On 9/9, Wabanaki Alliance will be holding a panel discussion: "Wabanaki Tribal Sovereignty in Maine", moderated by Dr. Darren Ranco, Chair of Native American Programs at UMaine. Join us on 9/9 at the Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardner, for an informative evening - We'll see you there!

This past weekend, Hon. Donna Loring, a Penobscot Nation tribal elder and Vice President of the Wabanaki Alliance, had an opinion piece published in the Portland Press Herald, “Understanding the role of the Wabanaki Alliance”: www.pressherald.com/2025/08/16/u...

We are holding close in our hearts all of those who knew and loved Elizabeth Sockbeson, a highly respected matriarch, Penobscot Nation Elder and community leader who passed away 8/3 on Indian Island where she was born. Read our tribute to Elizabeth here: www.wabanakialliance.com/elizabeth-so...

Check out the most recent Wabanaki Voices column in the Bangor Daily News: “On Wabanaki priorities, the Maine Legislature gets an incomplete grade” www.wabanakialliance.com/on-wabanaki-...

Come join us for a tasty fundraiser at Lone Pine Brewing Company in Portland, tomorrow from 1pm to 7pm, with Black Salt Catering!

Reuben “Butch” Phillips, a Penobscot Nation elder, former government official, and spiritual leader died late Sunday night at a Bangor hospital surrounded by his family. For more about Butch Phillips life and legacy, see the Wabanaki Alliance website: wabanakialliance.com

In a recent Op-ed published by the BDN, Maulian Bryant (Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance and former Penobscot Nation Ambassador) lays out the substantive case that “Out-of-state waste is fueling environmental injustice to Penobscot Nation”: www.bangordailynews.com/2025/06/11/o...

In the last month, a presentation was given by Wolastoqey artist and activist Mihku Paul, along with journalist and photographer Jim McCarthy at the Topsham Public Library, entitled “Applying Wabanaki Wisdom to our Watersheds”: bit.ly/4jWBonK

Today is Juneteenth! This is a day to commemorate and celebrate the ending of slavery in the United States, as well as a time to ready ourselves to work in solidarity toward a more just world, in light of our shared history.

LD 982 An Act to Establish Equal Tax Treatment for the Mi'kmaq Nation passed the ME Legis., which would exempt Mi’kmaq Nation from state sales & income tax on tribal trust or reservation lands & allow for sales tax revenues from sales on Mi'kmaq lands (the same rights as the other Wabanaki Nations).

THIS Saturday, June 21, join the Penobscot Nation and many partner organizations in The Walk to Honor Wabanaki Veterans, as we make our way on a 6-mile walk from Orono to Indian Island! You can learn more about the day's events and register to participate here: www.walkwhere.org/orono

LD 958 “An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands" has passed the Maine Senate by a vote of 20 to 12! The bill is now on to the desk of Governor Mills. We encourage folks to reach out to the Governor’s office and urge her to sign LD 958 into law!

LD 958 "An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands" has passed in the Maine House, by a vote of 86-60! The bill will now go on to the Maine State Senate for a vote. We’ll keep folks updated, but if you can call your State Senator and encourage them to vote for LD 958, now is the time!

New PPH op-ed from Alex Kane, an aspiring educator and recent Maine grad: "Wabanaki studies law must be enforced in Maine schools”, for LD 1474. “Knowledge is power and power means responsibility. Let’s show our students what responsibility really looks like.” www.pressherald.com/2025/05/28/w...

Wabanaki Windows, the podcast hosted by Hon. Donna Loring, has won a national award: the 2025 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media, receiving Best in Category for Racial Justice and Civil Rights Programming. Check out the podcast here: www.wabanakialliance.com/wabanaki-win...

After leaving the position vacant since 2018, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has appointed a new Tribal Representative to the ME legislature! Brian Reynolds, who has served his Nation for decades as Tribal Administrator and as a Tribal Councilor, was sworn in on 5/14. More here: bit.ly/3SS9KgR

The BDN's latest Wabanaki Voices column is out! “How land claims settlement has harmed tribes in Maine” was authored by Hon. Donna Loring (Penobscot Nation elder, former Penobscot Nation Tribal Rep, and current Wabanaki Alliance board member). Read it here: www.wabanakialliance.com/bdn-column-m...

