing Wate r 11 vi s i t ed Hou l ton , Pr e s que I s l e snd Indi.an
I s l and in the c our s e of a 2 , 000 mi l e tr ip t hrough the pr ovinces and t he
Uni t ed S t a t e s .
,
The Mid- South F ai r in Memph i s , Tenn . , r e c en t ly f eatured an One ida Ind ian
from l'Ji s c on s i n , who l earned t o wr e s t l e a l l ig a t or s from a Semino l e c ou s in .
G e orge Gr e enwood took on ly 10 minu te s t o ge t a 6 - f oo t , 165 -pound ' ga t or out
o f t�e wat er .
�IF
YOU
WANT
)l 2!
u 2_)
-
- a free "starter" s�bscription to the
MAINE INDIAN NEWSLETTER ;
news of Indian affairs in Maine and
around the country ;
\.J
(() �'
- to know what other Tribes are
doing, thinking and p l anning ;
I
•
Maine ' s only st ate-wide . Indian
\j C
newsletter mailed directly to your
home or Post Office box each month ; .
T H E N
NO � TO :
FILL OUT THE SUBSCRI PTION SLIP BELOW AND MAIL IT WI TH
MA INE INDIAN NEWSLETTER
Pine Street
Freeport, Maine 0403 2
HD
(Al so send in your suggestions , comments, letters , stories,
articles, complaints, jokes, pictures and news items ! ! ! )
o
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c
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C \ A N NE_ W5t.5_m_ RJ
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rl O
L_'J
(_
�
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I would like a copy of the Maine Indian Newsletter mailed to me each
month :
MAILING ADDRESS
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(ZIP Code, please)
{Send thi s s l ip
to :
Maine I ndian Newsletter
Pine Street
Freeport, Maine 04032 )
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�MAINE INDIAN NEWSLETTER
Pine S t r e e t
Freepor t , Maine
040 3 2
Li br ary
Co lby Co l l e g e
0490 l
i l l e , Me .
W a t e rv
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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Penobscot
Description
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The Penobscot people, who identify closely with the Penobscot River that is their home, have a reservation on Indian Island, near Old Town, Maine. Part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, they were among the tribes that won federal recognition in the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act. <br /><br />A Penobscot scholar, Joseph Nicolar, was one of the first regional Native people to publish a book: <em>Life and Traditions of the Red Man</em> (1890). Since then, many others have written about their language and culture, including the performing artist Molly Spotted Elk and poet Carol Dana.<br /><br />The Penobscots have a rigorous process for protecting their intellectual property, asking any scholars who are studying or writing about them to communicate with their Cultural Heritage and Preservation Office.<br /><br /><strong>Resources</strong><br /><br />Penobscot Nation <a href="https://www.penobscotnation.org/" target="_blank">website</a><br /><a href="http://www.penobscotculture.com/" target="_blank">Penobscot National Cultural & Historic Preservation Department</a><br /><br />
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Title
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<em>Maine Indian Newsletter</em> (Nov. 1966)
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ssipsis (Thompson, Eugenia)
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Colby College
Date
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1966-11
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Julia Brush
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Digital images courtesy of Colby College Library. In making these images available, we also consulted with ssipsis’ daughter, Pam Outdusis Cunningham.
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English
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Document
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pdf
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DV-474
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https://www.dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/original/68a2f4dc71d3eb71fc3d7e9c9b0c00b0.pdf
5ccda5931773c23a9a2740049e2b10db
PDF Text
Text
Tribal Representatives to the Maine Legislature Donna M. Loring and Donald Soctomah
Tan Kahk;
Welcome to the
winters issue of the
Wabanaki Legisla
tive Newsletter. It
Dear Tribal Members,
The 120th session has ended and it was a long
session. During this session we have won a few
and lost a few. The main thing to remember is
that even though we lost our bid for a vote in
bas beerv quite a year
comrmW
ee.
of Native News in
the State of Maine.
Passage of the Na
tive Education Bill
in 2001 tops the list,
this will have a posi
tive impact on rela
tions between the
State and the Tribes
for many years to
come.
It will be a big
accomplishment to get this completed and into the public schools
in the state, I would like to thank the Maine Native Education
Committee for taking this great step to help make this a reality.
For the 2002 session there is a lot of work ahead, with a budget
shortfall programs are going to have to tighten their belts and
provide better services to all.
I submitted three pieces of Legislation in this 2002 session,
only two were accepted for review. Bill number one is concern
ing Native Repatriation of Human Remains, this has to do with
the return of remains in the possession of private collectors, there
is strong support for this bill. The federal law address the issue of
human remains in public museums but this also needs to be up
dated in Congress, we need to put more pressure on Congress to
made those changes. Bill number two is an act concerning
Passamaquoddy land in Grand Lake stream, the Tribe presently
own 6,200 acres in this area and would like to transfer it into
Reservation status. A public meeting was held in Grand Lake
Stream and we are hoping for another meeting to continue the
communication. I am sorry to say that the legislation I submitted
please turn to page 7
otv\y lost by leo votes. 1 believe
that with further discussions and the backing o f
leadership we will be given the right to vote in
committees. I am hoping to see that happen in
the 121st. The bills 1 submitted this session were
both passed.
The most important piece of legislation was
the bill to require the teaching of Maine Indian
History in all of Maine’s public and some of
Maine’s private schools. This bill LD291 was
passed and is now law. It is the most comprehen
sive bill enacted on Indian history in the Coun
try. Other states have expressed interest by re
questing copies of the bill. The second bill I submitted was the
bingo bill. This bill allows the tribes to play bingo on New Years
Eve and New Years Day. This bill was past and is now law.
Included in this issue will be testimony on LD291 and a list of
bills Representative Soctomah and I submitted this session.
The last half of the 120th will begin in January I hope to con
tinue to focus on education as well as health issues and ways to
improve our economic base and make it sustainable.
I welcome any comments or ideas you might have.
Yours in the Spirit of Unity and Power
Donna M Loring, Penobscot Nation Representative
Rep. Donna M. Loring
RR1, Box 45, Richmond, ME 04357
Rep. Donald G. Soctomah
P.O. Box 102, Princeton, ME 04668
�Native American History and Culture
Commission Holds First Meeting
by Rep. D onna Loring
An Act to Require Teaching of
Maine Native American History and
C ulture in M ain e’s Schools was
. signed into law by Governor Angus
King on June 14th 2001. The law
created the Maine Native American
History and Culture Commission.
The Commission was established
to help prepare for the inclusion of
Maine Indian history and culture into
Rep. Donna Loring
the required course of Maine Stud
quired by law from the Maine Indian
ies. The Commission will be a clear
Tribal State Commission.
inghouse for Maine Indian resource
Suzanne Desiderio, appointed by
materials and will develop a website.
the H oulton B and o f M aliseets.
They will also help teachers access
Suzanne is a Tribal Council Mem
a range of teaching tools from vari
ber.
ous books and videos to actual na
tive speakers.
Brian Reynolds, appointed by the
Houlton Band of Maliseets. Brian is
They met for the first time at the
the Education Director.
Wabanaki Center on the Orono Cam
William Phillips, appointed by
pus o f the U niversity o f M aine.
the Aroostook Band of Micmacs.
C ushm an A nthony, C hair o f the
LD 291 “An Act to Require Teaching
Maine Native American History
and Culture in Maine’s Schools”
b y D onna Loring
LD-291 is now Maine law. It was passed by the House June
5, 2001 and passed in the Senate June 7, 2001. It was then
signed into law by Governor Angus King on June 14, 2001
I am extremely proud to have been the sponsor of this bill. It
is the high point of my legislative experience to date.
I know it will make a difference in our future.
This bill is the most innovative and comprehensive piece of
legislation in reference to the teaching of Native American His
tory in the
Country.
No other State has created a policy that requires teaching
Native American History in such detail and also provides the
means
to do i t . .
The bill is made up of four sections:
Sec 1 makes Maine Native American studies a required com
ponent of Maine studies, addressing the following topics:
A. Maine Tribal Government and Political Systems, their rela
tionship with local, State, National and International Governments.
B. Maine Native American Cultural Systems and the experience
of Maine tribal peoples throughout history:
C. Maine Native American Territories: and
D. Maine Native American Economic Systems
Sec 2 Creates the Maine Native American History and Cul
ture Commission to help prepare for the inclusion of Maine Na
tive American History and Culture into the required course in
Maine Studies.
1. Membership consists of eight members selected by the
William is the Chief.
Maine Indian Tribal State Commis
sion facilitated the first meeting.
the Aroostook Band o f M icmacs.
The appointed members of the
History and Culture Commission are
as follows:
the Chancellor of the University of
Maine System. Maureen was also
elected to Chair the Commission.
Rebecca Sockbeson, appointed
by the Penobscot Nation. Rebecca is
N ativ e
Bernard is a Tribal Elder.
Barney Berube, appointed by the
Commission of Education. Barney is
Maureen E. Smith, appointed by
the
Bernard Jerome, appointed by
A m erican
and
Multicultural Affairs Coordinator at
the University of Southern Maine,
Portland
in Bilingual Education/Department
of Education.
Gail Rae Carter, appointed by the
Commissioner of Educaton. Gail is
a Portland High School Teacher.
Mary Griffith, appointed by the
Commissioner of Education. Mary is
a Middle School Teacher
Christine Peterson, appointed by
the C om m issioner o f Education.
John Bear Mitchell, appointed by
the Penobscot Nation. John teaches
Native Studies at the Indian Island
School.
Christine is an Elementary School
Teacher.
Judy Pusey, appointed by the
Commissioner of Education. Judy is
Thomas Lewey, appointed by the
a Curriculum Director.
Passam aquoddy Tribe - Sipayik.
The Commissioner will be ap
Thomas is a Tribal Council member
pointing one more to be determined.
and a Bilingual and Cultural
The Commission is the heart of
Instructor.
this bill and the work that they are
W ayne N ew ell, appointed by
P assam aq u o d d y
T ribe-
Motahkmikuk. Wayne is Assistant
doing will determine the success or
failure of this new Maine law.
C O M M U N IC A TIO N
AND
Principal and Leader of Bilingual
EDUCATION EQUALS UNDER
Program and the representative re-
STANDING
Education including an elementary school teacher, a middle
school teacher, a high school teacher, a curriculum director, a
f i
cation and one member selected by the Chancellor ot the Uni- 1
versify of Maine System.
2. DUTIES: The Commission shall assist school adminis
trative units and educators in the exploration of a wide range of
educational materials and resources.
Identify resources
Involve other knowledgeable organizations and Individuals
able and willing to assist with this work including, but not limited
to museums and educators.
3. Maine Indian Tribal State Commission will convene the
first meeting of the commission no later than 30 days following
the effective date of enactment.
4. REPORTING FINDINGS to the commissioner of Educa
tion and a copy to MITSC The report shall consist of educational
materials, opportunities for professional development, training
and technical assistance.
5. Staff assistance and Resources will be provided by MITSC
and each entity.
elimii ..
dissemination to educators in the State by June 1,2003.
Sec 3 Report must include plan to assist school administrative
units. Plan must include criteria to identify school administrative
units having difficulty meeting instructional components. The plan
for assistance must be established by July 30,2004 and imple
mented by 2004-2005 School year.
Sec 4 School to implement Maine Native American Studies sub
ject to availability of funds. School administrative unit must present
findings and support evidence to department of education that it
cannot afford to implement the program. The dept of Ed shall
review findings and assist in planning for implementation
This bill is the result of support from the House, Senate, Gov
ernors office, the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission, Depart
ment of Education, University of Maine System, Tribal govern
ments, grass roots organizations, interested Individuals and stu
dents. It was a tremendous effort and I thank you all.
�LD 291, An Act to Require Teaching of Maine Native American History from page 4
eluded information reflecting variety of perspectives.
Similarly, the viewpoints of scholars and teachers
were respectfully incorporated into the book. During
these years relationships formed and strengthened
among members of different Native communities, as
well as among teachers and scholars and Native people.
I believe that including information about Wabanaki
people in school curriculum in primary and secondary
schools and in the Learning Results can also result in
building respect among people from different commu
nities and backgrounds. I believe that it is only fair
that history is presented in a more accurate fashion
and not from the point of view of just the dominant
culture. But I also believe that this is the best way to
teach history and social studies. Students get much more
out of their ‘studies if they can look at differing perspec
tives - for example, English, French and Wabanaki points
of view during colonial times. It is also important for
them to realize that there were different perspectives and
motivations within each community. Considering these
perspectives in depth will not only make history more
interesting, but will also give students more insight into
contemporary issues and prepare them to be more in
formed participants themselves.
I hope you will vote “ought to pass” for this bill.
This is a unique opportunity to deepen our Maine cur
riculum in a meaningful way that may lead to increasing
respect and understanding among Maine communities.
I am privileged to be one of the advisors of the
newly formed Civil Rights Team at Philip W.Sugg
Middle School. When students on the team heard that
I was going to testify on this bill, some of them wanted
to join me. They are here to read their testimony after
spending the morning as pages.
Thank you for the opportunity to tes tify.
Good afternoon Senator Mitchell- Representative
Richard, and members of the committee,
I am Kristen Ruby. I believe that students should
learn a lot more about Maine Native Americans in
school. They are an important part of Maine’s history
and should be recognized for their part in our history.
They have played a big part in the development of
Maine, but are not recognized for it. A lot of people
don’t really understand them and there are a lot of the
myths they hear that aren’t true. I don’t think that it’s
fair to discriminate against Maine Native Americans.
Many students that don’t understand about Native
Americans make fun of them and the way they talk,
act, and live because it is different that the ways they
talk, act, and live. I believe that these ways people act
about Native Americans need to be changed forever.
Good afternoon Senator Mitchell, Representative
Richard, and members of the committee.
I am Sabrina Bucher. I think that it would be a
very good idea to have it be required to teach about
Native Americans. A lot of people misunderstand them
and think that they are all bad! They believe the sto
ries and myths that they hear from people who don’t
know what they are talking about. People are very
quick to judge things when they first see something
that is different. The prejudice in our society can re
ally hurt people’s feelings. Maine Native Americans
are a very important part of Maine’s history and they
are very misunderstood. Most people think of Native
Americans as stupid people who didn’t know how to
build houses and buildings and stuff. The truth is that
if we were more like Native Americans, then our planet
would be a lot healthier, with less extinction and pol
lution. I think that this is a very important Jaw and it
should be passed so at least people will understand
about them.
Good afternoon Senator Mitchell, Representative
Richard, and members of the committee.
My name is Abby Wright. I think the bill should
be passed. I think if young adults are educated about
the culture and history of Native people it would limit
discrimination, bias, and misconceptions. In the past
young people have been taught only what textbook
pages say. This creates misconceptions and what chil
dren are taught are what they learn. If a sort of igno
rance is taught the only thing you know is that sort of
ignorance.
Good afternoon Senator Mitchell, Representative
Richard, and members of the committee.
I am Jeremy Furst. I believe we should learn about
the American Native’s Heritage, they study ours. 1also
think we should study their history, because they were
in North America before we were. It would be inter
esting to study and learn the history of the Native
Americans. I have always had an interest in the Na
tive Americans’ ways of life.
I believe most of the people of North America have
some Indian heritage, even if only a small amount,
and would find it inspiring to discover more about their
own history. Yet I think along with the good we need
to know the bad. I think it is important to know about
the deaths of the many natives that occurred while oth
ers sought only to control those that were already here.
The Native American’s History needs to be told and
taught. We the people of Maine need to know more
about the history of our original forefathers.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Legislative S entim ents presented during first half of 120th Session
(T)TYveresa Hoffman, President, of the Maine Bas
ket Makers Alliance
Whereas, Theresa has dedicated her work towards
the advancement of Indian Basket making as a art form;
Whereas, her service to the native communities
craft people has helped a new generation of basket
makers to learn this skill;
Whereas, Theresa’s service as President, she has
initiated several unique training programs for the youth
and other interested people;
(2) Gail Sockabasin, Director of the Wabanaki Cen
ter at the University of Maine at Orono
Whereas, her dedicated service in the University
system has helped native students gain access to higher
education;
Whereas, Gail has developed unique programs to
interact the University with the Native communities
and to help the Native communities interact with the
University;
(3) Wabanaki Bilingual Program of the
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township and
Pleasant Point
Whereas, the Tribal language school program was
started in 1971 by Mary Ellen Stevens, Anna Hamois
and Wayne Newell;
Whereas, the current staff of Brenda Polchies,
Regina Nicholas and Betsy Tinker of Indian Town
ship and also Thomas Lewey and Grade Davis of
Pleasant Point have helped preserve the Native lan
guage within the Passamaquoddy communities;
Whereas, they have taught the value of preserving
the unique culture which has been dated since time
immemorial;
Whereas, the Bilingual program has published
several Passamaquoddy language books and contin
ues to promote a stronger dialogue within the family;
(4) David Westphal, of Acadia Film Video for his
work in documenting Wabanaki Tribal stories, such
as “A New Dawn” ;
Whereas, David has been an active volunteer as a
member of a subcommittee for the Maine Tribal State
commission
Whereas, David has been an participant in pro
moting an open dialogue between the State and the
Wabanaki Tribes;
f5)Bp\scopa\ Y)\ocese of Marne, Committee on In
dian Relations
Whereas, the Committee continual works towards
strengthening the dialogue in a fair way between the
Wabanaki tribe and the State of Maine;
Whereas, has assisted the Tribes on several projects
to show the unique culture of the Tribes, and
Whereas, their presence has had a dramatic effect
on helping people understand people of different ethic
backgrounds;
(6) Maine Tribal State Commission, which is made
up of 4 state members, 4 Tribal members, a chair
man jointly chosen and a director;
Whereas, the Maine Indian Land Claims Settle
ment Act established this commission to interpret the
Settlement and numerous other issues; and
Whereas, MITSC has also developed several
unique training sessions and reports to help foster a
better relationship between the State of Maine and the
Wabanaki tribes;
Whereas, MITSC works closely with the Maine
Legislature and the Tribal Governments on legislation
affecting the Settlement Act and tribal Relations
(7) Passamaquoddy Language Preservation Project,
of Pleasant Point, a Passamaquoddy Community
in Washington County
Whereas, have established a language program to
document Passamaquoddy words into a dictionary and
a computer program;
Whereas, David Francis and Dolly Dana have
worked with several State Universities around the
country and a International University to promote the
Tribal language;
Whereas, have been established in the World wide
Endangered Language Program and received funding;
Whereas, they work as Tribal goodwill Ambassa
dors to visitors to the Tribal community of Pleasant
Point
(8)Edward Hinckley
Whereas, Edward served as the first Commissioner
of the Department of Indian Affair in the State of Maine
during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as a consultant
to Indian Affairs;
Whereas, Edward was a Commissioner that served
for the Tribe to help gain funding to fight malnutri
tion, increase educational opportunities and to provide
decent housing;
Whereas, he helped the Maine Legislature to see
the effects of the past relationship between the State
of Maine and the Passamaquoddy Tribe;
Whereas, Edward Hinckley is a man who help de
termine the future relationship between the State of
Maine and the Tribe;
Whereas, Edward will always be considered a
friend to the Tribe and a friend to the State.
Left to right Representatives Donna Loring, Donald Soctomah, Maine House of
Representative page Tihtiyas Sabattus and Rep. Al Goodwin of Pembroke
�New law to foster respect of Maine's tribes
by Darlene Alexander (Reprinted with
permissionfrom 11119/01 Times Record)
"For Native Americans, Columbus
Day's a day of mourning," Donna Loring
said when asked what she'd like taught
in the Maine schools concerning Chris
topher Columbus.
Loring, a Richmond resident who is
the Penobscot Nation's tribal represen
tative in the Maine Legislature, is hope
ful the Native American perspective will
begin to be reflected more often in
Maine classrooms. She sponsored an
education bill signed into law by Gov.
Angus King on June 14 that requires
teachers to educate Maine's students
about Maine's Indian history. While
other states have approved similar edu
cation bills, their Indian history is
melded into multicultural studies, and
educating students about Indians from
those states isn't mandated by those
states.
"Maine's education bill is both his
toric and unique," Loring said. "It's the
only bill of its kind passed in the United
States that mandates
dinate meeting locations, and provide
such detailed topics of Indian history."
appropriate materials to implement the
The mandated categories are:
• Maine tribal governments and their new law that takes affect in the 2004relationships with local, state, national, 2005 school year.
The Maine Native American History
and international governments.
and Culture Commission will seek out
Maine native culture systems.
• The experiences of and apply for grants to cover distribu
Maine tribal people through tion and development of materials. It
out history.
also will design teacher workshops that
• Maine Native American the University of Maine System will
territories, and Maine Native sponsor. The commission's work will
American economics system. minimize the cost of, and allow easy
The new education law access to, the necessary teaching aids.
LD291 establishes a Maine For example, Loring said, the
Native American History and development of a Web site would allow
Culture Commission that will teachers to download the information
act as a clearing house for re needed from each category, thus reduc
sources such as curriculum ing expenses.
"Creating these cost-effective pro
already developed, or in the
process of being developed, cedures illustrates the ease of imple
Rep. Loring with Governor Barry Dana Loring said. The commission menting the education bill nationally,"
will consider information she said.
concerning present-day issues that affect
Loring hopes the new bill, mentioned
Testimony of Rep. Donna M. Loring on
Indian culture, such as clean water, clean favorably on that level, will encourage
November 5, 2001 before a committee to
air and clean land.
other states to enact a similar bill. She
Loring has a high regard for the pub believes the implementation of Indian
Review The Child Protective System
lished book "Wabanaki's of Maine and history will greatly enhance Maine
Good Morning Senator Turner, Representative LaVerdiere
the Maritimes," which is designed to children's history because Maine history
And members of the Committee
teach grades 1-8. It has lesson plans and and Indian history are interwoven.
I am Representative Donna M Loring, of the Penobscot Nation
provides accurate details about Maine
"I hope the implementation of
I am here today to bring to the committee’s attention the situation that exists
Indian history.
Maine's Indian history into the schools
"It is the best book available because will help future generations understand
in Houlton between the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the State of Maine.
it's the only book written to date by the Maine Indian culture and history,"
First I would like you to hear a little bit about the Indian Child Welfare Act. 25
Maine tribes about their own history," she said. "We will become real people
USCA ss 1901. states: see attached federal law.
she said. "All Maine tribes contributed to the children of the future. They will
The whole purpose of the Act is to protect Indian Children from being taken
to its contents."
see us as people who have contributed
away in great numbers from their culture and their heritage. The Indian Child
The Maine Native American History to Maine history and as a valued inte
Welfare Act was crafted and passed by the US Congress and supersedes any
and Culture Commission's orientation gral part of Maine itself. With education
conflicting laws.
meeting took place on Oct. 19 with the will come understanding, and with un
Today in Houlton the Houlton Band of Maliseets face an unprecedented
Maine Indian Tribal State Commission derstanding will come respect, and with
taking of their children by the State, twenty-nine children in the past five years.
acting as an umbrella agency. The tribal respect will come partnership."
I see this not only as a failure on the part of DHS to place Indian children in
state commission's role will be to facili
DARLENE ALEXANDER is a
tate meetings, provide staff time, coor freelance writer who lives in Harpswell.
extended families but also a failure on the part of the judicial system to imple
ment the Indian Child Welfare Act. The loss of that many children to a tribe
Does Maine reaffy want ctean water?
numbering approximately six Hundred members is nothing less than genocide.
by Rep. Donald Soctomah
When an Indian Tribe loses it’s children it loses it’s future.
Does Maine really want clean water?
These numbers are more than five times the national average. The vast ma
That was the question I asked myself last summer, I believe that the people of
jority of children taken are being placed in non-native foster care homes. Paren
Maine want clean water. Does the Legislature? Or is it going to be status quo?
tal rights are being terminated at an alarming rate. I ask this committee to focus
During this session of the Legislature Rep. Tom Bull introduced a bill, LD 704 An
its attention on this issue and ask you why is this happening? Are DHS workers
Act to Create a River and Stream Restoration Fund,” which I co-sponsored. This
following Indian Child Welfare Act procedures? More importantly are the proper
fund will be created from the fine money collected from pollution violations, the
procedures being followed by the court system?
money currently goes into the General Fund, where it is spent on a variety of other
Are Judges informed and are they implementing the Indian Child Welfare
issues including possibly tax rebates for the same pollution violators. Something is
Act procedures in their Indian Child Welfare hearings? As some of you know I
wrong here! How much money from the pollution violation goes back towards the
am a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary.
Last month we held Judicial Confirmation hearings. During those hearings
river clean up operation?
I asked at least two judicial candidates if they were familiar with the Indian
By law, no money has
Child Welfare Act. One of the candidates was honest enough to say no he was
to be spent towards the
not. I received a letter from that individual a few days later wanting me to know
clean up operation on that
river! I just could not be
that he had become familiar with the Act.
He said and I quote.”In particular, I am now mindful of the underlying pur
lieve this! If a pollution vio
lation occurred on the great
poses of the Act to protect the interests not only of individual Indian children
and families, but also the interests of the tribes themselves in achieving long
rivers of Maine, shouldn’t
term tribal survival. Among other things I am also now mindful of the height
the fine money go towards
ened evidentiary standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt as a precondition
the clean up of that viola
to the termination of the parental rights of an Indian parent. I hope that I am
tion? That was the question
never called upon to apply this law in the performance of my judicial responsi
I posed at the public hear
bilities but should that occur, I have you to thank for calling the Act to my atten
ing in the State House on
Governor Richard Doyle, Rep. Soctomah
tion and I do thank you for this contribution to my continuing legal education.
March 20th. The concept of
and Judith Lucarelli
I would think that if this Judge did not know about the Indian Child Welfare
this as a precedent and are afraid that
dedicating funds towards a bill like the
Act then there must be others.
River and Stream Restoration Fund the DEP may be more aggressive to
I do not like to criticize without offering some recommendations. One of my
would go against the grains of the State wards pollution violators. What kind of
recommendations to you would be to provide training to the judiciary on the
logic is that? If a violation occurred, than
House.
Indian Child Welfare Act. The training could be accomplished by using experts
But there is precedent, the fines a fine should be charged! The people
in the field on a national level. There is a disconnect between the State Court
which are collected from violations of down river of a pollution violation
system and the Tribes on many levels. There should be an Indian advocate placed
,
Fish and Game Laws goes back into the would agree.
within the State Court system to be a liaison between the courts and the tribes.
It’s time to change the status quo,
Inland and Fisheries Department oper
An Indian advocate could help fill this void.
ating budget, this was done through a and use this fine money where it is in
Finally, the Houlton Band of Maliseets does not have their own Court sys
Constitutional Amendment. This is tended to go, and that is towards the
tern to hear their child welfare cases. I have submitted a bill this session that will
working towards the protection of clean up of rivers where the pollution
allow the Houlton Band of Maliseets to bring their child welfare cases to the
Maine’s wildlife, a good working con violations occurred.
Penobscot Nation’s Tribal Court until they can create their own court system,
Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy
cept. Why can’t this work for the River
strongly urge this committee’s full support of that bill and the above recommen
Representative
and Stream Fund?
Maine Legislature
dations.
The Pulp And Paper Industry have
Thank you.
different ideas, they don’t want to see
�TEN THOUSAND EAGLES
by Donna M Loving
Ten thousand eagles flew that day across the
bright blue sky
to meet the spirits on their way from fiery
smoke filled tombs.
They soared above the dark, black, clouds
billowing from the earth and hovered for a
moment there
and saw the face of doom.
Ten thousand eagles gathered and swooped
down beneath the clouds.
They found the spirits one by one and plucked
them from their plight.
They carried each new spirit through the black
and hate filled clouds.
They gave them each a shelter wrapped in
warm wings oh so tight.
They gave them strength and comfort too on
their unexpected flight.
On swift wings they flew towards their final
destination
where each spirit knew without any hesitation
Ten thousand eagles flew that day as all the
world stood still
and watched in shock and horror as the trag
edy unfurled.
Now we are left here on this earth to face the
billowing clouds
and our eyes search for the eagles as we say
our prayers out loud.
May our spirits soar on eagle's wings above
the dark black clouds
of hatred, murder and revenge that keep us
hatred bound.
Ten thousand eagles flew that day as all the
world stood still.
The eagles flew above those clouds
perhaps some day
W e w ill.
There would be peace and love and
harmony
they would forever be
wrapped within the eagles wings through all
eternity.
Others testifying at public hearing
Rep. Loring Would Like to
Thank the Following for Their
Support of LD 291, An Act to
Require Teaching of Maine
Native American History and
Culture in Maine’s Schools:
Mary Cathcart - Orono
State Senator
Linda McKee - Wayne
State Representative
Joanne Twomey - Biddeford
State Representative
Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep.
Mary Griffith & the following
Philip W. Sugg Middle School of
Lisbon Students:
Sabrina Boucher
Megan Fillmore
Kristen Ruby
Abby Wright
Allison Smith-Poulin
Jeremy Furst
Kristen Ackley
Sikwani Bea Dana - Penobscot
Nation
Roger S. Smith - Episcopal
Church
David Westphal - Acadia Film/
Video
Judy Lucarelli - Dept, of Education
Diana Scully - Maine Indian Tribal
State Commision
Jerome Storm
Margaret Fearon
Kathleen Perkins
London J. Mitchell, Social Justice
& Truth in Flistory (Founder/
President)
Rebecca Cole-Will - Abbe
Museum
Carolyn Harrington
Maureen Smith, PHD, Wabanaki
Center
Margo Lukens UMO English Dept.
Karen Marysdaughter - Social
Justice & Truth in History
Tony Brinkley Chair of English
Dept, at UMO
Evie Hoffman
Janice Church
Gail Sockabasin - Passamaquoddy
Member, Wabanaki Center &
Basketry
Debbie Burd - Western Mountain
Alliance Ex. Dir.
Margaret M. Mitchell
Marilyn Roper
Peter Rees
Mike Walton
Sherri Mitchell Penobscot Nation
Member
Carmen LaVertu
Diane Steward - Senate Democratic
Office
Brain Reynolds
Rebecca Sockbeson -University of
Southern Maine
Ron Jenkins - Maine Indian
Education Superintendent
Richard Silliboy-Micmac/Pres.
Maine Indian Basketmakers
Alliance
Tirrell Kimball
Robert Norell
Robert Ho - ME Rural Dev.
Council Executive Dir.
