Text
W abanaki
A lliance
Published with the support of the Penobscot Nation and Diocesan Human Relations Services, Inc.
March
1982
New school seen by 1984
INDIAN ISLAND — An expansive new
school for Penobscot pupils could open its
doors as early as Sept. 1. 1984, the tribal
council has been told.
The proposed S3.5 million school com
plex would extend the present kinder
garten (levels one and two) through sixth
grade, to include all of junior high school.
In most cases, students leave the reserva
tion to attend nearby Old Town schools,
and this practice would continue, follow
ing graduation from the K-9 school.
Probably the most important aspect of
the proposed school is space. Currently,
some 100 pupils are crowded into a
building originally designed for about half
that number of students. Gov. Timothy
Love told the council and school board
that this situation “
impacts on the educa
tion" of the children. Love quoted a U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) official as
stating the Island school has the “
worst
conditions I’ seen anywhere.”
ve
The design and construction of a 32,000
square foot school — twice the size of the
tribal Community Building — hinges on
funding by the BIA.
In a recent dramatic turnaround, the
possibility of a new school rose from
“
almost nil to very high priority with the
BIA. Two BIA officials from Albuquerque,
N.M., visited the Island for a first
meeting: Frank Latta, in charge of school
facilities, and architect Jerry Gasparich.
They viewed the site, and met with school
committee chairman Kenneth Paul and
members, school principal Sr. Helen
McKeough. and Maine Indian Education
superintendent Edward DiCensc.
(Continued on page 4
)
Priest recalled
from reservation
INDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Rev.
Joseph Laughiin. a Jesuit priest at the
Passamaquoddy reservation the past five
years, has been ordered to leave by his
Jesuit superiors in Boston.
According to reliable sources. Father
Laughiin. or “
Father Joe” he preferred
as
to be called, was recalled after consider
able pressure was brought by persons
objecting to his presence on the reserva
tion. Father Joe was wholly identified
with the Charismatic movement, and his
Passamaquoddy following consisted of
people drawn to that radical version of
Catholicism.
Other parishioners at Indian Township
were less than enthusiastic about Father
Joe's unconventional ways. Objections
included numerous reports that the priest
was seldom at the rectory. He reportedly
made many trips to Boston and elsewhere,
and had connections with Charismatics in
Brockton, Mass.
Father Joe left Indian Township in
December 1981, but not before he had
complained bitterly to some people about
his treatment by the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Portland. The Jesuits, or
Society of Jesus, is under contract to the
Diocese to provide priests to the reserva
tion. A spokesman for the D iocese said
Father Joe s complaints were groundless.
The spokesman noied that respect for the
Church’ presence on the reservation had
s
deteriorated in recent years, and the
convent, housing the Sisters of Mercy, had
been broken into.
Filling in on a part time basis at Indian
Township is the Rev. Normand Carpentier
of Woodland. He will continue as tem p
orary administrator for St. Ann’ Parish
s
at Indian Township for an indefinite
period. The Diocese of Portland is respon
sible for a successor to Father Laughiin,
but plans were uncertain at press time.
Father Laughiin succeeded the Rev.
Raymond Picard, also a Jesuit.
PUPILS at old Indian Island Elementary School — at right - - board school bus at end of
day. Note fence and cramped yard.
Penobscots air complaints
INDIAN ISLAND — An unofficial
group of residents here, calling them
selves “
concerned citizens,” has held
several m eetings to discuss problem s they
are having with current tribai adminis
tration.
Last month, the group aired their com
plaints to Thomas Howard, a representa
tive for U.S. Sen. William S. Cohen.
Howard said all he would do is listen; he
would not get involved in internal tribal
matters, he said.
In general, group members say they are
not getting a fair shake in terms of
services and benefits, from tribal govern
ment. Also, som e residents have said they
do not trust the government to handle the
proceeds of the land claims settlement,
and that tribal officials have been secre
tive about it.
Peter Hamilton, an organizer but not a
spokesman for the group, said one of his
objections to the administration is that,
“
they were supposed to have an audit
every two years here, but they’ never
ve
had one.”
Further, he stated, “ get social security.
I
All I get from them up there is $65 per
month. I can use that for oil or food.
Before. I got oil and food. I’ run out of oil
ve
twice this winter. These people got no oil.
(Continued on back page)
Feelings mixed on land claims
ORONO — A recent Wabanaki Alliance
reader survey reveals Indians have differ
ing views on the $81.5 million settlement
of Penobscot-Passamaquoddy land claims.
Opinions weren’wishy-washy, however.
t
“
It's a start, use it wisely,” said one
reader. Another reader w rote that “
the
people’ opinions and questions were
s
ignored and totally tossed o u t . .. we gave
up more than what money can ever buy.”
In 1980, President Carter signed a
Congressionally-approved negotiated ac
cord ending a decade of litigation and
struggle by the sister tribes to assert a
sovereign right to the return of aboriginal
lands. The settlement provided a per
manent $27 million trust, plus $54.5
million to buy land — up to 300,000 acres
— for the Penobscots and Passama
quoddy s.
Thus far, Penobscots have purchased
some 140,000 acres; Passamaquoddys
have bought closer to 30,000 acres,
including some blueberry barrens. In
general, Penobscots have bought more
non-trust, taxable acreage, while the
Passamaquoddy Tribe has acquired des
ignated “
trust land,”that is tax-exempt.
Individual members of the tribes will
probably net about $1,000 per person,
per year, in interest earned on the trust
fund.
Unfortunately for the survey, less than
a dozen readers responded.
The first question asked if the reader
was “
personally satisfied with the Maine
Indian land claims settlem ent act."
A New Haven, Ct., reader checked “
no,”
and added, “ think the tribe accepted
I
under pressure, and advice of legal
advisors.” The reader said “
yes” to a
question of whether the settlement chang
ed his/her life, and the reader said the
newspaper itself is satisfactory, although
it should publish m ore letters to the
editor, a pen pal column, and “ ore news
m
of social life on the reservation.”
