REACH Inaugural 5K History Run/Walk

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1 REACH Inaugural 5K History Run/Walk We held the first educational and fun History Run on Saturday April 30 along the St. Croix River (originally the Schoodic River) in Calais. For this inaugural 5K run, we partnered with the Schoodic Riverkeepers, AFSC Wabanaki Program and many volunteers, including REACH Allies, who helped make this event a wonderful success. Over 50 Native and non-native people from around the state participated on a sunny Spring day, running, walking, visiting and learning about history and contemporary issues. During the post-run educational speak-out, Hugh Akagi, Chief of the Schoodic Band of Passamaquoddy in Canada spoke about the importance of the River as a means of travel and trade and a source of sustenance for Wabanaki people for thousands of years. He stated: We Passamaquoddy People are a People wherever we might reside, but our link to our traditions and our culture is through the soil, our waters and our territory. Passamaquoddy environmentalist and Schoodic Riverkeeper, Ed Bassett then spoke passionately about how the river has always nourished and sustained Passamaquoddy people, providing a perfect nursery/spawning ground for millions of sea-run fish such as alewives and salmon. The Schoodic Riverkeepers are working with partners, friends, and allies to reverse the damage done to the environment, respect ancestral waters and restore indigenous fishery on the River. Newsletter Summer 2016 Inside this issue: Health, Wellness and Self-Determination 2 Ally Building 3 Strengthening Systems 4 TRC Archive 5 REACH Website: Facebook: MEWabanakiREACH We must connect, connect, connect. ~Ed Bassett Schoodic Riverkeepers 1

2 Wabanaki Health, Wellness & Self-Determination REACH wellness work leads with the premise that the solution to our wellness lies in our culture. We continue to put forth the idea of decolonization - or reclaiming traditional ways of knowing and being that were disrupted as a result of colonization. When our homelands were colonized, it resulted in loss of territory and undermined traditional sustenance practices which had served us exceedingly well for millennia. In addition to hunting and fishing, our ancestors practiced communal gardening, wild harvesting and gathering. Decolonizing our diets and food as medicine has been an ongoing theme with REACH. This planting season, REACH completed two garden projects in the Passamaquoddy community at Sipayik learning as they worked on the "kkihkan" (garden). Additionally, two community garden beds located outside the Pleasant Point Health Center were planted with edibles, herbs and flowers. The garden projects were done in collaboration with the AFSC Wabanaki Program. Save the Date ~ October 10 & 11 3 rd Wabanaki Wellness Gathering Food As Medicine-Decolonizing our Diets In other planting news, REACH sends best wishes to Motahkmikuk (Indian Township) and we look forward to witnessing the expansion of their food pantry garden. With technical support from REACH, Indian Township food pantry coordinator Janet Lola obtained grant funding from the Broad Reach Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to build food security in Township and expand existing food pantry gardens. Although the summer has just arrived, plans for the 3 rd Annual Wabanaki Wellness Gathering are underway. This year the theme will be Food as Medicine/ Decolonizing our Diets. REACH believes in the ability of Wabanaki communities to work together to improve health and wellness by growing food, reconnecting to traditional food sources and medicines, and by reinstituting traditional barter and trade practices. ~Sipayik 4 th & 5 th grade kkihkan In addition to outdoor gardens, a high-tunnel hoop house is being constructed. We look forward to the growth of this exciting food production initiative! We will continue ongoing discussions on traditional foods and medicines, building tribal apothecaries, cooperatives, and more at the Gathering which is scheduled for October 10 and 11, 2016 location to be announced. 2

3 Ally Building REACH continues to build a stronger community of Non- Native people who understand history and its impacts; both trauma and privilege. REACH s Educational Presentations provide an opportunity for nonnative people to learn about the shared history of Maine and Wabanaki people. Faith communities, work places, schools, civic peace, justice and political groups are coming forth to learn, understand and appreciate our collectively shared truth. Most recently, Allies have elevated awareness of REACH s work in their communities by hosting informational tables at events around the state, look for them at upcoming summer fairs in the State. We continue to be humbled by all the people we have met and the vibrant conversations we have had about truth, healing and change with folks across Maine. We have found much common ground in sharing stories of compassion and support of Wabanaki wellness and selfdetermination. We have completed our Spring Ally Workshops and are scheduling our 2016 Fall series. The workshops are well attended with more than 400 participating to date. These workshops explore the true history of colonization; white privilege; and what it means to be an ally. Ongoing Ally groups for those who have participated in an Ally Workshop offer space and support for continued selfdiscovery and action in support of Wabanaki sovereignty; they are led by REACH staff, volunteers and other partners We are writing our grandchildren s history.. what do we want that to look like? ~Maria Girouard Ally Convening REACH is excited to announce our first Ally Convening to be held in Waterville on Saturday, July 23 rd. Registration is now open to those who have completed a REACH Ally workshop. This event is free and overnight accommodations are available. REACH Allies from across the state will join together in friendship to enjoy wonderful guest speakers, lively discussion groups, good food, beautiful art and fulfilling song. The Convening will be a time to get to know and learn from each other! You don t want to miss Keynotes delivered by Roger Paul, Wabanaki teacher, language specialist, and healing circle facilitator; and Bennett Collins, International researcher on peace, truth, and reconciliation. Breakout session leaders include John Dieffenbacher-Krall, Maria Girouard, Lisa Panepinto, Roy Partridge, Rev. Carie Johnsen, Dawn Adams, George Mason and Corey Hinton. Plus, a panel discussion with REACH leaders on moving forward with truth, healing and change. To request a registration form or for information contact Maggie Hanna, REACH intern at margaret.hanna@umaine.edu or