Butch Phillips-Penobscot
Member, Speaker, Birchbark
Canoes & Moose Calls
Earnest Foust
Jana Mayfield Mullen
Barney Berube - Dept, of
Education
Jessica Sockbeson Macgregor
Penobscot Member
Esther Attean - Penobscot Nation
Dept, of Social Services
Winnie & Alex Macphedran American Friends Service
Committee
Jay Adams - Old Fort Western
Charlotte Ritter
Newell Lewey
Debbie Brooks
Betts Swanton - Abbe Museum
Jan Kremin - USDA Rural
Development
Rhonda Frey - Penobscot
Nation
ssipsis & Georgia Mitchell Penobscot Nation, Writer,
Artist, Basketry
Eric Jorgenson - Maine
Humanities Council
Tribal Leaders
William Phillips, Micmacs
Brenda Commander, Maliseets
Richard Stevens,
Passamaquoddy (I.T.)
Richard Doyle,
Passamaquoddy (P.P.)
Barry Dana, Penobscot Nation
�LD 291, An Act to Require Teaching of Maine Native American History
and Culture in Maine’s Schools Testimony at hearing
Good Afternoon Senator Mitchell
Representative Richard and members of
the Joint Committee On Education and
Cultural Affairs.
I am Donna M Loring, the Repre
sentative of the Penobscot Nation to the
Maine State Legislature.
I am here to present LD 291 An Act
to Require Teaching of Maine Native
American History and Culture in
Maine’s Schools.
Maine history and Maine Indian his
tory are interwoven. You cannot teach
one without the other. Make no mistake,
we are unlike any other ethnic group and
to compare us to minority groups and
groups such as the boy scouts shows a
trem endous lack of knowledge.
Wabanaki tribes were here long before
the Europeans came to
this continent. We had our
own governments, our
own traditions, language
and culture. We have left
our mark on the State of
Maine with names of
Wabanaki origins such as
Allagash, Androscoggin,
Aroostook, Caribou,
Carrabasset, Katahdin,
K e n d u s k e a g ,
K e n n e b u n k ,
Norridgewock,
Ogunquit,
Olamon,
P e n o b s c o t ,
Passamaquoddy,
Piscatatquis, Sebago,
Skowhegan,
and
Wiscasset (just to name a
few).
The
Penobscot,
Passamaquoddy, Micmac
and M aliseet tribes
played a prominent role
during the revolutionary
War in securing the
boundaries of the State
more about the history of my position
and my people. I was never taught one
word about my tribal history in Maine
schools. I realized that the average
Maine citizen knew nothing about
Maine Indian history let alone current
Indian issues. I also found that I was
spending much of my time educating
and re-educating my legislative col
leagues. I came to the conclusion that
Maine Indian history needs to be taught
in the Maine schools. The state of Maine
and the Wabanaki tribes have a history
together and this needs to be recognized
through education. It is only through edu
cation and communication that we can
build a foundation of trust and partnership.
The relationship that exists between
the State and the Tribes is like no other
we now call Maine. When Maine re
quested to be separated from Massachu
setts one of the conditions of its State
hood was to honor the obligations that
Massachusetts had with the Maine
tribes. Since 1820 when Maine became
a State one hundred and eighty one years
ago it has had a constant relationship
with the tribes. That one hundred and
eighty one year relationship has gone un
noticed in the history books as well as
in the classrooms. Only recently has it
started to cotae to light.
When I was elected to the State Leg
islature in October of 1997,1 came into
the legislative process in mid- stream. I
had no idea of the one hundred and
eighty one year history of my position
as a Tribal Representative or the fact that
Maine is the only State that has Tribal
Representatives seated in their legisla
tive body. In April of 1999, The legisla
ture created a Joint Standing Commit
tee to study the history of the Tribal rep
resentatives and their duties and pow
ers. It was through this study commit
tee and the research we did that I learned
nationally or internationally. In fact
within the past two years other countries
and states have looked to Maine as a
model for representation of their indig
enous peoples. New South whales, Aus
tralia sent a delegation to Maine in 1997
and New Brunswick, Canada showed
interest in 1998.
Representative Schneider and I just
returned from a trip to Wisconsin. That
State and its eleven tribes are looking
for models of Tribal State relations and
requested our participation through a
presentation. They compared models
from Oregon, Washington and Arizona
but were most impressed with ours.
Maine as a result of its historic rela
tionship with the tribes has become a na
tional and international model. I ask you
to vote this bill out of committee as
ought to pass.
It is time we started to educate our
children about our historically unique
partnership. Let understanding and
communication through education be
the building blocks of anew Tribal State
relationship, one that recognizes and
honors the struggles and contributions
of its native people. Thank you.
Good afternoon Senator Mitchell,
Representative Richard, and members of
the committee.
I am Rep. Donald Soctomah of the
Passamaquoddy Tribe
Tan Kahk, welcome;
The time has come for the State of
Maine and the Tribes of Maine;
Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet,
Micmac and Abanaki; to be the leaders
in establishing a new era in bettering the
relationship and creating a mutual un
derstanding. For so long the people of
the state have not known about the na
tive people because of the lack of teach
ing Native history. Now the Maine leg
through 1989 I was the program direc
tor for the Wabanaki Program of the
American Friends Service Committee.’
This program worked to increase under
standing and diminish tensions between
Native and non-Native people in Maine.
Currently I am a seventh-grade science
teacher at Philip W. Sugg Middle School
in Lisbon Falls.
During the last four or five years that
I was staff person with the Wabanaki
Program, I was the coordinator and one
of the writers for a project that produced
The Wabanakis of Maine and the
Maritimes, a 500-page curriculum guide
for educators teaching about Wabanaki
people at all educational levels. The
book was written in response to Maine
educators’ requests for materials that
they could use in class
rooms to teach about
Maine Indian history
and culture.
I worked closely
with a committee of
Wabanaki people from
Maine
and
the
Maritimes, members of
four tribes or nations
who decided what to
include in the book and
how it should be pre
sented. Numerous his
torians, anthropolo
gists, and archaeolo
gists worked with us as
well, review ing die cexc
and providing schol
arly perspectives on a
variety of topics. In ad
dition, more than a
hundred Maine educa
tors were Involved,
telling us what they
needed in the class
room, field-testing our
materials, and helping
islature has passed the first of its kind
legislation, to teach native history in the
public school system.
Now we follow the path laid before
us, the sharing of a unique culture and
the learning of a living growing culture;
from surviving in the ice age with gla
ciers a mile high, to changing ways of
life to meet the changes in the environ
ment, to helping defend this country’s
freedom in all wars that were fought.
The long term goal of this bill will be
that the people of Maine will understand
that Maine history is also Native history,
they go hand in hand, and to appreciate
the unique culture of the Maine Tribes.
The legislation will create an under
standing that will bond and honor the
Tribes and the people of Maine.
Maine will lead the nation with the
implementation of this legislation and
hopefully other states will follow.
Good afternoon Senator Mitchell, Rep
resentative Richard, and members of the
committee.
I am Mary Griffith. From 1978
to critique the.book.
For the many volunteers involved in
the project, this was a labor of love. We
worked to present well-balanced infor
mation and perspectives, believing that
our work would result in increased un
derstanding and fewer feelings of mis
trust between Native and Non-Native
communities. We included a historical
perspective on the thousands of years
that Native people lived in Maine be
fore Europeans arrived, and continued
the story right up to present day, which
few history books do. When writing
about periods of conflict we were care
ful to treat all sides with respect and to
try to consider all participants’ motiva
tions and viewpoints.
I was struck by the respect people
who were involved in this project had
for each other. Members of the Native
writing committee came from different
communities, different nations, and dif
ferent backgrounds, and they had differ
ing viewpoints on many issues. When con
sensus was not possible, the committee inplease turn to page 5
�Bills of interest proposed for the Second Session of the 120th Maine Legislature
by D onna Loring
minutes. I urge you to recognize the importance of this bill as a tool to
TITLE: An Act to Specifically Exempt Tribal Proceedings and Documents
from the State Freedom o f Access Laws.
This bill would specify that the state freedom of access laws do not
apply to any tribal proceeding or documents held by the tribe. Amending
the Freedom of Access Laws in such a manner would solidify future secu
rity for intra-tribal maters and prevent unnecessary judicial conflicts be
tween tribes and the state over jurisdiction of access to tribal proceedings
and documents.
For any bill to be allowed into legislative session during the second
session it must be of an emergency nature. The Legislative Council voted
not to allow this bill in and I appealed the decision on November 13th be
fore the Legislative Council I made the following argument:
A potentially explosive situation exists between the State and the Tribes
as a result of a pending court case. This bill would not affect the pending
case; However the tribes fear that the State and the paper companies are
trying to extinguish their existence as tribal governments and make them
political subdivisions of the state. This bill would calm those fears and
would show the tribes that the State recognizes their right to exist as tribal
governments and their right to protect internal tribal documents and council
address the real fears of the tribes.
The Council voted against allowing the bill into this session. The vote
was five to five. That same day I found out the US Supreme Court had
denied our appeal. I tried to get the council to reconsider but they refused.
I am hoping to try again later this session.
TITLE: An Act to Authorize the Trial o f Child Welfare Cases Involving the
Houlton Band ofMaliseet Indians in the Penobscot Tribal Court.
This bill would provide that, until such time that the Houlton Band of
Maliseet Indians has their own tribal court, all child welfare cases must be
tried in the Penobscot Tribal Court as the Court of original jurisdiction
The Legislative Council allowed this bill in.
The State Department of Human Services and the Office of Attorney
General are in favor of the bill so far.
This bill was submitted to assist the Maliseet Tribe in keeping custody
of their children. The very survival of the Maliseet Tribe depends on future
generations. The State DHS removed twenty nine children from Maliseet
homes in the past five years. Only four of the twenty-nine were placed in an
Indian home.
Maine State Museum Tribute to Vivian F. Massey,
Spring 2001 Outstanding Maine Indian Portrait Project
Vivian F. Massey, the first
graduated from Old Town High
Tribal Representatives cannot
wom an P enobscot N ation
School, attended post junior busi
vote but are allowed to present
Representative, was elected to
ness college, and was employed
legislation.)
the Maine State Legislature in
by the University of Maine at
ruary 22,1998. Her portrait dedi
1972. Vivian, who served up
Orono C ha ncellor’s Office in
cation in the Maine State Museum
to 1974, also was on the
Bangor.
in Augusta, one of the first out of
Vivian died on Feb
Penobscot Tribal Council for
Vivian won her election as a
several in the rotating Outstand
six years as the Tribal Clerk
write-in candidate by only a four-
and served on the Indian Edu
cation Advisory Board.
vote margin after a late night re
count that ended at around 2:00
am. Vivian was not able to vote
ing Maine Indian Portrait Project,
is still on display until January 5th
and will be permanently placed in
Vivian was born on March
29,1927 on Indian Island. She
or present legislation.
the state capitol afterwards.
Vivian F. M assey
(Today,
Tribal issues before the last
Legislative Session
LD#1178 - Sponsor:
SOCTOMAH
Short Title: DHS TO ADOPT
RULES REGARDING IN
DIAN HEALTH CLINIC
Original Title: Resolve, Di
recting the Department of
Human Services to Adopt
Rules Regarding the Indian
Health Clinic
LD#0618 - Sponsor:
SOCTOMAH
Short Title: REMOVE STATE
ROAD SIGNS WITH OFFEN
SIVE NAMES FROM 1-95 &
TURNPIKE
Original Title: An Act to Re
move State Road Signs with
Offensive Names from Inter
state Route 95 and the Maine
Turnpike
LD#0523 Sponsor:
SOCTOMAH
Short Title: CREATE A SPE
CIAL MAINE INDIAN TRIBE
LICENSE PLATE
Original Title: An Act to
Create a Special Maine Indian
Tribe License Plate
-
LD#0517 - Sponsor:
SOCTOMAH
Short Title: ESTABLISH
IDENTIFICATION CARD OF
ME INDIAN TR AS ACCEPT
ABLE FORM OF ID
Original Title: An Act to
Establish the Identification
Card of a Maine Indian Tribe
as an Acceptable Form of
Identification
Tribal Representative
Donald Soctomah
from page 1
concerning Native prisoners
treatment was not accepted in
this session, but I did speak to
Governor King and he has
scheduled a meeting to discuss
this.
Representative Morrison
has introduced a Bill concern
ing Passamaquoddy Land in
Calais, allowing for 100 acres
to be purchased by the Tribe for
business development.
If you have any questions,
LD#0107 - Sponsor:
you can call me at 287-1400 in
SOCTOMAH
Augusta or 796-2301 at Indian
Short Title: ENFORCEMENT OF Township.
LAWS IN T. 12 REVSTATBY
You can also stop by the
PASSAMAQUODDY WARDEN
Maine Statehouse and I would
Original Title: An Act Regarding
be available to show you around
the Enforcement of Laws in the
and answer questions.
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12
by Passamaquoddy Wardens
woliwon
Rep. Donald Soctomah,
Passamaquoddy Tribe
LD#0516 - Sponsor:
SOCTOMAH
Short Title: ARCHAEOLOGI
CAL WORK PERFORMED
IN THE SHORELAND
ZONES
Original Title: An Act Regard
ing Prehistoric and Historic
Archaeological Work Per
formed in the Shoreland Zone
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University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection
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2001-11
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Julia Brush
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PDF Text
Text
r~
Tribal Representatives to the Maine Legislature Donna M. Loring and Donald Soctomah
Dear Tribal members,
Tan Kahk; Greetings...
It has been a privilege
servin g for you as the
P assam aqu oddy Tribal
R ep resen ta tiv e to the
Maine Legislature (1998 2002). Now the four year
term has com e to a close
and a new election for this
important p osition w ill
take place in the fall at
Pleasant Point. This job
pre-dates M aine’ state
s
hood, pre-dates the forma
tion o f the U.S. This ambassador-like jo b for the
Passamaquoddy includes
meeting with other Tribes
and traveling to various
regions meeting agencies.
There are many tasks
ahead and many roa d
b lo c k s to m aneuver
through. Take for instance: Native American Human Rights in the Maine prison
system, the Department o f Corrections is so large o f a system that any type o f
change would take years, I was upset with the treatment Native prisoners receive.
Even after going to the highest level in State government there was only a little
attention that was given to this issue. The Department o f Human Service is another
agency o f state government which is one o f the largest and has practices which
affect the tribes. During the last four years DHS has made positive changes to
wards our communities because o f the work o f the tribe s Social Service Depart
ment, Child Welfare, Health Clinic and by Tribal Legislation, but more work is
needed here.
We have introduced quite a number o f legislative laws which were passed (list
attached) and testified on numerous others affecting the tribe and the environment.
Building a trust relationship in the legislature does promote good communications
towards a mutual understanding. That communication includes giving talks at
schools and town organizations throughout the state, attending public hearings and
voicing the view point o f the tribe, so our input will be heard. I have also served on
a number o f com m issions including the St. Croix Waterway Committee, Econom ic
Development Council, ABBE Fund Raising Board, Calais Heritage Advisory C om
mittee, assisted on the MITSC, Committee to review Tribal Representative, Tribal
Natural Resource Committee. I have also worked on the Federal Emergency H is
toric Plan, National Park Service Cultural Plant, Army National Guard Historical
Cultural Plan and the Tribal Historic Preservation Plan; submitted and received four
grants from the National Park Service dealing with Historic Preservation; completed
application for establishment o f a Passamaquoddy Tribal Historic Preservation officer
position with the Tribe. On environmental issues; submitted comments on the aquac-
please turn to back p a g e
The short session o f the 120th Legislature ended in early
April. Although it was a short session a lot happened.
First o f all,' I withdrew a bill I had submitted that would
have authorized the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court to hear
Child Welfare cases involving the Houlton Band o f Maliseet
Indians. This would be a temporary remedy until the Houlton
Band establishes its own court system. The Houlton Band
tween the state Department o f Human Services , the Attorney
General’office and the tribes would be a better remedy than
s
making a permanent change to The Land Claims Settlement
Act. Negotiations are progressing and it looks like an agree
ment will be reached soon.
The Maine Indian History and Education Commission held
meetings over the last few months and they are ready to sub
mit a preliminary report to the Commissioner o f Education,
Duke Albanese. The Indian History and Education Com m is
sion has done a tremendous jo b and I am very proud o f their
accomplishments.
The biggest and most controversial issue by far is the ques
tion o f a casino in Maine. The legislature voted in favor o f
creating a study commission to examine the question in detail.
The Speaker o f the House Michael Saxl, the President of the Senate Richard Bennett,
and the President Pro-tem o f the Senate Michael Michaud will appoint the C om
mission members.
For the first time in Maine history, the Chief o f the Penobscot Nation and
Governors o f the Passamaquoddy Tribes addressed a joint session o f the Maine
State Legislature. Their speeches were widely covered on TV, radio stations and in
the newspapers. They were visible to the whole State and held the attention of
legislators, the Chief Justice, and the Governor. It is my hope that we will continue
to be able to speak to both houses and that our brothers and sisters o f the Houlton
Band o f Maliseets and the Aroostook Band o f M icmacs be included in the future.
Finally, on a sad note, I will miss working with Representative Donald
Soctomah who is termed out this year. Representative Soctomah was a great am
bassador for the Passamaquoddy Tribe. He was always cooperative and we worked
please turn to back p a g e
Rep. Donna M. Loring
RR1, Box 45, Richmond, ME 04357
Rep. Donald G. Soctomah
P.O. Box 102, Princeton, ME 04668
�Maine’s First Ever State of the Tribes Address
On motion o f Representative LORING o f the Penobscot Nation, the following Joint Resolution: (H.P. 1660) (Under suspension o f the rules, cosponsored by
Senator CATHCART o f Penobscot and Representatives: BROOKS o f Winterport, BRYANT o f Dixfield, BUNKER o f Kossuth Township, ESTES o f Kittery
FISHER o f Brewer, KOFFMAN o f Bar Harbor, O ’
NEIL o f Saco, SCHNEIDER o f Durham, SHERMAN o f Hodgdon, SOCTOM AH o f the Passamaquoddy
Tribe, STANLEY o f Medway, TW OM EY o f Biddeford, Senators: DA GGETT o f Kennebec, ROTUNDO o f Androscoggin, SMALL o f Sagadahoc, TREAT o f
Kennebec)
JOINT RESOLUTION R ECOG N IZIN G THE FIRST FORM AL
“
STATE OF THE TRIBES”
ADDRESS TO A JOINT CONVENTION OF THE MAINE LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, the Wabanaki, People o f the Dawnland, have lived in what is now Maine for thousands o f years; and
WHEREAS, the Wabanaki, including the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band o f Maliseet Indians and the A roostook Band
o f Micmacs, have played and continue to play a vital role in the life o f the State and are an integral part o f the social, econom ic and legal fabric o f the State; and
WHEREAS, the State values and honors the vibrant culture and heritage o f these native peoples and has great respect for their tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, representatives o f the Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation have served in the Legislature since the earliest days o f Maine’state
s
hood; and
WHEREAS, no tribe has ever delivered a formal “
State o f the Tribes”address to a joint convention o f the Legislature and doing so is a truly historic
occasion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members o f the One Hundred and Twentieth Legislature, now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf o f the
people o f the State o f Maine make history as we recognize March 11, 2002 as the date o f the first ever “
State o f the Tribes”
address at the Legislature; and be it
further
RESOLVED: That the One Hundred and Twentieth Legislature pays tribute to the native peoples o f the State and their tribal governments; and be it
further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies o f this resolution, ddly authenticated by the Secretary o f State, be transmitted to the Governors and Chiefs o f each o f
the State’Wabanaki communities on behalf o f the people o f the State o f Maine.
s
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2002
READ and ADOPTED.
Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
Clerk
Governor Richard Doyle Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point (Sipayik) . . “
Throughout history, the Passamaquoddy have been there when the people and the
United States needed us. Our people fought in many wars for the United States to protect our country, our land, and our way o f life. From the Revolutionary War to the
present, my people have fought valiantly to protect our nation. This despite the fact we were not granted the right to vote in Maine until 1954. This is the first time in
182 that tribal leaders have addressed the Maine Legislature. We have always taken great pride in fighting for our nation to preserve its liberty. M y uncle, who recently
passed to the next world, was a veteran o f World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. I know personally the type o f sacrifice that he and others like him from m y tribe made to
preserve this country o f ours. ”
Chief Barry Dana Penobscot Nation,,, “ need the resources to move together into the future as a strong autonomous nation, working together with our neighbors to make
We
our home everything we have always wanted. And this can be done. And it needs to be done now. It is time to unlock the chains of fear that stifles our Settlement. Neyan
Penawepskewi. I am Penobscot...but I am also of Maine. What is good for the people o f the Penobscot nation is also good for the people o f the State o f Maine. On behalf of
all my relations, the birds, the fish, the turtles, all the four-legged, the insects, the land, rocks, trees, plants, air, water and the spirit that moves through us all. Waliwani.”
Governor Richard Stevens Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township (Motahkomiqkuk) . .. “
The world today is a place o f uncertainty and upheaval. We as Ameri
cans remember the awful events six months ago today in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. As our people struggle with fears, doubt and worry about the future.
It is our responsibility as the elected officials o f the people o f Maine and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to foster stability and accomplish a new era o f mutual respect and
cooperation between ourselves. It is my Tribes responsibility to work with the State o f Maine, to find common ground, and broaden our horizons while practicing our
individual culture. It is my belief that the Passamaquoddy people and the people o f Maine expect no less.
A pococ nomiyaul kityaw. Until we meet again. There is no word fo r goodbye in the Passamaquoddy language because we know we will be meeting again. Woliwon"
�March on Statehouse for Water Protection
Tribal members and supports gather at the steps o f the statehouse to deliver the court ordered tribal paperwork to the paper companies. The Tribal Governors o f the
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the chief o f the Penobscot Nation lead the march to Augusta to deliver the court ordered papers. After a two year battle in the Maine courts and
a rejected hearing in the Federal courts the Tribes had to deliver paperwork concerning environmental issues, so the paper companies can review them. This was a very
sad day m State and Tribal relations. The people o f Maine sided with the tribes on the issue o f clean w ater, as supporters follow ed the tribe to the statehouse steps. This
was a long walk, 40 miles, starting at the 1724 Norridgewock village site, an area o f another disaster.....” Rep. Soctomah
From the birchbark canoe, the
Passamaquoddy people trav
eled the coa st of Maine and
New Brunswick Canada, har
vesting just enough food for
the families and leaving the
rest for nature to con su m e. On
a su ccessfu l hunting trip the
canoeist u ses the m oose call
ing horn to sign his return.
Here on Grand Manan Island
the invisible line between the
united States and Canada has
divided the traditions! lands of
the Passamaquoddy tribe.
EC 4
WATER PROTECTION
Rep. Loring speaks out
Rep. Soctomah with his sister
Madonna after the March
A message from Penobscot Nation Governor Barry Dana
on Water Pro^r *'nn
Qnm p rp•nntv
May 23rd, Norridgewock, Maine on the shores o f the
Kennebec River, we gathered at 5 a.m. to begin our March to
Augusta. This was a civil rights style march to bring public
awareness to our struggles to have the State o f Maine recog
nize our sovereign status. This peaceful march helped us educate
the people o f the State as to who we are and our status as a tribe.
Fifty people, both Indian and non-Indian completed the march
covering 39 miles. News media reporters joined us, interviewed
us and helped spread the message. We concluded the walk at the
Augusta Civic Center.
The next morning we met at the Civic Center but this circle
included 150 people. We all walked the remaining three miles
from the Civic Center to the steps o f the Capitol. On the steps
we delivered our speeches to the audience, which again in
cluded the media. Our m essage was clear, that the State, its
courts and paper industry has violated the 1980 Settlement
Act by invading internal tribal matters by requesting to in
spect tribal documents. On those steps we were joined by
members o f the Coalition to Support Tribal Sovereignty, the
Chair o f the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission, the Presi
dent o f the United Southern and Eastern Tribes, the co-founder o f the
the 42 mile route we received many horns and thumbs up in support.
Maine Peoples Alliance, all who gave eloquent speeches in support o f our
People across the State are drawing the conclusion that the fight for sov
efforts.
ereignty as well as the efforts for a casino are all about desire to be self-
This event brought much needed attention to our struggles. All along
reliant, self-governed and independent.
�Remarks of Rep. Loring on the Casino proposal before the committee
M y ancestors lived on this land we
low tribal leaders from around the coun
Office, to ensure that traffic is well-man-
* unemployment rates fell on average
now call Maine for thousands o f years.
try who share many o f the same concerns
aged, wildlife is protected, natural areas
by 25%
Life has been hard. I remember in the
o f the Passamaquoddies and Penobscots
are preserved, and growth is contained.
* welfare and unemployment payments
winter when we had to walk over the
here in Maine. They told me that such
The reason we are proposing that the ca
dropped by 13% to 17%
ice-covered Penobscot River. We would
developments have made an enormous
sino resort be close to the Maine Turn
* construction industry earnings in the
have to do this to g o to school, get gro
difference in the lives o f their tribal mem
pike is so that traffic will get in and out
area increased by 18%
ceries or whatever we needed to pur
bers. They have created hope and oppor
without ever getting on local streets or
* hotel and lodging earnings increased
chase. Som e times the ice would break
tunity. And above all, for the first time in
causing local tie-ups.
up under our feet. At least one adult or
two hundred years, they have made it pos
by 43%
* recreation and amusement earnings
This will be a high quality resort -
increased by 22%
child would be lost to drowning every
sible for Indians to be self-reliant. That is
one that everyone in Maine will be proud
year. We finally got a bridge in 1959. I
why we have proposed a casino resort here
to point to, like the great hotels from a
* and there was no statistically signifi
cant increase in crime or bankruptcy.
remember when my grandmother would
in Maine. We have talked with tribal lead
hundred years ago in Bar Harbor and Po
make “ ock Robin” She would make
C
.
ers from all over the country and they have
land Springs.
The bottom line is that, overall, life
is better.
it only on certain occasions. What we
told us that such developments have made
We will locate in a community that
didn’ realize was the occasions were
t
an enormous difference in the lives o f their
embraces the resort. We will not just
These are the facts. Casinos benefit
Robin was a mixture o f flour and water.
tribal members. They have created hope
and opportunity and above all, for the first
follow - but exceed — all state and lo
cal laws with regard to environmental
tourism, recreational and retail businesses.
They provide jobs. They provide taxes.
I was lucky to be able to g o on to c o l
time in two hundred years, they have made
permitting and regulation. We will pay
And they make Indians self reliant. This
lege, but many o f my people did not.
it possible for native people to be self-re
all local and state taxes. This resort will
Many had to leave home because there
liant. We want the same opportunity that
be totally locally owned and controlled.
is what I want for the people o f the
Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Nations.
were no jobs. Many stayed and worked
native peoples have elsewhere. We are no
All of the money will stay and circulate
Since graduating from college, I
at menial tasks earning just enough to
less tribal. We are no less native. That is
within Maine. And the responsibility for
have served in the Maine Legislature for
survive.
why we have proposed a casino resort here
doing it right will be right here as well.
five years. There have been times when
in Maine.
Ken Curtis, our good friend and outstand
I have felt invisible. There have been
times when I have been listened to.
when we had nothing else to eat. C ock
It was hoped that the Land
Claims settlement would change all that.
For the most part it has helped. It has
Please know that we would not pro
ing former governor and Ambassador to
strengthened our sense o f identity. It made
pose a development in Maine that was
Canada, Maddie Corson, former chairman
This is one o f the important times
it possible for us to repurchase land that
just g oo d for us, and not good for ev
o f Guy Gannett Publishing that until re
when we need Maine people to listen.
had been illegally taken from us. And it
eryone else. We love this land. Our re
lationship to it goes beyond laws and
cently owned the Portland Press Herald,
and Neil Rolde, the author and former leg
We need you to understand the impor
regulations. It transcends governments,
islator, have all agreed to serve on our
tance o f self-reliance to our tribes. We
need you to understand and consider the
profits, and the perception o f power. We
board o f directors. These people were cho
benefits that have com e to other states
tal econom ic standing o f native people
will protect the land, always and forever.
sen because they believe in this proposal
can com e to ours. The world is chang
has not fundamentally changed. Our per
The casino resort plan is designed to en
and share our commitment to doing it
ing and a highly com petitive global
capita income is 28% lower than non-na
right. The tribes o f Maine com e as a part
market is emerging. We need to form a
tive per capita income, native unemploy
hance our home, not hurt it.
This is why the development we are
ner, not as an outsider.
partnership, we need to work together
ment is 10 times higher than non-native
proposing will be absolutely environ
The University o f Chicago studied the
unemployment. And native life expect
ancy is only 48 years. We must do more.
That is what m oved us to explore the
mentally sound. We will work in part
nership with the host community, the
Southern M aine R egion a l Planning
Com m ission, and the State Planning
impact o f casinos on 100 neighboring
provides a modest annual stipend o f a few
hundred dollars to Indian families.
Though life is better, the fundamen
idea o f a casino. I have talked with fel
communities for the National Gambling
Impact Study Com m ission in 1999.
Here’ what they found:
s
for a sustainable econom ic future.
I want to close with this thought:
What is g o o d fo r the p e o p le o f the
P en obscot nation is also g,ood for the
people o f the State of Maine.
Tribute to John Neptune, 2002, Outstanding Maine Indian Portrait Project
John Neptune, the first
Penobscot Nation Tribal Repre
sentative to the Maine Legislature
in 1823, was re-elected to this
position again in 1824, 1831,
1835, 1837, 1844. anH finally in
1 o l. Neptune, born on July 22,
S
1767 was also Lieutenant Gover
nor for a span of fifty years, start
ing in 1816 at the age of 49 and
concluding upon his death on May
8, 1865.
"Neptune was born in a birchbark wigwam with a little fire in the
center, and nothing civilized but a
gun, an axe and an iron kettle; he
slept on a couch of fir boughs
overlaid with skins, wore the
scantiest clothing, spoke no En
glish. When his life ended, it was
in a framed dwelling, with bed
stead and blankets, a stove, a
clock.....and white man's speech.
...It was with pride he declared him
self a "good United States man "
According to Fannie Hardy
Eckstorm from "Old John Neptune
and Other Maine Indian Shamans"
(The Southwest-Anthoensen
Press, 1945. Portland, ME)
Known also as a medicine
man, Neptune was married to an
other famous shaman, Molly Molas
ses. Other highlights for him were
meeting with Maine's first Governor,
William King, oh July 11,1820 to dis
cuss the needs of his tribe and be
ing the subject of Henry David
Thoreau's writing. Mr. Thoreau
wrote, ''....Governor Neptune...one of
the humblest of them all. He told me
that he was eighty-nine; but he was
going moose-hunting that fall, as he
had been that previous one. The
Indians on the island appeared to live
quite happily..."
John Neptune's portrait by
Obadiah Dickinson from January of
1836 was purchased for $200 in
1962 by the state of Maine. The
portrait has hung in the Blaine House
in Augusta, currently is in the Maine
Senate Chamber, and has been re
quested to be shown temporarily a
the D.A.R. Museum in Washington
D.C. for an exhibition in October of
2002: Forgotten Patriots, African
American and American Indian Ser
vice in the Revolutionary War. If sent
for this exhibition, the portrait will
eventually be returned to Maine's
capital for permanent placement.