Settlement saves home
A reader who identified herself, Jean
Watson of Milford, Mich., said the settle
ment “
gives a good economic base to our
tribe. We didn't have one before.”
Further, she wrote, “ provides jobs and
it
extra income."
Watson said the settlem ent is changing
her life; moreover, “ provided needed
it
income to supplement social security (and)
enabled us to stay in our home and pay the
high taxes.”
Watson praised the paper, saying it
“
provides news of the family and a
beloved picture of my grandfather, Peter
Ranco.”
Noel Tomer, Jr., of Fitchburg, Mass.,
said he is happy with the settlement, and
that it has changed his life, explaining;
“
The payments helped me catch up on my
(Continued on page 5)
Page 2
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
editorials
Too far
For a newspaper to win the confidence o f its community is a long,
slow process. It’ hard work. In many ways, the effort pays off.
s
People com e to trust the newspaper. They rely on it for certain in
formation. Why then do tribal officials, and other boards and
committees, persist in believing that "n o news is good news.” Is the
community really served by such thinking?
What is there to fear if the goings-on o f these boards and
committees are exposed to the light o f day? If members o f the
community, and readers o f this newspaper, truly don ’want to know
t
what goes on in smoke-filled rooms, behind closed doors, then fine;
things are as they should be.
But if tribal members think they should know — perhaps have a
right to know what’going on — then officials should ease up a little
s
on the policy o f secrecy.
Not far enough
The Penobscot Health and Human Services Department is to be
commended for banning smoking from the clinic wing o f its
building.
Recently, the ban was reportedly extended to the front hall, which
r
used to be a literal smokescreen for anyone entering the building, for
whatever purpose.
However, smoking cigarettes or cigars at all is contradictory to
good health. An institution devoted to the health and well-being o f
tribal members has no business permitting cancer-causing activities
in its headquarters.
The surgeon general has determined that cigarette smoking is
dangerous to your health. Freely translated, this means, it can kill
you.
Smoking should be banned throughout the building. The
non-clinic wing o f the building hosts senior citizens and young
children in day care.
Ironically, health center staff participated in a public service in
January, a TV "sp ot”for the American Cancer Society.
Sound advice
In promulgating your esoteric cognitations, or articulating your
superficial sentimentalities and amicable philosophical or psycho
logical observations, beware o f platitudinous ponderosity. Let your
conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a
compact comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency and a con
catenated cogency.
Eschew- all conglomerations o f flatulent garrulity, jejune babble
ment and asinine affections. Let your extemporaneous descantings
and unpremediated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious
vivacity, without rhodonontade or thrasonical bombast.
Sedulously avoid ail polysyllabic profundity, pom pous prolixity,
psitaceous vacuity, ventriloquial verbosity and vaniloquent vapidity.
Shun double-entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity,
obscurant or apparent.
In other words, talk plainly, briefly, naturally, sensibly, truthfully,
purely. Keep away from slang, d on ’put on airs, say what you mean,
t
mean what you say, and most o f all d on ’ use big w'ords.
t
Guest column
Island fortunate to have
its own firefighters
On Jan. 20,1had the occasion to call the
Penobscot Nation Fire Department. My
car was smoking badly beneath the hood.
The response time was 5 minutes. Three
men responded but one man was not a
volunteer fireman. One man was a
policeman. Dale Lolar.
There has been a little controversy
lately about the amount of men who
respond to a fire, also their response time.
It is for their benefit that I am attempting
a reply.
In this exact situation, that is, smoke
coming from beneath the hood of a car.
Old Town firemen would have sent one
fire engine and only two firefighters
aboard. On some occasions I have seen six
men respond on Indian Island.
I would like to point out that Indian
Island, is very fortunate to have as many
volunteers as they do. They are, “
green"
but not untrainable. They attend m eetings
for firefighting techniques and how to
maintain their equipment.
I went to see. them ‘ action’at a
in
structure fire on Oak Hill. I was really
pleased that they had a “
save." I have a lot
of confidence in them. I am sincerely
proud of this little band of men. I certainly
know how it feels to see these familiar
faces responding in such a short time
when I wated at my house!
These men have to make sacrifices to be
away from families by attending fire
fighting sessions, just to prepare to fight a
stinking fire. Please do not envy these
fellows paychecks, for these men risk
their lives for a meager $3.00 per week!
That is what it averages out to. My
husband gets paid more, naturally, he has
more responsibility.
Fire prevention has been encouraged
here. If w e’ had few fires, praise God.
ve
Some people are listening and making im
provements. Prevention is far less costly
than trying to save a home that’ fully
s
engulfed, or trying to rebuild it. And loss
of life can’be fixed!
t
I know what it is like to lose som eone in
a fire. One of my best friends died, his
apartment was just around the corner
from a fire station ... yet a 17 apartment
house went up! Also, another friend I’
ll
remember all my life. Patty and her
unborn baby and three little children were
all killed by a fire. If you have never
witnessed a yard full of bodies, you are
lucky. Thank God you have your own fire
Wabanaki Alliance
dept, and other Indians and friends that
care for you!
I did not select my husband’ vocation.
s
But I did not discourage it either. I
wouldn’take that job for $30,000 a year.
t
You’ gotta be a little nutty to expose
ve
yourself to smoke as often as they do.
That is not great for your lungs, you
know. Neither is the stress related with it.
There are many Indians putting down
Indians, on this island. I pray that my
husband does not lose his life just because
he’ crazy enough to try and save yours.
s
The very people you criticize . . . you
expect to jump into flames to save you or
your family or even your goods . . . when
your turn comes.