Thank you to everyone who showed up for a super successful day of lobbying and community at the State House this sunny Wednesday morning!

We have some news to share: The State of the Tribes Address has been postponed to next year. HOWEVER, we have some great momentum building toward our lobby day this Wednesday (5/12), & we still intend to get together with you all and advocate for justice and fairness for the Wabanaki Nations.

Join us in Augusta on Wednesday, May 14th, for the State of the Tribes Address and Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day! Join us for what is sure to be a meaningful day of advocacy and community! You can learn more and register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1L_W...

Tomorrow (4/24) in Freeport, there will be a free screening of the award-winning “We Are The Warriors”, & a panel discussion. AND Goodfire Tasting Room & Kitchen in Freeport will donate a percentage of sales to Wabanaki Alliance on 4/25. Stop by for a meal beforehand! Learn more: bit.ly/431alCo

Tomorrow, 4/22 at 1pm, there will be a public hearing for LD 1474 “An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools”. We encourage folks to testify in support! You can learn more here on our website: www.wabanakialliance.com/support-ld14...

The Wabanaki Alliance Board is inviting Wabanaki citizens to our 2nd discussion forum on April 16th, where tribal citizens can hear about the organization, legislative work, and our ongoing contributions to the work of restoring recognition of tribal sovereignty. us06web.zoom.us/j/8757737356...

UMaine Augusta will be hosting its annual Plunkett Poetry Festival on 4/26, with the theme “Indigeneity”. As part of the day’s events, there will be a poetry workshop led by Wolastoqey/Maliseet poet Mikhu Paul, which you can register for here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The BDN's newest Wabanaki Voices column is out: “Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty Can Improve Well Being of All Mainers”, from the Wabanaki Alliance Board, speaks to long-term and short-term legislative priorities of the organization. Read it here: www.wabanakialliance.com/bdn-column-a...

The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthopology will return the remains of a Penobscot child to Wabanaki homelands on or after 4/18. Read more from the BDN: bit.ly/43B2ZGB

On April 4th @12pm, @maineconservation.bsky.social (MCV) is hosting “A Remonstrance and the 1942 Transcripts”, a valuable discussion with Hon. Donna Loring (Penobscot Nation) and Hon. Eric Mehnert (Penobscot Nation). Register for this free talk here: www.maineconservation.org/calendar/a-r...

There is a bill before the ME Legislature to keep the State of ME from seizing Wabanaki lands for public uses: LD 958 “An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands”, sponsored by House Minority Leader Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham Public hearing this Friday 4/4 @1pm. Learn more: bit.ly/4iSgOW3

In this legislative session, a new bill, LD 982 “An Act to Establish Equal Tax Treatment for the Mi'kmaq Nation”, may finally place the Mi’kmaq Nation on an equal footing to the other Wabanaki Nations when it comes to taxation revenues. mainemorningstar.com/briefs/legis...

Maine Calling recently featured a program, “Wabanaki Place Names”, in which the host and excellent expert guests discussed some of the stories, history, and meanings of the Wabanaki names that persist all around us: www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...

This Thursday (3/20) at 12pm at the Lewiston Public Library, Wabanaki Alliance Executive Director Maulian Bryant will be giving a talk with History Professor Joseph Hall of Bates College, entitled “Wabanakis Then and Now”. You can learn more and register here: sunjournal.com/2025/03/11/g...

Check out Wabanaki Alliance’s Legislative Bill Tracker! We are sharing this helpful resource as the session continues, with links to help you give strong testimony, & a toolkit, where you can also learn how to contact your legislators, submit LTEs, and more: www.wabanakialliance.com/legislative-...

Bowdoin College has announced that this year it will award renowned basketmaker Jeremy Frey (Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk) with an honorary doctoral degree! Visit this link to learn more about Frey’s work, and about this exciting news: www.bowdoin.edu/news/2025/03...

As we shared recently, Wabanaki Alliance has curated episodes from “Wabanaki Windows”, a podcast hosted by Donna Loring, a Penobscot Nation Elder and Vice President of Wabanaki Alliance. As part of this effort, we’ve shared a 9-part series: “Wabanaki Windows: Isolation, Control and Elimination”.