�Rep. Donna Loring is Guest Speaker at Richmond Memorial Day Activities
by Rep. Donna Loring
I had the honor o f addressing the
town o f R ichm ond as their key note
speaker on M em orial Day. This is what
I said about Native Americans:
...Native A m ericans have served
with honor in all o f A m erica’ wars.
s
The m em bers o f the P enobscot,
Passamaquoddy, M icm ac and M aliseet
States including children.
Approximately 12% o f the Native
American population, or one third o f all
a b le - b o d ie d Indian m en serv ed in
WWII. This is the highest percentage
o f any racial group.
Several hundred Native American
W omen also served with the W om en’
s
Army Corp, Army Nurse Corp and the
cans see duty today wherever our armed
forces are stationed.
W omen Veterans, Native American
Veterans as w ell as Veterans o f other
races and cultures were among the many
souls that lost their lives since the R evo
lutionary war in the service o f our coun
try, protecting our freedom and our way
o f life.
Freedom is not free and we continue
to pay the price.
Wars have been fought in Europe
and A sia in order to keep the enemy
from our soil.
With the attacks o f September 11,
this country will never be the same. A
few days after September 11,1 wrote a
poem on behalf o f the Penobscot Na
tion in honor o f those who died on that
tragic day.
We as native people believe that the
eagle is a sacred sym bol and that our
ancestors see through its eyes and it sig
nifies strength, purity, and protection.
My poem is called “
Ten Thousand
eagles” I would like to read it to you:
.
Ten thousand eagles flew that day
across the bright blue sky
to meet the spirits on their way from
fiery smoke fille d tombs.
Tribes fought to help this country gain
its independence from England.
Since the early 1800’ the United
s,
States government had sent missionar
ies to the tribes in order to help them
assimilate into the larger society. Indian
tribes resisted this and maintained their
languages and cultures. This very resis
tance was to play a m ajor role in win
ning a world war.
Eight thousand Am erican Indians
to ok part in W W I. Their patriotism
caused congress to pass the Indian Citi
zenship A ct o f 1924. S in ce N a tiy j
people were fighting s j u dying for this
country, C on gress felt it only right to
grant them citizenship.
In WWII, m ore than 44,000 Native
Am ericans served with distinction in
both the European and Pacific Theaters.
M ore than 40,000 others left their res
ervations to work in ordinance depots,
factories and other war industries. At
that time there were only 350,000 Na
tive A m erican s in the entire United
Navy.
Native people contributed to win
ning W W II in a unique way. The Japa
nese were adept at breaking our codes
and because o f this ability they were
winning the battles. It was imperative
to winning the war that we have the abil
ity to communicate with our forces with
out our m essages being decoded by the
Japanese.
Navajo code talkers used codes de
rived from N avajo and -;’ Native
ner
speech wj]]Cii Were unintelligible to the
enemy. While m ost codes were consid
ered unusable after one day, Navajo
codes were never broken.
I can’help but wonder what would
t
have happened if assimilation o f all the
tribes were complete and all tribes spoke
English only.
Would we be speaking Japanese or
even German today?
M ore than 42,000 Native A m eri
cans, m ore than 90% o f them volun
teers, fought in Vietnam. Native Ameri
They soared above the dark, black,
clouds
billow ing from the earth and hovered
f o r a moment there
and saw the fa c e o f doom.
they would forever be
wrapped within the eagles wings
through all eternity.
Ten thousand eagles flew that day as
all the w orld stood still
and watched in shock and horror as
the tragedy unfurled.
Now we are left here on this earth to
fa c e the billow ing clouds
and our eyes search f o r the eagles as
we say our prayers out loud.
May our spirits soa r on e a gle ’wings
s
above the dark black clouds
o f hatred, murder and revenge that
keep us hatred bound.
Ten thousand eagles flew that day as
all the w orld stood still.
The eagles flew above those clouds
perhaps som e day
We will.
We face a new and different kind o f
war. But w e face this new war united
with our brothers and sisters, Regard
less o f our differences we are all Ameri
cans, all o f us together. We are diverse,
we are strong, w e are creative. When
we respect each others differences, these
differences can be used for a greater
good. United we are invincible and we
will prevail.
In c lo s in g the last war that was
fought on American soil was the Civil
War. I leave you with a quote from Presi
dent L incoln’ Gettysburg Address de
s
liv e re d on N o v e m b e r 19, 1862 jGettysburg PA.:
Ten thousand eagles gathered and
sw oop ed down beneath the clouds.
They fo u n d the spirits one by
plucked them f-'urn fheir plight.
is tor us the living, rather to be
dedicated here to the unfinished work
which they who fought here thus far so
They carried each new spirit through
the bla ck and hate fille d clouds.
nobly advanced.
It is rather for us to be here dedi
cated to t\ve great task rew&vruug bet or e
t tjf.
e
US-
They gave them each a shelter
wrapped in warm wings oh so tight.
They gave them strength and comfort
too on their unexpected flight.
On swift wings they flew towards their
final destination
where each spirit knew without any
hesitation
There would be p ea ce and love and
harmony
That from these honored dead we
take increased devotion to that cause for
which they gave the last full measure
o f devotionThat w e here highly resolve that
these dead shall not have died in vainthat this
Nation, under God, shall have a new
birth o f freedom- and that government
o f the people, for the people shall not
perish from the earth.”
Wabanaki Studies Commission's Work to Date
The Wabanaki Studies C om m is
sion held eight full-day meetings at
the University o f Maine from O cto
ber 2001 through May 2002. C om
mission members have talked about
the follow ing areas during these meet
ings:
V During their O ctober 19 organi
zational meeting, which was spon
sored by the Wabanaki Center at the
University, Com m ission members en
gaged in a visioning exercise (how
Maine's s c h o o ls sh ould be d o in g
things differently in ten years); re
v ie w e d r e s o u r c e s a v a ila b le and
needed to support the work o f the
Com m ission; selected their chairper
son; and began to discuss the opera
tions o f the Commission.
V On Novem ber 5, 2001, they re
view ed a draft m ission and vision
statement for the Commission; shared
their expectations about what the
C om m ission will do; continued their
discussion about operations (ground
rules, process issues, p ossible sub
committees, and staff for the C o m
mission); and identified a number o f
things that students should learn and
really understand.
V On D ecem ber 10, 2001, they final
ized their process for selecting a staff
person. They also agreed to identify
what should be taught and learned and
what resources are needed to do this in
each o f the four topics identified in the
law-tribal government, tribal culture and
history, tribal territories, and tribal e c o
nomics. They began with tribal territo
ries, breaking down into small groups
organized by grade level.
V On January 8, 2002, C om m ission
m em bers d iscu ssed what should be
taught and learn ed w ith regard to
Wabanaki econom ic systems; shared a
number o f books and other resources
that potentially could be helpful to teach
ers and students; and em phasized the
importance o f involving the Department
o f Education and tribal communities in
this initiative.
V There was no meeting in February
because o f snow. On March 4, 2002,
Com m ission members and staff shared
additional materials that potentially
could be helpful to teachers and stu
dents; d ecid e d to participate in the
March 1 State o f the Tribes Day at the
1
Maine Legislature; and continued the
discussion o f what should be taught and
learned with regard to Wabanaki e c o
nom ic systems.
V Com m ission members began their
meeting o f April 1-2, 2002 with a dis
cussion about what they want each stu
dent to know about the Wabanaki people
by the time he/she graduates from high
school. They also discussed who should
determine what is taught and they iden
tified the need for ongoing commitments
to the Wabanaki Studies Com m ission by
the Department o f Education, the Uni
versity o f Maine, and the Maine Indian
Tribal-State C om m ission . In sm all
groups organized by grade level, they
discu ssed what should be taught and
learned about tribal government, tribal
history, and tribal culture. They also had
an introductory conversation with Ruth
Townsend, C ollege o f Education at the
University o f Maine in Orono, about the
relevance o f Maine's Learning Results
to Maine Native American Studies.
V On May 6,2002, Commission mem
bers met with Connie Manter o f the
Maine Department o f Education to fur
ther explore the relationship between the
work o f the Com m ission and Maine's
Learning Results. Ms. Manter
suggested a framework for organiz
ing what should be taught and learned.
Com m ission members also reviewed
an outline for their preliminary report
(due at the beginning o f June 2002);
began to discuss what they want to
do in the com ing months; and decided
to in v ite the D epartm en t o f
E d u cation 's C o m m is s io n e r and
Deputy Com m issioner to meet with
them in early June.
V During the meeting o f June 6, the
Commission members met with Com
missioner Duke Albanese and Deputy
Judy Lucarelli o f the Maine Depart
ment o f Education to discuss their
progress to date and to share ideas
about resources needed to support the
implementation o f the law. They also
discussed their preliminary report.
The Department o f Education, the
University o f Maine, and the Maine
Indian Tribal-State Com m ission all
have made commitments to continue
to support the work o f the Wabanaki
Studies Com m ission through its sec
ond year.
�Headlines rang out; Paper Company returns ancient burial island to the Passamaquoddy Tribe
What a joyou s event as the president o f Domtar Industries traveled to Indian Township Passamaquoddy Reservation to deliver the deed to the
burial island. Domtar listened as the Tribe spoke o f the smallpox epidem ic which swept over the tribe, endangering the existence o f the whole tribe.
Victims traveled to the island to die so others would live...and survive as Passamaquoddy people. Rep. Soctomah
Island of the Bear
by GISELLE GOODMAN,
Portland Press H erald Writer
Sunday, May 26, 2002
Copyright 2002 Blethen Maine N ew s
papers Inc.
IN D IA N
T 0 W N S H I P“ They left
their village, know ing they CCU]^ never
com e back. Burning from fever, fatigue
and rashes, they paddled their canoes
through the choppy waters o f B ig Lake,
three m iles against the wind, to Gordon
Island. O n days when the w ind was
right, their fam ilies o f the tribe, still liv
ing in the village, could hear across the
water the restless cries o f their loved
ones as they suffered and died from
smallpox.
Since that terrible time 150 years
ago, Gordon Island has been a sacred
p la c e fo r the m e m b ers o f M aine's
Passamaquoddy Tribe - a burial ground
for ancestors who sacrificed themselves
for the sake o f others. In m ore recent
times the island has been a source o f
angst to the people, who yearned for
G ordon Island's return but met with re
fusals to sell from the paper company
that ow ned it.
That yearning ended last week,
w hen G o rd o n Island's n ew ow n ers
changed Passamaquoddy history forever
by restoring the 26-acre island to the
tribe.
"The com in g hom e o f our elders,
our ancestors, that is what means the
m ost to us," said R oger Paul, a keeper
o f Passamaquoddy cultural heritage.
F or experts in Native A m erican
studies, the gift by Domtar Inc., a Cana
dian paper company, is a remarkable
gestu re that is rarely seen. F or the
Passamaquoddy it is an olive branch that
marks a new relationship between the
tribe and its neighbors.
"It says there are som e g o o d people
out there who want to do the right thing,
who want to be our friends," said Donald
Soctomah, the tribe's state representa
tive. "Domtar shook our hand and we
are passing that shake on to our neigh
bor."
The tribe celebrated the return o f the
island with a powerful and emotional
ceremony last Tuesday. For the first time
in its history, tribal members invited the
public to watch their sacred and private
rituals o f honor for
the spirits o f the ancestors.
A pipe cerem ony offered blessing
and thanks to Gordon Island. The tribe's
ch ild ren p erform ed a "pine n eedle"
dance, a tutuwas,
out an earlier
dream o f an elder. A s the elder slept,
saw great schools offish swimming to
ward the village, from the direction, o f
the island.
The other elders say she saw the
tribe's ancestors returning home.
The Passamaquoddy tribe is one o f
the few Native American tribes that con
tinues to live on its aboriginal lands, now
known as Indian Township and Pleas
ant Point. The tribe has been located in
what is now eastern Washington County
for 12,000 years. They were given their
land, Gordon Island and many others in
B ig Lake, in the early 1800s through a
treaty with Massachusetts.
Despite this treaty, their land was
slow ly sold, given away or traded o ff in
p ie ce s by the state and by nontribal
members. G ordon Island was am ong
those pieces o f land.
S m a llp o x fou n d the stru g g lin g
Passamaquoddy tribe sometime in the
mid-19th century, when there were just
150 members o f the tribe left. The first
to die from sm allpox - a virus that
riddles the body with a rash o f deadly
b u m p s - w as a fa m ily liv in g on
M uw iniw M onihq, the Island o f the
Bear, Gordon Island. It becam e a quar
antined site and when members o f the
mainland community began to feel the
first sym ptom s o f the virus, they left
their community from Peter Dana Point,
got in their canoes and headed to G or
don Island to die.
"They left the community so the rest
o f the tribe could survive," said
Soctomah. "We knew it was our only
chance for survival. It was a terrible
point in our history."
The sacrifice those Passamaquoddy
made then, to live on an island separated
from their community, com es as no sur
prise to R ebecca Sockbeson, director o f
multicultural student affairs at the Uni
versity o f Southern Maine.
"It sounds very heroic and brave,
which it is," said Sockbeson, a member
o f the Penobscot Nation. "But it was at
that time the cultural norm."
Native Americans were not capital
ists, she said; they were communal. They
made their decisions based on what was
best for old P i be, not for themselves. She
lias t\o doubt. \bat \be t
w ho contracted sm allpox w ould have
rem oved themselves from the com m u
nity once they realized what a threat they
were to the survival o f their people.
"I’ sure being faced with the lev
m
els o f mass death it was also not even a
ch oice that was given," Sockbeson said.
"O f course you do this when there are
hundreds around you who have died."
Introduced into North America by
European settlers, smallpox devastated
the nation's Native American tribes. In
Maine and in the Canadian Maritimes,
for example, there were more than 20
Wabanaki tribes before the Europeans
settled here. Today, there are four, in
cluding the Passamaquoddy. Som e his
torians have called the Europeans' intro
duction o f smallpox the worst case o f
gen ocide in the world's history, saying
that the virus claim ed nearly 98 percent
o f the original population o f Native
Americans in North America.
The Passamaquoddy living today are
not certain how many people died from
smallpox on Gordon Island. They are cer
tain, however, that the 3,300 members o f
the Passamaquoddy tribe alive today are
here because o f the sacrifice their ances
tors made on Gordon Island.
The island’ only inhabitants now
s
are nature. It is hom e to hemlocks, birch
and cedar trees. Songbirds flit among the
branches while ferns grow ing from the
m ossy underbrush w iggle in the breeze.
For the Passamaquoddy people, it is an
island deserving o f their respect, a place
for spiritual renewal.
P e o p le lik e R o g e r Paul, Indian
Township Tribal Gov. Richard Stevens
and T rib a l C o u n c il m e m b er Joe
Socobasin take this very seriously.
Stevens grew up knowing he should
never take anything from the island, not
a rock or a feather, believing that the
eagle and the ow l who visit the island
have left those feathers as an offering.
When Paul and Socobasin visit the
island, they sm udge themselves first - a
practice o f cleansing thoughts and bod
ies with the sm oke o f smoldering sage.
A nd when they arrive, they present
Co ib a S'pvtvVs, as\ oifecv cv g, o l
.
T b e Passamaquoddy have been try
ing to get the inland back sin ce the
1990s.
But at that time it was owned by pa
per giant G eorgia Pacific, which re
buffed repeated offers from the tribe to
buy the land. This concerned the tribe,
which saw an ever-present threat loom
ing over their sacred burial ground.
"If the right people came along with
the right amount o f money, they could
have com e along and built a camp here,"
Socobasin said. "There would have been
nothing we could have done to stop it."
In 2001, M ontreal-based Domtar
acquired the island as part o f its purchase
o f G eorgia P a cific’ W oodland Mill,
s
which abuts Indian Township. O n ce
again, the tribe asked if it could buy the
island. The answer, again, was no.
Domtar, recogn izin g the cultural
significance o f Gordon Island, said it
would rather give the tribe the island
instead.
"It's refreshing to be looked at as a
culture rather than as a corporation," said
Stevens. "And Domtar saw our culture."
A Domtar spokesman said the com
pany tries to a cco m m o d a te N ative
American tribes that have ties to the pa
per company's land whenever possible.
T h is has a m a zed m any o f the
Passamaquoddy, who have for so long
struggled with their neighbors to main
tain their land and their way o f life. The
elders have prayed for the return o f the
island for so long. Now, they say, the
circle o f the island's history is complete.
Now, they say, the spirits o f their
ancestors can finally rest in peace.
�i
A FAREWELL TRIBUTE TO REP. DONALD SOCTOMAH
A Few Thoughts about Rep. Soctomah by Rep. Loring
Since 1998,1 have had the privilege
o f serving with Rep. Donald Soctomah in
the Maine Legislature. 2002 marks the
end o f D onald’ current tenure as Tribal
s
Representative to The Passamaquoddys o f
Indian Township and Pleasant Point. Iam
pleased that Donald will be able to spend
more time closer to home, but at the same
time regret losing such a powerful ally in
Augusta. Donald and I worked in unison,
perhaps more so than most Tribal Reps,
that preceded us. One result o f that unique
relationship is this newsletter itself, which
I believe is the first joint tribal newsletter
in our respective tribes’
180 year history
at the capitol.
From.working with Donald in the
stru ggle to ban the use o f the w ord
squaw in association with M aine’maps,
s
businesses, land and water - to the uplill battle over A lbion Township (that
"I truly believe Donald
represented the Tribe very well.
He is an honorable man and we
miss his work at the Stae House."
G o v ern or R ich a rd Stevens,
P a ssam aq u od d y Tribe at In d ian
Tow nship
w e alm ost m iraculously overcame) I
witnessed a man o f both great patience
and conviction. Native Americans in
Maine have been backed up against a
wall o f oppression for so many genera
tions; we are left in a position where we
must demand even the m ost fundamen
tal rights. Donald has always kept his
passion and vision close in sight, never
sidetracked from the frustrations o f be
ing a lone v oice within M aine’halls o f
s
government, lacking the right to vote on
either his comm ittee or on the floor o f
the H ouse o f Representatives.
Donald not only was my prime sup
porter in passing a bill I sponsored to
implement Native history and culture in
M aine’primary and secondary schools,
s
he requested and w on a seat on the Joint
Legislative Education Committee to en
sure this first in the nation proposal sur
vived the screening o f legislators. Even
though Donald cou ld not vote on his
committee, his v oice was important and
he deserves a lot o f credit for helping to
bridge the gap between tribal and state
relations.
Even today, as we march forward
seeking social justice to control the des
tiny o f our sovereignty in regards to our
waters, land, and the ability for e c o
nom ic survival with our casino proposal
- Donald continues to stand for his tribe
every step o f the way. It is not only the
Passamaquoddy Tribe that he stands up
for though; it is for all members o f the
Wabanaki alliance -always with honor,
respect, zeal, and great pride. Donald
never flaunts him self nor desires popu
larity like many politicians do, he only
presents him self when the tribes need
him. When he speaks, his words are al
ways right on mark and taken to heart.
I w ill m iss you in Augusta Donald,
but I know that you will remain at the
forefront o f Native issues, advocating
for what is right for our forefathers and
mothers and our future generations.
Thank you for four great years.
Som e Legislation proposed and passed by Rep. Donald Soctomah during his two terms
Through 2001
LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to
Implement the Maine Indian Claims
Settlement Concerning the Houlton Band
of Maliseet Indians
We were in favor o f the bill as written.
The Maliseets should be sovereign as are
P en obscots and Passamaquoddy. Rep.
Sherman o f Houlton reluctantly sponsored
by request; he was 70% against the bill in
committee. Strongly support. The Maliseet
Band should have the same rights as the
Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.
Com m ittee Report unanimous, OU GH T
NOT TO PASS.
LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive
Names
We com pletely supported this bill;
should be a N o Brainer. The bill disal
low s the use o f Squaw or squa by the State
in naming public or geographic sites. It does
not eliminate usage from the English lan
guage.
This word has always been offensive,
in effect, used to demoralize native women.
They are the foundation o f a healthy com
munity. The State must stop sanctioning
its use.
Signed by the Governor on 4/3/00;
Public Law Chapter 613.
LD 2499 An act Concerning the Date by
Which Land Must be Acquired by the
Penobscot Nation
We were the sponsor o f this bill. The
bill will extend the deadline by which the
Nation can purchase certain trust lands from
1/31/2000 to 1/31/2021. Support for this
bill will help the Penobscot Nation put the
remainder o f land in Trust. Never should
have been a time limit. All o f the Paper
Co. land around our community was re
cently sold.
Signed by the Governor on 4/6/00;
Public Law Chapter 625.
LD 2549 An Act to Implement Recom
mendations Concerning the Protection of
Indian Archeological Sites
W e were in favor o f implementing the
recommendations that will preserve these
sites. A R esolve passed last session shows
the concern felt for protection o f these sites.
Maine must protect the sites, as we have in
the past.
Signed by the Governor on 5/3/00;
Public Law Chapter 748.
LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name in
the Statutes of a Native American Orga
nization Able to Issue Hunting and Fish
ing Licenses
W e were in favor o f this bill as long as
the organization works closely with the
tribes to eliminate any duplication. Allows
an off-reservation group to issue licenses
from Native communities governing leader.
Emergency signed by the Governor on 3/
15/00; Public Law Chapter 558.
Joint Study Order Establishing a Com
mittee to Study the Recognition of Sov
ereign Nations in the Legislature
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brooks
at my request. Hopefully, the committee
will vote to recommend a stronger role in
both the House and Senate for tribal repre
sentatives.
Tribal Representatives want and need to
play a more active role in the legislative
process. Every bill passed affects our com
munities in one way or another.
Study Report published on 4/2000;
See the Executive Summary in this issue.
LD 2607 An Act Concerning Previous
Passamaquoddy Indian Territory Legis
lation
We were in favor o f the Legislature tak
ing corrective action.
A corrective amendment should be effec
tive to change the law that was plainly in
tended by all parties to the process amend
ing the Implementing Act.
House receded and concurred to Senate ac
ceptance o f OUGHT NOT TO PASS
Report.
LD 2572 An Act to Fund the Cost of the
Waiver of Tuition, Fees and Other Ex
penses for Native American Students in
the Maine Technical College System, Uni
versity of Maine System and Maine Mari
time Academy
We were in opposition o f passage o f
this measure, as it will only serve to desta
bilize our funding base. I am against this
bill
Received Unanimous Committee OUGHT
NOT T O PASS report.
2002
LD1178 - Sponsor: SOCTOMAH
Short Title: DHS TO ADOPT RULES
R EGARDIN G INDIAN HEALTH
CLINIC
Original Tide; Resolve, Directing the D e
partment o f Human Services to Adopt Rules
Regarding the Indian Health Clinic
LD0618 - Sponsor: SOCTOMAH
Short Title: REMOVE STATE ROAD
SIGNS WITH OFFENSIVE NAMES
FROM 1-95 & TURNPIKE
Original Title: An Act to Remove State Road
Signs with Offensive Names from Interstate
Route 95 and the Maine Turnpike
LD0523 - Sponsor: SOCTOMAH
Short Title: CREATE A SPECIAL MAINE
INDIAN TRIBE LICENSE PLATE
Original Title: An Act to Create a Special
Maine Indian Tribe License Plate
LD0517 - Sponsor: SOCTOMAH
Short Title: ESTABLISH IDENTIFICA
TION CARD OF ME INDIAN TR AS
ACCEPTABLE FORM OF ID
Original Title: An Act to Establish the Iden-
tification Card o f a Maine Indian Tribe as
an Acceptable Form o f Identification
LD0516 - Sponsor: SOCTOMAH
Short Title: A R CH A EO LOG ICA L
W ORK PERFO RM ED IN THE
SHORELAND ZONES
Original Title: An Act Regarding Prehistoric
and H istoric A rch aeological Work Per
formed in the Shoreland Zone
LD0107 - Sponsor-. S O C T O M A H
Short Title: EN FO RCEM EN T OE
LAWS IN T. 12 REV STAT BY
PASSAMAQUODDY WARDEN
Original Title: An Act Regarding the En
forcement o f Laws in the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 12 by Passamaquoddy War
dens
Tribal Legislation Signed Intao Law In
The Last Legislative Session
Chapter 601. Public Law
LD 1940, Sponsored by Rep. Soctomah Passamaquoddy Tribes o f Indian Township
and
Pleasant Point.
“ Act Regarding the
An
Repatriation of Native American Re
mains”
‘ 1 22 MRSA §2842-B, as enacted by
Sec. .
PL 1993, c. 738, Pt. C, § , is repealed and
5
the follow ing enacted in its place:
32842-B.__Indian human remains
1 Transfer of remains. Except as provided
.
in subsections 2and 3.a person or entity who
possesses anv human remains identified as
Indian human remains shall transfer the re
mains to The intertribal repatriation orga
n ization that is a pp oin ted by The
Passamaquoddy Tribe. Penobscot Nation.
H oulton Band o f M aliseet Indians and
A r o o sto o k B and o f M icm a cs for
reburial. The intertribal repatriation orga
nization shall make reasonable inquiry to
locate the next o f kin o f the deceased. If
next ofmains to the next o f kin.
2.
_______ Medical Examiner cases._______
within the jurisdiction o f the Medical Ex
aminer Act, the Chief Medical Examiner
has authority over Indian human remains
until the remains are no longer required for
legal purposes. At that time, the Chief
Medical Examiner shall make reasonable
inquiry to locate the next o f kin o f the
deceased. If next o f kin are located, the
Chief Medical Examiner shall release the
rem ains to the next o f kin o f the
deceased. If no next o f kin are located.
the remains must be released to the inter
tribal repatriation organization for reburial.
Kin are located, the intertribal repatriation
organization shall transfer the re
�...WE WILL MISS YOU IN AUGUSTA DONALD!
Rep. Soctomah with local and regional tribal leaders
M ore m em ories of Legislative Service
Rep. Soctom ah
with Gov. D oyle
and Judy LucareUi,
A ssistan t C om
missioner of Edu
cation
"I'll be doing what I like best. Practicing the traditions of old and
incorporating them into the new era. I hope to make a difference; be
ing a bridge between two cultures, and opening doors that may have
been closed.”
N Kathadin ts \V sp ‘
\\.
\e w\\ua\ VngVAarvOs o\ Wve>NaPawaV:\ peopXe, marry
traveled to this location to be close with the spirits, but rarely climbed
to the top. Many of our legends originate from this wonderful peak, as
it reaches into the clouds. Today, just as it was thousands of years
ago our people travel to the mountain, seeking the vision of the past
and the direction to the future. We need to maintain that connection
just as much it needs us... Rep. Soctomah
W ho W e A re ............
"I can im agin e h o w m u ch the past d o e s in d eed m atter to us. A l
though m o st p e o p le usually take it for granted and d ev ote little tim e to
studyin g or thinking about it, in fact the past is re sp o n sib le for ev ery
thing w e are. It is the c o re o f our humanity. T h e past is the w orld out o f
w h ich w e have co m e, the m ultitude o f events and ex p erien ces that have
sh aped our c o n s c io u s selv es and the so cia l w orlds w e inhabit. T o under
stand h ow and w h y w e liv e as w e do, w e cann ot avoid ap pealin g to the
past to explain h o w and w h y w e g o t to b e this way. ...No less im portant
is the act o f rem em berin g the past, the backw ard reflective g a z e in w h ich
w e se lf- co n scio u sly seek to recall the w o rld w e have lost, the vanished
lan dscap e o f our form er selv es and lives, in order to gather the sign p osts
b y w h ich w e find our w ay and k eep ou rselv es fro m b e c o m in g lost. I f
Rep.Loring, Rep. Soctomah, Maine House Page “
Dee”
Tihtiyas
Sabattus (Rep. Soctomah’niece) and Rep. Al Goodwin of Pembroke
s
rights in Canada.
The new Tribal representative has a
big resposiblity ahead, so take som e time
tory are the to o ls w e u se for reco llectin g that p la ce so w e can k n ow w h o
and w h ere w e are. M em ory and history turn sp a ce into place, in vestin g
Tan Kahk; Greetings.... .. from page 1
ultural lease issue, attended meetings on
the Federal Em ergency Reg. C om m is
sion debate on dam re-licensing issue,
debated on the alewife issue, chaired the
meeting on putting the Webber lot into
trust status, and on current affairs:
marched in the civ il rights march to
Augusta, marched across the Interna
tional Bridge to bring attention to racial
profiling and to support native fishing
the past is the p la ce fro m w h ich w e have com e, then m em ory and h is
what w o u ld oth erw ise b e a purely b io lo g ic a l o r g e o lo g ic a l abstraction
to ask questions and choose the best can
with a w ealth o f hum an m eanings, and thereby turning it into the kind o f
didate.
The people have som e big decisions
to make, it is you who will decide who
and how the tribal government w ill be
run for the next four years.
Look at the background o f all the
candidates and com e out and vote in the
fall.... remembering the past and look
ing towards the future; your friend,
p la ce w e c h o o s e to call hom e. ...Collective identity is an intricate set o f
Donald Soctomah
rem em bran ces that ties the present to the past."
-William Cronon, "Why the Past Matters," Wisconsin M agazine o f
History, vol. 84, no. 1 (Autumn 200), 3-13.
Dear Tribal m em bers
from page i
together as a team very well. This joint newsletter is p roof o f that partnership.
Donald, I am proud to have served with you in the House and on behalf o f all our
colleagues I say, “
You will be missed.”
Woliwoni. Donna M. Loring
ft
�
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<em>Wabanaki Legislative News (</em>Dec. 2002)
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Loring, Donna M. and Donald Soctomah
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University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection
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2002-12
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Cathleen Miller, UNE
Julia Brush
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English
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DV-476
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https://www.dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/original/8e107ca6acdd2f6f264a1240818deb4e.pdf
6f36872df1cdb9d254196e91587b79de
PDF Text
Text
Dear Tribal Members,
It has been a tremendous honor serv
ing you over the past eight years. Thank
you for electing me.
I have truly enjoyed working for you
in the House of Representatives. It is a
time in my life I will never forget.
It made my decision not to seek reelection as the Tribal Representative a
very difficult one. I struggled with this
decision for months.
As you may or may not know I have
decided to run for the State Senate. I have
been a by-stander of sorts in the legisla
ture watching events unfold. After eight
years of advocacy I ’ve decided to take
the next step and run for the Senate. I
believe I have made a difference for
Native people in Maine. I would like to
take that experience and make a differ
ence for the people in my Senate Dis incumbent Republican, an Independent
trict as well as all of Maine. As a State and I. Win or lose it will be one more
Senator I will be the most knowledge barrier broken, one more step up the lad
able legislator on Indian issues. For those der of equality and one more trail to
of you who are curious about my Dis blaze.