People, you’ fortunate to have a nice
re
piece of fire apparatus. I understand it
cost approximately $35,000, you made one
good decision by accomplishing this. It
would seem you would follow through and
give the firefighters your support. Don’
t
wait until there is a tragedy before you
realize just how fortunate you are to have
your own fire dept. Count your blessings.
When Old Town responded to the
recent fire at LaBree’ Bakery, what if
s
there had .been a fire on the island at the
same time? And no firemen advailable to
respond? Old Town also has a large
territory to cover. Also it has been
brought to the attention of many that,
there w ere fire hazzards in their homes.
Tell me . . . up ’ now . . . who the hell
till
cared? It was not Old Town that made
recommendations, or inspected your
homes on Indian Island.
Instead of figuring out how you can’
t,
why don’ you figure out how you can?
t
You know, that truck would look kinda
ridiculous as a flower planter, while you
twiddled your thumbs waiting for Old
Town to put out your fires. I say, you can
have a better fire dept, than Old Town.
What do you say?
To the Penobscot firefighters I say —
thank you for a job well done.
,
Helen Becker
Vol. 6, No. 3
March 1982
Published monthly by Wabanaki Alliance, through a sustaining grant from the
Penobscot Nation, under contract with Diocesan Human Relations Services, Inc.
Offices at 95 Main Street, Orono, Maine 04473. Telephone [207] 866-4903. Typeset
by the Penobscot Times Company. Printed by the Ellsworth American.
Reporters
Diane Newell Wilson
Brenda Polchies
Board of Directors
Jean Chavaree, Penobscot Nation, [chairman]
Donna Loring, Penobscot Nation
Jeannette LaPlante, Central Maine Indian Assoc.
Phone 827-6219
Phone 532-9442
Indian Island
Old Town
Old Town
A non-profit corporation. Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes.
Rates: S5 per year [12 issues]; $6 Canada and overseas; S10 for institutions [schools,
government, business, etc.]
Page 3
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
letters
B e a fr ie n d
W est Union, Ohio
To the editor:
I'm writing to you as I am very much
interested in corresponding with people of
different Indian tribes.
Name is Shirley Anne Halsinger
Wishteyah, 34 years old, 5 foot 2 inches,
116 pounds. Have shoulder length black
hair and turquoise eyes. I am of Cherokee,
Shawnee, Sioux and Irish decent. I have
three boys ranging from sixteen years of
age down to eight.
My hobbies are car and motorcycle
racing, reading, any type of music and
making new friends. Also love traveling to
many different states.
If anyone is interested I will be happy to
write to them. Will do as soon as they
would write. Want friends of any age, men
or women.
Shirley Wishteyah
308 East Walnut St.
W. Union, Ohio 45693
M e e t th e p h a r m a c is t
Indian Island
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to
introduce myself. I am Tom Dorworth, the
inter-tribal pharmacist. I use the term
inter-tribal because I will be providing
pharmacy services to Indian Township
and Indian Island, as well as Pleasant
Point.
I graduated from St. Louis College of
Pharmacy. May 7th, 1974, and went to
work for the United States Public Health
Service. My first tour was in Baltimore,
Maryland at the USPHS hospital. From
there, I moved to Boston to work at the
USPHS hospital located in Brighton,
Mass. I spent six years there before
coming to “
Downeast" Maine. While in
Boston, I earned a masters degree in
pharmacology (study of drug actions) from
Northeastern University.
On Thursdays and Fridays I will be at
the Penobscot Health Center to provide
services. I am filling some prescriptions
now (no controlled substances) and am
available to answer questions about drugs
you are taking and their side effects. I am
looking forward to working in the Indian
communities and providing top-notch
pharmacy services.
Tom Dorworth
In dian a ffa ir s
Freedom
To the editor:
We here at the Farmstead Press have
recently taken over full editorial respon
sibility for Maine Life Magazine.
We hope to expand the editorial focus,
and plan to keep abreast of the issues that
affect the people as well as the rec
reational aspects of the state." I would
appreciate seeing any news or information
you have available about Indian affairs.
Terrence Day
Day care
kids study
self-hood
INDIAN ISLAND — “ About Me”is
All
the name of a recent activity that took
place at Penobscot Indian day care center.
The idea is just what it sounds like —
children explore their own identity, at the
same time polishing verbal and written
skills. “ involves children with positive
It
self-concept activities,’ explained Mat
’
thew O’
Donnell, day care director.
O n ly s o u r c e
Thomaston
To the editor:
I’ a Passamaquoddy presently serving
m
some time at the Maine State Prison. I’
m
aware that you send a copy to the prison.
However, it takes a month some times
before I get to read it. I read your October
and November issues. But to this time I
am still waiting for your Decem ber and
January issues. This is the reason why I
would like to subscribe, so I may receive a
copy for my own personal use.
Since I’ settled into my temporary
ve
home, your newspaper is my only source
of information concerning the Passama
quoddy and Penobscot tribes.
I'm also disappointed to hear that the
Passamaquoddy tribe refused to help this
very informative newspaper.
Ryan Newell
W a n ts g r a m m a r
Hanau, Germany
To the editor:
Thank you very much for your news
paper. Please send me a grammar of the
Penobscot language and a book about the
different nations and their languages.
I would be very happy if we stay in
touch. Please write back and I’ send you
ll
the money for the books later.
Kurt Gernhard
(This letter translated from German to
English by Richard Tozier of Brewer.)
Keona Love
“
They’ not only getting excited about
re
the visual, they’ getting excited about
re
what it means.”
All children in the program elected to
have their picture taken, and then write —
sometimes with assistance — about them
selves. The results w ere proudly dis
played on a wall at the Penobscot Health
Mike LeCasse
& Human Services building. Ages range
from two-and-one-half to six years, and
everybody seemed to enjoy doing their
“
autobiography," O’
Donnell reports.
