Episode 12: Sovereignty: What We Hold Sacred 

A conversation not to miss! As we wrap up Native American Heritage Month and enter a holiday week for some, this episode has perfect timing! Wabanaki Territory, or what some call the State of Maine, is a sacred place. A place that has provided Wabanaki people abundance for thousands of years. A place that desperately needs her people to heal. 
Wabanaki territory and Wabanaki people are deeply connected, holding knowledge that provides the nourishment for both to thrive. Ambassadors Maulian Bryant and Zeke Crofton-MacDonald join the Aunties in the studio to discuss all things SOVEREIGNTY! From the Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980 to present day, you will hear the importance of recognizing the sovereignty of Wabanaki people and correcting the harms that have occurred to heal generations to come. The Aunties and Ambassadors talk about the difficult journey Wabanaki nations and people face while trying to advocate for the same freedoms that all other indigenous nations have within United States. Maine is an outlier, a state like no other, taking the freedom of indigenous people. This conversation is filled with curiosities and calls to action, calling all “Aunties” listeners to demand change!

Wabanaki Words Used:

Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc

Topics Discussed:  

Wabanaki Alliance - Wabanaki Alliance Website

1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act - Summary of the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Act 

Penobscot Nation Tribal Council - Tribal Council, Penobscot Nation 

Chief Kirk Frances - Tribal Chiefs Timeline, Penobscot Nation

Maine Indian State Tribal Commission - About MITSC

Oromocto First Nations - Oromocto First Nation 

Skowhegan Mascots - Change of Skowhegan Mascot

State House (Maine) - Visiting the State House 

Donna Loring - Donna M. Loring 

Morgan Talty - Morgan Talty 

Penobscot Nation Tribal Youth Council - Penobscot Nation Youth Council 

Unity Youth Council - All About Youth Councils

Blood Quantum - Blood Quantum Laws

Shubenacadie – Residential School - Former Shubenacadie Indian Residential School National Historic Site 

Wolastoqiyik - Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) About

Census - Indian Census Rolls

Morgan Talty Esquire Article - Blood Quantum: What It Means to Be Indigenous

Barry Dana - Barry Dana

Great Northern Paper v. Penobscot Nation - Great Northern Paper v. Penobscot Nation, 2001 Me. 68 (2001) 

Norridgewock Massacre - Norridgewock Massacre 

Sipayik Drinking Water Crisis - Sipayik Drinking Water Crisis 

Robin Wall Kimmerer, “The Serviceberry” - Amazon.com: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World

Wabanaki Tribal Nations:

Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)

Mi’kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)

Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati Motahkomikuk

Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)

Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine

Special Thanks/Woliwon: 

Guests: Maulian Bryant, Zeke Crofton-MacDonald

Producer: Gavin Allen

Podcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders