Introduction to the Fund
We are excited to share this video overview of the Wabanaki Self-Determination Fund and 2023 Solidarity Deposit. Please view and share this video as your organization considers making an important contribution to this work.
Members of the Fund Working Group are available any time for brainstorming and support on making your organizational contribution– contact ellie at firstlightmaine.org to get in touch. When your organization is ready to contribute please contact lauren at firstlightmaine.org to inquire about how to make an electronic transfer, or make a check out to our Fiscal Sponsor, New Learning Journey with the memo “Solidarity Deposit” and send it to New Learning Journey at 700 Bragg Hill Rd. Fayston, VT 05673.
New Resource: Recommendations to the Wabanaki Commission on Establishing the Fund
In early 2023, a Wabanaki Research and Outreach team conducted a series of interviews and conversations in each Wabanaki community. Those conversations and insights formed the basis for the team to create a set of 18 recommendations to offer to the Wabanaki Commission as they establish this fund. The Commission is now in the process of discussing each recommendation in turn as they prepare to launch the Fund. The team has agreed to make these recommendations public to help share with Wabanaki and non-native communities the direction of the Fund.
Wabanaki Learnings & Observations about the Fund
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Call to Action
At the 2022 First Light Summit, Darren Ranco, Ethan Miller, and Jess Burton called the community to support the Wabanaki Self-Determination Fund by making an organizational contribution to the Fund. Read on below for an overview and call to action around the Fund.
Working Group
Members of the Wabanaki Self-Determination Fund Working Group include:
- Gabriela Alcalde, Sewall Foundation
- Jess Burton, Southern Maine Conservation Collaborative
- Kate Dempsey, The Nature Conservancy
- Peter Forbes, First Light
- Ethan Miller, Land in Common
- Ellie Oldach, First Light
Darren Ranco serves as our primary point of contact to the Wabanaki Commission.