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
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,