Keona Love, for example, notes that she
is four years old, her favorite food is
“
sphaggetti” (well, you know what she
means), and furthermore, she wrote, “
I
like fishes." Not to be forgotten, she also
noted that her parents are “
Timmy and
Eva.”
Mike LeCasse, three, said his parents
are Christine and Ronald, his favorite
food is meat, and he likes dogs, and deer.
Mali Dana, only three years old, writes
that she is the daughter of “ (for Carol)
C”
and “
Stanly." She too loves “
spaghtti,”
meat, and her favorite animal is a “
CAT.”
Lisa Fugate is four, and she’ the
s
daughter of Mary Lee and Jeff; her
favorite food is chicken, although she likes
juice and milk. She com es to day care “
all
day,”whereas some children attend for a
half day. She also prefers “
cats.”
Along with the exhibit, children have
written and made drawings in their work
books, and they have made hand prints (of
their hands) to record themselves, and
show their parents they are “
little
people.”
What next? O’
Donnell said that “
from
this unit, we introduce the upper and
■
lower case letters of the alphabet,”in a
format for coloring. Most kids can’resist
t
coloring, but there is no pressure in
volved. “ few children just don’want to;
A
t
we don’force them,” Donnell said.
t
O’
Can't a ffo r d it
Portland
To the editor:
I will not be able to continue the sub
scription to the newspaper. I am not able
to afford it. I will continue to pray for the
success of your wonderful work you are
doing. Keep up the good work. With a
happy and prosperous year.
Sister M. Jeannette S.
Lisa Fugate
O’
Donnell said he is pleased with the
progress the children are making, because
of their own desire to master language
skills.
“
For us, it’ the process, not the
s
product.”
Mali Dana
MAIL TO WABANAKI ALLIANCE. 95 MAIN STREET, ORONO MAINE 04473
HOULTON BAND OF M ALISEET INDIANS
PO Box 576
Houlton, Me. 04730
Contact person: Terry Polchies
Announces the following available positions:
1 Director of Housing Improvement Program
.
2. Outreach W orker for the Housing Improvement Program
3. Director of Education, Vocational Training, and Employment Assistance
4. Counselor/Job Developer for Vocational Training and Employment Assistance
5. Secretary for Educational Vocational Training and Employment Assistance
6. Social Services General Assistance Officer
7. Outreach Worker for Social Services
8. Tribal Planner for the Houlton Band
9. Administrative Secretary
Job applications may be obtained at the Houlton Band Office in the Putnam
Arcade Office Building or by calling 532-9443. Salaries are negotiable.
An Equal Opportunity Employer*-
W A B A N A K I A L L IA N C E S U B S C R I P T I O N F O R M
( M a k e c h e c k s p a y a b le t o W a b a n a k i A llia n ce )
I EN CLOSE.
I
1 for one year
$5
.. J___ ((Individual—U.S.)
1
f$ 6 f o r one
1
___ I (Canada)
S treet
City / T o w n
year
1
1$10 f o r one year
1
___ I (Institutional rate)
a n d S ta te
.
Zip Cede
Page 4
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
Island optimistic
about new school
(Continued from page 1
)
Latta told Wabanaki Alliance “ up to
it's
Congress whether they wish to”tack the
estimated $3.5 million costs onto the
already approved fiscal year 1983 BIA
budget. But Latta said he’ optimistic:
s
Indian Island is officially number six on
the BIA school construction priority list.
Latta said the five schools ahead of the
Penobscot project are already funded for
design and construction, effectively mov
ing Indian Island up to the number one
slot.
Tribal councilors, hearing an update on
the proposed school from DiCenso, ex
pressed their surprise and enthusiasm
that the new building is so nearly a
reality. “ least, it’ m ore encouraging,”
At
s
declared councilor Gerry Francis.
The preliminary plans call for a school
BIA officials, Frank Latta, left, and Terry Gasparich, meet with Maine Indian Education
equipped to handle 250 students, complete
Supt. Edward DiCenso.
with gymnasium, and possibly even a
hockey rink — something Love would like
to see included. The most likely site is
either on the present ball field beside the
Community Building, or adjacent to that,
PATRICIA SOCKABASIN
in the vicinity of the tribal garden.
PETER DANA POINT - Patricia M.
Love said the ball field area is above
Sockabasin, 65, died Jan. 29, 1982 at a
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Teresa A.
flood plain, while the garden site is lower,
Bangor hospital. She was born in Maliseet,
Sappier of Indian Island is currently em and less desirable. However, foundations
N.B., March 17, 1916, the daughter of
ployed as a physician’ assistant, treating
s
could be set on ledge in either case,
Simon and Elizabeth (Saulies) Paul. She is
Native Alaskan people.
according to Watie Akins, a tribal coun
survived by her husband, Simon of Peter
Sappier completed a one-year training
cilor who is an engineer. (Love suggested
Dana Point; five sons. Robert James
program in Gallup, New Mexico, through
Akins could officially monitor the con
Tomah of Wingdale, N.Y., Stuart Morris
a grant from the federal Indian Health
struction of the school for the council.) A
Tomah of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Alexander
Service (IHS). She is a former lab
new ball field will be constructed if the old
Paul of Maliseet, N.B., Jamie Sockabasin
technician at the Penobscot tribal health
site is used for building.
of Peter Dana Point, Dennis Tomah of
department. She is a graduate of the
The only apparent major obstacle to
Princeton; four daughters, Joyce Bear and
University of Maine at Orono, and Seaton
getting the design and construction under
Caroline Sappier, both of Maliseet, N.B.,
Hospital in Waterville.
way is Congressional support, and the
Geraldine Oliver of Danforth, Martina
“
add-on" needed to the 1983 BIA budget.