It is my understanding that no Maine
trict it is District #19, Sagadahoc and one
town in Lincoln County (Dresden). It in Indian has ever run for a Senate seat. I
cludes the following towns: Richmond, plan to keep a journal and pass it on to
Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Bath, those who will learn from my experi
W est B ath, P hippsburg, A rrow sic, ences.
Georgetown, Woolwich, and Dresden. Again, thank you for this opportunity.
They are all in the Merrymeeting Bay I will always be yours in the spirit of
area. I am running as a clean election unity and power.
Donna M Loring,
candidate meaning that I cannot take
Penobscot Nation Representative
contributions. It is a three-way race, an
Thoughts about the Next Tribal Representative
Whomever you choose to take my
place must be a person who thinks of the
tribe first and foremost.
A person who has an even temper, a
sense of humor and compassion.
A person who can put themselves
last and can empathize with the pain of
others.
A person you can count on to be
there when you need them.
A person who can communicate well
and often with people who are unedu
cated about your culture and your his
tory.
A person who is not afraid to stand
up and speak in front of 151 fellow leg
islators.
A person who does not respond in
anger when others say horrible things
about you or your community.(but rather
responds with dignity and control)
A person who has thick skin and can
take taunts and criticism not only from
outsiders but from tribal members and
council members who are suppose to be
supportive.
A person who will work for practi
cally nothing, will put in overtime and
who must sometimes pay their own way.
A person who does not expect to
have many thanks in return.
A person who works on a speech or
a poem for days but still cannot find the
right-words and then with the right words
awakening them at three o ’clock in the
morning.
A person who has vision and imagi
nation who will introduce the next bill
that will improve your lives for the next
one hundred years.
A person who truly cares.
A person who is touched by the an
cestors
woliwoni
Wabanaki News has been an excellent communication instrument and should be
continued by your next representative to the Maine State Legislature
Maine Indian Basketmakers’ Alliance
Director awarded International Prize
On October 15,2003, Theresa Secord Hoffman, a member of the Penobscot Na
tion, received a prestigious international prize in Geneva, Switzerland, for her work as
director of the Maine Indian Basketmakers’Alliance. The “Prize for Women’s Creativ
ity in Rural Life,” sponsored by the Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF),
was presented to Hoffman in a ceremony at the Palais Wilson, headquarters of the
United Nations High Commission for Human Rights.
Created in 1991, WWSF works primarily to empower rural women and women’s
organizations, as well as non-government organizations committed to prevention of
child abuse worldwide. The organization also seeks to mobilize citizens and organiza
tions toward building a better global human society by organizing regularly “Circles of
Compassion” training workshops.
This is the 10th anniversary o f the W W SF prize, and Ms. Hoffman is the first
United States citizen to garner the honor. Established in recognition of the roles of
women in grass roots development efforts, the prize goes to individuals whose efforts
demonstrate exceptional creativity, courage, and perseverancein improving rural life,
along with respect for and preservation of the environment, and continuing impact on
the community.
This year, the WWSF prize jury is awarding 33 women from 23 countries around
the world. Of these, five, including Ms. Hoffman, have been invited to attend the award
ceremony in Geneva and to personally present their work. The ambassadors of each
winner’s country will attend the event, along with other dignitaries. The keynote speaker
and award presenter was to have been Mr. Siergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights, but with his tragic death in the August bomb
ing of UN headquarters in Baghdad, that role will be filled by the Acting High Com
missioner, Bertrand Ramcharan (to be confirmed).
According to WWSF Executive Director Elly Pradervand, “The necessity of em
powering rural women remains undisputed and is a central objective in the strategies
for poverty alleviation and ending hunger. The very survival of the human species
depends on replacing old, tired, competitive Darwinian ‘male” models by more hu
mane, open, cooperative ‘feminine models. And for that women need to come into
leadership at all levels of society.”
Elly Pradervand’s sentiment fits well with Theresa Hoffman’s conviction that co
operative efforts strengthen communities and individuals at the same time. This is
evident in WWSF’s summary of Ms. Hoffman’s accomplishments, which begins with
this comment: “It behooves the Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life that
the first laureate from the United States be an American Indian— of the Penob
scot Nation, one of four tribal groups living in Maine.” The commentary goes on to
mark out Ms. Hoffman’s leadership role in helping to found the Maine Indian
Basketmakers Alliance (MIB A)—an organization that many predicted would fail given
the independent mindedness of the four tribal groups in Maine, not to mention that of
basketmakers. However, thanks to the skills and dedication of the basketmakers and
Ms. Hoffman’s vision, persistence, political acumen, and first-hand knowledge of the
art form, the venture has blossomed.
please turn to page 4
Community Building
tszsinom, 72
fie
*
.
Sy/m
Zf fH
�Wabanaki News page 2_____________________ ________________________________________
Summer 2004
LD 291 “An Act to Require Teaching Maine Native American History
and Culture in Maine’s Schools”
by Donna M. Loring,
Representative o f the Penobscot Nation
(M y greatest accomplishment!)
LD-291 is now Maine law. It was passed by the
House June 5, 2001 and passed in the Senate June 7,
2001. It was then signed into law by Governor Angus
King on June 14, 2001
I am extremely proud to have been the sponsor of
this bill. It is the high point of my legislative experi
ence to date.
I know it will make a difference in our future.
This bill is the most innovative and comprehen
sive piece of legislation in reference to the teaching of
Native American History in the
Country.
No other State has created a policy that requires
teaching Native American History in such detail and
also provides the means
to do it.
The bill is made up of four sections:
Sec 1 makes Maine Native American studies a re
quired component of Maine studies, addressing the
following topics:
A. Maine Tribal Government and Political Systems,
their relationship with local, State, National and Inter
national Governments.
B. Maine Native American Cultural Systems and the
experience of Maine tribal peoples throughout history:
C. Maine Native American Territories: and
D. Maine Native American Economic Systems
Sec 2 Creates the Maine Native American History
and Culture Commission to help prepare for the inclu
sion of Maine Native American History and Culture
into the required course in Maine Studies.
1. Membership consists of eight members se
lected by the Tribal Chiefs, six members appointed by
the Commissioner of Education including an elemen
tary school teacher, a middle school teacher, a high
school teacher, a curriculum director, a superintendent
or principal and an employee of the Dept of Education
and one member selected by the Chancellor of the Uni
versity of Maine System.
2. DUTIES: The Commission shall assist school
administrative units and educators in the exploration
of a wide range of educational materials and resources.
Identify resources
Involve other-knowledgeable organizations and
Individuals able and willing to assist with this work
including, but not limited to museums and educators.
** 3. Maine Indian Tribal State Commission will
convene the first meeting of the commission no later
than 30 days following the effective date of enactment.
4. REPORTING FINDINGS to the commissioner
of Education and a copy to MITSC The report shall
consist of educational materials, opportunities for pro
fessional development, training and technical assis
tance.
5. Staff assistance and Resources will be pro
vided by MITSC and each entity.
6. Preliminary Report to the commissioner of
Education for dissemination to educators in the State
by June 1,2003.
Sec 3 Report must include plan to assist school ad
ministrative units. Plan must include criteria to iden
tify school administrative units having difficulty meet
ing instructional components. The plan for assistance
must be established by July 30,2004 and implemented
by 2004-2005 School year.
Sec 4 School to implement Maine Native American
Studies subject to availability of funds. School admin
istrative unit must present
findings and support evidence to department of edu
cation that it cannot afford to implement the program.
The dept of Ed shall review findings and assist in plan
ning for implementation
This bill is the result of support from the House,
Senate, Governors office, the Maine Indian Tribal State
Commission, Department of Education, University of
Maine System, Tribal governments, grass roots orga
nizations, interested Individuals and students. It was a
tremendous effort and I thank you all.
The Prim ary Election will
be held on Tuesday,
A uqust 10, 2004.
The General Election will be held
Saturday, S eptem ber 11, 2004
Polls will open for both at 9:00 AM
and close at 8:00 PM.
Voting in both elections will take
place in the C onference Room at
the C om m unity Building.
M a in e’s Native A m ericans G ain P assage of LD 2418
A Salute to Rep. Soctomah’s groundbreaking b ill___ THANK YOU!
by Representative
Donald Soctomah
A.s we enter a new millen-
nium, I have Yiope for a better
tinually offended by the use of this
slang word.
The Thesaurus o f Slang iden-
tif'ies th e w o rd “ squaw ” as a sy n
relationship betw een the native onym for prostitute,, harlot, hussy,
p o p u la tio n an d th e S ta te o f and floozy. The dictionary identi
Maine. In order for us to achieve fies this w ord as one that is used
this im proved relationship, we to offend native females.
m ust end 400 years o f hurt and
A fter generations o f exposure,
discrimination. We m ust leam to the w ord squaw is seen as a neu
live together peacefully, by hon tral word to the general public. But
oring and respecting each other. to native females this word con
This hope was the m otivat tinues to be a slanderous attack
ing factor behind legislation that against them and th eir culture.
w ould end the use of a dem oral Violent incidents occur m ore of
izing and dehum anizing term in ten near the native com m unities,
the State of M aine.
where the clash betw een cultures
The passage o f this bill by still exists.
the M aine H ouse or R epresen
W hen native people nam e a
tatives and Senate will soon be geographic feature, such as a river
sig n ed into law by G overnor or a m ountain, the term used w ill
Angus S. K ing, Jr..
describe a specific location, for the
It w ill re m o v e th e w o rd ease of the traveler, or to denote
squaw from place nam es in the its s p iritu a l sig n ific a n c e . T h e
state.
nam e o f the Kennebec R iver de
This is not an issue of politi scribes the contours o f the river.
cal correctness.-It is about basic M ount K atahdin w as nam ed to
hum an decency and respect for signify the spirits o f the mountain
o n e ’s fellow citizens. The new and its geography.
law p ro te c ts an u n d e r re p re
The term squaw was not origi
sented group in our state,,native nally used for place names, as the
w om efi. O u r w o m e n -g ra n d -. w ord d id ‘ n o t e x ist b efo re the
m others, m others, and daugh 1600’s. It is not a linguist’s defi
ters, are all entitled to protection nition o f the original native word
against basic'hum an rights vio that is of concern, it is the way the
lations, such as th e use o f demor term lias Been used to define na
alizing language. T he driving tive womqn injts. current context.
force behind this bill is hundreds- ’ 'T hroughcom m unication and edu
o f native w om en, w ho are con cation we can rid the state o f of
fensive, derogatory words. Native
w om en have the right to define
themselves.
W e n e e d to grow an d u n d e r
stan d th a t th e u se o f the term
squaw shows a lack o f com pas
sion to hum an beings, it is hard
for the general population to imag
ine how hurtful a w ord can be un
less it is directed tow ard them,
their culture, or racial background.
R ep. G erald T albot w o rk ed
diligently in 1974 to rem ove the
”N ” w ord from place nam es in
M aine. He had to convince other
representatives how hurtful and
hateful this word is to M aine citi
zens and its visitors.
D uring that floor debate, the
offensiveness o f the word squaw
was questioned. Several represen
tatives stated that to the native
population, it w as an offensive
term. This is not a new issue to
M aine, it is a 400 year old issue
that needs to be stopped
Nationally, M aine now joins
three other states which have re
m oved the word squaw from name
places. In North Carolina, the U.S.
Justice D epartm ent was involved
in the rem oval o f the w ord from a
school system in M arch of 1999.
There is no other w ord used to
day which hurts native wom en as
m uch as the word squaw. The term
has been used as a slanderous as
sault in hate crimes; last year, a
native woman was being brutally
assaulted by two men, who con
tin u a lly y e lle d , “ y o u d irty
s q u a w ” as th e y r e p e a te d ly
k ic k e d Vver.
In 1998, there w as a high
sch o o l fig h t th a t e v e n tu a lly
turned into a racial incident. N a
tive girls w ere called squaws;
this resulted in death threats b e
ing painted on the walls.
T his new law sen d s, w ith
great effectiveness, a goodwill
message o f understanding to the
N a tiv e p e o p le o f th is state:
M aine w ill stop sanctioning the
use o f offensive words, w hich
dehum anize and exploit the n a
tive people.
T he native people and the
native com m unities o f M aine,
askd for the passage o f this bill
to end the perpetuation o f dehu
manizing language that has been
used to define our women.
It is never an aggressive act
for a p eople to exercise their
right to self determination. It is
an intrinsic right that is woven
into the fiber o f values that this
country w as founded on.
T h e fo llo w in g C heyenne
proverb sum m arizes the point of
this bill concisely, “A nation is
never conquered until the hearts
of its wom en are on the ground.”
Every time this defamatory
term is used, the hearts of our
w om en take another blow.
�Wabanaki News page 3
Summer 2004
Chief Dana has vision for the Penobscot Nation
Strengthening the Penobscot Community is key
Chief Barry Dana is well aware
of having 10,000 years of history to
live up to as a member and leader of
the Penobscot Nation. It is what con
nects him to that past which makes
him the visionary leader the Nation
needs now to continue building on
its strength as a sovereign tribe in
Maine.
Chief Dana believes the best way
to strengthen the Penobscot Nation
is by strengthening the community.
The best way to strengthen the com
munity is to strengthen the family
and that is best done by strengthen
ing the individual. This is something
he works toward every single day as
the Nation’s elected leader.
Chief Dana has also worked with
many Tribal members to, among
other things, create a nationally rec
ognized Boys and Girls Club; create
tribal laws protecting elders; create
an Elder Advocate position; restruc
turing the Home Improvement Pro
gram which serviced 30 homes in
2003-2004 alone; create a cultural
preservation department which re
cently received a federal grant; be
gin major restoration work and dam
removal along the Penobscot River;
and increase the Tribe’s visibility
across Maine, New England and the
country.
He knows the future health of the
Tribe is linked to economic and so
cial health, and to that end Chief
Dana works tirelessly to foster a cre
ative and proactive environment that
will allow Tribal members to pros
per and live with dignity. He has
served on the board of the highly suc
cessful Four Directions Community
Development Financial Initiative and
has supported the development of an
Elder Care Facility both of which
have created jobs for Tribal mem
bers. Construction of the new elder
care facility begins later this summer
and, when complete, will employ six
additional people.
He is the first to say none of this
was accomplished on his own. In
fact, one of Chief Dana’s greatest
assets is his ability to recognize and
place his faith in the strengths and
abilities in others and his willingness
to give them the freedom to succeed.
Coupled with that is his refusal to be
satisfied with the status quo. He is
always looking for what the Tribe can
do to benefit each individual and the
Nation as a whole.
Chief Dana is a man who makes
people want to work harder and who
is willing to take chances and the ini
tiative. He will never ask anyone to
do more than he is willing to do him
self. His creativity and energy has
opened many different doors for the
Flat Stanley takes center stage at the Maine Legislature
Bids farewell to House Speaker Colwell and Senate President Daggett
Flat Stanley is a school project of a middle school in Indiana. One class in that school sent him to Maine so he
could visit new places. The object was that photos would record his adventure here. The photos would then be
sent back to the middle school class as a part of their project. Rep. Donna Loring moved him around to several
places in the Maine State Legislature, with a lot of fun.
Top left Flat Stanley was invited to be in a photo with the House Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary; top right, Rep. Donna
Loring shows Flat Stanley to House Speaker Patrick Colwell. Bottom left, Rep. Loring poses with Senate President Beverly
Daggett and Flat Stanley. Bottom right, Flat Stanley bids fairwell to Senate President Daggett.
�Summer 2004
Wabanaki News page 4
Chief Barry Dana’s historic State of the Tribes Address to the Maine State
Legislature on March 11, 2002
TR IB U TE TO CHIEF DANA
man or Stateswoman has probably been
Kkwev. Hello
President of the Senate, Mr. Bennett,
Speaker of the Hoi ;se of Representatives,
Mr. Michael Saxl,
Madam Chief Justice,
Governor Angus King,
Distinguished members of the House,
Distinguished members of the Senate,
Members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe,
Members of the Penobscot Nation and
Citizens of the State of Maine.
Kkwey
To all who are present here today and
to those who may listen on the radio out
side these walls and to those who may read
about this, I ask that your ears hear my
words so that you will know what I have
said. I ask for your minds to be open so
that you will understand my intent. I ask
that your hearts feel my commitment to bring
honor to my family, my tribe and to our state
that we all now share as our home.
Woliwoni. Thank you.
It is an honor and a privilege as
Saugama, the Chief of the Penobscot Na
tion, to be here on this historical day, ad
dressing the joint session of the 120th leg
islature.
Woliwoni. Thank you.
Today’s address symbolizes what I
truly believe to be anew era in Tribal/State
relations. Relationships are based on com
munication. Today’s forum allows for
direct communication. Perhaps our great
est days lay before us.
Nivan penawepskewi. I am Penobscot.
Nivan penawepskewi. I am a human
more responsible for bridging the gap of
misunderstanding between our two gov
ernments then anyone else of our time.
The dedication of this individual is appar
ent with the passage of such bills as:
*P.L. 625-where the tribes received
the extension on trust land acquisition.
*Co-sponsoring the efforts to include
portraits of outstanding Indians in the capi
tal, (When I first heard this I thought I
heard an Act to have famous Indians stand
ing outside the capital).
*Co-sponsoring P.L. 613, an act to re
move offensive place names and
*Being a primary sponsor of P.L. 403
L.D. 291, an act requiring the teaching of
Maine Indian history in primary and sec
ondary schools.
Please join me in honoring the Penob
scot Nation’s Representative to the legis
lature, DONNA M. LORING.
Before I discuss the current issues fac
ing my tribe, the Penobscot Nation, let me
first set the framework by which the Pe
nobscot Nation’s government operates.
Only through education can we ever hope
to eliminate stereotypes and put an end to
all forms of racism. The Penobscot Na
tion is a Tribe. Tribes here in this country
pre-date the creation of the States and the
Federal government. In the creation of
the U.S. Federal Govt., the founding fa
thers recognized the Tribes as distinct
forms of government, with inherent sov
ereign powers to ensure the birth given
rights to be self-determined.
The 1980 Settlement A ct recognizes
being from the Penobscot River.
M y grandfather, as his before him w as
th e se p ro tec tio n s o f in h eren t so v e re ig n
a pack basket maker, ariver guide, ahunter
and worked on the Penobscot log drive.
My grandmother, along with raising a
large family, tended a garden, was a sweetgrass braider for the fancy basket makers.
In my youth, I was fortunate enough to
have spent many hours in their presences,
hearing the stories of the “old days.” From
my grandparents, as well as other tribal
elders, is where I learned my culture.
Though these elders have joined our an
cestors, their values, their love for our cul
ture, memories of the old days and their
passion for preserving our traditions live
on in the pride of my people.
Nevan Penawepskewi. I am Penobscot.
I am thankful for my mother, a proud
Penobscot woman. In her 60 plus years
of living on the Penobscot River, she has
witnessed many changes for our people.
From facing the bitter winds of winter,
while walking across the ice, paddling
across the quick spring currents to go to
and from school, to driving her first car
across the infamous one lane bridge. My
mother has worked as hard as any man in
the Old Town Shoe factories to becoming
the Penobscot Nation’s Tribal Clerk, she
has stood in the cold November rains at
my High School football games (inciden
tally, she could never understand why 22
young men would fight over one funny
shaped ball). She has strived to make a
better life for her family and her people.
Please join me in honoring a proud Pe
nobscot woman, (Recognize my mom,
Lorraine Dana).
Nevan Penawepskewi. I am Penobscot.
I would like to recognize another out
standing Penobscot, who in keeping with
our proud history of being talented States
powers. The Senate Committee on Indian
Affairs, in their review of the 1980 agree
ment recognized and ratified our retained
sovereign powers and sited the 1st Cir
cuit Courts decision, “that the Maine
Tribes still posses inherent sovereignty to
the same extent as other tribes in the
United States.” Thus, rather than destroy
ing the sovereignty of the tribes, by rec
ognizing the power to control their inter
nal affairs and by withdrawing the power
which Maine previously claimed to inter
fere in such m atters, the settlem ent
strengthens the sovereignty of the Maine
Tribes.
The very essence of Tribal Sover
eignty is the ability to be self-governing
and to protect the health, safety and wel
fare of our people, within our own terri
tory. We are a distinct people with a unique
history. Though it has been a struggle to
retain these powers of self-government,
that preserves our distinctiveness, we have
done so. Despite how people outside our
tribe perceive us, we are first and fore
most an Indian tribe. From thousands of
years ago, the bones of our ancestors still
lie on the shores of Maine’s rivers and
ocean frontage. We still carry on their
dreams, their pride and the traditions of
self-determination and these we all hold
sacred. We will continue to fight to safe
guard these rights, in honor of our ances
tors and in order to preserve a future for
our children. Failure to do so would mean
surrendering the very essences of who we
are as Indian People. We are proud of our
place in history and the many contribu
tions we have made to the larger society
by assisting in common goals. We are still
here.
It has been a privilege and an
honor to work with Chief Barry
Dana. I have seen the Penobscot
Nation make tremendous progress
Chief Dana was first elected in
2000.
The Nation at that time was stag
nant and basically just marking time
until it would disintegrate into history.
Chief Dana is a leader who is not
afraid to take control and get out in
the public eye and fight for our rights
and for our survival. He continues to
do this. Since Chief Dana has taken
office progress has been started in the
areas of environmental protection,
housing for the elderly, youth pro
grams, economic development, edu
cation, cultural preservation, commu
nication and more. We cannot afford
to be set back twenty years. We must
look to the future.
Theresa Hoffman
Chief Dana is the strong, ener
getic and aggressive leader we need.
It is my hope that he continues to be
our Chief.
Thank you Chief Dana for your
vision, creativity and your past four
years of service to the tribe.
Donna M. Loring, Representative
o f the Penobscot Nation
from page i
MIBA is credited with reviving an imperiled art—so effectively that over the last
decade the number of trained tribal basketmakers has grown from 50 to 120. More
over, the average age of MIBA members has dropped from 63 to 43 (which means
more young people are making baskets). Members offer periodic workshops on the
reservations and MIBA also sponsors a demanding year-long basketry apprentice pro
gram. In addition the organization is also fueling language preservation efforts by
encouraging elders who teach basketry to do so in their Native languages—Maliseet,
Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot. Ms. Hoffman, with the support of MIB A’s
board of directors and staff, spearheaded effective marketing efforts that have included
opening an elegant gallery/shop, publishing an 86-page guide to basketry and other
traditional Native American crafts in Maine, and collaborating with the Abbe Museum
in Bar Harbor on the annual Native American Festival and the Maine Indian
Basketmakers Market at the Hudson Museum on the University of Maine’s Orono
campus. Such efforts have given Maine Indian basketmakers a high profile throughout
the state and nation. T h e result is aneariy tenfold increase in the safes value of baskets,
making basketry a viable livelihood. According to Rebecca Cole-Will, head curator of
the Abbe Museum, “ThroughTheresa’s leadership, MIBAhas developed into a vitally
important organization that continues to cultivate a vibrant and growing Wabanaki
crafts community. In addition to the economic benefits of MIB A’s work, the strength
ening of the crafts tradition has proven critical to preserving the cultural identity of the
Wabanaki and to raising the self-esteem of craftspeople.”
According to another Penobscot leader, Donna Loring, who serves as tribal
representative to the Maine state legislature, “Two years ago, I initiated legisla
tion, the Maine Indian History Act, requiring all public schools in Maine to in
clude in their curriculum lessons concerning the culture and history of the state’s
original inhabitants. That bill passed, and Theresa’s work is playing a vital role in
its implementation. Her efforts have been, and continue to be, tireless and self
less. They have increased the self-worth of Native people, fostered cross-cultural
interaction and understanding, prodded people to think in terms of sustainable
development, and made a very tangible difference in the economic livelihoods of
many rural Indian families across the state.”
A small sampling of the other winners of this year’s Rural Creativity award:
A Betty Makoni from Zimbabwe established empowerment programs for
sexually abused girls.
A Byatshandaa Jargal of Mongolia setup various programs to counter
malnutrition.
A Marta Benavides of El Salvador works for peace, justice, and economic
opportunity for indigenous peoples
A Haoua Baraze from Niger led a fight for educating girls.
A N ’Dw Sene of Senegal mounted an effective challenge to unauthorized
tourism development.
A Victoria Adetona established a micro-credit organization for women.
A Wang Fengyan of China set up an angelworm-breeding network
for rural women. (Angelworms improvel soil fertility.)
A Khalida Bibi Awan of Pakistan created a local seed bank and also opened
a small vocational center in her home.
A Francisca Eugenia of Cuba transformed a garbage dump into an organic garden.
A Aurora Carmona of Columbia launched many projects, including
community and family gardens that greatly increase food security.
A Neela Thangavelu of India organized some 140 women’s self-help
groups representing over 3000 women and led a successful struggle
to regain peasant land.
For more information, visit the WWSF website www.woman.ch where profiles of
prize winners past and present are posted. Mailing address: Women’s World Summit
Foundation, PO Box 2001,1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland. (Phone: +41 22-738.66.19)
�Summer 2004
Wabanaki News page 5
Chief Barry Dana speaks out on TV after stunning defeat of casino vote
Statement from Barry Dana, Chief of
the Penobscot Nation
Wednesday, Nov. 5,2003
Nothing has changed. Maine on
Nov. 5, 2003 is the same as Maine
yesterday, and the day before that, and
the day before that.
A Maine which is home to thou
sands of hardworking people and
families - Native and non-Native alike
- who want nothing more than to stay
here, to work here, and raise their
families here. A desire that has become
more and more difficult with each
passing year even as our state govern
ment promises economic opportunities
for all.
Nothing has changed. My people
have lived with these hollow promises
for 500 years. Promises from state
leaders combined with lies, scare
tactics and intimidation to keep a
majority of the state’s wealth, power
and resources in the hands of a select
few.
On Nov. 5 there are still two
Maines. Two Maines delineated not by
any geographic boundaries, but drawn
along straight economic lines. The
wealthy minority wanted to stay just
that. A minority in a state with thou
sands of residents living near or below
the poverty level. Thousands of
residents facing each day with no
health insurance. Thousands working
two or three jobs to cobble together a
weekly wage equivalent to a day’s
salary for the wealthy elite.
Once again this elite used all the
power and influence their money
could buy to keep Maine the way they
want it to be.
The Penobscot-Passamaquoddy
Casino was a good deal for Maine.
And everything that made it a good
deal made it a bad deal for the big
business status quo. An abundance of
good paying jobs and benefits. A huge
influx of cash into the state’s coffers
over which they had no control. The real
hope and opportunity for economic
prosperity for some of Maine’s poorest
residents living in its poorest regions.
Now, thanks to the efforts of a
group who never looked beyond what
was good for them, those poorer
residents can stay right where they are.
They can continue to collect welfare
and work multiple jobs.
Casinos No! is celebrating a
victory today. They have a lot to
celebrate. Thanks to them, hundreds of
thousands of textile and manufacturing
jobs which have left Maine in the last
five years will go un-replaced for the
foreseeable future. They can congratu
late themselves on a fight in which
lies, media manipulation and the
exploitation of children in advertising
were all used to further their smallminded agendas. They are joined in
this celebration by our current and
former governor. Two elected officials
who used their political clout to pull the
economic rug out from under so many
needy people - the very people who put
them in office in the first place.
I am saddened that so many
people were drawn into the
opposition’s lies. This ought not to
have been, but they had our own state
governor doing much of the work for
them; leading them from the back of
the pack in speaking out against what
we were offering.
Today, these same politicians will
resume their promises of amorphous
economic opportunity zones and tax
incentives as solutions to Maine’s
joblessness. None of it puts real
Mainers back to work. But maybe it
allows the governor to sleep at night.
The casino was a real solution
offered by the Tribes to all of Maine.
Something we - as a minority - were
ready to share with the 97 percent
white/non-Native population of the
state. We had hoped the governor
would hear the message that people
need to work, they need jobs, they
need hope. This was to be our gift to
Maine.
That, too, has not changed. As a
people, my tribe is accustomed to the
snubs and affronts from state officials.
There are many in Maine - in and out
of government - who are best served if
we stay quietly on our reservations
weaving baskets. While we are a
proud people with proud traditions, we
are also a people of lawyers, doctors,
teachers, therapists, builders, farmers
and students. People who would like
to stay in Maine but who are finding
fewer and fewer opportunities to do
so.
If it was simply a gaming issue,
not even our governor could have
spoken against it. Not as the leader of
a state which welcomes and sponsors
gaming in a state-run lottery, scratch
tickets and multiple venues for off
track betting.
During this campaign I have
spoken to people from all parts of the
state. I have looked into the eyes of
elders who no longer have jobs or
homes thanks to the industries which
have left. One thing I have learned even in the face of the hatred and
ignorance from the opposition - is that
there are good, proud people in Maine.
People who understood this was about
more than gaming. Along with eco
nomic freedom for all Mainers, this
referendum was also about sover
eignty and Native self-reliance.
I have seen the unification of
Natives and non-Natives behind this
crucial issue and this campaign
brought it into the living rooms and
coffee shops of Maine.
So maybe something has changed,
after all. People are starting to see a
lack of integrity and honor in our
political leaders and their methods in
getting their way. People are starting
to see that Maine lacks real leadership
and there are some very ugly realities
in Maine government.
In the end, we did not get a Casino
or the 10,000 jobs and $100,000,000
for education and property tax relief.
There are no positive changes on the
economic horizon. But maybe we did
get something as important: the
unification of a number of diverse
groups working for tribal sovereignty
for Maine’s Native citizens and
economic hope for all.
My people have been here for
10,000 years and we will be here for
another 10,000. We are used to
fighting for all that we have. But we
are also used to extending our hands in
friendship. We will continue to offer
our gifts and our hope to all who can
see beyond lies, deception and fear.
We walked a long road on this
campaign and made many good, true
friends on the way. To all of them and
all of those who supported us I extend
my sincerest gratitude and say thank
you. In the words of my people,
Wuliwoni.
Barry Dana,
sagama penawapskewi
Moving
on after defeat
letters@TimesRecord.Com
11/14/2003
Chief Barry Dana’s sharp re
sponse to the 2-1 defeat of the
Penobscot-Passamaquoddy ca
sino question was unfortunate
(Nov. 6, “Penobscot chief: ‘There
are still two M a in es’”). But
th e r e ’s som eth in g everyon e
should realize.
The two leading casino pro
moters made an amazingly quick
exit and weren’t around to help
the tribes navigate the political
fallout. Lawyer Tom Tureen who
spearheaded the campaign and
Think About It’s spokeswoman,
Erin Lehane, both left for vaca
tions 36 hours after the election,
The Associated Press reported.
