November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
The month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native communities as well as an additional chance to acknowledge how we can support these communities either by creating space, elevating Native voices, or taking a step back to acknowledge our own privilege. Although we should be continually examining our privilege and role in continuing colonialism, this Heritage Month specifically, is a time to educate ourselves and others without seeking or expecting indigenous community members to do so for us. For those wondering what contributions they can make to this important month, this is an opportunity to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which these communities in Maine, in North America, and throughout the world have worked to conquer these challenges.
November is Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month
DAWNLAND is the winner of the Emmy® award for Outstanding Research. Congratulations to everyone who was a part of this incredible project. The feature-length documentary Dawnland follows the TRC to contemporary Wabanaki communities to witness intimate, sacred moments of truth-telling and healing. With exclusive access to this groundbreaking process and never-before-seen footage, the film reveals the untold narrative of Indigenous child removal in the United States.
A special congratulations to Peace & Justice Center Diversity & Inclusion Consultant; Dawn Neptune Adams and her daughter for the continued work they are doing locally, regionally, and nationally.
5746 Collins Center for the Arts
Orono, Maine 04469
Come see Wabanaki Artist demonstrations and hear them talk about their ancient traditions, threats to their perpetuation, and how they are taking the artforms in new directions.
30th Annual Harvest Supper & Hands of Peace Awards
The Harvest Supper is an opportunity for members and community members to come together to celebrate the fruits of our labor. This event highlights the work done in the previous year as well as celebrates the momentum and initiatives being developed now to create change in the future.
This year’s Hands of Peace recipients are outstanding members of our community. Awards are given to both youth and adult community members who have distinguished themselves with a variety of initiatives which support, advocate, and further positive policy reform and action for our climate, indigenous communities, and social justice.
Geo Soctomah Neptune Hands of Peace Award Recipient
Geo Soctomah Neptune is a Passamaquoddy Two-Spirit, master basket maker, activist, storyteller, model, and educator from Indian Township, Maine. Neptune uses they/them pronouns. When an international movement for native rights emerged in Canada and spread worldwide called Idle-No-More, Neptune found their calling as an advocate against government abuse of Native people and lands.
Emma Cowing Hands of Peace Youth Award Recipient
Emma Cowing is a junior at John Bapst Emma Cowing is the school president of Amnesty International, founder & leader of Bangor Area Youth Activists. In addition, she has started a program at John Bapst which allows for students to have access to feminine products for free. Emma leads the Friday’s for Future Climate Strike at John Bapst. In the summer of 2019 she attended Seeds of Peace International summer camp which brought together teenagers from conflict regions all over the world to work on leadership, coexistence, and understanding.
Ijeoma Obi
Hands of Peace Youth Award Recipient
Ijeoma is an emerging leader in both the city of Bangor and state of Maine. Her work in this region has focused on addressing the growing concern regarding our current climate crisis and elevating the voices of young Mainers in the fight for Climate Justice. In 2019 she has mobilized students at Bangor High School for the Global Climate Strike as part of the Maine Youth Climate Strikes. During this event she marched with students to offices of The United States Postal Service and empowered students and other activists to take ownership of their communities, their environment, and our planet. Ijeoma is an active leader and participant in the Maine Speech & Debate Community and has placed in the top 3 for State Championship Congressional Debate as well receiving the Congressional Debate Scholarship.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SPECIAL THANK YOU
THE PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
THANK YOU to the entire Education Committee and all those who participated in the events and engagements of October. The work done by this committee is critical to racial equity and racial justice not only in this community but across the country. naming and challenging white supremacy is an important piece of the healing process. More importantly, having this work initiated by allies
END RACISM ON CAMPUS
JUSTICE FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
Thank you to Peace Justice Center Program Coordinator Desiree Vargas. Desiree is a fearless advocate, activist, and champion of indigenous rights and equity for native communities. Desiree's work spans from Maine to Puerto Rico. Her voice and compassion for her community has manifested throughout the East Coast. As a Cultural Anthropologist and Taino Language Preservationist, she has dedicated her spirit to uplifting Native peoples through out North America. Desiree’s most recent work focused on advancing social justice and equity at The University of Maine. Last week, on Monday October 28th, as the primary organizer for the Justice for Indigenous Students March & Rally, Desiree spent countless hours working with other students and activists serving as a diplomat and policy consultant in response to the University’s inaction regarding Native students and the campus’ climate of tolerance for hate speech and racism disguised as political party affiliation. This work lead to the largest gathering of students and faculty focused on changing policies regarding Native students as well as critical support and action from many of our state’s highest ranking officials in academia, politics, and human rights. A Special Thank You to Lokotah Sanborn (right) as well; featured next to Ms. Vargas.
