In an effort to show solidarity for emerging Indigenous-led land return efforts in the Northeast, First Light leveraged its network to raise money to directly support 4 organizations: Bomazeen Land Trust, Native Land Conservancy, Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust,
LandBack: Passamaquoddy Tribe Reacquires Culturally Significant 140-Acres of Island in Kci Monosakom (Big Lake), Maine
Motahkomikuk (Indian Township), Maine – On March 12, 2021, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk (Indian Township) reacquired 140 acres of their unceded Ancestral territory – the largest island in Kci Monosakom, (Big Lake) Maine. Originally known as Kuwesuwi Monihq (Pine
Conversation with Attorneys involved in Land Conservation around Maine
First Light co-facilitator and MCHT Senior Project Manager Ciona Ulbrich was invited by Rob Levin, of the Maine Land Conservation Attorneys Network (MLCAN), to talk to network members about considering changing or using new legal tools to secure and formalize
Wabanaki Field Trips to AMC land to assess harvesting opportunities
As a part of the First Light Learning Journey in 2019, Appalachian Mountain Club worked with the Penobscot Nation to begin issuing harvesting permits for brown ash to tribal members free of charge. On May 10th, about 15 Wabanaki people from
With a Little Help, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Buy Sunrise Christmas Tree Farm and an Exciting Opportunity
Littleton: On March 4, Chief Peter-Paul signed the closing papers to complete the purchase of 90-acre Sunrise Christmas Tree Farm in Littleton by the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. “We are excited to pursue a green and carbon friendly economic venture, it fits
Workshop on how Conservationists can support the Tribal Sovereignty Bill
In December, Corey Hinton told 105 participants in First Light Learning Journey that he would “love to see the legislative record for the 130th legislature be as full of support for Tribal positions as the 129th was.”
The Maine Legislature heard public testimony on LD342 and LD361, acts to establish a permanent appointment of Wabanaki tribal members to State environmental Advisory Councils
Wabanaki leaders and allies are organizing in support of two bills to establish permanent Wabanaki representation on Maine’s Marine Resources Advisory Council (LD342) and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Advisory Council (LD361). Chief Clarissa Sabattis of the Maliseet Tribe stated
735 Acres of Land Returned to the Penobscot Nation
A significant return of land stewardship to the Penobscot Nation celebrates their history and cultural resilience and serves to inspire similar land stewardship returns during and beyond this important moment of historical reckoning.
Hands Working Together: Creating a shared vision for a new relationship to place
A series of talks in which 10 Wabanaki people–representing 4 tribes and 3 generations–spoke on the importance of access to land to a group of 120 conservation leaders and their funders from across the state of Maine.
Land and Water Conservation Fund training for Tribal members
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