July 2021

Penobscot Nation and Other Affected Communities Speak Out at Public Hearing on Solid Waste Reform Bill

On Wednesday, April 3rd, the Maine Legislature’s Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard public testimony on three bills including LD 401, “An Act to Preserve State Landfill Capacity and Promote Recycling”, written in collaboration with members of affected communities and sponsored by Rep.… Read More »Penobscot Nation and Other Affected Communities Speak Out at Public Hearing on Solid Waste Reform Bill

Judiciary Committee’s public hearing for LD 2094: An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”.

February 14, 2020. Video Excerpts: February 19, 2020. Video Excerpts: February 14, 2020. Transcripts: House Speaker Sara Gideon, Senate President Troy Jackson, Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis, Former Penobscot Chief and Elder Barry Dana speak at the legislative Judiciary Committee’s public hearing for LD 2094:… Read More »Judiciary Committee’s public hearing for LD 2094: An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”.

Mini-Lectures on How Disparate State Policies Invite Out of State Waste into Maine and How Landfill Leachate Threatens Health and Environment on the Penobscot River

Hillary Lister, longtime activist on waste impacts in Maine, founder and organizer with Don’t Waste ME, speaks prior to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection’s consideration of rule changes that seeks to provide protections for communities directly impacted by landfills and waste facilities and to… Read More »Mini-Lectures on How Disparate State Policies Invite Out of State Waste into Maine and How Landfill Leachate Threatens Health and Environment on the Penobscot River

Interview with Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation with Sunlight Media Collective Meredith DeFrancesco & Dawn Neptune Adams July, 2020

Sunlight Media Collective spoke with Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis about the historic judicial review of the Penobscot River Case now underway. This En Banc Review will assess whether the courts adequately applied Federal Indian Law when siding with the State of Maine’s 2012 opinion… Read More »Interview with Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation with Sunlight Media Collective Meredith DeFrancesco & Dawn Neptune Adams July, 2020

Governor Mills Vetoes Tribal Gaming Bill, Accentuating Inequality Between Wabanaki and Other Federally Recognized Tribes. Rena Newell Speech

In mid-June, the Maine State legislature passed LD 554, “An Act To Create Gaming Equity and Fairness for the Native American Tribes in Maine”, in a 97-40 vote. The Senate passed the bill 22-13. On June 30th, however, Governor Janet Mills vetoed the bill, and… Read More »Governor Mills Vetoes Tribal Gaming Bill, Accentuating Inequality Between Wabanaki and Other Federally Recognized Tribes. Rena Newell Speech

Yo-Yo Ma Joins Wabanaki Musicians at Sunrise to Perform a Concert For Healing: Recognition of Tribal Sovereignty at the Forefront of Morning’s Reflections

Hours before sunrise last Friday, an unlikely group gathered at the eastern edge of Ckuwaponakiyik, Schoodic Point. Wabanaki community members and the National Park Service welcomed world renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and a handful of Maine’s Tribal and State… Read More »Yo-Yo Ma Joins Wabanaki Musicians at Sunrise to Perform a Concert For Healing: Recognition of Tribal Sovereignty at the Forefront of Morning’s Reflections