First Light and Doug Beck–the point person on the Land and Water Conservation Funding (LWCF) for the State of Maine–recently organized a workshop for tribal members about the process of writing a successful application to receive a LWCF grant. LWCF
Field Trip with Frenchman Bay Conservancy
On June 29th, 2020, Kat Deely of the Frenchman Bay Conservancy (FBC) led a tour of a recently acquired FBC property for a group of Wabanaki leaders. This field trip helped the group begin to discuss what Wabanaki input on
Quimby Family Foundation opens new grant program for Wabanaki prosperity
First light participants Zak Klein and Hannah Quimby recently developed and opened a grant program focused on Wabanaki Communities through the Quimby Family Foundation. Any Wabanaki person or any employee, contractor, or director of a native-led or native-serving organization may
The Maine Legislature heard public testimony over two days on February, the 14th and 19th, 2020 on the ‘Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act’ LD2094
Many Wabanaki leaders and allies are organizing in support of LD2094, a bill to implement changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. Chief Kirk Francis stated in an interview that the revisions to the Settlement Act are about “respect
First planning session to develop the Wabanaki Task Force convened on January 10th
On January 10th, tribal representatives gathered at the Wabanaki Center to develop their vision for an intra-Tribal task force. The Wabanaki Task Force on Land and Land Stewardship, which will be funded by First Light, will build the capacity, voice,
3 panels depicting Wabanaki history posted at the Long Point Preserve in Machiasport
Deirdre Whitehead has been working with Tribal and local historians, a Tribal artist and Julia Bates from the Abbe Museum to design 3 interpretive panels for the Long Point Preserve in Machiasport. The place based panels describe three thousand years of
Maine Coast Heritage Trust named new Initiative on Wabanaki Engagement
Ciona Ulbrich and others at MCHT recently named a new cross-departmental initiative on Wabanaki engagement within their five year strategic plan. This will open up more resources and staff time for MCHT to work on increasing Wabanaki land access and
New Ash Permit for Wabanaki land use issued by The Conservation Fund
Tom Duffus, with The Conservation Fund, recently issued a permit to Wabanaki folks that grants access to thousands of acres in Western Maine for brown ash harvest. You can view the permit here.
Congratulations to Steve Tatko and AMC! From John Banks
Dear First Light Learning Journey folks, Appalachian Mountain Club has finalized a permitting process to allow Wabanaki tribal people access to AMC lands for purpose of harvesting Brown Ash for basket making. Congratulations and thanks to Steve Tatko for his