Not that they didn’t deserve
rest from their labors, but they
left the tribes to face the aftermath of a highly charge race with
no assistance and that seems cold.
If they’d stayed around a few
more days, they could have eased
the disappointment and tempered I
Chief Dana’s remarks.
I
¥ ortuivateVy, most \ » e o a r v d
groups castigated by the tribal
leader’s remarks will be gracious
enough to move on. In fact, Gov.
John Baldacci hasn’t wasted any
time in reaching out.
Wednesday he met with the
leaders of four Maine tribes: the
P en ob scot, Passam aquoddy,
Micmac and Maliseet. He has di
rected the state Department of
Economic and Community De
velopment and his staff to meet
with tribal leaders within the next
30 days to work up an economic
development strategy, The Asso
ciated Press reported. Also, mem
bers of his staff will attend up
coming tribal council meetings
for that purpose.
Equally good news is the fact
that Chief Dana said he now re
alizes that the casino question was
not defeated because Mainers are
prejudiced toward the tribes. He
understands that it was defeated
based on issues raised during the
campaign.
In the year long discussion of
the casino question on these Opin
ion pages, some contributors la
mented that it was difficult to vote
“No” without having an alterna
tive to offer M ain e’s N ative
Americans. We commend Gov.
Baldacci and the tribal leaders for
setting out toward that goal so
quickly.
We may have lost
the battle but we
have not lost the
war
by Donna M. Coring
As the Penobscot Nation’s Repre
sentative to the State Legislature I would
be remiss in my duties if I did not re
spond to your editorial “Moving on Af
ter defeat” published in your paper on
Friday November 14, 2003.
The photo chosen for use by the
Times Record was the same Associated
Press Photo the Portland press selec
tively chose and clearly misrepresented
the tenor of the meeting. The Bangor
Daily News photo by Kevin Bennett at
the same event on Thursday November
13th would have been more accurate. It
showed Chief Dana seriously speaking
to the news media. Governor Baldacci
touted the meeting as one to strategize
for economic development for the tribes.
The truth is the Chiefs and Tribal Rep
resentatives agreed to attend this meet
ing not because of wind mills or any
other economic project but because the
Governor of the State, who represents
the people of the State, requested a meet
ing. We simply agreed to attend out of
respect for the people of Maine. We went
to listen to what he had to say and no
promises were made from either side.
Further move I strongly disagree
with your comm entary about Chief
Dana’s “Sharp response to the 2-1 de
feat of the Passamaquoddy and Penob
scot Casino question.” You called the
statement he issued after the November
2nd defeat “unfortunate”. I call it cou
rageous and commendable.
For the first time in history, a Pe
nobscot Sagama (Chief) stood up pub
licly to those in power in this State and
represented his people. Chief Dana put
words to the wounded spirits of his
people. The Penobscot people were hurt
deeply by the tone and tactics of the elec
tion.
Chief Dana was only expressing the
deep heart felt feelings and beliefs of his
people. As Sagama he could do no less.
For you to say that Tom Tureen or Erin
Lahane would have had any influence
over him in this regard is paternalistic,
ludicrous, and m arginalizes Native
people.
The Penobscot will move on from
this learning experience as we have for
the past five hundred years. We have
made many friends during this journey
and we will look to them for help in the
future. We will survive as a people and
as a culture.
In conclusion, I restate; your view
of Chief Dana’s “sharp response” is
completely and totally opposite from
mine and as the Representative of the
Penobscot Nation it is with great pride
and honor that I call Chief Barry Dana,
Sagama.
Woliwoni
�Summer 2004
Wabanaki News page 6
MEMORIES
�Summer 2004
Wabanaki News page 7
�Wabanaki News page 8________________________________________________________________________________________________ Summer 2004
Taking a Stand: March on the State House for Water Protection
“Tribal members and supports gather at the steps of the statehouse to deliver the court ordered tribal paperwork to the paper companies. The Tribal Governors of the
Passamaquoddy Tribe and the chief of the Penobscot Nation lead the march to Augusta to deliver the court ordered papers. After a two year battle in the Maine courts and
a rejected hearing in the Federal courts the Tribes had to deliver paperwork concerning environmental issues, so the paper companies can review them. This was a very
sad day in State and Tribal relations. The people of Maine sided with the tribes on the issue of clean w ater, as supporters followed the tribe to the statehouse steps. This
was a long walk, 40 miles, starting at the 1724 Norridgewock village site, an area of another disaster...... ” Rep. Soctomdh
From the birchbark canoe, the
Passamaquoddy people trav
eled the coast of Maine and
New Brunswick Canada, har
vesting just enough food for
the families and leaving the
rest for nature to consume. On
a successful hunting trip the
canoeist uses the moose call
ing horn to sign his return.
Here on Grand Manan Island
the invisible line between the
United States and Canada has
divided the traditional lands of
the Passamaquoddy tribe.___
MARCH FOR TRIBAL
,
SOVEREI GNTY
r \
M
T
P
F
WA TER PROTECTION
Rep. Loring speaks out
Rep. Soctomah with his sister
Madonna after the March
A m essage from Penobscot Nation Governor Barry Dana
on W ater P r
May 23rd, Norridgewock, Maine on the shores of the
Kennebec River, we gathered at 5 a.m. to begin our March to
Augusta. This was a civil rights style march to bring public
awareness to our struggles to have the State of Maine recog
nize our sovereign status. This peaceful march helped us educate
the people of the State as to who we are and our status as a tribe.
Fifty people, both Indian and non-Indian completed the march
covering 39 miles. News media reporters joined us, interviewed
us and helped spread the message. We concluded the walk at the
Augusta Civic Center.
The next morning we met at the Civic Center but this circle
included 150 people. We all walked the remaining three miles
from the Civic Center to the steps of the Capitol. On the steps
we delivered our speeches to the audience, which again in
cluded the media. Our message was clear, that the State, its
courts and paper industry has violated the 1980 Settlement
Act by invading internal tribal matters by requesting to in
spect tribal documents. On those steps we were joined by
members of the Coalition to Support Tribal Sovereignty, the
Chair of the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission, the Presi
dent of the United Southern and Eastern Tribes, the co-founder of the
the 42 mile route we received many horns and thumbs up in support.
Maine Peoples Alliance, all who gave eloquent speeches in support o f our
„
efforts.
This event brought much needed attention to our struggles. A ll along
People across the State are drawing the conclusion that the fight for sovereignty as well as the efforts for a casino are all about desire to be self.
. . .
reliant, self-governed and independent.
�
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<em>Wabanaki Legislative News </em>(Summer 2004)
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Loring, Donna M. and Donald Soctomah
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2004
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Cathleen Miller, UNE
Julia Brush
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�������
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<em>Wabanaki Legislative News </em>(1999)
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Loring, Donna M. and Donald Soctomah
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University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection
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1999
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Cathleen Miller, UNE
Meredith Ricker
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English
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84b3071d5744255a793941d2b2f4cca9
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Text
Wabanaki Legislative Update ~ SprinQ 2000
Offensive Name law passed by Maine Legislature
iA
k waits Governor’s Signatured
Tan Kahk,
Greetings1
Dear Tribal Members,
Welcome to the second edition of the “Wabanaki Legislative Update.” This
newsletter is put together to inform the public on Legislative issues that affect
the native communities of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Micmac, and
Maliseet. I have enjoyed my first session in 1999 and look forward to my service
in the year 2001 next session.
In the Second Regular Session we will be addressing the following issues:
• LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive Names
• LD
An Act to Implement the Recommendations Concerning
Indian Archeological Sites
• LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to Implement the Maine Indian
Claims Settlement Concerning the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• LD 2499 An Act Concerning the Date by Which Land Must be Acquired
by the Penobscot Nation
• LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name in the Statutes of a Native Ameri
can Organization Able to Issue Hunting and Fishing Licenses
The bill. An Act Concerning Offensive Names, has received much national
media publicity and this shows that Maine is a leader in this area that address
issues such as this. We have held interviews with 2 in-state radio stations, 5 outof-state radio stations, and 2 British radio stations; also, an interview was taped
with ABC’s 20/20 show, (which was very badly reported). Your help in the
passage of this bill was the deciding factor, especially the young women who
stepped forward to speak from their hearts, thank you.
Other measures that we followed closely, which may have an impact on the
native communities, involved the Department of Human Services, especially
child welfare, education, and marine fisheries bills.
Be part of the process; let your voices be heard! I would like to hear from
you on issues, which may help our communities. If you have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact me at any of the following numbers:
State House 287-1400
Indian Township office 796-2301 ~ Pleasant Point office 853-2600
Mobile 461-8673 ~ email: soctomah@nemaine.com
Passamaquoddy website www.wabanaki.com
Welcome to the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature. This is
called the short session, and is comprised mostly of carry over bills and emer
gency measures. Carry overs are bills that were not acted on in the First Regular
Session. Emergency bills are determined by the Legislative Council to be of an
emergency nature. This session is scheduled to adjourn in early April 2000.
Again, in a joint effort, we bring you the second edition of the Maine Tribal
Legislative News/Wabanaki Legislative Update, in one complete format. Items
of interest are a history section and current issues, including an in depth look at
the offensive names bill, LD 2418, sponsored by Representative Soctomah. Also,
included are photos of Wabanaki Day, which was held at the Statehouse last
session.
We have charted our proposed bills for this short session with a brief expla
nation of each one, as we did in the first edition. You have shown your support
for these bills by attending the public hearings. Your presence spoke louder than
words! If you have comments, concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me either by telephone, snail mail, or e-mail, as follows:
Telephone/Fax 207-737-2608
55 North Front St., Richmond, ME 04357
dmldab @wiscasset.net
I wish you health and happiness for the new millennium.
Yours in the Spirit of Unity,
//
.
/vj, / * * /*<?
----
-/-
Donna M. Loring
Penobscot Nation, Tribal Representative
Wabanaki Legislative Update
Rep. Donna Loring
55 North Front S t, Richmond, ME 04357
Rep. Donald Soctomah
P.O. Box 102, Princeton, ME 04668
Woliwon, Thanks,
Donald Soctomah
Tribal Representative, Passamaquoddy Tribe
Printed at the expense of Representatives Soctomah and Loring
�OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Testimonials for and against LD 2418 - An Act Concerning Offensive Names
—Patricia Smith Ranzoni,
Bucksport
Because of medical troubles I
was unable to attend the hearing on
the bill to remove the word “squaw”
from M aine place nam es; and for
same reasons do not feel up to the
letter this subject deserves. Neverthe
less, I must add my voice, and the
voice of my family, to the record on
behalf of this important legislation
and appreciate the opportunity to in
sert testimony, however inadequate,
this way.
From the time I learned we are
d escended from E uropeans w ho
settled on land belonging to Native
Peoples, I have sought to educate
m yself and our family on what is
known and unknown about our part
in history here as related to the tribes.
This path could only lead to great
sorrow, as well as humbling gratitude
for an “old love, too, between us,”
as I have written in my poetry in
honor of generational relationships
between some N ative friends and
some in our line.
It has long troubled me that our,
M aine’s, First Peoples are routinely
expected to support special efforts—
days, conferences, discussions, occa
sions, organizations, legislation and
so forth— aimed at promoting “diver
sity” and an understanding of and be
tween other races and cultures here,
while their own situation and dis
crim in atio n s o ften rem ain o v er
looked or discounted. The matter of
the usage of squaw, a remnant of old
thinking, in much the same way as
“nigger” has come to be seen, is but
one example.
One can only guess how it must
feel for tribal members to have to
appear before a legislature made up
of descendants of those who invaded
and, by means not wholly honorable,
as the record shows, took over their
homelands, to ask for understanding
in this matter of great meaning for
their people.
If M aine’s Native Peoples aren’t
included in what is meant by recent
efforts toward cross-cultural respect,
then the easy term “diversity” rings
hollow; and without the hard and
painful work to hear and act upon
what is needed to make things right,
is nothing but a hollow, false, and
cruel term with little more meaning
than any other social fad.
From reports in the newspapers,
tribal representatives and members
have articulated most clearly, pas
sionately, and successfully the ratio
nale for their request. They are their
own indisputable source.
I want to speak, also, as a woman
here. Having no right to call M aine’s
first and least known women “sis
ters,” I nevertheless, stand with them
in outrage against the reality of what
this word has meant in their lives.
That non-Natives have inexcusably
endowed this word with shame, here
and around the world, is irrefutable,
having been docum ented through
both folk and scholarly histories. It
can never be righted but through
changes the Natives, themselves, ask
for in order to retrieve their honor.
Please listen.
Let it not, again, be solely about
the lesser profit of business, but this
time, about the greater profit of hu
man respect. We cannot undo what
has been done, but we can begin new,
now that we know. We can return the
mountains, rivers, islands and points
to the Native women of this place in
this way. First, proclaiming sorrow
for what has been taken, then invit
ing them to name these places in a
new spirit of presence we can honor,
protect, and celebrate with them.
Please.
For our family, ancestors and de
scendants.
please turn to page 3
Maine’s Native Americans Gain Passage of LD 2418
by Representative
Donald Soctomah
As we enter a new millen
nium, I have hope for a better
relationship between the native
population and the State of
M aine. In order for us to achieve
this improved relationship, we
must end 400 years of hurt and
discrimination. We must learn to
live together peacefully, by hon
oring and respecting each other.
This hope was the motivat
ing factor behind legislation that
would end the use of a demoral
izing and dehumanizing term in
the State of Maine.
The passage of this bill by
the Maine House or Represen
tatives and Senate will soon be
signed into law by Governor
Angus S. King, Jr..
It w ill rem ove the word
squaw from place names in the
state.
This is not an issue of politi
cal correctness. It is about basic
human decency and respect for
one’s fellow citizens. The new
law protects an under repre
sented group in our state, native
women. Our wom en-grandmothers, mothers, and daugh
ters, are all entitled to protection
against basic human rights vio
lations, such as the use of demor
alizing language. The driving
force behind this bill is hundreds
of native women, who are con
tinually offended by the use of this fensive, derogatory words. Native assaulted by two men, who con
women have the right to define tinually yelled, “you dirty
slang word.
The Thesaurus of Slang iden themselves.
squaw ” as they repeatedly
tifies the word “squaw” as a syn
We need to grow and under kicked her.
onym for prostitute,, harlot, hussy, stand that the use of the term
In 1998, there was a high
and floozy. The dictionary identi squaw shows a lack of compas school fight that eventually
fies this word as one that is used sion to human beings, it is hard turned into a racial incident. N a
for the general population to imag tive girls were called squaws,
to offend native females.
After generations of exposure, ine how hurtful a word can be un this resulted in death threats be
the word squaw is seen as a neu less it is directed toward them, ing painted on the walls.
This new law sends, with
tral word to the general public. But their culture, or racial background.
Rep. Gerald Talbot worked great effectiveness, a goodwill
to native females this word con
tinues to be a slanderous attack diligently in 1974 to remove the message of understanding to the
against them and their culture. ”N” word from place names in Native people of this state:
Violent incidents occur more of Maine. He had to convince other Maine will stop sanctioning the
ten near the native communities, representatives how hurtful and use of offensive words, which
where the clash between cultures hateful this word is to Maine citi dehumanize and exploit the na
zens and its visitors.
tive people.
still exists.
During that floor debate, the
The native people and the
When native people name a
geographic feature, such as a river offensiveness of the word squaw native communities of Maine,
or a mountain, the term used will was questioned. Several represen askd for the passage of this bill
describe a specific location, for the tatives stated that to the native to end the perpetuation of dehu
ease of the traveler, or to denote population, it was an offensive manizing language that has been
its spiritual significance. The term. This is not a new issue to used to define our women.
It is never an aggressive act
name of the Kennebec River de Maine, it is a 400 year old issue
for a people to exercise their
scribes the contours of the river. that needs to be stopped
Nationally, Maine now joins right to self determination. It is
Mount Katahdin was named to
three other states which have re an intrinsic right that is woven
signify the spirits of the mountain
moved the word squaw from name into the fiber of values that this
and its geography.
The term squaw was not origi places. In North Carolina, the U.S. country was founded on.
The following Cheyenne
nally used for place names, as the Justice Department was involved
word did not exist before the in the removal of the word from a proverb summarizes the point of
1600’s. It is not a linguist’s defi school system in March of 1999. this bill concisely, “A nation is
There is no other word used to never conquered until the hearts
nition of the original native word
day which hurts native women as of its women are on the ground.”
that is of concern, it is the way the
Every time this defamatory
term has been used to define na much as the word squaw. The term
tive women in its current context. has been used as a slanderous as term is used, the hearts of our
Through communication and edu sault in hate crimes; last year, a women take another blow.
cation we can rid the state of of- native woman was being brutally
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�FFENS
aga'"S’have a chance to change
women. We
BLIC
L° 2411-* " A tlensive Names from page 2
c
l
O
come to be felt as the word whore
that sexual connotation and to give
the respect to Native women that they
feels... dirty, degrading, and shameful.
My people have suffered great
in d ig n atio n u n d er w hite rule in
Houlton for many generations. We
did not have a land base before 1980
but for safety and community, our
families settled in the same area....
always delegated to the least desirable land,
tor behind the legislation, w hich
would remove the word squaw from
deserve. Being a Native man, and the
father of seven daughters, I do not
want to see them, or anyone else’s
daughter, have to carry these verbal
scars for the rest of their lives.
This Bill will send, with great effectiveness, a goodwill message of
understanding to the Native people
of this State: That Maine will stop
sanctioning the use o f offensive
place nam es w ithin the State o f
Maine. This is not an issue about political correctness; it is about basic
human decency and respect for one’s
fellow citizens. It is not a linguist’s
definition of the original Native word
words that dehumanize and exploit
the Native people. The Native comm unities o f the Passam aquoddy,
Penobscot, M aliseet and M icMac,
including elected governmental officials of these Tribes, representing
is of concern; it is the way the
term has been used to define Native
" ~ H“
w om en in its c u rre n t co n te x t.
7,500 people, have signed a resolu-
Donald Soctomah
Judiciary Com m ittee - C hairs
Senator Longley and Representative
Thompson.
Today is an im portant day in
Maine Native history. We are step
ping forw ard to address a term ,
which has been used for many years
to degrade and dehumanize native
women. This was the motivating fac-
. •
r
,
„
Through communication and education we can rid this State of offensive, derogatory words, so that Native women will have the right to
define themselves. This Bill seeks to
protect an under represented group
within this State, N ative Women.
T hey are e n title d to p ro te c tio n
against basic hum an rights violations, such as the use o f demoralizing language. The driving force be
hind this Bill is the hundreds of Na
tive Women, who are continually
offended by the use of this slang
word. To the general public, after
generations of exposure, the word
squaw is seen as a neutral word, but
to the Native Women this word con
tinues to be a slanderous attack
against them and their culture. In ra
cial incidents involving hate and
physical violence this word is con
tinually used to attack Native people.
These incidents occur more often
near the Native communities, where
unfortunately the clash of the cultures
still exists.
We need to grow and understand
that the use of the term squaw shows
a lack of compassion for human be
ings. It is hard for the general popu
lation to imagine how hurtful a word
can be unless it is directed at them,
their culture, or their racial back
ground.
In other areas where the squaw
word is used to define geographic
features, we can enhance the history
of the area by using the correct terms.
For example, Squaw Mountain can
be called M aquaso M ountain in
honor of C hief K ineo’s mother to
whom the legend refers. A nother
place, called Squaw Bosom, makes
a c o n n o ta tio n to w ard s N ativ e
o
f
the
Year of the Native Woman. We ask
the State of Maine and the Federal
government to recognize this d e c i
ration by stopping the use of the term
squaw.
One experience that is burned
into my memory was coming home
one day and seeing a big road sign at
the end of our road that said SQUAW
KNOLL. When I entered my home I
found my mother in tears... she was
so humiliated
Can you for a moment im a g in e
imagine
how a black American finding a sign
»ad
e - e d by ,he ,„w „ gov——
ernment at the end of their road that
read Niqger Knoll would feel? We
felt no less insulted. My mother made
my two brothers go down and remove the sign. It was a very courageous act because she knew that
they could be charged with tampering with town property. But it was
Today you will hear testimony on
how the S .... word is being used
against Native women. You need to
listen because the vast general popu- m ore im portant to not allow our
lation does not get to hear this, now people to be treated with such bla
is the time for this to be told.
tant racism. The sign did not return...
I ask for passage of this Bill to the road now carries the name Co&an
end the perpetuation of dehumaniz Road.
ing language that has been used to
Long before the current debate
define Native women. It is never an over the word began we shared the
aggressive act for a people to exer common experience of being taunted
cise their right to self-determination. by the word squaw. Women of my
It is an intrinsic right that is woven tribe describe the taunting they were
into the fiber of values that this coun subjected to in the 60’s in downtown
try was founded upon.
Houlton as children and teenagers,
being surrounded by local w hite
youth giving their imitation (as seen
-Brenda Commander, TYibal
on television) of an Indian war cry
Chief, Houlton Band of Maliseet
and calling them squaws. N ative
Indians
young people did not venture down
Good M orning. I come before town alone ... but even in the com
you this morning as a Native woman, pany of others they were not safe
daughter, mother of a daughter, and guarded from verbal assaults... and
the Chief of the Houlton Band of it certainly did not come from young
Maliseet Indians, to tell you how the people only.... it was just as likely to
use of the word squaw has affected come from an adult.
my life, and that of my mother... my
I would like to be able to say that
sisters... my aunt’s... and the lives of such things would not happen today
all the women of my tribe.
but I cannot. As recently as two years
I have not spoken to even one ago, one o f our trib al eld ers, a
Maliseet woman who is not offended woman, was standing in front of the
by the use of the word squaw. We do C ounty courthouse in dow ntow n
not know how the word originated... H oulton, w hen a group o f youth
but we are certain it did not origi circled her doing their imitation of a
nate from our tongue. We did not use war yelp, calling her ’squaw’. It was
the term to describe ourselves; it was a devastating experience for her...
cast upon us by the white settlers. We bringing back all the old hurts.
are unsure of its original meaning,
As a people who for so long have
but we do know how it came to be not had a voice that was heard in
used. It has been used to taunt and Maine we did not feel empowered to
degrade us as women. The word has even think about addressing this is-
s u e .... we are th a n k fu l to Rep.
Soctomah, for bringing this issue to
the public conscience and giving us
a voice.
—Emma Nicolar
My name is Emma Nicolar. I am
a 58-year-old Penobscot woman. I
want to express my gratitude to those
individuals who have worked so hard
and persistently to get this bill where
it is today. This “Act” is a long time
overdue.
I am a P en o b sco t In d ian
woman— I am not a “squaw” al
though I have been called that many
times in my life. I don’t have the time
to detail here how detrimental this
societal abuse was to the develop-
n ie ^ f
ZZZZ. Z
I won’t go into what I’ve had to do
to heal from the pain that it inflicted,
but I did heal. I was born on the
Penobscot Indian R eservation in
Maine in 1942 but grew up in other
areas other than the reservation.
My parents separated when I was
around 4 years old and I went to live
in Connecticut. My mother later put
us in a foster home in Milford, ME. I
was six years old then, and that is
where I fvt& remember bevrvj det
graded andmade to feellike “
doggie
poo” (mild expletive) because I was
an Indian. I went to live with my dad
on Indian Island when 1 w as 11 years
old, and went to Old Town schools.
In gang units Old Town youths were
famous for calling me and others
“squaw”, dirty Indians, and making
sexually unacceptable remarks.
During the 1940’s and 1950’s
what did anyone know of unaccept
able behavior -next to nothing! I had
to grin and bear whatever came my
way. It was at this time, junior high I
believe, that I began to develop a
defensive attitude. Playing basketball
or engaging in other athletic activi
ties, if I was better at the game, the
only way the non-Indian girls could
put me down was to make remarks
about my being an Indian, not just
one - on - one, but always as a group/
gang.
The chip on my shoulder grew
during my teenage years, and at one
time I carried a knife on me at all
times and used it a couple of times
when physically accosted by non-In
dian boys. I went to live in M assa
chusetts during high school with an
older brother and had hoped that be
ing Indian wouldn’t follow me there,
but it did. My sister and I were the
please turn to page 6
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�1999 WABANAKI DAY ATTHE MAINE STATE HOUSE
�1999 WABANAKI DAY ATTHE MAINE STATE HOUSE
�OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Testimonials for and against LD 2418 - An Act Concerning Offensive Names fro p g 3
mae
only two Indians in the school sys
tem and we were never allowed to
forget it. I have never been endeared
by non - Indians for my ethnic back
ground, but always the edge of dirt,
filth, and second-rate citizen was
present in their remarks. Needless to
say I became an adult with no self
esteem. However, I had one charac
teristic which saved me - persever
ance. I was going to survive in spite
of all the name calling and hurt and I
did. Today, I know all about bigotry,
slander, prejudice, and how to pro
tect myself from the hurt and pain.
I ’ve watched the Native population
of this country struggle, just as the
Negro population has, to gain respect
and dignity. You cannot get away
with calling me “squaw” today be
cause I know the laws and will use
them against you. You cannot call my
daughter names, or my son, and get
away with it because I will come to
their rescue if they can’t handle it
themselves. I have held the current
school system s acco u n tab le fo r
p reju d ices d isp lay ed du rin g my
children’s education.
Squaw Valley, California, and
Squaw M ountain, M aine, are two
very beautiful places. I consider my
self a beautiful person today, and will
not tolerate being called “squaw” .
Change these names in this new mil
lennium, and transform these sites
back to their natural beauty. If you
must continue to use Native ethnicity
as a basis for naming these sites,
there are some beautiful names in the
Native languages, which would be
more appropriate. I have argued at
another committee meeting about the
use of the word “sovereignty”, as I
argue today about the use of the word
“squaw.” We as Native peoples never
needed these words, we have always
known who we are and have a lan
guage to describe ourselves. These
are your words, and “squaw” is a
misnomer. I ’m sure we’re all famil
iar with the description of this word
in W ebster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
But have you ever taken the time to
find out what an Indian woman was
called in her own language. Each
tribal language is different but each
tribe has a w ord, or d eriv ativ es
thereof, for designating a N ative
w om an or d e sc rib in g a N ativ e
woman. Do these place names that
contain “squaw” today have to have
an ethnic tone? How far would you
get today if you called these places
“Frog M ountain” , “Nigger M oun
tain”, or some such ethnic slur? We
are adults today, and possess the
power to make changes, and I pray
to the power to my understanding
that you will change all place names
with the word “squaw” in it in the
State of Maine.
—Richard M. Doyle,
Office of the Governor
G ood M orning to the d istin
guished Chairs and Members of the
Judiciary Committee.
I am honored to be here this
morning to testify in favor of L.D.
2418, an Act Concerning Offensive
Names. This act would correct a
defamation that has been perpetuated
against Indian Women specifically,
and Indian People in general. I will
not condone this word by speaking
it here today, but the bill specifies the
word in question. This word has been
used to defile Indian women ever
since the European invasion of this
land. You have been provided with
the origins of this word by Represen
tative Soctomah, MITSC, and oth
ers, I will not go there. What I do
want to talk about is how it feels to
an Indian Person, obviously a male
perspective, to hear someone use
such a word. I have heard the “s”
word many times in my life. Each
time it has been used to inflict pain
and stereotype Indian women. The
word as I hear and perceive it denotes
an Indian woman who is easy, an In
dian woman who is promiscuous, a
slut, a whore. When the term is used
generally the meaning is intensified.
Each time I hear this word I am of
fended to the point of madness and
disgusted that the dominant society
allows and tolerates such racist lan
guage.
I have heard our women tell me
about ex-boyfriends chasing them
around in public calling them the “s”
word loudly, having this term painted
on a door or wall to brand them, and
other arduous stories.
I have heard for m yself white
men saying things like “it’s Saturday
night, guess I’ll take a trip to the res
ervation and snag me one of those
“s” words” (this from UMM staff),
“better get home before my s” word
goes on the warpath”, “the girl was
so drunk out of her mind, if I didn’t
know better I would swear she was a
“s” word, as well as many other ex
amples of racially loaded idiocy.
This same type of racism is cur
rently allowed by the State in the
naming of businesses, geographic
features, natural resources, sport
teams, and all types of groups.
The non - Native will try to tell Thompson, and members of the com
you that these words are not offen mittee, I am Sharon Libby Jones, a
sive or were not meant to be offen selectmen for the town Greenville,
speaking against L.D. 2418.
sive.
I am a small business owner, a
I hope that this committee under
stands that the “s” word in today’s S ele ctm e n fo r the Town o f
society is offensive to Native people. Greenville and a former State Rep
There is no justification or explana resentative that represented District
tion that can change the fact that this 111, which is located in Piscataquis
term is racist. Others may try to tell County and includes 11 towns, two
this com m ittee that banning this plantations and several organized ter
word will infringe upon or even de ritories in Northern Maine. Several
stroy part of another Indian language. of these unorganized territories are
I do not accept this premise either, L ittle Squaw Tow nship and Big
since this “s” word may be a bastard Squaw Township.
L.D. 2418, An Act Concerning
ization of an Indian word, changed
in ignorance to classify and demean. Offensive Names, is a step in the
I do not know of any Indian culture wrong direction for Maine. I think
that would allow others to use their all of us here recognize the impor
words to shame and attack their Na tance of the State’s history. We need
to understand the state’s tribal cul
tive sisters and brothers.
L.D. 2418 goes further than just ture and history. Piscataquis County,
banning a word, it seeks to officially for over 100 years, has recognized
celebrate our Native Women for all and realized the importance of the
they have contributed to the Indian Native American culture and history.
family, the Indian culture, and to the Currently, the Piscataquis County
State of Maine. It is a positive ap Economic Council has begun survey
proach. Proclaiming this millennial research on the cultural heritage of
year The Year of the Native Ameri the region. This research project will
can Woman would honor all native be gathering information from his
people while providing hope for the torians, storytellers, and traditional
future that all people will be in har businesses. The information will be
m ony, and m u tu al respect w ill catalogued and used to develop a
a bound for one another.
cultural heritage m ap, which w ill b e
If it were up to my Tribe, this used to inform tbe citizens of tbe
term, along with other racially offen State and our travelers to the region
sive words, (excuse my language) of the richness of our history.
such as “redskin” would be prohib
We are m oving fo rw ard in
ited and if anyone dare utter the Greenville with a Natural Resource
word, then strict penalties would ap Education Center. The concept of this
ply. But it is not up to us, it is up to facility is to house orientation and in
the Maine Legislature to pass a bill terpretation services, educational
that would make it known to all, that exhibits, on- and off-site programs,
the State of Maine does not tolerate interpretive trails, and events that ex
racism. That the State of Maine will plain and celebrate the unique natu
not allow Indian women or any other ral and cultural heritage of the region.
group to be publicly ridiculed, that
Piscataquis County is the poor
the State of Maine recognizes and ap est County in the State with the least
preciates diversity, that the State of population of any other county. We
Maine pays honor to Native Women are rich with natural resources, his
for their strength, their accomplish tory, culture and pride. The Native
ments, their vision, their compassion, Americans are very much a part of
our history.
their beauty, and their tolerance.