4 Strengthening Systems and Organizations The ICWA Workgroup is an important tribalstate partnership that promotes best child welfare practice with Wabanaki families and children. The ICWA or Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 is a federal law that applies to Indian children involved in the child welfare system and is intended to preserve native families. The ICWA Workgroup is addressing the child welfare specific recommendations of the Truth Commission, has recently updated Maine child welfare policy to reflect the new guidelines for ICWA and is providing training to caseworkers and supervisors about the changes and the practice implications. REACH is helping to foster another important tribal-state relationship with the Maine Department of Corrections. We have been leading healing circles for Native men and women in the prisons, supporting sweat lodge ceremonies in the prisons and providing much needed connection to inmates by sharing REACH newsletters by mail. As we finish the Spring Session of circles in the prisons, we are taking the time to solicit feedback from inmates about their experience in circle and how they have been impacted. The response has been very positive. Overall, inmates report feeling happier, at peace and more mindful since attending circles. They report having gained skills such as breathing, meditation, and conflict resolution that serve them well in prison and will be an asset to them when they return home. We are fortunate to have an amazing dynamic team of Wabanaki people who lead the circles and many Allies whose financial donations help sustain this work and provide much needed items like medicine bags. The Workgroup is preparing to launch a new initiative in Wabanaki communities that will help raise awareness of ICWA and the different ways people can become part of the protective circle for native children. Members plan to table at tribal community events to share information and make connections. Now when things look bad, I step back and see the bigger picture and take breaths, meditate and learn to be more open; It makes me a happier person, helps me look at life differently and focus on the beauty of the Earth outside of these brick walls And I feel free even though I am not ~Native Inmate 4

5 Historical Resource Established On April 11, 2016 an event was held at Bowdoin College to celebrate the opening of the archives of the Maine Wabanaki State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). These archives represent a valuable, unique resource for the public to begin to understand the experiences and impact the state child welfare system had on Wabanaki people. Dr. Clayton Rose, President of Bowdoin College, welcomed people to the official opening of the archives. He emphasized how honored Bowdoin was to hold these archives and to continue a strong relationship between Bowdoin and the Wabanaki tribes. Commissioner and Co-chair, Carol Wishcamper, expressed her belief that the archives would be a lasting resource that would far outlive the work of the TRC. Commissioner and Co-chair, gkisedtanamoogk remembered the brave people who have provided statements to the Commission, the resilience of the Wabanaki people and the sacred wisdom of the ancestors that guided the TRC. He stated, The future of everything we live for is the children. Dr. Gail Dana-Saco, Passamaquoddy educator and historian, delivered the keynote speech: Vigilance and Transformation: Reflections of an Indigenous Researcher. She said, the work of the TRC has brought people to a threshold and the question is where do we go from here? Dr. Dana-Saco asks people to reflect on the next step of each individual s social justice journey and to ask ourselves how it is going to make a difference. She spoke of the thoughtfulness and preparation the journey requires and asked us to not ignore this spiritual piece. Lastly, she encouraged us to reflect not only on our rights but also on our responsibilities to ourselves and to each other. Maine-Wabanaki REACH established the TRC in 2012; the five-person Commission was seated in February The TRC engaged over 160 people in statement gathering and focus groups, researched documents and records, and released its final report of findings and recommendations in June The TRC archives are accessible to the public on line and include all research materials: the personal video, audio, and written statements and focus groups; the founding documents; the final report; and the administrative and research records. Link: L-R: Denise Altvater, gkisedtanamoogk, Tom Reynolds, Matt Dunlap, Gail Werrbach, Paul Strickland, Charlotte Bacon, Carol Wishcamper, Esther Attean, Maria Girouard, Susan Howe, Martha Proulx, Erica Bjorum and baby Iris, Penthea Burns ~April 11,