Stevens of Princeton; three brothers,
The council and school committee hope to
Abner and James Paul of Maliseet, N.B.,
enlist the support of Maine's Congres
Charles Paul of Fredericton, N.B.; three
sional delegation, and others, to win what
sisters, Edna Perley, Susie Bear, Rita
Love and DiCenso described as the only
Perley, all of Maliseet, N.B.; several
“
political” part of the process. Sen.
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces
William S. Cohen of Maine may offer key
and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial
support, as he is a member of reigning
was celebrated Monday, February 1 at
Republican party, and is chairman of
10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’ Mission, Peter
s
Senate Select Committee on Indian Af
Dana Point, with the Rev. Normand
fairs.
Carpentier and Rev. Joseph Laughlin
Love said both Congressional and BIA
officiating. Burial was in the Tribal
support is essential to the success of the
Cemetery.
“
ad-on.” If it fails, the school could be
delayed pending an appropriation in the
fiscal 1984 BIA budget. Both Cohen and
BIA director Kenneth Smith are expected
to visit Indian Island in the next few
months, Love told the council.
James Sappier, of the tribe’real estate
s
Ta-Kog-quew
and demography department, has care
They will stand firm until the mark of time
Mary Lee Fugate
fully researched property lines and re
breaks their bodies away
lated matters, at the proposed site of the
Like trees
new school.
They will become the earth again
One snag in the acquisition of property
What will remain ...?
is a stipulation by Mildred Akins of Indian
Island, holder of about one-ninth of the
The spirit that is the People
INDIAN ISLAND — Mary L ee Fugate land in question, that she will sell her
has been hired as dental assistant to Dr. share on condition that the Catholic
It is a gift given the young
Stuart Corso, at the Penobscot Depart Sisters of Mercy continue their teaching
who grew up in its shadow
relationship with the school, and that
ment of Health & Human Services.
They will in turn come to wear
Fugate, 24, began her duties Dec. 7. religion be offered to students.
this thorny crown
1981, as temporary replacement for Gail
Watie Akins, her son, said he believes a
of a drowning heritage
Graves, who is on maternity leave. She compromise arrangement can be worked
hopes to continue at the health clinic part out. He also owns a share of the land, and
Solid — never wavering — but sinking still
time, when Graves returns to her post.
is willing to swap his claim for a parcel
“ really like the job,” said Fugate, near his mobile home across the road.
I
Their eyes are deep
adding that it is “ the job training”for
on
Councilor Gerry Francis asked princi
from within them can be felt
her, since she had no particular back pal, Sister Helen, about the status of
solid, honest pride —
religious teaching in the school. He asked
ground in the work.
and the pain.
Although born in Bangor, Fugate grew
if catechism and Bible study are taught
up in California, where she attended high during the school day, or separately.
For within these peoples’
heart
school. She moved home to Indian Island a
Sister Helen said that prior to a lawsuit
beats the lifeblood of the Native
couple of years ago, and comments, “ several years ago, religion was offered
I
American
always wanted to com e back here . . . it’ before the school day began, and at
s
Like song — so sweet to hear
tendance was not required. However,
my roots, really.”
I am honored to be their friend.
She lived her first five years in Maine, Martin A. Neptune and other Indian
JHG
then moved to Massachusetts, then Cali Island parents filed suit to block the
From a friend in Seattle, accepted with
fornia. She has three children, Deann, six, teaching of religion at the school, and
deep thanks and appreciation — L.D.
since that time — although the suit has not
Lisa, four, and Jeffrey, two.
Penobscot lands
job in Alaska
Obituary
------------
\
Poetry
Fugate new
dental aide
been fully resolved — religion classes have
been held at the St. Ann’ parish hall on
s
the Island. “
When it doesn’ leak,”said
t
Sister Helen. She said children are offered
one hour per week, per class, and
attendance is not mandatory.
Sappier pointed out that to comply with
the law, the tribe cannot guarantee the
teaching of religion by the school, but
there is no reason that Sisters of Mercy, if
certified teachers, cannot continue to
teach the usual subjects. The sisters have
been involved with the reservation and its
school for more than 100 years, and are
considered an integral part of the Indian
community by a majority of tribal mem
bers.
An option school officials and the council
virtually ruled out is to apply for con
struction funds through the state. Sappier
said the state would want matching funds,
a 20-acre site that would be nearly im
possible to find on the island, and the
earliest project review would be July.
DiCenso’ suggested federal timetable
s
for construction calls for gathering engin
eering data and sending it to Latta this
month, selecting an architect by the end of
April, and final approval of a design by
February of next year.
By the following month, construction
bids would be let, and actual work would
begin by October 1983. All this depends on
the success of the BIA budgetary “
add
on” $3.5 million.
of
The optimism of the recent meeting
between council, school committee and
others contrasts sharply with comments
last year by committee chairman Paul,
who noted the old school has no library,
no gym, and no auditorium. Pupils
experience “ loss of motivation,”he said,
a
and are ill-prepared for the transition to
Old Town schools upon graduation from
Indian Island elementary school. “
We
must provide circumstances that nurture
pride, motivation and a sense of worthi
ness and accomplishment. I can’paint too
t
rosy a picture,”
Paul said last year.
The picture has brightened considerab
ly-
Ranco, Francis
capture elections
INDIAN ISLAND — Harry A. Francis
and Michael Ranco em erged the victors in
recent elections to fill two vacant seats on
the Penobscot tribal council.
In a related matter, no votes w ere cast
for a member of the tribal census commit
tee, apparently because nobody wanted to
serve, and there were no candidates.
Francis polled 78 votes, and Ranco, 75
votes. Other candidates were Richard
Hamilton, 63 votes, and Nicholas H.
Sapiel. 40 ballots. The vacancies were the
result of councilor Joseph Francis being
elected lieutenant governor, and councilor
Nicholas Dow taking a tribal government
job, which precludes serving on the
council. The special election for lieutenant
governor followed the death of Lt. Gov.