Less than one week ago, I re
Thank you for allowing me to
speak my words and hope each of the ceived a Public Hearing Notice about
members consider them in deliber this important Public Hearing. Since
ating this matter. Please support L. then there have been several articles
and notifications that were sent to the
D .2418.
Woliwon (thank you) naka Tahu citizens of the area. Tremendous feel
ings, reflections on history, as well
(and stop)
as strong emotions, have been pour
ing in from the Native Americans and
citizens of the Moosehead Lake Re
—Sharon Libby Jones
gion. In less than 24 hours nearly 300
Greenville Selectmen
people signed petitions that were lo
and Former State Representative,
cated in just a few of our businesses
District 111
please turn to page 7
Senator Longley, Representative
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�Speech to the 63rd Maine Legislature,
in 1887 by Lewis Mitchell Representative
of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians
I was authorized by the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians to come
here before you for the purpose of making known to you what the
Passamaquoddy Indians have done for the American people, and
how we have been used by the American people and how we used
them. In 1775 or 1776, in the struggle between Great Britain and
America, your people came to us for assistance. You authorized Col.
John Allan to speak to us and you said, “He is our mouth, believe
what he says to you.” After many kind words and promises, Francis
Joseph, who was the chief of the tribe at that time, accepted his
offer. He promised to go and help his people gain their indepen
dence. Immediately he sent his captains to different parts of his coun
try to notify his people to prepare for immediate war. In a few days
Francis Joseph gathered an army of six hundred men. At that time,
and many years before that, the Passamaquoddy Tribe was the head
quarters of the Abnaki Nation.
Passamaquoddy Tribe can show you by a letter from Col. John
Allan when he authorized the Passamaquoddy Indians to guard the
coast form Machias to Passamaquoddy, and authorized them to seize
the enemy’s vessels. And according to his orders we can show you
by the affidavit, Capt. Sopiel Socktoma, with fifty others of his tribe,
captured an armed schooner in Passamaquoddy Bay, and they ran
her to Machias and gave her up to Col. John Allan.
We know the Indians who served in that war are passed out of
existence, but the Passamaquoddy Tribe helped the Americans in
that war, and the tribe is still in existence, Now we bountily ask
your attention to help us by letting the Legislature examine the pa
pers and refer them to Congress, if they see fit.
In the treaties of 1725, 1794, and Governor Dummer’s treaty of
1727, and in the laws of Massachusetts and Maine at their separa
tion, we were guaranteed the right to hunt and fish forever.
In the year 1854 or 1857 some dishonest person or persons pre
sented a petition to the Maine Legislature, asking the State to sell
the Indians’ land - Indians did not need it - so the Legislature passed
a resolve, that a certain piece of land, situated in the Town of Perry,
owned by the Indians, would be sold by public auction, on such day,
at Perry (they must have arranged everything so they wouldn’t bid
against each other) and that land was sold for the small sum of
$500.00. The Indians opposed the sale of it. Now their firewood
costs the Indians of Pleasant Point $ 1,500.00 a year. If that land had
not been sold, the Indians would not suffer for want of firewood.
Thousands of cords of cordwood have been cut, and wood is on it
yet.
The land cleared by the Indians was also sold. Now we claim
again that this is not right. An Indian agent himself bought this land
afterward and again when we lost the claim on the Islands the case
Granger vs. Indians, we not only lost the claim, but $2,500.00 out of
the Indians in favor of Mr. Granger.
Just consider, today, how many rich men there are in Calais, in
St. Stephen, M illtown, M achias, East M achias, Colum bia,
Cherryfield, and other lumbering towns. We see a good many of
them worth thousands and even millions of dollars. We ask our
selves, how they make most of their money? Answer is, they make
it on lumber or timber once owned by the Passamaquoddy Indians.
How many of their privileges have been broken? How many of
their lands have been taken from them by authority of the State?
Now, we say to ourselves, these Indians ought to have everything
they ask for. They deserve assistance. We are sent here to help the
poor and defend their rights.
Now, this plainly shows us how much worse a people of five
hundred and thirty souls are, stripped of their whole country, their
privileges on which they depend for their living; all the land they
claim to own now being only ten acres. If one or two men in this
body were Indians they would fight like braves for their rights.
Now look at yourselves and see whether I am right or wrong. If
you find any insulting language in my speech, I ask your pardon. I
don’t mean to insult anybody, but simply tell you of our wrong.
Testimonials from page 6
in the area. Yes Native Americans ganization, for years have promoted
sign them as well. That is how strong the word “Squaw ” w hether it be
our feelings are for the history of the Squaw Brook, Little Squaw Brook
word “Squaw.”
Campground, hiking and biking trails
The im p o rtan ce of the w ord throughout the Townships, on menus,
“Squaw” is not only important to the signs, Squaw Mountain Resort and
h e rita g e o f the area b u t to our G olf Course and our magnificent
economy locally and Statewide. Big Mountain called “Big Squaw Moun
Squaw Mountain, an internationally tain”.
known ski area in Big Squaw Town
Think for a moment the impact,
ship, is very important to our area. economically and historically, on this
T his M ou n tain at one tim e was unique area of the State. The follow
owned by the State. Located on ma ing D epartm ents w ould have to
jestic M oosehead Lake are wonder change many statues and regulations
ful areas such as Squaw Bay, Squaw and maps of the area. All Business
Point and Squaw Point Subdivision. Brochures, The Town of Greenville,
The State owns a cam pground on Emergency Management Agencies,
Squaw Brook. The water supply for The Department of Transportation,
the Town of Greenville comes from The Departm ent of Conservation,
a well located in Little Squaw Town The Department of Inland Fisheries
ship. The Town has a sanitary land and Wildlife, The Health and Infor
fill in Little Squaw Township. There m atio n C en ter (EM S law ),
is a growing industrial park located Piscataquis County Law Enforce
in this Township. We have a boom ment Agencies.
ing snow m obile industry located
We have recently had completed
throughout Little and Big Squaw areas for the E-911 system that con
Townships, and Big Squaw Moun tain the word “Squaw” . The evacua
tain. The trails systems (ITS 86 plus tion designation for our immediate
local trails) in these areas are some area is Big Squaw Mountain.
the best in the State.
Think what this change would do
(Expenditures per Snowmobile for the State Forestry Division in our
for a resident are near $600.00 and a area. They maintain an immense and
nonresident $1,100.00). Businesses, complex system for Forest Fires Pro
the S tate o f M ain e and the tection.
Moosehead Lake Region Chamber
Please do not remove forever the
of Commerce, the Moosehead His word “Squaw” from the Moosehead
torical Society, our schools and the Regions heritage by passing this leg
islation. Thank you.
Shaw Public Library,
International Seaplane Fly In Or
Partial listing of organizations supporting the
elimination of “Squaw” from name places in Maine
TribesAroostook Band of Micmacs
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkokmikuk (Indian Township)
Houlton band of Maliseets
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Pleasant Point)
Penobscot Nation
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (23 federally recognized tribes)
Other Native OrganizationsAIM
Daughters of the First Light
IRATE
NACHME
Wabanaki Mental Health, Inc.
Administration of Governor Angus S. King, Jr.Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission
Religious OrganizationsCatholic Diocese of Maine
Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Committee on Indian Relations
Friends Committee on Maine Public Policy
Maine Council of Churches
Maine Holocaust Human Rights Center
Other OrganizationsBlack Education and Cultural History, Inc.
(Former Representative Jerry Talbot,
Founder)
Hall-Dale Middle School Civil Rights Team
Maine AFL-CIO
Maine Civil Liberties Union
Maine Human Rights Commission
Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance
Maine Women’s Lobby
NAACP
National Coalition Building Institute____________________________ _
�Protection of Indian Archeological Sites
In the spring of 1999 the 119th Legislature passed
the following Resolve requiring the study of the issue
of looting and vandalism of Native American archeo
logical sites, and preparation of a report recommend
ing solutions:
Resolved: That the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission and the Representatives of the Penobscot
Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe jointly shall con
duct a review of the threats to Native American ar
cheological sites from looting and vandalisfn and re
port their recommendations for implementing a moni
toring or stewardship program for site protection and
preservation. The review must also involve the fol
lowing law enforcement agencies: the Maine Warden
Service, the Maine Forest Service, the Bureau of ma
rine Patrol, and local and state law enforcement. The
review must also involve the Native American com
munity and other interested parties.
To fulfill this legislative charge, Arthur Spiess held
a series of meetings with Donald Soctomah in August
and September 1999. Spiess, Soctomah and Represen
tative Donna Loring also met on September 8, 1999.
Then Spiess met with the law enforcement agencies
mentioned in the legislation and held discussions over
the telephone during September through December
1999. Donald Soctomah presented the legislation to
inter-tribal meetings for discussion. Comments were
sought form the board of the Maine Archeological
Society.
Late Breaking News
The bill is designed to provide increased protec
tion for archeological sites. It amends the definition of
an archeological site on state-controlled land to include
a site judged eligible for listing on the national Regis
ter of Historic Places by the Maine Historic Preserva
tion Commission and approved by the appropriate land
managing agency director or local governing body.
Current law requires the site to be listed on the Na
tional Register of Historic Places.
It also makes the unlawful excavation of a pro
tected archeological site a Class E crime for which a
fine of not less than $250 must be adjudged. The court
may order the defendant to pay an amount equal to the
reasonable cost of a proper archeological excavation,
had the area that was unlawfully excavated been prop
erly excavated.
A provision that an emergency archeological site
designation may be made for a period not to exceed
10 years and that the Director of the Maine historic
preservation Commission and the landowner shall
specify in writing the area that is the subject of such a
designation.
It provides funding for increased monitoring of
archeological sites. This funding supports a part-time
monitoring coordinator using existing part-time project
personnel and site monitors. It also provides funds for
the development and delivery of training materials for
law enforcement officers.
On March 3, 2000, on the morning show at 7:30
a.m., the KISS 94.5 DJ, Stan Marckoon advocated over
the public airways to call the new Sacajewea Dollar
the “Squaw Buck.”
Those of you who wish to express your feelings
on this issue, may write to the Station Manager at the
following address:
Mr. Mark Osborne
Co-owner/General Manager
KISS 94.5 Radio Station
PO Box 9494
Ellsworth, ME 04605
For further information, you may also contact:
Jessica Sockbeson McGregor
1410 Essex St.
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: (207) 990-2613
Fax: (207) 947-7840
E-mail: jsockbe@aol.com
Census 2000
Be s ir e to fill out your census
200 0 form . I t is imperative th at
Tribal Members be counted in the
New Millennium
TRIBAL ISSUES BEFORE THE 119™ SECOND REGULAR SESSION
LD # an d Bl T itle
il
LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to
Im plem ent the Maine Indian Claims
Settlem ent Concerning the Houlton
Band o f Maliseet Indians
Com m ent b y R ep. Loring
I am in favor o f the bill as written.
The Maliseets should be sovereign as
are Penobscots and Passamaquoddy.
Rep. Sherman o f Houlton reluctantly
sponsored by request; he was 7 0 %
against the bill in com mittee.
Com m ent b y R ep. Soctom ah
Strongly support. The Maliseet Band
should have the same rights as the
Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.
C urrent B illS ta tu s
Public Hearing held 1 /2 8 /0 0 ; was
tabled for 30 days so all parties
could reach agreem ent on
language and c o n ten t Failed to
pass in Committee.
LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive
Names
I completely support this bill; should
be a "No Brainer." The bill disallows
the use of Squaw or squa by the
State in naming public or geographic
sites. I t does not elim inate usage
from the English language.
This word has always been offensive,
in effect, used to demoralize native
w om en. They are the foundation o f
a healthy community. The State
must stop sanctioning its use.
Public Hearing held 1 /2 8 /0 0 in
Judiciary com m ittee; passed in
both the House and Senate; now
awaiting Governor's signature.
LD 2499 An act Concerning the Date
by Which Land Must be Acquired by
the Penobscot Nation
I am the sponsor of this bill. The bill
will extend the deadline by which the
Nation can purchase certain trust
Support for this bill will help the
Penobscot Nation put the remainder
of land in Trust. The never should
have been a tim e limit. All of the
Paper Co. land around our
com m unity was recently sold.
Public Hearing held 2 /9 /0 0 in
Judiciary com mittee; passed in
both the House and Senate; now
awaiting Governor's signature.
lands from 1 /3 1 /2 0 0 0 to 1 /3 1 /2 0 2 1 .
LD 2549 An Act to Im plem ent
Recommendations Concerning the
Protection of Indian Archeological
Sites
I am in favor o f implementing the
recommendations that will preserve
these sites.
A Resolve passed last session shows
th e concern felt for protection o f
these sites. Maine must protect the
sites, as w e have in the past.
Public Hearing held on 2 /2 8 /0 0 ;
passed 13-0 in committee;
awaiting final enactm ent.
LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name
in the Statutes of a Native American
Organization Able to Issue Hunting
and Fishing Licenses
I am in favor of this bill as long as
the organization works closely with
Allows an off-reservation group to
issue licenses from Native
the tribes to eliminate any
duplication.
communities' governing leader.
Passed Committee; is currently in
Second Reading in the House of
Representatives; awaiting final
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brooks
a t my request. Hopefully, the
com mittee will vote to recommend a
stronger role in both the House and
Tribal Representatives w ant and need Report Pending.
to play a m ore active role in the
legislative process. Every bill passed
affects our communities in one way
or another.
Joint Study Order Establishing a
Committee to Study the Recognition
o f Sovereign Nations in the Legislature
Senate for tribal representatives.
enactment.
LD 2607 An Act Concerning Previous
Passamaquoddy Indian Territory
Legislation
I am in favor of the Legislature
taking corrective action.
A corrective am endm ent should be
effective to change the law that was
plainly intended by all parties to the
process amending the Im plem enting
Act.
Referred to the Com m ittee on
Judiciary matters on March 7,
2000.
LD 2572 An Act to Fund the Cost of
the W aiver of Tuition, Fees and Other
I am in opposition o f passage o f this
measure, as it will only serve to
I am against the passage of this bill.
Received Unanimous Ought Not to
Pass report.
Expenses for Native American
Students in the Maine Technical
destabilize our funding base.
College System, University of Maine
System and Maine Maritim e Academy
1
1
�
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PDF Text
Text
Wabanaki Legislative Update ~ SprinQ 2000
Offensive Name law passed by Maine Legislature
iA
k waits Governor’s Signatured
Tan Kahk,
Greetings1
Dear Tribal Members,
Welcome to the second edition of the “Wabanaki Legislative Update.” This
newsletter is put together to inform the public on Legislative issues that affect
the native communities of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Micmac, and
Maliseet. I have enjoyed my first session in 1999 and look forward to my service
in the year 2001 next session.
In the Second Regular Session we will be addressing the following issues:
• LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive Names
• LD
An Act to Implement the Recommendations Concerning
Indian Archeological Sites
• LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to Implement the Maine Indian
Claims Settlement Concerning the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• LD 2499 An Act Concerning the Date by Which Land Must be Acquired
by the Penobscot Nation
• LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name in the Statutes of a Native Ameri
can Organization Able to Issue Hunting and Fishing Licenses
The bill. An Act Concerning Offensive Names, has received much national
media publicity and this shows that Maine is a leader in this area that address
issues such as this. We have held interviews with 2 in-state radio stations, 5 outof-state radio stations, and 2 British radio stations; also, an interview was taped
with ABC’s 20/20 show, (which was very badly reported). Your help in the
passage of this bill was the deciding factor, especially the young women who
stepped forward to speak from their hearts, thank you.
Other measures that we followed closely, which may have an impact on the
native communities, involved the Department of Human Services, especially
child welfare, education, and marine fisheries bills.
Be part of the process; let your voices be heard! I would like to hear from
you on issues, which may help our communities. If you have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact me at any of the following numbers:
State House 287-1400
Indian Township office 796-2301 ~ Pleasant Point office 853-2600
Mobile 461-8673 ~ email: soctomah@nemaine.com
Passamaquoddy website www.wabanaki.com
Welcome to the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature. This is
called the short session, and is comprised mostly of carry over bills and emer
gency measures. Carry overs are bills that were not acted on in the First Regular
Session. Emergency bills are determined by the Legislative Council to be of an
emergency nature. This session is scheduled to adjourn in early April 2000.
Again, in a joint effort, we bring you the second edition of the Maine Tribal
Legislative News/Wabanaki Legislative Update, in one complete format. Items
of interest are a history section and current issues, including an in depth look at
the offensive names bill, LD 2418, sponsored by Representative Soctomah. Also,
included are photos of Wabanaki Day, which was held at the Statehouse last
session.
We have charted our proposed bills for this short session with a brief expla
nation of each one, as we did in the first edition. You have shown your support
for these bills by attending the public hearings. Your presence spoke louder than
words! If you have comments, concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me either by telephone, snail mail, or e-mail, as follows:
Telephone/Fax 207-737-2608
55 North Front St., Richmond, ME 04357
dmldab @wiscasset.net
I wish you health and happiness for the new millennium.
Yours in the Spirit of Unity,
//
.
/vj, / * * /*<?
----
-/-
Donna M. Loring
Penobscot Nation, Tribal Representative
Wabanaki Legislative Update
Rep. Donna Loring
55 North Front S t, Richmond, ME 04357
Rep. Donald Soctomah
P.O. Box 102, Princeton, ME 04668
Woliwon, Thanks,
Donald Soctomah
Tribal Representative, Passamaquoddy Tribe
Printed at the expense of Representatives Soctomah and Loring
�OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Testimonials for and against LD 2418 - An Act Concerning Offensive Names
—Patricia Smith Ranzoni,
Bucksport
Because of medical troubles I
was unable to attend the hearing on
the bill to remove the word “squaw”
from M aine place nam es; and for
same reasons do not feel up to the
letter this subject deserves. Neverthe
less, I must add my voice, and the
voice of my family, to the record on
behalf of this important legislation
and appreciate the opportunity to in
sert testimony, however inadequate,
this way.
From the time I learned we are
d escended from E uropeans w ho
settled on land belonging to Native
Peoples, I have sought to educate
m yself and our family on what is
known and unknown about our part
in history here as related to the tribes.
This path could only lead to great
sorrow, as well as humbling gratitude
for an “old love, too, between us,”
as I have written in my poetry in
honor of generational relationships
between some N ative friends and
some in our line.
It has long troubled me that our,
M aine’s, First Peoples are routinely
expected to support special efforts—
days, conferences, discussions, occa
sions, organizations, legislation and
so forth— aimed at promoting “diver
sity” and an understanding of and be
tween other races and cultures here,
while their own situation and dis
crim in atio n s o ften rem ain o v er
looked or discounted. The matter of
the usage of squaw, a remnant of old
thinking, in much the same way as
“nigger” has come to be seen, is but
one example.
One can only guess how it must
feel for tribal members to have to
appear before a legislature made up
of descendants of those who invaded
and, by means not wholly honorable,
as the record shows, took over their
homelands, to ask for understanding
in this matter of great meaning for
their people.
If M aine’s Native Peoples aren’t
included in what is meant by recent
efforts toward cross-cultural respect,
then the easy term “diversity” rings
hollow; and without the hard and
painful work to hear and act upon
what is needed to make things right,
is nothing but a hollow, false, and
cruel term with little more meaning
than any other social fad.
From reports in the newspapers,
tribal representatives and members
have articulated most clearly, pas
sionately, and successfully the ratio
nale for their request. They are their
own indisputable source.
I want to speak, also, as a woman
here. Having no right to call M aine’s
first and least known women “sis
ters,” I nevertheless, stand with them
in outrage against the reality of what
this word has meant in their lives.
That non-Natives have inexcusably
endowed this word with shame, here
and around the world, is irrefutable,
having been docum ented through
both folk and scholarly histories. It
can never be righted but through
changes the Natives, themselves, ask
for in order to retrieve their honor.
Please listen.
Let it not, again, be solely about
the lesser profit of business, but this
time, about the greater profit of hu
man respect. We cannot undo what
has been done, but we can begin new,
now that we know. We can return the
mountains, rivers, islands and points
to the Native women of this place in
this way. First, proclaiming sorrow
for what has been taken, then invit
ing them to name these places in a
new spirit of presence we can honor,
protect, and celebrate with them.
Please.
For our family, ancestors and de
scendants.
please turn to page 3
Maine’s Native Americans Gain Passage of LD 2418
by Representative
Donald Soctomah
As we enter a new millen
nium, I have hope for a better
relationship between the native
population and the State of
M aine. In order for us to achieve
this improved relationship, we
must end 400 years of hurt and
discrimination. We must learn to
live together peacefully, by hon
oring and respecting each other.
This hope was the motivat
ing factor behind legislation that
would end the use of a demoral
izing and dehumanizing term in
the State of Maine.
The passage of this bill by
the Maine House or Represen
tatives and Senate will soon be
signed into law by Governor
Angus S. King, Jr..
It w ill rem ove the word
squaw from place names in the
state.
This is not an issue of politi
cal correctness. It is about basic
human decency and respect for
one’s fellow citizens. The new
law protects an under repre
sented group in our state, native
women. Our wom en-grandmothers, mothers, and daugh
ters, are all entitled to protection
against basic human rights vio
lations, such as the use of demor
alizing language. The driving
force behind this bill is hundreds
of native women, who are con
tinually offended by the use of this fensive, derogatory words. Native assaulted by two men, who con
women have the right to define tinually yelled, “you dirty
slang word.
The Thesaurus of Slang iden themselves.
squaw ” as they repeatedly
tifies the word “squaw” as a syn
We need to grow and under kicked her.
onym for prostitute,, harlot, hussy, stand that the use of the term
In 1998, there was a high
and floozy. The dictionary identi squaw shows a lack of compas school fight that eventually
fies this word as one that is used sion to human beings, it is hard turned into a racial incident. N a
for the general population to imag tive girls were called squaws,
to offend native females.
After generations of exposure, ine how hurtful a word can be un this resulted in death threats be
the word squaw is seen as a neu less it is directed toward them, ing painted on the walls.
This new law sends, with
tral word to the general public. But their culture, or racial background.
Rep. Gerald Talbot worked great effectiveness, a goodwill
to native females this word con
tinues to be a slanderous attack diligently in 1974 to remove the message of understanding to the
against them and their culture. ”N” word from place names in Native people of this state:
Violent incidents occur more of Maine. He had to convince other Maine will stop sanctioning the
ten near the native communities, representatives how hurtful and use of offensive words, which
where the clash between cultures hateful this word is to Maine citi dehumanize and exploit the na
zens and its visitors.
tive people.
still exists.
During that floor debate, the
The native people and the
When native people name a
geographic feature, such as a river offensiveness of the word squaw native communities of Maine,
or a mountain, the term used will was questioned. Several represen askd for the passage of this bill
describe a specific location, for the tatives stated that to the native to end the perpetuation of dehu
ease of the traveler, or to denote population, it was an offensive manizing language that has been
its spiritual significance. The term. This is not a new issue to used to define our women.
It is never an aggressive act
name of the Kennebec River de Maine, it is a 400 year old issue
for a people to exercise their
scribes the contours of the river. that needs to be stopped
Nationally, Maine now joins right to self determination. It is
Mount Katahdin was named to
three other states which have re an intrinsic right that is woven
signify the spirits of the mountain
moved the word squaw from name into the fiber of values that this
and its geography.
The term squaw was not origi places. In North Carolina, the U.S. country was founded on.
The following Cheyenne
nally used for place names, as the Justice Department was involved
word did not exist before the in the removal of the word from a proverb summarizes the point of
1600’s. It is not a linguist’s defi school system in March of 1999. this bill concisely, “A nation is
There is no other word used to never conquered until the hearts
nition of the original native word
day which hurts native women as of its women are on the ground.”
that is of concern, it is the way the
Every time this defamatory
term has been used to define na much as the word squaw. The term
tive women in its current context. has been used as a slanderous as term is used, the hearts of our
Through communication and edu sault in hate crimes; last year, a women take another blow.
cation we can rid the state of of- native woman was being brutally
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�FFENS
aga'"S’have a chance to change
women. We
BLIC
L° 2411-* " A tlensive Names from page 2
c
l
O
come to be felt as the word whore
that sexual connotation and to give
the respect to Native women that they
feels... dirty, degrading, and shameful.
My people have suffered great
in d ig n atio n u n d er w hite rule in
Houlton for many generations. We
did not have a land base before 1980
but for safety and community, our
families settled in the same area....
always delegated to the least desirable land,
tor behind the legislation, w hich
would remove the word squaw from
deserve. Being a Native man, and the
father of seven daughters, I do not
want to see them, or anyone else’s
daughter, have to carry these verbal
scars for the rest of their lives.
This Bill will send, with great effectiveness, a goodwill message of
understanding to the Native people
of this State: That Maine will stop
sanctioning the use o f offensive
place nam es w ithin the State o f
Maine. This is not an issue about political correctness; it is about basic
human decency and respect for one’s
fellow citizens. It is not a linguist’s
definition of the original Native word
words that dehumanize and exploit
the Native people. The Native comm unities o f the Passam aquoddy,
Penobscot, M aliseet and M icMac,
including elected governmental officials of these Tribes, representing
is of concern; it is the way the
term has been used to define Native
" ~ H“
w om en in its c u rre n t co n te x t.
7,500 people, have signed a resolu-
Donald Soctomah
Judiciary Com m ittee - C hairs
Senator Longley and Representative
Thompson.
Today is an im portant day in
Maine Native history. We are step
ping forw ard to address a term ,
which has been used for many years
to degrade and dehumanize native
women. This was the motivating fac-
. •
r
,
„
Through communication and education we can rid this State of offensive, derogatory words, so that Native women will have the right to
define themselves. This Bill seeks to
protect an under represented group
within this State, N ative Women.
T hey are e n title d to p ro te c tio n
against basic hum an rights violations, such as the use o f demoralizing language. The driving force be
hind this Bill is the hundreds of Na
tive Women, who are continually
offended by the use of this slang
word. To the general public, after
generations of exposure, the word
squaw is seen as a neutral word, but
to the Native Women this word con
tinues to be a slanderous attack
against them and their culture. In ra
cial incidents involving hate and
physical violence this word is con
tinually used to attack Native people.
These incidents occur more often
near the Native communities, where
unfortunately the clash of the cultures
still exists.
We need to grow and understand
that the use of the term squaw shows
a lack of compassion for human be
ings. It is hard for the general popu
lation to imagine how hurtful a word
can be unless it is directed at them,
their culture, or their racial back
ground.
In other areas where the squaw
word is used to define geographic
features, we can enhance the history
of the area by using the correct terms.
For example, Squaw Mountain can
be called M aquaso M ountain in
honor of C hief K ineo’s mother to
whom the legend refers. A nother
place, called Squaw Bosom, makes
a c o n n o ta tio n to w ard s N ativ e
o
f
the
Year of the Native Woman. We ask
the State of Maine and the Federal
government to recognize this d e c i
ration by stopping the use of the term
squaw.
One experience that is burned
into my memory was coming home
one day and seeing a big road sign at
the end of our road that said SQUAW
KNOLL. When I entered my home I
found my mother in tears... she was
so humiliated
Can you for a moment im a g in e
imagine
how a black American finding a sign
»ad
e - e d by ,he ,„w „ gov——
ernment at the end of their road that
read Niqger Knoll would feel? We
felt no less insulted. My mother made
my two brothers go down and remove the sign. It was a very courageous act because she knew that
they could be charged with tampering with town property. But it was
Today you will hear testimony on
how the S .... word is being used
against Native women. You need to
listen because the vast general popu- m ore im portant to not allow our
lation does not get to hear this, now people to be treated with such bla
is the time for this to be told.
tant racism. The sign did not return...
I ask for passage of this Bill to the road now carries the name Co&an
end the perpetuation of dehumaniz Road.
ing language that has been used to
Long before the current debate
define Native women. It is never an over the word began we shared the
aggressive act for a people to exer common experience of being taunted
cise their right to self-determination. by the word squaw. Women of my
It is an intrinsic right that is woven tribe describe the taunting they were
into the fiber of values that this coun subjected to in the 60’s in downtown
try was founded upon.
Houlton as children and teenagers,
being surrounded by local w hite
youth giving their imitation (as seen
-Brenda Commander, TYibal
on television) of an Indian war cry
Chief, Houlton Band of Maliseet
and calling them squaws. N ative
Indians
young people did not venture down
Good M orning. I come before town alone ... but even in the com
you this morning as a Native woman, pany of others they were not safe
daughter, mother of a daughter, and guarded from verbal assaults... and
the Chief of the Houlton Band of it certainly did not come from young
Maliseet Indians, to tell you how the people only.... it was just as likely to
use of the word squaw has affected come from an adult.
my life, and that of my mother... my
I would like to be able to say that
sisters... my aunt’s... and the lives of such things would not happen today
all the women of my tribe.
but I cannot. As recently as two years
I have not spoken to even one ago, one o f our trib al eld ers, a
Maliseet woman who is not offended woman, was standing in front of the
by the use of the word squaw. We do C ounty courthouse in dow ntow n
not know how the word originated... H oulton, w hen a group o f youth
but we are certain it did not origi circled her doing their imitation of a
nate from our tongue. We did not use war yelp, calling her ’squaw’. It was
the term to describe ourselves; it was a devastating experience for her...
cast upon us by the white settlers. We bringing back all the old hurts.
are unsure of its original meaning,
As a people who for so long have
but we do know how it came to be not had a voice that was heard in
used. It has been used to taunt and Maine we did not feel empowered to
degrade us as women. The word has even think about addressing this is-
s u e .... we are th a n k fu l to Rep.
Soctomah, for bringing this issue to
the public conscience and giving us
a voice.
—Emma Nicolar
My name is Emma Nicolar. I am
a 58-year-old Penobscot woman. I
want to express my gratitude to those
individuals who have worked so hard
and persistently to get this bill where
it is today. This “Act” is a long time
overdue.
I am a P en o b sco t In d ian
woman— I am not a “squaw” al
though I have been called that many
times in my life. I don’t have the time
to detail here how detrimental this
societal abuse was to the develop-
n ie ^ f
ZZZZ. Z
I won’t go into what I’ve had to do
to heal from the pain that it inflicted,
but I did heal. I was born on the
Penobscot Indian R eservation in
Maine in 1942 but grew up in other
areas other than the reservation.