Today, March 10th, is the 173rd anniversary of the State of Maine’s decision to acknowledge and accept the results of the 1852 Peace Treaty between the Passamaquoddy Tribes at Sipayik and Motahkomikuk, signed on February 28th of that year.

This Wednesday at 1pm, there will be a public hearing on LD 812 “An Act to Provide State Recognition of the Kineo St. John Tribe”, and LD 813: “An Act Regarding State Recognition of Native American Tribes”. Wabanaki Alliance opposes both of these bills, and we ask folks to testify in opposition.

The Wabanaki Alliance has curated select episodes from “Wabanaki Windows”, a monthly WERU podcast hosted by Donna Loring, a Penobscot Nation Elder and Vice President of the Wabanaki Alliance. You can listen to episodes on many important topics here: www.wabanakialliance.com/wabanaki-win...

Congratulations to Barry Dana, former Chief of the Penobscot Nation, for his completion of the Can-Am 100, a renowned hundred-mile international dog sled race, in which he was the sole Wabanaki musher! Barry Dana finished his impressive race in 8th place, and has a long history with the sport.

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians (HBMI) has acquired 1,327 acres in a significant land return. Susan Young, HBMI Real Estate & Natural Resources Director: “This parcel significantly adds to the tribe’s land holdings and represents the largest of the tribe’s woodlots[.]" Read more: bit.ly/4i4mKuF

We recently tabled at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, where many dedicated coalition members and volunteers advocated for Wabanaki self-determination. Thanks to Maggie Somers, Rich Stuart, Diane Oltarzewski, Anghy Tehuitzil, Jim McCarthy, Anne Henshaw, Murray Ngoima, Ted Kanellakis, and Katie Donlan!

New Wabanaki Voices column from BDN, from Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis: “Trump cuts already having devastating impacts on tribal communities” Read the piece in full here: www.bangordailynews.com/2025/03/03/o...

BDN: “Penobscot Nation to alter 3 midcoast dams to make them fish-friendly” Restoration efforts will help "to restore ecological balance and clean water, while enhancing recreational opportunities and supporting the long-term sustainability of Maine’s fisheries[...]”. Read more: bit.ly/41wQxpZ

Responding to the dispute between the Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk, over the Nation’s efforts to act on its $7.4 million federal grant for solar development, the Maine Public Utilities Commission has said it will weigh in. Read more: bit.ly/4if9hQ7

A recent Indian Country Today article, “A New Day in the Dawnland”, discusses growing collaboration between the Wabanaki Nations and First Light, a consortium of conservation groups, seeing the return of lands to Wabanaki stewardship. Read the article in full here: ictnews.org/news/a-new-d...

LD 247 "An Act Regarding Recommendations for Changing Place Names in the State" was withdrawn by the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Talbot Ross, who said that she was withdrawing the bill because of the current political realities at the federal level. Read more: mainemorningstar.com/2025/02/18/t...

The Wabanaki Alliance has elected new officers and board members! “This is an experienced and dedicated Board of Directors,” said Ambassador Crofton-Macdonald, Wabanaki Alliance Board President. “We are excited to grow the organization to the next level.”

Barry Dana, former Chief of the Penobscot Nation, participated in the Wilderness Sled Dog Race on 2/8! He's preparing for the Can-Am races in March, in which he is currently slated to be the only musher from a Wabanaki Nation. Follow his efforts & stay tuned for more on his mushing journey!

Wabanaki Alliance Board President, Ambassador Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald (Wolastoqey/Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians), has issued this call to action, urging folks to contact our Senators and Reps about protecting the federal funding of vital programs for Indigenous Nations around the country:

The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk is facing resistance to solar development from the Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative. "[T]he Passamaquoddy here at Indian township reservation have that right to be able to make that decision on our reservation," said Chief William Nicholas. bit.ly/4hCoWsZ

The BDN has published an Op-ed, “Manifest Destiny and its echoes: from the Trail of Tears to a Riviera in the Middle East”, written by Donna Loring, where she lays out the clear connection between the legacy of ethnic cleansing in the US, and new plans to displace the people of Gaza: bit.ly/419esvs