Although December has not been designated a special heritage month, it does contain celebratory days that are recognized internationally. On December 10 in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The document set forth the basic civil standard of economic, political, and social rights that should be guaranteed to every person. Each December, the commitment to this universal document of rights is renewed and celebrated. In addition, the United Nations has established December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This international observance was established to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also aims to foster awareness of the importance of integrating persons with disabilities into every aspect of life.
Maine Gun Safety Coalition
Legislative action to prevent gun violence appears to have paused, but the violence has not. Determined members of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition continue to press forward. Mary Ann Royal, Dave Witham, Charlotte Holbrook and Kevin Holmes of the Bangor chapter have worked throughout the month to continue much needed emphasis and action on Gun Control & Gun Violence. If you are interested in learning how you can help support this group in their work on such a critical issue of peace & justice, please email Christina Diebold at cpdiebold@gmail.com. Thank you again to all those who have worked to continually raise awareness and educate our community.
SPECIAL THANK YOU
THE PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
We are sad to announce the resignation of both Mary Ellen Quinn and Katherine Carter. Both members have served on the steering committee and contributed to the Center for years. Although they are retiring, they are not stepping back from the Center entirely. Kay will continue to be involved in groups like the Education Committee and Fundraising Team. In addition, Kay has also graciously volunteered to be a contact for both steering committee and members and she sites her extensive history/long term perspective as critical to the transition process of the Center.
Mary Ellen Quinn has also graciously volunteered to act as a consultant for the Center. Mary Ellen's leadership and insights have been a guiding light for the Center in recent years. Her selfless commitment to engaging and supporting new members while continuing the legacy of the Center has been a critical cornerstone to our current and future success.
We wish these two and their families nothing but the best. We are eternally grateful for their years of dedication and service to our environment, community peace initiatives, marginalized and underrepresented communities, as well as their desire to instill a culture of peace, justice, and accountability in all areas of their own lives.
Thank You to all those who helped make the
30th Annual Harvest Supper & Hands of Peace Awards a success
Congratulations again to Emma Cowing of Lincoln Maine. Emma is a John Bapst student who commutes to school everyday and recently began drives from Lincoln to participate in all Peace & Justice Center Events.
This year’s supper was attended by passionate and committed members of the center. We are thankful to all those who have supported us over the years and we look forward to your support in the future.
Peace & Justice Center
Consultants & Staff
Peace & Justice Center really appreciates Dawn Neptune Adams. We have had the privilege to work with Dawn in many spaces which Dawn brings so much value and passionate energy to. Dawn’s resiliency, wisdom, dedication to her relatives, and strength in water protecting are attributes we respect and honor. We look forward to future collaborative work with Dawn and continuing to seek her guidance and knowledge as a consultant.
(left); Desiree Vargass & Dawn Neptune Adams
(right); David Patrick & Dawn Neptune Adams
David Patrick, Program Coordinator of P&JC and Co-founder of Racial Equity and Justice, spoke at a conference with a panel addressing Land Justice: Acknowledging Our Past, Changing Our Futures. This panel brought together leaders across in Maine that are part of communities who have experienced land displacement and social marginalization. Land security & resource access are important conversations we need to be consistently having in addition to taking action on issues regarding farmland protection and land sovereignty.
Photos By Sunlight Media Collective
Desiree Vargas was asked to speak on a panel, Decolonizing Your Mind: With Indigenous Feminist Leadership along with Sherri Mitchell. This was a awesome panel with a great turnout. Intersectional Feminist Resource Center and UMaine Multi Cultural Center organized this panel for the for a lunch and learn.
Photos by Dawn Neptune Adams from Sunlight Media Collective
"There was an Indigenous Leadership Panel hosted by UMaine Multucultural Center and Wabanaki Center in honor of Native American Heritage Month in November. Everyone on the panel offered various valuable perspectives on the questions that were asked. Most of the questions asked by MJ Smith was surrounding the work we do combating white supremacy and how do we stay motivated and resilient. Something to think about. What motivates you to uplift your community and stand up against racism?"
-Desiree V
Here is a statement from Desiree whom gave a land acknowledgment and spoke at the U-Maine climate strike organized by Maine Climate Action Group.
"THE MISSING MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN, GIRLS, AND TWO SPIRIT EPIDEMIC IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION AND CANNOT BE LEFT OUT OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONVERSATIONS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS.
Indigenous communities everywhere are leading resistances against liberalism and capitalism as one of many ways to combat human caused climate change from increasing harm. From the Amazon jungles, to Africa, to the land of Puerto Rico, from the Mauna Kea in Hawaii, and to Penobscot River in Penobscot territory, Indigenous people are defending our non human relatives from desecration, toxicity, and exploitation.
We arena’t just activists defending & protecting the land, the water, and the plants...we are protecting and defending our relatives. We are protecting and defending ourselves."
-Desiree Vargas, P&J Program Coordinator, Racial Equity & Justice Co-founder, Higuayagua: Taino of the Caribbean, University of Maine Student, community organizer and activist.
