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During the General Assembly we will look at challenges we’ve overcome, problems that still exist, issues that may arise, and how we plan to tackle them. We will take a look at board operations and open positions, as well as introduce new staff members. We will use this also as an opportunity to have an open discussion about our collective vision. We hope to see you Saturday, December 12th, and we will send out the Zoom link, via email Monday, December 7th. Please email us any questions you have at: peacectr@gmail.com
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Native American Heritage Month
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November was "Native American Heritage Month," but at the Peace & Justice Center we believe in recognizing and respecting the history, rights, and culture of Indigenous people year round. There are many conversations we should be having about decolonizing our minds and our systems, and what better place to start than discussing ideas of sovereignty, stewardship, and solidarity.
"Sovereignty," or being a self-governed state, is a critical part of respecting and recognizing Indigenous people. America was built on stolen land, and its government continues their push even now to take more territory and rights away from the people who lived here long before them. Native Tribes deserve to be here, and it is through #LandBack measures and respecting existing territories that people can respect their sovereignty.
The Wabanaki people believe in the concept of “stewardship” (i.e. being caretakers of the land) as opposed to the colonialist idea of ownership. Since the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, Maine’s Indigenous people have been fighting for their position as stewards of the land and the Penobscot waters, and they continue to fight in the courts to this day. Currently they are facing an En Banc Review of their case, Penobscot Nation vs. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, (A.K.A. Penobscot Nation v Mills) in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Should the courts rule in favor of the Penobscot Nation, their traditional role as stewards of the River will be respected. This would remove barriers to environmental protection put in place by the state in order to protect industrial polluters such as the Juniper Ridge Landfill and the Nine Dragons Paper Mill. When Indigenous people defend their Relatives, the land and water, they are doing so for us all, and for the next seven generations.
"Solidarity" is another important topic we can't ignore when discussing issues of Indigenous people. By learning how to leverage one's privileges to amplify the voices of targeted groups, allies can help these folks dismantle oppressive structures built into society and pave the way for human rights. This can be done by showing up in support of important legislation, sharing and uplifting Indigenous voices in the community, and pushing for better representation of the Wabanaki people. Just showing that these tribes are still alive today can combat the deliberate erasure of their culture by the American education system.
Thanks for taking the time with us to reflect on the ideas of stewardship, solidarity, and sovereignty in relation to Indigenous people. To educate yourself further, these books have been recommended: "Custer Died for Your Sins" by Vine Deloria, Jr., "Sacred Instructions" by Sherri Mitchell, and "An Indigenous People's History of the U.S." by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.
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This year Food and Medicine conducted their 18th Solidarity Harvest. The harvest began in 2003 as a way to support laid-off union workers in Maine. This year the group gathered enough donations to send out 1,400 baskets!
Each basket costs $40 and can feed a family of about 8-10 people. They are filled with food from local farms and food producers, and contain nine different produces and more. After being prepped by Food and Medicine, unions, faith-based organizations, and non-profits find families in need and deliver the baskets directly to them.
With the pandemic being a concern this year, Food and Medicine decided to take further precautions to keep the harvest safe. They extended their sort week to ten days, organized everything outdoors, limited the number of people on site, required masks, and provided an abundance of hand sanitizer. It was a challenging task, but with the hard work of many they got it done. Another successful year!
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Wabanaki Land & Water Rights
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Photo Credit: Sunlight Media Collective's video.
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Just this past month the Elliotsville Foundation restored 735 acres of land to the Penobscot Nation. The land is located in Williamsburg Township, Piscataquis County, Maine between two other Penobscot territories. This piece of land is known for its connection to a large river ecosystem populated by a critical Atlantic Salmon habitat, as well as being a link between the Penobscot River and Katahdin. The Elliotsville Foundation gave this land to the Wabanaki people in the spirit of respecting stewardship and in hopes of inspiring others to participate in land restoration efforts.
During the Landback Ceremony, Chief Kirk Francis and the Executive Director Lucas St. Clair exchanged gifts, as seen above. St. Clair gave a beautiful spoon that he carved himself, and Chief Francis gave a birchbark moose call, made by 80 year-old Penobscot Elder, Butch Phillips. To learn more about this land restoration, click here to watch.
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December 1st is World AIDS Day, which began in 1988 as the first international day for world health. This year, the theme is "Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.”
In times like these, we cannot forget those who fought to bring attention and action to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and those who we lost in the process. Public health is a universal concern, and we need to address it with our most marginalized communities, who are often the most affected, kept in mind. It is with this and the continual fight for human rights that we can confront pandemics like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
There will be a candlelight vigil to honor all who live with HIV/AIDS, and to remember loved ones who have died of this disease. The group will gather at 5 pm on Tuesday, December 1, at the Post Office Square in Belfast, ME. If attending, be sure to maintain physical distancing and wear a mask. This annual vigil is sponsored by Camp Chrysalis, a camp in Mid-Coast Maine for children and their families who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Bring candles and your kind hearts. For more information, contact Meredith Bruskin at 338-5089.
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Food insecurity is a major issue that affects all communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 13.6% of Maine households are considered "food insecure," a number that is significantly higher than the national average. The Peace & Justice Center wants to help change that. Through our partnerships with local organizations we will be able to provide vital resources in an accessible way.
Updates:
- The pantry will provide a much needed service by delivering food directly to those in need. This allows for safer practices of social distancing, better coordination, and greater access to available resources.
- We will be concentrating on providing consistent food resources for families. One way we will approach this is by supporting 10-20 families with their food needs.
- The pantry has also taken initiative to support some of the water needs for the Passamaquoddy people, and we are looking to further this contribution as well.
Food donations can be delivered to the center at a coordinated time. We do ask that donated items are nonperishable or are not close to expiration. For those interested in donating financially to the food pantry program, please list the food pantry as the program you wish to support.
We will be sharing more information about this project on our website and all of our media platforms. For more information or to find out how you can support our community food pantry, you can email us at: peacectr@gmail.com
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Peace Vigils
Tuesdays at 12:00PM
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Looking to get involved again in a safe, socially distanced way? Kevin continues to meet every Tuesday at 12:00 noon with other activists for the weekly Peace Vigil. The group meets across the street from the P&JC on the corner of Harlow and Central Street. We hope to see you there masked up and ready to demonstrate!
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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS
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