The Bangor Daily News has released its latest monthly Wabanaki Voices column, developed in collaboration with the Wabanaki Alliance! This month’s article, “How land claims settlement has harmed tribes in Maine”, was authored by Hon. Donna Loring (Penobscot Nation elder, former Penobscot Nation Tribal Representative, and current Wabanaki Alliance board member). In the piece, Loring lays out in clear detail the context in which the injustices of the 1980 Settlement Act arose, a history many people don’t know: “For centuries, Maine profited from tribal lands and resources — timber, hydroelectric power, shore rights — without consent or compensation. The state even established trust funds for the tribes’ using profits from these stolen lands, yet for over a century, the funds’ interest was never paid to the tribes. Instead, it was funneled to pay Indian agents, state employees who exercised paternalistic authority over tribal citizens. Essentially, the state became wealthy while the tribes were rendered impoverished. Generations of tribal people were told they were dependent on welfare, when in truth, the so-called “assistance” came from the sale and lease of their own land.” Loring goes on to discuss the harmful power imbalance that continues as a result of the Settlement Act: “Despite the federal recognition of tribal sovereignty, the Settlement Act keeps Wabanaki Nations in a separate — and unequal — legal category. The tribes gave up the right to sue for past abuses or to reclaim lost resources. The state didn’t have to return land or pay for what it took. And it never had to apologize for centuries of harm. I view this not as a settlement but as a strategic consolidation of power. What was marketed as a fair resolution has become a tool of containment. The state of Maine continues to benefit from past injustices while using the 1980 settlement as a shield against progress. The Wabanaki Nations deserve the same legal rights and recognition as every other tribe in the country. That means restoring access to federal laws, affirming tribal sovereignty, and ending the state’s veto power over our future. Until that happens, Maine’s so-called “settlement” will remain a glaring symbol of imbalance — one that favors the state, while keeping tribal nations in legal and economic chains.” Read the rest of the article in full here: https://www.wabanakialliance.com/bdn-column-may-2025/ And learn more by visiting our website here: https://www.wabanakialliance.com/sovereignty/ (fb)

The Wabanaki Alliance recently shared this message from the family of Wabanaki Alliance Executive Director Maulian Bryant: "Hi! We are Maulian Bryant’s two older daughters, Carmella and Layla. Iris is currently keeping Mom and Lloyd busy. We want to tell you a few things you may not know about our mom. Number one: it’s her 41st birthday. She doesn’t like to make a big deal of it, but we do! Our Mom is passionate, dedicated and driven. She is delightfully intense and funny for her age. It is a wonderful balance for the work she does. We know that you have supported our mom in her work for Wabanaki sovereignty – thank you! She has spent years advocating for our people. When she was in her teens, she joined her aunt, the Penobscot Nation Tribal Representative, Donna Loring and Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative Donald Soctomah at the Capitol when they led the charge on the Offensive Names Bill. Then Mom took on the mascot issue. At the time, she was a single mom and when she couldn’t get childcare, we often attended public hearings with her. We have learned so much from her by watching; she lives what she speaks. The strength and grace she has possessed in the face of racism inspires us to be like her. Our Mom was born four years after the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act was signed. What was supposed to provide opportunity for the tribal nations, has had the opposite effect. These days she can be found at the State House advocating for the recognition of our sovereignty, clean rivers, clean drinking water, laws dealing with eminent domain and Wabanaki Studies or giving a presentation to a local community group in her new role as executive director for the Wabanaki Alliance. Some days can be hard but she always tells us how gratifying and heartwarming it is to have the Wabanaki Coalition show up and support our people, our rights, our culture. With your support, we have made great strides, and we will continue working until the recognition of our sovereignty is a reality for the Wabanaki Nations in our homelands now called Maine. In honor of our Mom’s birthday, can you support the Wabanaki Alliance with a donation in the amount of her age – $41 (no need to hold back – happily accepting all donations!): https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mauliansbday2025 Now we are taking her to a movie and then getting ready for this evening’s prom. It’s a big day. Please help us celebrate our very cool Mom, Maulian Bryant and the important work she does every day. Woliwon, Carmella & Layla" (fb)