My parents separated when I was
around 4 years old and I went to live
in Connecticut. My mother later put
us in a foster home in Milford, ME. I
was six years old then, and that is
where I fvt& remember bevrvj det
graded andmade to feellike “
doggie
poo” (mild expletive) because I was
an Indian. I went to live with my dad
on Indian Island when 1 w as 11 years
old, and went to Old Town schools.
In gang units Old Town youths were
famous for calling me and others
“squaw”, dirty Indians, and making
sexually unacceptable remarks.
During the 1940’s and 1950’s
what did anyone know of unaccept
able behavior -next to nothing! I had
to grin and bear whatever came my
way. It was at this time, junior high I
believe, that I began to develop a
defensive attitude. Playing basketball
or engaging in other athletic activi
ties, if I was better at the game, the
only way the non-Indian girls could
put me down was to make remarks
about my being an Indian, not just
one - on - one, but always as a group/
gang.
The chip on my shoulder grew
during my teenage years, and at one
time I carried a knife on me at all
times and used it a couple of times
when physically accosted by non-In
dian boys. I went to live in M assa
chusetts during high school with an
older brother and had hoped that be
ing Indian wouldn’t follow me there,
but it did. My sister and I were the
please turn to page 6
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�1999 WABANAKI DAY ATTHE MAINE STATE HOUSE
�1999 WABANAKI DAY ATTHE MAINE STATE HOUSE
�OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Testimonials for and against LD 2418 - An Act Concerning Offensive Names fro p g 3
mae
only two Indians in the school sys
tem and we were never allowed to
forget it. I have never been endeared
by non - Indians for my ethnic back
ground, but always the edge of dirt,
filth, and second-rate citizen was
present in their remarks. Needless to
say I became an adult with no self
esteem. However, I had one charac
teristic which saved me - persever
ance. I was going to survive in spite
of all the name calling and hurt and I
did. Today, I know all about bigotry,
slander, prejudice, and how to pro
tect myself from the hurt and pain.
I ’ve watched the Native population
of this country struggle, just as the
Negro population has, to gain respect
and dignity. You cannot get away
with calling me “squaw” today be
cause I know the laws and will use
them against you. You cannot call my
daughter names, or my son, and get
away with it because I will come to
their rescue if they can’t handle it
themselves. I have held the current
school system s acco u n tab le fo r
p reju d ices d isp lay ed du rin g my
children’s education.
Squaw Valley, California, and
Squaw M ountain, M aine, are two
very beautiful places. I consider my
self a beautiful person today, and will
not tolerate being called “squaw” .
Change these names in this new mil
lennium, and transform these sites
back to their natural beauty. If you
must continue to use Native ethnicity
as a basis for naming these sites,
there are some beautiful names in the
Native languages, which would be
more appropriate. I have argued at
another committee meeting about the
use of the word “sovereignty”, as I
argue today about the use of the word
“squaw.” We as Native peoples never
needed these words, we have always
known who we are and have a lan
guage to describe ourselves. These
are your words, and “squaw” is a
misnomer. I ’m sure we’re all famil
iar with the description of this word
in W ebster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
But have you ever taken the time to
find out what an Indian woman was
called in her own language. Each
tribal language is different but each
tribe has a w ord, or d eriv ativ es
thereof, for designating a N ative
w om an or d e sc rib in g a N ativ e
woman. Do these place names that
contain “squaw” today have to have
an ethnic tone? How far would you
get today if you called these places
“Frog M ountain” , “Nigger M oun
tain”, or some such ethnic slur? We
are adults today, and possess the
power to make changes, and I pray
to the power to my understanding
that you will change all place names
with the word “squaw” in it in the
State of Maine.
—Richard M. Doyle,
Office of the Governor
G ood M orning to the d istin
guished Chairs and Members of the
Judiciary Committee.
I am honored to be here this
morning to testify in favor of L.D.
2418, an Act Concerning Offensive
Names. This act would correct a
defamation that has been perpetuated
against Indian Women specifically,
and Indian People in general. I will
not condone this word by speaking
it here today, but the bill specifies the
word in question. This word has been
used to defile Indian women ever
since the European invasion of this
land. You have been provided with
the origins of this word by Represen
tative Soctomah, MITSC, and oth
ers, I will not go there. What I do
want to talk about is how it feels to
an Indian Person, obviously a male
perspective, to hear someone use
such a word. I have heard the “s”
word many times in my life. Each
time it has been used to inflict pain
and stereotype Indian women. The
word as I hear and perceive it denotes
an Indian woman who is easy, an In
dian woman who is promiscuous, a
slut, a whore. When the term is used
generally the meaning is intensified.
Each time I hear this word I am of
fended to the point of madness and
disgusted that the dominant society
allows and tolerates such racist lan
guage.
I have heard our women tell me
about ex-boyfriends chasing them
around in public calling them the “s”
word loudly, having this term painted
on a door or wall to brand them, and
other arduous stories.
I have heard for m yself white
men saying things like “it’s Saturday
night, guess I’ll take a trip to the res
ervation and snag me one of those
“s” words” (this from UMM staff),
“better get home before my s” word
goes on the warpath”, “the girl was
so drunk out of her mind, if I didn’t
know better I would swear she was a
“s” word, as well as many other ex
amples of racially loaded idiocy.
This same type of racism is cur
rently allowed by the State in the
naming of businesses, geographic
features, natural resources, sport
teams, and all types of groups.
The non - Native will try to tell Thompson, and members of the com
you that these words are not offen mittee, I am Sharon Libby Jones, a
sive or were not meant to be offen selectmen for the town Greenville,
speaking against L.D. 2418.
sive.
I am a small business owner, a
I hope that this committee under
stands that the “s” word in today’s S ele ctm e n fo r the Town o f
society is offensive to Native people. Greenville and a former State Rep
There is no justification or explana resentative that represented District
tion that can change the fact that this 111, which is located in Piscataquis
term is racist. Others may try to tell County and includes 11 towns, two
this com m ittee that banning this plantations and several organized ter
word will infringe upon or even de ritories in Northern Maine. Several
stroy part of another Indian language. of these unorganized territories are
I do not accept this premise either, L ittle Squaw Tow nship and Big
since this “s” word may be a bastard Squaw Township.
L.D. 2418, An Act Concerning
ization of an Indian word, changed
in ignorance to classify and demean. Offensive Names, is a step in the
I do not know of any Indian culture wrong direction for Maine. I think
that would allow others to use their all of us here recognize the impor
words to shame and attack their Na tance of the State’s history. We need
to understand the state’s tribal cul
tive sisters and brothers.
L.D. 2418 goes further than just ture and history. Piscataquis County,
banning a word, it seeks to officially for over 100 years, has recognized
celebrate our Native Women for all and realized the importance of the
they have contributed to the Indian Native American culture and history.
family, the Indian culture, and to the Currently, the Piscataquis County
State of Maine. It is a positive ap Economic Council has begun survey
proach. Proclaiming this millennial research on the cultural heritage of
year The Year of the Native Ameri the region. This research project will
can Woman would honor all native be gathering information from his
people while providing hope for the torians, storytellers, and traditional
future that all people will be in har businesses. The information will be
m ony, and m u tu al respect w ill catalogued and used to develop a
a bound for one another.
cultural heritage m ap, which w ill b e
If it were up to my Tribe, this used to inform tbe citizens of tbe
term, along with other racially offen State and our travelers to the region
sive words, (excuse my language) of the richness of our history.
such as “redskin” would be prohib
We are m oving fo rw ard in
ited and if anyone dare utter the Greenville with a Natural Resource
word, then strict penalties would ap Education Center. The concept of this
ply. But it is not up to us, it is up to facility is to house orientation and in
the Maine Legislature to pass a bill terpretation services, educational
that would make it known to all, that exhibits, on- and off-site programs,
the State of Maine does not tolerate interpretive trails, and events that ex
racism. That the State of Maine will plain and celebrate the unique natu
not allow Indian women or any other ral and cultural heritage of the region.
group to be publicly ridiculed, that
Piscataquis County is the poor
the State of Maine recognizes and ap est County in the State with the least
preciates diversity, that the State of population of any other county. We
Maine pays honor to Native Women are rich with natural resources, his
for their strength, their accomplish tory, culture and pride. The Native
ments, their vision, their compassion, Americans are very much a part of
our history.
their beauty, and their tolerance.
Less than one week ago, I re
Thank you for allowing me to
speak my words and hope each of the ceived a Public Hearing Notice about
members consider them in deliber this important Public Hearing. Since
ating this matter. Please support L. then there have been several articles
and notifications that were sent to the
D .2418.
Woliwon (thank you) naka Tahu citizens of the area. Tremendous feel
ings, reflections on history, as well
(and stop)
as strong emotions, have been pour
ing in from the Native Americans and
citizens of the Moosehead Lake Re
—Sharon Libby Jones
gion. In less than 24 hours nearly 300
Greenville Selectmen
people signed petitions that were lo
and Former State Representative,
cated in just a few of our businesses
District 111
please turn to page 7
Senator Longley, Representative
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�Speech to the 63rd Maine Legislature,
in 1887 by Lewis Mitchell Representative
of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians
I was authorized by the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians to come
here before you for the purpose of making known to you what the
Passamaquoddy Indians have done for the American people, and
how we have been used by the American people and how we used
them. In 1775 or 1776, in the struggle between Great Britain and
America, your people came to us for assistance. You authorized Col.
John Allan to speak to us and you said, “He is our mouth, believe
what he says to you.” After many kind words and promises, Francis
Joseph, who was the chief of the tribe at that time, accepted his
offer. He promised to go and help his people gain their indepen
dence. Immediately he sent his captains to different parts of his coun
try to notify his people to prepare for immediate war. In a few days
Francis Joseph gathered an army of six hundred men. At that time,
and many years before that, the Passamaquoddy Tribe was the head
quarters of the Abnaki Nation.
Passamaquoddy Tribe can show you by a letter from Col. John
Allan when he authorized the Passamaquoddy Indians to guard the
coast form Machias to Passamaquoddy, and authorized them to seize
the enemy’s vessels. And according to his orders we can show you
by the affidavit, Capt. Sopiel Socktoma, with fifty others of his tribe,
captured an armed schooner in Passamaquoddy Bay, and they ran
her to Machias and gave her up to Col. John Allan.
We know the Indians who served in that war are passed out of
existence, but the Passamaquoddy Tribe helped the Americans in
that war, and the tribe is still in existence, Now we bountily ask
your attention to help us by letting the Legislature examine the pa
pers and refer them to Congress, if they see fit.
In the treaties of 1725, 1794, and Governor Dummer’s treaty of
1727, and in the laws of Massachusetts and Maine at their separa
tion, we were guaranteed the right to hunt and fish forever.
In the year 1854 or 1857 some dishonest person or persons pre
sented a petition to the Maine Legislature, asking the State to sell
the Indians’ land - Indians did not need it - so the Legislature passed
a resolve, that a certain piece of land, situated in the Town of Perry,
owned by the Indians, would be sold by public auction, on such day,
at Perry (they must have arranged everything so they wouldn’t bid
against each other) and that land was sold for the small sum of
$500.00. The Indians opposed the sale of it. Now their firewood
costs the Indians of Pleasant Point $ 1,500.00 a year. If that land had
not been sold, the Indians would not suffer for want of firewood.
Thousands of cords of cordwood have been cut, and wood is on it
yet.
The land cleared by the Indians was also sold. Now we claim
again that this is not right. An Indian agent himself bought this land
afterward and again when we lost the claim on the Islands the case
Granger vs. Indians, we not only lost the claim, but $2,500.00 out of
the Indians in favor of Mr. Granger.
Just consider, today, how many rich men there are in Calais, in
St. Stephen, M illtown, M achias, East M achias, Colum bia,
Cherryfield, and other lumbering towns. We see a good many of
them worth thousands and even millions of dollars. We ask our
selves, how they make most of their money? Answer is, they make
it on lumber or timber once owned by the Passamaquoddy Indians.
How many of their privileges have been broken? How many of
their lands have been taken from them by authority of the State?
Now, we say to ourselves, these Indians ought to have everything
they ask for. They deserve assistance. We are sent here to help the
poor and defend their rights.
Now, this plainly shows us how much worse a people of five
hundred and thirty souls are, stripped of their whole country, their
privileges on which they depend for their living; all the land they
claim to own now being only ten acres. If one or two men in this
body were Indians they would fight like braves for their rights.
Now look at yourselves and see whether I am right or wrong. If
you find any insulting language in my speech, I ask your pardon. I
don’t mean to insult anybody, but simply tell you of our wrong.
Testimonials from page 6
in the area. Yes Native Americans ganization, for years have promoted
sign them as well. That is how strong the word “Squaw ” w hether it be
our feelings are for the history of the Squaw Brook, Little Squaw Brook
word “Squaw.”
Campground, hiking and biking trails
The im p o rtan ce of the w ord throughout the Townships, on menus,
“Squaw” is not only important to the signs, Squaw Mountain Resort and
h e rita g e o f the area b u t to our G olf Course and our magnificent
economy locally and Statewide. Big Mountain called “Big Squaw Moun
Squaw Mountain, an internationally tain”.
known ski area in Big Squaw Town
Think for a moment the impact,
ship, is very important to our area. economically and historically, on this
T his M ou n tain at one tim e was unique area of the State. The follow
owned by the State. Located on ma ing D epartm ents w ould have to
jestic M oosehead Lake are wonder change many statues and regulations
ful areas such as Squaw Bay, Squaw and maps of the area. All Business
Point and Squaw Point Subdivision. Brochures, The Town of Greenville,
The State owns a cam pground on Emergency Management Agencies,
Squaw Brook. The water supply for The Department of Transportation,
the Town of Greenville comes from The Departm ent of Conservation,
a well located in Little Squaw Town The Department of Inland Fisheries
ship. The Town has a sanitary land and Wildlife, The Health and Infor
fill in Little Squaw Township. There m atio n C en ter (EM S law ),
is a growing industrial park located Piscataquis County Law Enforce
in this Township. We have a boom ment Agencies.
ing snow m obile industry located
We have recently had completed
throughout Little and Big Squaw areas for the E-911 system that con
Townships, and Big Squaw Moun tain the word “Squaw” . The evacua
tain. The trails systems (ITS 86 plus tion designation for our immediate
local trails) in these areas are some area is Big Squaw Mountain.
the best in the State.
Think what this change would do
(Expenditures per Snowmobile for the State Forestry Division in our
for a resident are near $600.00 and a area. They maintain an immense and
nonresident $1,100.00). Businesses, complex system for Forest Fires Pro
the S tate o f M ain e and the tection.
Moosehead Lake Region Chamber
Please do not remove forever the
of Commerce, the Moosehead His word “Squaw” from the Moosehead
torical Society, our schools and the Regions heritage by passing this leg
islation. Thank you.
Shaw Public Library,
International Seaplane Fly In Or
Partial listing of organizations supporting the
elimination of “Squaw” from name places in Maine
TribesAroostook Band of Micmacs
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkokmikuk (Indian Township)
Houlton band of Maliseets
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Pleasant Point)
Penobscot Nation
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (23 federally recognized tribes)
Other Native OrganizationsAIM
Daughters of the First Light
IRATE
NACHME
Wabanaki Mental Health, Inc.
Administration of Governor Angus S. King, Jr.Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission
Religious OrganizationsCatholic Diocese of Maine
Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Committee on Indian Relations
Friends Committee on Maine Public Policy
Maine Council of Churches
Maine Holocaust Human Rights Center
Other OrganizationsBlack Education and Cultural History, Inc.
(Former Representative Jerry Talbot,
Founder)
Hall-Dale Middle School Civil Rights Team
Maine AFL-CIO
Maine Civil Liberties Union
Maine Human Rights Commission
Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance
Maine Women’s Lobby
NAACP
National Coalition Building Institute____________________________ _
�Protection of Indian Archeological Sites
In the spring of 1999 the 119th Legislature passed
the following Resolve requiring the study of the issue
of looting and vandalism of Native American archeo
logical sites, and preparation of a report recommend
ing solutions:
Resolved: That the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission and the Representatives of the Penobscot
Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe jointly shall con
duct a review of the threats to Native American ar
cheological sites from looting and vandalisfn and re
port their recommendations for implementing a moni
toring or stewardship program for site protection and
preservation. The review must also involve the fol
lowing law enforcement agencies: the Maine Warden
Service, the Maine Forest Service, the Bureau of ma
rine Patrol, and local and state law enforcement. The
review must also involve the Native American com
munity and other interested parties.
To fulfill this legislative charge, Arthur Spiess held
a series of meetings with Donald Soctomah in August
and September 1999. Spiess, Soctomah and Represen
tative Donna Loring also met on September 8, 1999.
Then Spiess met with the law enforcement agencies
mentioned in the legislation and held discussions over
the telephone during September through December
1999. Donald Soctomah presented the legislation to
inter-tribal meetings for discussion. Comments were
sought form the board of the Maine Archeological
Society.
Late Breaking News
The bill is designed to provide increased protec
tion for archeological sites. It amends the definition of
an archeological site on state-controlled land to include
a site judged eligible for listing on the national Regis
ter of Historic Places by the Maine Historic Preserva
tion Commission and approved by the appropriate land
managing agency director or local governing body.
Current law requires the site to be listed on the Na
tional Register of Historic Places.
It also makes the unlawful excavation of a pro
tected archeological site a Class E crime for which a
fine of not less than $250 must be adjudged. The court
may order the defendant to pay an amount equal to the
reasonable cost of a proper archeological excavation,
had the area that was unlawfully excavated been prop
erly excavated.
A provision that an emergency archeological site
designation may be made for a period not to exceed
10 years and that the Director of the Maine historic
preservation Commission and the landowner shall
specify in writing the area that is the subject of such a
designation.
It provides funding for increased monitoring of
archeological sites. This funding supports a part-time
monitoring coordinator using existing part-time project
personnel and site monitors. It also provides funds for
the development and delivery of training materials for
law enforcement officers.
On March 3, 2000, on the morning show at 7:30
a.m., the KISS 94.5 DJ, Stan Marckoon advocated over
the public airways to call the new Sacajewea Dollar
the “Squaw Buck.”
Those of you who wish to express your feelings
on this issue, may write to the Station Manager at the
following address:
Mr. Mark Osborne
Co-owner/General Manager
KISS 94.5 Radio Station
PO Box 9494
Ellsworth, ME 04605
For further information, you may also contact:
Jessica Sockbeson McGregor
1410 Essex St.
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: (207) 990-2613
Fax: (207) 947-7840
E-mail: jsockbe@aol.com
Census 2000
Be s ir e to fill out your census
200 0 form . I t is imperative th at
Tribal Members be counted in the
New Millennium
TRIBAL ISSUES BEFORE THE 119™ SECOND REGULAR SESSION
LD # an d Bl T itle
il
LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to
Im plem ent the Maine Indian Claims
Settlem ent Concerning the Houlton
Band o f Maliseet Indians
Com m ent b y R ep. Loring
I am in favor o f the bill as written.
The Maliseets should be sovereign as
are Penobscots and Passamaquoddy.
Rep. Sherman o f Houlton reluctantly
sponsored by request; he was 7 0 %
against the bill in com mittee.
Com m ent b y R ep. Soctom ah
Strongly support. The Maliseet Band
should have the same rights as the
Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.
C urrent B illS ta tu s
Public Hearing held 1 /2 8 /0 0 ; was
tabled for 30 days so all parties
could reach agreem ent on
language and c o n ten t Failed to
pass in Committee.
LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive
Names
I completely support this bill; should
be a "No Brainer." The bill disallows
the use of Squaw or squa by the
State in naming public or geographic
sites. I t does not elim inate usage
from the English language.
This word has always been offensive,
in effect, used to demoralize native
w om en. They are the foundation o f
a healthy community. The State
must stop sanctioning its use.
Public Hearing held 1 /2 8 /0 0 in
Judiciary com m ittee; passed in
both the House and Senate; now
awaiting Governor's signature.
LD 2499 An act Concerning the Date
by Which Land Must be Acquired by
the Penobscot Nation
I am the sponsor of this bill. The bill
will extend the deadline by which the
Nation can purchase certain trust
Support for this bill will help the
Penobscot Nation put the remainder
of land in Trust. The never should
have been a tim e limit. All of the
Paper Co. land around our
com m unity was recently sold.
Public Hearing held 2 /9 /0 0 in
Judiciary com mittee; passed in
both the House and Senate; now
awaiting Governor's signature.
lands from 1 /3 1 /2 0 0 0 to 1 /3 1 /2 0 2 1 .
LD 2549 An Act to Im plem ent
Recommendations Concerning the
Protection of Indian Archeological
Sites
I am in favor o f implementing the
recommendations that will preserve
these sites.
A Resolve passed last session shows
th e concern felt for protection o f
these sites. Maine must protect the
sites, as w e have in the past.
Public Hearing held on 2 /2 8 /0 0 ;
passed 13-0 in committee;
awaiting final enactm ent.
LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name
in the Statutes of a Native American
Organization Able to Issue Hunting
and Fishing Licenses
I am in favor of this bill as long as
the organization works closely with
Allows an off-reservation group to
issue licenses from Native
the tribes to eliminate any
duplication.
communities' governing leader.
Passed Committee; is currently in
Second Reading in the House of
Representatives; awaiting final
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brooks
a t my request. Hopefully, the
com mittee will vote to recommend a
stronger role in both the House and
Tribal Representatives w ant and need Report Pending.
to play a m ore active role in the
legislative process. Every bill passed
affects our communities in one way
or another.
Joint Study Order Establishing a
Committee to Study the Recognition
o f Sovereign Nations in the Legislature
Senate for tribal representatives.
enactment.
LD 2607 An Act Concerning Previous
Passamaquoddy Indian Territory
Legislation
I am in favor of the Legislature
taking corrective action.
A corrective am endm ent should be
effective to change the law that was
plainly intended by all parties to the
process amending the Im plem enting
Act.
Referred to the Com m ittee on
Judiciary matters on March 7,
2000.
LD 2572 An Act to Fund the Cost of
the W aiver of Tuition, Fees and Other
I am in opposition o f passage o f this
measure, as it will only serve to
I am against the passage of this bill.
Received Unanimous Ought Not to
Pass report.
Expenses for Native American
Students in the Maine Technical
destabilize our funding base.
College System, University of Maine
System and Maine Maritim e Academy
1
1
�
https://www.dawnlandvoices.org/collections/files/original/0ea14c66cd20e82b7d1c31a5e020fac8.pdf
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PDF Text
Text
Wabanaki Legislative Update ~ SprinQ 2000
Offensive Name law passed by Maine Legislature
iA
k waits Governor’s Signatured
Tan Kahk,
Greetings1
Dear Tribal Members,
Welcome to the second edition of the “Wabanaki Legislative Update.” This
newsletter is put together to inform the public on Legislative issues that affect
the native communities of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Micmac, and
Maliseet. I have enjoyed my first session in 1999 and look forward to my service
in the year 2001 next session.
In the Second Regular Session we will be addressing the following issues:
• LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive Names
• LD
An Act to Implement the Recommendations Concerning
Indian Archeological Sites
• LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to Implement the Maine Indian
Claims Settlement Concerning the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
• LD 2499 An Act Concerning the Date by Which Land Must be Acquired
by the Penobscot Nation
• LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name in the Statutes of a Native Ameri
can Organization Able to Issue Hunting and Fishing Licenses
The bill. An Act Concerning Offensive Names, has received much national
media publicity and this shows that Maine is a leader in this area that address
issues such as this. We have held interviews with 2 in-state radio stations, 5 outof-state radio stations, and 2 British radio stations; also, an interview was taped
with ABC’s 20/20 show, (which was very badly reported). Your help in the
passage of this bill was the deciding factor, especially the young women who
stepped forward to speak from their hearts, thank you.
Other measures that we followed closely, which may have an impact on the
native communities, involved the Department of Human Services, especially
child welfare, education, and marine fisheries bills.
Be part of the process; let your voices be heard! I would like to hear from
you on issues, which may help our communities. If you have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact me at any of the following numbers:
State House 287-1400
Indian Township office 796-2301 ~ Pleasant Point office 853-2600
Mobile 461-8673 ~ email: soctomah@nemaine.com
Passamaquoddy website www.wabanaki.com
Welcome to the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature. This is
called the short session, and is comprised mostly of carry over bills and emer
gency measures. Carry overs are bills that were not acted on in the First Regular
Session. Emergency bills are determined by the Legislative Council to be of an
emergency nature. This session is scheduled to adjourn in early April 2000.
Again, in a joint effort, we bring you the second edition of the Maine Tribal
Legislative News/Wabanaki Legislative Update, in one complete format. Items
of interest are a history section and current issues, including an in depth look at
the offensive names bill, LD 2418, sponsored by Representative Soctomah. Also,
included are photos of Wabanaki Day, which was held at the Statehouse last
session.
We have charted our proposed bills for this short session with a brief expla
nation of each one, as we did in the first edition. You have shown your support
for these bills by attending the public hearings. Your presence spoke louder than
words! If you have comments, concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me either by telephone, snail mail, or e-mail, as follows:
Telephone/Fax 207-737-2608
55 North Front St., Richmond, ME 04357
dmldab @wiscasset.net
I wish you health and happiness for the new millennium.
Yours in the Spirit of Unity,
//
.
/vj, / * * /*<?
----
-/-
Donna M. Loring
Penobscot Nation, Tribal Representative
Wabanaki Legislative Update
Rep. Donna Loring
55 North Front S t, Richmond, ME 04357
Rep. Donald Soctomah
P.O. Box 102, Princeton, ME 04668
Woliwon, Thanks,
Donald Soctomah
Tribal Representative, Passamaquoddy Tribe
Printed at the expense of Representatives Soctomah and Loring
�OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Testimonials for and against LD 2418 - An Act Concerning Offensive Names
—Patricia Smith Ranzoni,
Bucksport
Because of medical troubles I
was unable to attend the hearing on
the bill to remove the word “squaw”
from M aine place nam es; and for
same reasons do not feel up to the
letter this subject deserves. Neverthe
less, I must add my voice, and the
voice of my family, to the record on
behalf of this important legislation
and appreciate the opportunity to in
sert testimony, however inadequate,
this way.
From the time I learned we are
d escended from E uropeans w ho
settled on land belonging to Native
Peoples, I have sought to educate
m yself and our family on what is
known and unknown about our part
in history here as related to the tribes.
This path could only lead to great
sorrow, as well as humbling gratitude
for an “old love, too, between us,”
as I have written in my poetry in
honor of generational relationships
between some N ative friends and
some in our line.
It has long troubled me that our,
M aine’s, First Peoples are routinely
expected to support special efforts—
days, conferences, discussions, occa
sions, organizations, legislation and
so forth— aimed at promoting “diver
sity” and an understanding of and be
tween other races and cultures here,
while their own situation and dis
crim in atio n s o ften rem ain o v er
looked or discounted. The matter of
the usage of squaw, a remnant of old
thinking, in much the same way as
“nigger” has come to be seen, is but
one example.
One can only guess how it must
feel for tribal members to have to
appear before a legislature made up
of descendants of those who invaded
and, by means not wholly honorable,
as the record shows, took over their
homelands, to ask for understanding
in this matter of great meaning for
their people.
If M aine’s Native Peoples aren’t
included in what is meant by recent
efforts toward cross-cultural respect,
then the easy term “diversity” rings
hollow; and without the hard and
painful work to hear and act upon
what is needed to make things right,
is nothing but a hollow, false, and
cruel term with little more meaning
than any other social fad.
From reports in the newspapers,
tribal representatives and members
have articulated most clearly, pas
sionately, and successfully the ratio
nale for their request. They are their
own indisputable source.
I want to speak, also, as a woman
here. Having no right to call M aine’s
first and least known women “sis
ters,” I nevertheless, stand with them
in outrage against the reality of what
this word has meant in their lives.
That non-Natives have inexcusably
endowed this word with shame, here
and around the world, is irrefutable,
having been docum ented through
both folk and scholarly histories. It
can never be righted but through
changes the Natives, themselves, ask
for in order to retrieve their honor.
Please listen.
Let it not, again, be solely about
the lesser profit of business, but this
time, about the greater profit of hu
man respect. We cannot undo what
has been done, but we can begin new,
now that we know. We can return the
mountains, rivers, islands and points
to the Native women of this place in
this way. First, proclaiming sorrow
for what has been taken, then invit
ing them to name these places in a
new spirit of presence we can honor,
protect, and celebrate with them.
Please.
For our family, ancestors and de
scendants.
please turn to page 3
Maine’s Native Americans Gain Passage of LD 2418
by Representative
Donald Soctomah
As we enter a new millen
nium, I have hope for a better
relationship between the native
population and the State of
M aine. In order for us to achieve
this improved relationship, we
must end 400 years of hurt and
discrimination. We must learn to
live together peacefully, by hon
oring and respecting each other.
This hope was the motivat
ing factor behind legislation that
would end the use of a demoral
izing and dehumanizing term in
the State of Maine.
The passage of this bill by
the Maine House or Represen
tatives and Senate will soon be
signed into law by Governor
Angus S. King, Jr..
It w ill rem ove the word
squaw from place names in the
state.
This is not an issue of politi
cal correctness. It is about basic
human decency and respect for
one’s fellow citizens. The new
law protects an under repre
sented group in our state, native
women. Our wom en-grandmothers, mothers, and daugh
ters, are all entitled to protection
against basic human rights vio
lations, such as the use of demor
alizing language. The driving
force behind this bill is hundreds
of native women, who are con
tinually offended by the use of this fensive, derogatory words. Native assaulted by two men, who con
women have the right to define tinually yelled, “you dirty
slang word.
The Thesaurus of Slang iden themselves.
squaw ” as they repeatedly
tifies the word “squaw” as a syn
We need to grow and under kicked her.
onym for prostitute,, harlot, hussy, stand that the use of the term
In 1998, there was a high
and floozy. The dictionary identi squaw shows a lack of compas school fight that eventually
fies this word as one that is used sion to human beings, it is hard turned into a racial incident. N a
for the general population to imag tive girls were called squaws,
to offend native females.
After generations of exposure, ine how hurtful a word can be un this resulted in death threats be
the word squaw is seen as a neu less it is directed toward them, ing painted on the walls.
This new law sends, with
tral word to the general public. But their culture, or racial background.
Rep. Gerald Talbot worked great effectiveness, a goodwill
to native females this word con
tinues to be a slanderous attack diligently in 1974 to remove the message of understanding to the
against them and their culture. ”N” word from place names in Native people of this state:
Violent incidents occur more of Maine. He had to convince other Maine will stop sanctioning the
ten near the native communities, representatives how hurtful and use of offensive words, which
where the clash between cultures hateful this word is to Maine citi dehumanize and exploit the na
zens and its visitors.
tive people.
still exists.