Edwin Mitchell.
There were ten write-in ballots cast in
the council election, including several
votes for Norman Lolar.
Clarification
INDIAN ISLAND — Wabanaki Alli
ance regrets the omission of S. Glenn
Starbird Jr., tribal genealogist, in a list of
persons deserving credit for the recentlypublished Penobscot Nation calendar, to
benefit the Island historical society.
Starbird did a good deal of work on the
project, and the newspaper apologizes for
overlooking the fact in earlier articles.
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
Page 5
Survey shows mixed
views on settlement
(Continued from page 1
)
paper. Her comment: "Indian women
bills, and keep ahead of them. It helped me
should have the same rights as the men,
and my children to have a higher standard
and marry who they want.”
of living. It’ helping with winter fuel
s
A reader identifying herself as “
Ne-qubills."
tar-tar-wet" declared that Indians “
were
Tomer said he is satisfied with the
sold out of our rights for who we are (by
newspaper, and he commented, "before
the settlement). It is a shame, I feel.
the land claims settlement, my paper used
"A lot of white people stop me and ask if
to be mailed to me a full month late, every
I'm Indian. Many people talk to me and
time. Now the paper arrives the first of
ask me how rich I am. Before, hardly any
each month. Good.”
people would just walk up and talk with
A Dover-Foxcroft reader, Ben Walking me," the reader writes.
Hawk, identified as a Cheyenne, said the
Discussing the newspaper, Ne-qu-tarland claims ‘ a start, use it wisely. In the
‘
is
tar-wet said it “
gives people a real look at
beginning," he wrote, “ the land
all
how we are, w-hat we live like." The paper
belonged to us. It can give people em should promote talent, people celebrating
ployment; it’our home."
s
Children are cramped by limited space at existing Indian Island school.
graduations, etc. “
Nation" sports events
Although Walking Hawk does not
should be included, along with “
comics, or
receive any direct benefits of the claims
have a section for people to send in
accord, he said "it helps me hold my head
drawings or designs. Have a page (where)
high, and gives us roots." He said the
people could share ideas. Maybe write on
newspaper should show "long lost ways"
how to do bead work, tan hides, leather,
to our children. He said he wished the
etc." The reader would also like to see
tribal council would “
grow," although he recipes.
did not say how.
Charles E. Colcord, a Penobscot with
A certified public accountant who has less than the quarter-blood minimum
worked with the tribes. George Chebba of requirement for tribal membership,
Bangor, said he thinks the land claims writes from New York City that he is
INDIAN ISLAND — The following
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
cases were heard at Penobscot tribal court Authority vs. Gerardo Pardilla, motion for settlement is okay, but not this news dissatisfied with the claims settlement.
Since you re
recently, the Honorable Andrew M. Mead attachment and trustee process, con paper. Writes Chebba: “
ihe tribe has traded sovereignty for
ceived funding by the Penobscot Nation, cash." he said. How does it change his life?
presiding:
tinued for hearing.
you have published more articles con ‘ addition to all the other fights I have
Arraignments
In
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Gary Attean, Authority vs. Joseph Sapiel, motion for cerning Indian Island than the other two on my hands, I now have to fight to
possession of moose killed in closed attachment and trustee process, con reservations, who didn't give you any restore tribal sovereignty,” said.
he
financial help.
season, plea of not guilty, continued for tinued for hearing.
Colcord also complained about the
"As a consequence, in my opinion, you
trial.
newspaper. “
Since receiving tribal fund
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Michael Paul, Authority vs. Roger Ranco, motion for lost your former balanced perspective.
ing, the paper has tended to become a
illegal possession of moose parts, plea of attachment and trustee process, con Wabanaki Alliance used to be the common house organ. The paper ow'es its first
denominator that united Maine Indians as loyalty to the tribe, not the tribal council.”
guilty, paid $50 fine.
tinued for hearing.
an ethnic whole. Now it seems it has
Penobscot Nation vs. David R. AlLinda Nicholas, a Passamaquoddy living
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
menas, illegal possession of moose parts, Authority vs. Doreen Bartlett, continued. degenerated to prostituting its reporting in Medford, Mass., sent in a questionnaire
function.”
plea of guilty, paid $50 fine.
from a survey conducted by Wabanaki
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Evelyn St. Pierre of Lewiston said the Alliance several years ago, with a dif
Penobscot Nation vs. Carl Mitchell, Authority vs. Christine LaCasse, motion
settlement has not changed her life, but ferent set of questions. She said the
speeding, 28/20, radar; filed at request of for attachment and trustee process,
she is content with it, as she is with the newspaper is fair to Indian people.
Officer Dale Lolar.
continued.
Penobscot Nation vs. Walter Meader,
Dismissed
operating under the influence, dismissed
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
(blood count too low).
Authority vs. Brenda Fields, motion for
Penobscot Nation vs. Steven J. Paul, attachment and trustee process, dis
operating after suspension, plea of not missed by the plaintiff.
guilty, continued for trial.
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Donald Nelson, Authority vs. Kenneth W. Paul, motion
Jr.; keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of for attachment and trustee process, dis
guilty; waiver signed, found guilty. Paid
missed by plaintiff.
$15 fine.
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Carl Mitchell,
Authority vs. Dennis Pehrson, motion for
keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of nolo
attachment and trustee process, dis
contendere; found guilty, paid $15 fine.
missed by the plaintiff.
Penobscot Nation vs. Kevin Mitchell,
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of nolo
Authority vs. Theresa Snell, motion for
contendere; found guilty, paid $15 fine.
attachment and trustee process, forcible
Penobscot Nation vs. James Sappier,
entry and detainer, dismissed by plaintiff.
keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of guilty;
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
waiver signed, found guilty. Paid $15 fine.
Authority vs. Louis K. Paul, motion for
Penobscot Nation vs. Richard Hamilton,
attachment and trustee process, dis
permitting a dog to roam at large; plea of
missed by plaintiff.
not guilty, continued for trial.
Hearings
Trials
Probate action: request for name
Penobscot Nation vs. Louis K. Paul,
changes, Renee Marie Knapp, James Eric
keeper of vicious dog; filed upon request
Knapp, Joseph Donald Knapp, Jr. Petition
of Nation; dog roaming at large, two
for name changes by mother, Cheryl
counts, dismissed at request of Nation.
Knapp. Petitions granted, names changed
Penobscot Nation vs. Ernest Goslin,
to Renee Marie Francis, James Eric
wrong way on one-way street; dismissed
Francis and Joseph Donald Francis.
Jord Thomas visits with great aunt, Jean Thomas, in Gardiner.
by agreement of the Nation (summonsing
Appeals court
officer not in uniform).
Appellate decision on the following
Everett J. Sapiel vs. John Davis, small
matters entered: Denise Mitchell, et al vs.
claims action hearing on motion to show
Wilfred Pehrson, et als; appellate court
cause for contempt; by agreement, will
upheld decision of Judge Mead, appeal
NEW YORK CITY - Jord Errol
Jord also belongs to Mensa, an interna
pay a portion of his per capita payment to
denied.
Thomas, 16, a Penobscot and the son of tional society, whose only qualification for
the plaintiff toward outstanding balance
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing William E. Thomas, has been accepted to membership is a score on an intelligence
due. Ordered to continue to make pay Authority vs. Shirley Francis, forcible Haskell Indian Junior College of Law
test higher than that of 98 percent of the
ments to the plaintiff in the amount of $5 entry and detainer; appellate court upheld rence, Kansas for the Spring semester of
general population. Only students 15
per week until bill paid in full.
decision of Judge Mead, appeal denied, 1982.
years old and older are allowed to take the
Continued
original order in effect.
Jord has been living in Missouri for the test, but they made an exception in Jord’
s
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Marcia Goslin, past few years attending high school in case and allowed him to take the test at
Authority vs. James Sappier, motion for
operating under the influence, appellate Eldon. Jord quit school in the 10th grade, 13. He passed.
attachement and trustee process, con court upheld decision of Judge Mead, studied for his GED diploma and passed it
His current interests are in tinkering
tinued for hearing at request of defendant,
original sentence ordered imposed, stayed with a high score enabling him to qualify with cars, and chess, which he learned to
and upon agreement of plaintiff.
for five days.
for college.
play when he was three.
Penobscots face illegal
moose hunt charges
Accepted at Indian school
Page 6
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
b o o k nook
Role of the Indian press
CARBONDALE, Illinois — James and
Sharon Murphy of Southern Illinois Uni
versity :Carbondale's School of Journalism
have written a 150-year history of Indian
print and broadcast media.
Their book, “
Let My People Know-:
American Indian Journalism, 1828-1978,"
documents the history and current status
of the Indian press and describes a race
stereotyped and often misrepresented in
the nation’ “
s establishment”
media.
American Indian journalism began with
Sequoyah’ development of the Cherokee
s
alphabet and with Elias Boudinot’ pub
s
lication of the first Indian newspaper, the
“
Cherokee Phoenix,”in 1828. Much of its
recorded history was lost in the resettle
ment of a race in bondage within the land
of its heritage.
The spirit of the earliest contributors to
Indian journalism is reflected in excerpts
from newspaper philosophies and policies
and in historical anecdotes. That spirit
was rekindled in the 1970s as regional
Indian print and broadcast media groups
worked to strengthen the press editorially
and financially while continuing to put
Indian news in perspective.
Obstacles in researching the book
challenged the authors. R ecords of many
short-lived newspapers w ere never kept
Two Islanders
in d icted for burglary
BANGOR — A Penobscot superior
court grand jury has indicted two Pen
obscot tribal members for burglary and
theft.
Named in the indictments are Alice
Fowler. 43, of Indian Island, and Barry
McGrane, 25, of Old Town. The jury
announced the indictments after Deputy
District Atty. Margaret Kravchuk pre
sented evidence.
According to superior court records,
Fowler and McGrane w ere allegedly
involved in the Jan. 17, burglary and theft
of personal property at the residence of
Edgar S. Day, Main Road, Milford. Bail
was set at $5,000, plus two securities, for
each of the accused, or 50 percent cash.
Woodstoves aid
Island families
INDIAN ISLAND - At least a dozen
wood burning stoves have been delivered
to the Penobscot Nation, and some of
them are already helping to heat Island
homes.
Philip Guimond, tribal official, told
Wabanaki Alliance that he was able to
obtain the steel plate stoves from a
Winterport firm at almost half price —
about $150 each. The stoves have thus far
been distributed mostly to families in
what’known as the “
s
new housing.”
McManus takes
family care job
INDIAN ISLAND — A former tribal
clerk has been hired as tribal family care
coordinator, for the Penobscot Depart
ment of Health & Human Services.
Rhonda McManus, a tribal member who
most recently was contract medical care
clerk for the department, takes over the
job from Freeman Morey, a Passamaquoddy. Morey resigned the position to
attend school full time, according to
Carolyn Styrnad, human services director.
or had been lost. Because of the unstable
nature of the Indian press, existing
directories were outdated. To gather
accurate data, the couple turned to inter
views with person who edited individual
newspapers, visited state historical socie
ties and examined Indian holdings in the
archives of Princeton University’library,
s
the Gilcrease Institute in Tulsa, Okla., and
other collections.
Research on the book became a family
project for the Murphys. For five sum
mers they and their two daughters.