During that floor debate, the
The native people and the
When native people name a
geographic feature, such as a river offensiveness of the word squaw native communities of Maine,
or a mountain, the term used will was questioned. Several represen askd for the passage of this bill
describe a specific location, for the tatives stated that to the native to end the perpetuation of dehu
ease of the traveler, or to denote population, it was an offensive manizing language that has been
its spiritual significance. The term. This is not a new issue to used to define our women.
It is never an aggressive act
name of the Kennebec River de Maine, it is a 400 year old issue
for a people to exercise their
scribes the contours of the river. that needs to be stopped
Nationally, Maine now joins right to self determination. It is
Mount Katahdin was named to
three other states which have re an intrinsic right that is woven
signify the spirits of the mountain
moved the word squaw from name into the fiber of values that this
and its geography.
The term squaw was not origi places. In North Carolina, the U.S. country was founded on.
The following Cheyenne
nally used for place names, as the Justice Department was involved
word did not exist before the in the removal of the word from a proverb summarizes the point of
1600’s. It is not a linguist’s defi school system in March of 1999. this bill concisely, “A nation is
There is no other word used to never conquered until the hearts
nition of the original native word
day which hurts native women as of its women are on the ground.”
that is of concern, it is the way the
Every time this defamatory
term has been used to define na much as the word squaw. The term
tive women in its current context. has been used as a slanderous as term is used, the hearts of our
Through communication and edu sault in hate crimes; last year, a women take another blow.
cation we can rid the state of of- native woman was being brutally
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�FFENS
aga'"S’have a chance to change
women. We
BLIC
L° 2411-* " A tlensive Names from page 2
c
l
O
come to be felt as the word whore
that sexual connotation and to give
the respect to Native women that they
feels... dirty, degrading, and shameful.
My people have suffered great
in d ig n atio n u n d er w hite rule in
Houlton for many generations. We
did not have a land base before 1980
but for safety and community, our
families settled in the same area....
always delegated to the least desirable land,
tor behind the legislation, w hich
would remove the word squaw from
deserve. Being a Native man, and the
father of seven daughters, I do not
want to see them, or anyone else’s
daughter, have to carry these verbal
scars for the rest of their lives.
This Bill will send, with great effectiveness, a goodwill message of
understanding to the Native people
of this State: That Maine will stop
sanctioning the use o f offensive
place nam es w ithin the State o f
Maine. This is not an issue about political correctness; it is about basic
human decency and respect for one’s
fellow citizens. It is not a linguist’s
definition of the original Native word
words that dehumanize and exploit
the Native people. The Native comm unities o f the Passam aquoddy,
Penobscot, M aliseet and M icMac,
including elected governmental officials of these Tribes, representing
is of concern; it is the way the
term has been used to define Native
" ~ H“
w om en in its c u rre n t co n te x t.
7,500 people, have signed a resolu-
Donald Soctomah
Judiciary Com m ittee - C hairs
Senator Longley and Representative
Thompson.
Today is an im portant day in
Maine Native history. We are step
ping forw ard to address a term ,
which has been used for many years
to degrade and dehumanize native
women. This was the motivating fac-
. •
r
,
„
Through communication and education we can rid this State of offensive, derogatory words, so that Native women will have the right to
define themselves. This Bill seeks to
protect an under represented group
within this State, N ative Women.
T hey are e n title d to p ro te c tio n
against basic hum an rights violations, such as the use o f demoralizing language. The driving force be
hind this Bill is the hundreds of Na
tive Women, who are continually
offended by the use of this slang
word. To the general public, after
generations of exposure, the word
squaw is seen as a neutral word, but
to the Native Women this word con
tinues to be a slanderous attack
against them and their culture. In ra
cial incidents involving hate and
physical violence this word is con
tinually used to attack Native people.
These incidents occur more often
near the Native communities, where
unfortunately the clash of the cultures
still exists.
We need to grow and understand
that the use of the term squaw shows
a lack of compassion for human be
ings. It is hard for the general popu
lation to imagine how hurtful a word
can be unless it is directed at them,
their culture, or their racial back
ground.
In other areas where the squaw
word is used to define geographic
features, we can enhance the history
of the area by using the correct terms.
For example, Squaw Mountain can
be called M aquaso M ountain in
honor of C hief K ineo’s mother to
whom the legend refers. A nother
place, called Squaw Bosom, makes
a c o n n o ta tio n to w ard s N ativ e
o
f
the
Year of the Native Woman. We ask
the State of Maine and the Federal
government to recognize this d e c i
ration by stopping the use of the term
squaw.
One experience that is burned
into my memory was coming home
one day and seeing a big road sign at
the end of our road that said SQUAW
KNOLL. When I entered my home I
found my mother in tears... she was
so humiliated
Can you for a moment im a g in e
imagine
how a black American finding a sign
»ad
e - e d by ,he ,„w „ gov——
ernment at the end of their road that
read Niqger Knoll would feel? We
felt no less insulted. My mother made
my two brothers go down and remove the sign. It was a very courageous act because she knew that
they could be charged with tampering with town property. But it was
Today you will hear testimony on
how the S .... word is being used
against Native women. You need to
listen because the vast general popu- m ore im portant to not allow our
lation does not get to hear this, now people to be treated with such bla
is the time for this to be told.
tant racism. The sign did not return...
I ask for passage of this Bill to the road now carries the name Co&an
end the perpetuation of dehumaniz Road.
ing language that has been used to
Long before the current debate
define Native women. It is never an over the word began we shared the
aggressive act for a people to exer common experience of being taunted
cise their right to self-determination. by the word squaw. Women of my
It is an intrinsic right that is woven tribe describe the taunting they were
into the fiber of values that this coun subjected to in the 60’s in downtown
try was founded upon.
Houlton as children and teenagers,
being surrounded by local w hite
youth giving their imitation (as seen
-Brenda Commander, TYibal
on television) of an Indian war cry
Chief, Houlton Band of Maliseet
and calling them squaws. N ative
Indians
young people did not venture down
Good M orning. I come before town alone ... but even in the com
you this morning as a Native woman, pany of others they were not safe
daughter, mother of a daughter, and guarded from verbal assaults... and
the Chief of the Houlton Band of it certainly did not come from young
Maliseet Indians, to tell you how the people only.... it was just as likely to
use of the word squaw has affected come from an adult.
my life, and that of my mother... my
I would like to be able to say that
sisters... my aunt’s... and the lives of such things would not happen today
all the women of my tribe.
but I cannot. As recently as two years
I have not spoken to even one ago, one o f our trib al eld ers, a
Maliseet woman who is not offended woman, was standing in front of the
by the use of the word squaw. We do C ounty courthouse in dow ntow n
not know how the word originated... H oulton, w hen a group o f youth
but we are certain it did not origi circled her doing their imitation of a
nate from our tongue. We did not use war yelp, calling her ’squaw’. It was
the term to describe ourselves; it was a devastating experience for her...
cast upon us by the white settlers. We bringing back all the old hurts.
are unsure of its original meaning,
As a people who for so long have
but we do know how it came to be not had a voice that was heard in
used. It has been used to taunt and Maine we did not feel empowered to
degrade us as women. The word has even think about addressing this is-
s u e .... we are th a n k fu l to Rep.
Soctomah, for bringing this issue to
the public conscience and giving us
a voice.
—Emma Nicolar
My name is Emma Nicolar. I am
a 58-year-old Penobscot woman. I
want to express my gratitude to those
individuals who have worked so hard
and persistently to get this bill where
it is today. This “Act” is a long time
overdue.
I am a P en o b sco t In d ian
woman— I am not a “squaw” al
though I have been called that many
times in my life. I don’t have the time
to detail here how detrimental this
societal abuse was to the develop-
n ie ^ f
ZZZZ. Z
I won’t go into what I’ve had to do
to heal from the pain that it inflicted,
but I did heal. I was born on the
Penobscot Indian R eservation in
Maine in 1942 but grew up in other
areas other than the reservation.
My parents separated when I was
around 4 years old and I went to live
in Connecticut. My mother later put
us in a foster home in Milford, ME. I
was six years old then, and that is
where I fvt& remember bevrvj det
graded andmade to feellike “
doggie
poo” (mild expletive) because I was
an Indian. I went to live with my dad
on Indian Island when 1 w as 11 years
old, and went to Old Town schools.
In gang units Old Town youths were
famous for calling me and others
“squaw”, dirty Indians, and making
sexually unacceptable remarks.
During the 1940’s and 1950’s
what did anyone know of unaccept
able behavior -next to nothing! I had
to grin and bear whatever came my
way. It was at this time, junior high I
believe, that I began to develop a
defensive attitude. Playing basketball
or engaging in other athletic activi
ties, if I was better at the game, the
only way the non-Indian girls could
put me down was to make remarks
about my being an Indian, not just
one - on - one, but always as a group/
gang.
The chip on my shoulder grew
during my teenage years, and at one
time I carried a knife on me at all
times and used it a couple of times
when physically accosted by non-In
dian boys. I went to live in M assa
chusetts during high school with an
older brother and had hoped that be
ing Indian wouldn’t follow me there,
but it did. My sister and I were the
please turn to page 6
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�1999 WABANAKI DAY ATTHE MAINE STATE HOUSE
�1999 WABANAKI DAY ATTHE MAINE STATE HOUSE
�OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
Testimonials for and against LD 2418 - An Act Concerning Offensive Names fro p g 3
mae
only two Indians in the school sys
tem and we were never allowed to
forget it. I have never been endeared
by non - Indians for my ethnic back
ground, but always the edge of dirt,
filth, and second-rate citizen was
present in their remarks. Needless to
say I became an adult with no self
esteem. However, I had one charac
teristic which saved me - persever
ance. I was going to survive in spite
of all the name calling and hurt and I
did. Today, I know all about bigotry,
slander, prejudice, and how to pro
tect myself from the hurt and pain.
I ’ve watched the Native population
of this country struggle, just as the
Negro population has, to gain respect
and dignity. You cannot get away
with calling me “squaw” today be
cause I know the laws and will use
them against you. You cannot call my
daughter names, or my son, and get
away with it because I will come to
their rescue if they can’t handle it
themselves. I have held the current
school system s acco u n tab le fo r
p reju d ices d isp lay ed du rin g my
children’s education.
Squaw Valley, California, and
Squaw M ountain, M aine, are two
very beautiful places. I consider my
self a beautiful person today, and will
not tolerate being called “squaw” .
Change these names in this new mil
lennium, and transform these sites
back to their natural beauty. If you
must continue to use Native ethnicity
as a basis for naming these sites,
there are some beautiful names in the
Native languages, which would be
more appropriate. I have argued at
another committee meeting about the
use of the word “sovereignty”, as I
argue today about the use of the word
“squaw.” We as Native peoples never
needed these words, we have always
known who we are and have a lan
guage to describe ourselves. These
are your words, and “squaw” is a
misnomer. I ’m sure we’re all famil
iar with the description of this word
in W ebster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
But have you ever taken the time to
find out what an Indian woman was
called in her own language. Each
tribal language is different but each
tribe has a w ord, or d eriv ativ es
thereof, for designating a N ative
w om an or d e sc rib in g a N ativ e
woman. Do these place names that
contain “squaw” today have to have
an ethnic tone? How far would you
get today if you called these places
“Frog M ountain” , “Nigger M oun
tain”, or some such ethnic slur? We
are adults today, and possess the
power to make changes, and I pray
to the power to my understanding
that you will change all place names
with the word “squaw” in it in the
State of Maine.
—Richard M. Doyle,
Office of the Governor
G ood M orning to the d istin
guished Chairs and Members of the
Judiciary Committee.
I am honored to be here this
morning to testify in favor of L.D.
2418, an Act Concerning Offensive
Names. This act would correct a
defamation that has been perpetuated
against Indian Women specifically,
and Indian People in general. I will
not condone this word by speaking
it here today, but the bill specifies the
word in question. This word has been
used to defile Indian women ever
since the European invasion of this
land. You have been provided with
the origins of this word by Represen
tative Soctomah, MITSC, and oth
ers, I will not go there. What I do
want to talk about is how it feels to
an Indian Person, obviously a male
perspective, to hear someone use
such a word. I have heard the “s”
word many times in my life. Each
time it has been used to inflict pain
and stereotype Indian women. The
word as I hear and perceive it denotes
an Indian woman who is easy, an In
dian woman who is promiscuous, a
slut, a whore. When the term is used
generally the meaning is intensified.
Each time I hear this word I am of
fended to the point of madness and
disgusted that the dominant society
allows and tolerates such racist lan
guage.
I have heard our women tell me
about ex-boyfriends chasing them
around in public calling them the “s”
word loudly, having this term painted
on a door or wall to brand them, and
other arduous stories.
I have heard for m yself white
men saying things like “it’s Saturday
night, guess I’ll take a trip to the res
ervation and snag me one of those
“s” words” (this from UMM staff),
“better get home before my s” word
goes on the warpath”, “the girl was
so drunk out of her mind, if I didn’t
know better I would swear she was a
“s” word, as well as many other ex
amples of racially loaded idiocy.
This same type of racism is cur
rently allowed by the State in the
naming of businesses, geographic
features, natural resources, sport
teams, and all types of groups.
The non - Native will try to tell Thompson, and members of the com
you that these words are not offen mittee, I am Sharon Libby Jones, a
sive or were not meant to be offen selectmen for the town Greenville,
speaking against L.D. 2418.
sive.
I am a small business owner, a
I hope that this committee under
stands that the “s” word in today’s S ele ctm e n fo r the Town o f
society is offensive to Native people. Greenville and a former State Rep
There is no justification or explana resentative that represented District
tion that can change the fact that this 111, which is located in Piscataquis
term is racist. Others may try to tell County and includes 11 towns, two
this com m ittee that banning this plantations and several organized ter
word will infringe upon or even de ritories in Northern Maine. Several
stroy part of another Indian language. of these unorganized territories are
I do not accept this premise either, L ittle Squaw Tow nship and Big
since this “s” word may be a bastard Squaw Township.
L.D. 2418, An Act Concerning
ization of an Indian word, changed
in ignorance to classify and demean. Offensive Names, is a step in the
I do not know of any Indian culture wrong direction for Maine. I think
that would allow others to use their all of us here recognize the impor
words to shame and attack their Na tance of the State’s history. We need
to understand the state’s tribal cul
tive sisters and brothers.
L.D. 2418 goes further than just ture and history. Piscataquis County,
banning a word, it seeks to officially for over 100 years, has recognized
celebrate our Native Women for all and realized the importance of the
they have contributed to the Indian Native American culture and history.
family, the Indian culture, and to the Currently, the Piscataquis County
State of Maine. It is a positive ap Economic Council has begun survey
proach. Proclaiming this millennial research on the cultural heritage of
year The Year of the Native Ameri the region. This research project will
can Woman would honor all native be gathering information from his
people while providing hope for the torians, storytellers, and traditional
future that all people will be in har businesses. The information will be
m ony, and m u tu al respect w ill catalogued and used to develop a
a bound for one another.
cultural heritage m ap, which w ill b e
If it were up to my Tribe, this used to inform tbe citizens of tbe
term, along with other racially offen State and our travelers to the region
sive words, (excuse my language) of the richness of our history.
such as “redskin” would be prohib
We are m oving fo rw ard in
ited and if anyone dare utter the Greenville with a Natural Resource
word, then strict penalties would ap Education Center. The concept of this
ply. But it is not up to us, it is up to facility is to house orientation and in
the Maine Legislature to pass a bill terpretation services, educational
that would make it known to all, that exhibits, on- and off-site programs,
the State of Maine does not tolerate interpretive trails, and events that ex
racism. That the State of Maine will plain and celebrate the unique natu
not allow Indian women or any other ral and cultural heritage of the region.
group to be publicly ridiculed, that
Piscataquis County is the poor
the State of Maine recognizes and ap est County in the State with the least
preciates diversity, that the State of population of any other county. We
Maine pays honor to Native Women are rich with natural resources, his
for their strength, their accomplish tory, culture and pride. The Native
ments, their vision, their compassion, Americans are very much a part of
our history.
their beauty, and their tolerance.
Less than one week ago, I re
Thank you for allowing me to
speak my words and hope each of the ceived a Public Hearing Notice about
members consider them in deliber this important Public Hearing. Since
ating this matter. Please support L. then there have been several articles
and notifications that were sent to the
D .2418.
Woliwon (thank you) naka Tahu citizens of the area. Tremendous feel
ings, reflections on history, as well
(and stop)
as strong emotions, have been pour
ing in from the Native Americans and
citizens of the Moosehead Lake Re
—Sharon Libby Jones
gion. In less than 24 hours nearly 300
Greenville Selectmen
people signed petitions that were lo
and Former State Representative,
cated in just a few of our businesses
District 111
please turn to page 7
Senator Longley, Representative
OFFENSIVE NAME TO BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC PLACES
�Speech to the 63rd Maine Legislature,
in 1887 by Lewis Mitchell Representative
of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians
I was authorized by the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indians to come
here before you for the purpose of making known to you what the
Passamaquoddy Indians have done for the American people, and
how we have been used by the American people and how we used
them. In 1775 or 1776, in the struggle between Great Britain and
America, your people came to us for assistance. You authorized Col.
John Allan to speak to us and you said, “He is our mouth, believe
what he says to you.” After many kind words and promises, Francis
Joseph, who was the chief of the tribe at that time, accepted his
offer. He promised to go and help his people gain their indepen
dence. Immediately he sent his captains to different parts of his coun
try to notify his people to prepare for immediate war. In a few days
Francis Joseph gathered an army of six hundred men. At that time,
and many years before that, the Passamaquoddy Tribe was the head
quarters of the Abnaki Nation.
Passamaquoddy Tribe can show you by a letter from Col. John
Allan when he authorized the Passamaquoddy Indians to guard the
coast form Machias to Passamaquoddy, and authorized them to seize
the enemy’s vessels. And according to his orders we can show you
by the affidavit, Capt. Sopiel Socktoma, with fifty others of his tribe,
captured an armed schooner in Passamaquoddy Bay, and they ran
her to Machias and gave her up to Col. John Allan.
We know the Indians who served in that war are passed out of
existence, but the Passamaquoddy Tribe helped the Americans in
that war, and the tribe is still in existence, Now we bountily ask
your attention to help us by letting the Legislature examine the pa
pers and refer them to Congress, if they see fit.
In the treaties of 1725, 1794, and Governor Dummer’s treaty of
1727, and in the laws of Massachusetts and Maine at their separa
tion, we were guaranteed the right to hunt and fish forever.
In the year 1854 or 1857 some dishonest person or persons pre
sented a petition to the Maine Legislature, asking the State to sell
the Indians’ land - Indians did not need it - so the Legislature passed
a resolve, that a certain piece of land, situated in the Town of Perry,
owned by the Indians, would be sold by public auction, on such day,
at Perry (they must have arranged everything so they wouldn’t bid
against each other) and that land was sold for the small sum of
$500.00. The Indians opposed the sale of it. Now their firewood
costs the Indians of Pleasant Point $ 1,500.00 a year. If that land had
not been sold, the Indians would not suffer for want of firewood.
Thousands of cords of cordwood have been cut, and wood is on it
yet.
The land cleared by the Indians was also sold. Now we claim
again that this is not right. An Indian agent himself bought this land
afterward and again when we lost the claim on the Islands the case
Granger vs. Indians, we not only lost the claim, but $2,500.00 out of
the Indians in favor of Mr. Granger.
Just consider, today, how many rich men there are in Calais, in
St. Stephen, M illtown, M achias, East M achias, Colum bia,
Cherryfield, and other lumbering towns. We see a good many of
them worth thousands and even millions of dollars. We ask our
selves, how they make most of their money? Answer is, they make
it on lumber or timber once owned by the Passamaquoddy Indians.
How many of their privileges have been broken? How many of
their lands have been taken from them by authority of the State?
Now, we say to ourselves, these Indians ought to have everything
they ask for. They deserve assistance. We are sent here to help the
poor and defend their rights.
Now, this plainly shows us how much worse a people of five
hundred and thirty souls are, stripped of their whole country, their
privileges on which they depend for their living; all the land they
claim to own now being only ten acres. If one or two men in this
body were Indians they would fight like braves for their rights.
Now look at yourselves and see whether I am right or wrong. If
you find any insulting language in my speech, I ask your pardon. I
don’t mean to insult anybody, but simply tell you of our wrong.
Testimonials from page 6
in the area. Yes Native Americans ganization, for years have promoted
sign them as well. That is how strong the word “Squaw ” w hether it be
our feelings are for the history of the Squaw Brook, Little Squaw Brook
word “Squaw.”
Campground, hiking and biking trails
The im p o rtan ce of the w ord throughout the Townships, on menus,
“Squaw” is not only important to the signs, Squaw Mountain Resort and
h e rita g e o f the area b u t to our G olf Course and our magnificent
economy locally and Statewide. Big Mountain called “Big Squaw Moun
Squaw Mountain, an internationally tain”.
known ski area in Big Squaw Town
Think for a moment the impact,
ship, is very important to our area. economically and historically, on this
T his M ou n tain at one tim e was unique area of the State. The follow
owned by the State. Located on ma ing D epartm ents w ould have to
jestic M oosehead Lake are wonder change many statues and regulations
ful areas such as Squaw Bay, Squaw and maps of the area. All Business
Point and Squaw Point Subdivision. Brochures, The Town of Greenville,
The State owns a cam pground on Emergency Management Agencies,
Squaw Brook. The water supply for The Department of Transportation,
the Town of Greenville comes from The Departm ent of Conservation,
a well located in Little Squaw Town The Department of Inland Fisheries
ship. The Town has a sanitary land and Wildlife, The Health and Infor
fill in Little Squaw Township. There m atio n C en ter (EM S law ),
is a growing industrial park located Piscataquis County Law Enforce
in this Township. We have a boom ment Agencies.
ing snow m obile industry located
We have recently had completed
throughout Little and Big Squaw areas for the E-911 system that con
Townships, and Big Squaw Moun tain the word “Squaw” . The evacua
tain. The trails systems (ITS 86 plus tion designation for our immediate
local trails) in these areas are some area is Big Squaw Mountain.
the best in the State.
Think what this change would do
(Expenditures per Snowmobile for the State Forestry Division in our
for a resident are near $600.00 and a area. They maintain an immense and
nonresident $1,100.00). Businesses, complex system for Forest Fires Pro
the S tate o f M ain e and the tection.
Moosehead Lake Region Chamber
Please do not remove forever the
of Commerce, the Moosehead His word “Squaw” from the Moosehead
torical Society, our schools and the Regions heritage by passing this leg
islation. Thank you.
Shaw Public Library,
International Seaplane Fly In Or
Partial listing of organizations supporting the
elimination of “Squaw” from name places in Maine
TribesAroostook Band of Micmacs
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkokmikuk (Indian Township)
Houlton band of Maliseets
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Pleasant Point)
Penobscot Nation
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (23 federally recognized tribes)
Other Native OrganizationsAIM
Daughters of the First Light
IRATE
NACHME
Wabanaki Mental Health, Inc.
Administration of Governor Angus S. King, Jr.Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission
Religious OrganizationsCatholic Diocese of Maine
Episcopal Diocese of Maine, Committee on Indian Relations
Friends Committee on Maine Public Policy
Maine Council of Churches
Maine Holocaust Human Rights Center
Other OrganizationsBlack Education and Cultural History, Inc.
(Former Representative Jerry Talbot,
Founder)
Hall-Dale Middle School Civil Rights Team
Maine AFL-CIO
Maine Civil Liberties Union
Maine Human Rights Commission
Maine Lesbian Gay Political Alliance
Maine Women’s Lobby
NAACP
National Coalition Building Institute____________________________ _
�Protection of Indian Archeological Sites
In the spring of 1999 the 119th Legislature passed
the following Resolve requiring the study of the issue
of looting and vandalism of Native American archeo
logical sites, and preparation of a report recommend
ing solutions:
Resolved: That the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission and the Representatives of the Penobscot
Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe jointly shall con
duct a review of the threats to Native American ar
cheological sites from looting and vandalisfn and re
port their recommendations for implementing a moni
toring or stewardship program for site protection and
preservation. The review must also involve the fol
lowing law enforcement agencies: the Maine Warden
Service, the Maine Forest Service, the Bureau of ma
rine Patrol, and local and state law enforcement. The
review must also involve the Native American com
munity and other interested parties.
To fulfill this legislative charge, Arthur Spiess held
a series of meetings with Donald Soctomah in August
and September 1999. Spiess, Soctomah and Represen
tative Donna Loring also met on September 8, 1999.
Then Spiess met with the law enforcement agencies
mentioned in the legislation and held discussions over
the telephone during September through December
1999. Donald Soctomah presented the legislation to
inter-tribal meetings for discussion. Comments were
sought form the board of the Maine Archeological
Society.
Late Breaking News
The bill is designed to provide increased protec
tion for archeological sites. It amends the definition of
an archeological site on state-controlled land to include
a site judged eligible for listing on the national Regis
ter of Historic Places by the Maine Historic Preserva
tion Commission and approved by the appropriate land
managing agency director or local governing body.
Current law requires the site to be listed on the Na
tional Register of Historic Places.
It also makes the unlawful excavation of a pro
tected archeological site a Class E crime for which a
fine of not less than $250 must be adjudged. The court
may order the defendant to pay an amount equal to the
reasonable cost of a proper archeological excavation,
had the area that was unlawfully excavated been prop
erly excavated.
A provision that an emergency archeological site
designation may be made for a period not to exceed
10 years and that the Director of the Maine historic
preservation Commission and the landowner shall
specify in writing the area that is the subject of such a
designation.
It provides funding for increased monitoring of
archeological sites. This funding supports a part-time
monitoring coordinator using existing part-time project
personnel and site monitors. It also provides funds for
the development and delivery of training materials for
law enforcement officers.
On March 3, 2000, on the morning show at 7:30
a.m., the KISS 94.5 DJ, Stan Marckoon advocated over
the public airways to call the new Sacajewea Dollar
the “Squaw Buck.”
Those of you who wish to express your feelings
on this issue, may write to the Station Manager at the
following address:
Mr. Mark Osborne
Co-owner/General Manager
KISS 94.5 Radio Station
PO Box 9494
Ellsworth, ME 04605
For further information, you may also contact:
Jessica Sockbeson McGregor
1410 Essex St.
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel: (207) 990-2613
Fax: (207) 947-7840
E-mail: jsockbe@aol.com
Census 2000
Be s ir e to fill out your census
200 0 form . I t is imperative th at
Tribal Members be counted in the
New Millennium
TRIBAL ISSUES BEFORE THE 119™ SECOND REGULAR SESSION
LD # an d Bl T itle
il
LD 2178 An Act to Amend the Act to
Im plem ent the Maine Indian Claims
Settlem ent Concerning the Houlton
Band o f Maliseet Indians
Com m ent b y R ep. Loring
I am in favor o f the bill as written.
The Maliseets should be sovereign as
are Penobscots and Passamaquoddy.
Rep. Sherman o f Houlton reluctantly
sponsored by request; he was 7 0 %
against the bill in com mittee.
Com m ent b y R ep. Soctom ah
Strongly support. The Maliseet Band
should have the same rights as the
Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.
C urrent B illS ta tu s
Public Hearing held 1 /2 8 /0 0 ; was
tabled for 30 days so all parties
could reach agreem ent on
language and c o n ten t Failed to
pass in Committee.
LD 2418 An Act Concerning Offensive
Names
I completely support this bill; should
be a "No Brainer." The bill disallows
the use of Squaw or squa by the
State in naming public or geographic
sites. I t does not elim inate usage
from the English language.
This word has always been offensive,
in effect, used to demoralize native
w om en. They are the foundation o f
a healthy community. The State
must stop sanctioning its use.
Public Hearing held 1 /2 8 /0 0 in
Judiciary com m ittee; passed in
both the House and Senate; now
awaiting Governor's signature.
LD 2499 An act Concerning the Date
by Which Land Must be Acquired by
the Penobscot Nation
I am the sponsor of this bill. The bill
will extend the deadline by which the
Nation can purchase certain trust
Support for this bill will help the
Penobscot Nation put the remainder
of land in Trust. The never should
have been a tim e limit. All of the
Paper Co. land around our
com m unity was recently sold.
Public Hearing held 2 /9 /0 0 in
Judiciary com mittee; passed in
both the House and Senate; now
awaiting Governor's signature.
lands from 1 /3 1 /2 0 0 0 to 1 /3 1 /2 0 2 1 .
LD 2549 An Act to Im plem ent
Recommendations Concerning the
Protection of Indian Archeological
Sites
I am in favor o f implementing the
recommendations that will preserve
these sites.
A Resolve passed last session shows
th e concern felt for protection o f
these sites. Maine must protect the
sites, as w e have in the past.
Public Hearing held on 2 /2 8 /0 0 ;
passed 13-0 in committee;
awaiting final enactm ent.
LD 3210 An Act to Change the Name
in the Statutes of a Native American
Organization Able to Issue Hunting
and Fishing Licenses
I am in favor of this bill as long as
the organization works closely with
Allows an off-reservation group to
issue licenses from Native
the tribes to eliminate any
duplication.
communities' governing leader.
Passed Committee; is currently in
Second Reading in the House of
Representatives; awaiting final
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brooks
a t my request. Hopefully, the
com mittee will vote to recommend a
stronger role in both the House and
Tribal Representatives w ant and need Report Pending.
to play a m ore active role in the
legislative process. Every bill passed
affects our communities in one way
or another.
Joint Study Order Establishing a
Committee to Study the Recognition
o f Sovereign Nations in the Legislature
Senate for tribal representatives.
enactment.
LD 2607 An Act Concerning Previous
Passamaquoddy Indian Territory
Legislation
I am in favor of the Legislature
taking corrective action.
A corrective am endm ent should be
effective to change the law that was
plainly intended by all parties to the
process amending the Im plem enting
Act.
Referred to the Com m ittee on
Judiciary matters on March 7,
2000.
LD 2572 An Act to Fund the Cost of
the W aiver of Tuition, Fees and Other
I am in opposition o f passage o f this
measure, as it will only serve to
I am against the passage of this bill.
Received Unanimous Ought Not to
Pass report.
Expenses for Native American
Students in the Maine Technical
destabilize our funding base.
College System, University of Maine
System and Maine Maritim e Academy
1
1
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The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
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<em>Wabanaki Legislative News </em>(Spring 2000)
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Loring, Donna M. and Donald Soctomah
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University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection
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2000
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Cathleen Miller, UNE
Meredith Ricker
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Donna M. Loring and Donald G. Soctomah. Used with permission. We thank University of New England for making digitized copies available.
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English
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