Shannon and Erin, traveled in vans to
Indian reservations and urban centers
throughout the country. Often, to find
existing newspapers or to learn of earlier
publications, the family would drive into a
town and “
just ask directions to the news
paper office or the editor’home.”
s
The Murphys said they found Indian
journalists “
hungry to know about other
tribal newspapers in the country.” To
assist in establishing communication be
tween journalists, they compiled and
edited a print and broadcast media
directory in 1978 as part of their con
tinuing research.
The Murphys hold doctorates from the
University of Iowa and have some years of
teach in g and n ew sp a p er exp erien ce.
Sharon Murphy is associate professor and
head of graduate studies in journalism at
SIUC. James Murphy is an assistant
professor in SIUC’ School of Journalism
s
and is doing research on Alaska native
publications.
"Journalism history texts give little or
no mention to prominent minority publi
cations, particularly the American Indian
press," Sharon Murphy said. The couple’
s
interest in adding Indian contributions to
America's press history stemmed from
research for her book, “
Other Voices,”an
overview of the black, Chicano and
A m erican Indian p r e ss w ritten for
summer recruitment programs for high
school minority journalists.
Jeannette Henry, an Indian journalist,
wrote a foreword to “
Let My People
Know.”
“
Let My People Know” is available
through the University of Oklahoma Press
in Norman, Okla. The Murphys have
earmarked proceeds from the book for
Indian journalism scholarships.
Young CMIA proxy
FBI delays report on
AAicmac hit-run death
AUGUSTA — The Maine Attorney
General’ Office is apparently waiting on
s
the FBI’Washington laboratory to report
s
results of tests, in the case of the hit-andrun death last summer of a Micmac
Indian.
According to the Ellsworth American,
attorney general staffer William Pearson
said delays in the review of the case are
due to the FBI's work, in which material
such as paint chips are being analyzed.
On Aug. 17, 1981, Joseph Peters, 20, a
Micmac blueberry raker from Canada,
was apparently lying in the road, on Rt.
193 in Deblois, when he was struck by a
vehicle operated by Cherrifield police
officer and part-time deputy sheriff Mur
ray B. Seavey.
Seavey, 50, was charged with leaving
the scene of a “
personal injury accident."
Peters was dead at the scene, and Seavey
later claimed the man was already dead
when his car ran over him, although it was
dark, foggy, and Seavey apparently did
not get out of his vehicle. He reportedly
claimed he looked in his rear view mirror.
On Sept. 21, 1981, Seavey pleaded nolo
contendere, or no contest, and was fined
$100 by Judge Millard Emanuelson in
District Court in Machias. Seavey was re
portedly driving a blue police car at the
time his vehicle struck Peters.
Following the outcome of the case in
District Court, Povich, district attorney
for Washington and Hancock counties,
explained he did not present the case to
the Grand Jury because there were “
no
elements of manslaughter."
Peters was killed between 2-2:30 a.m.,
according to official reports, and was
under the influence of alcohol at the time.
The re-investigation of the case began
after snow-balling of public reaction. Some
downeast residents said they were out
raged that an officer of the law — who also
worked security at the blueberry farm
where Peters raked — was fined “
only”
$100 for a fatality.
island trounces others in hoop
INDIAN ISLA N D— The men’basket
s
ball team here, sponsored by the PNF
Snack Bar, em erged the winner in recent
playoffs with Pleasant Point, and Town
ship, and teams from Boston Indian
Council, and Mashpee, Mass.
The Township was runner-up, and the
Point took third place, according to Red
Bartlett, Penobscot tribal recreation di
rector. In all, seven teams comDeted.
The m ost valuable player award went to
Henry Sockabasin of Indian Township; the
sportsmanship trophy was presented to
Ronny Pond of Pleasant Point.
Members of the Penobscot team, be
sides Bartlett, are Pat Francis, Mike
Francis, Dennis Pehrson, Jim Clarkson,
Junior Pehrson and Kevin Mitchell.
The tournament was organized by
Indian Island Recreation Department, and
the winner’ trophy was accepted by
s
Howard Wilson, snack bar manager.
ACH1AS
SAVINGS
BANK
THE SUNSHINE SERVICE BANK OF SUNRISE COUNTY
ORONO — Owen (Sonny) Young of
Brewer has been voted president of
Central Maine Indian Association, in a
recent election here. Bridget Woodward
of Bangor was voted vice president,
leaving open her former position, that of
secretary-treasurer. At press time that
slot had not been filled.
THE PENOBSCOT INDIAN
CALENDAR FOR 1982
IS NOW ON SALE
It is a first printing, a limited edition,
and a future collector’item.
s
It is now on sale at the Community
Building and at the Drop-In Center on
Indian Island.
Price $5.00
Mailing Address for prepaid orders:
National Historical Society
Box 313
Old Town, Maine 04468
Please make checks payable to Pen
obscot National Historical Society.
All orders will be postpaid
MACHIAS •CALAIS
MEMBER FDKI
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
Page 7
Sister Maureen beloved school leader
PLEASANT POINT — Her face hot
with indignation, little Rachel Paul, a
Passamaquoddy second-gTader, dashed
into the reservation school principal's
office.
A basketball game between Pleasant
Point and neighboring Pembroke was in
progress, and Rachel demanded: “
How
come the whites have the cheerleaders
and the Indians don’
t?”
Sister Maureen Wallace. new principal
at the school, turned her attention to
Rachel and said gently, “
That's a good
question. Why don't you ask them (the
Indians)?” Rachel learned an Indian
cheerleading team is in the works, and she
declared she'd be the first to sign up.
The interruption didn't bother Sister
Maureen in the least. It’ part of being a
s
principal, a job she took over from Sister
Rose Marie Rush. Sister Maureen has
spent 1 of her 16 years in education
4
teaching at the Pleasant Point school, save
for a brief stint at Peter Dana Point, the
sister Passamaquoddy reservation.
She is the longest tenure teacher in the
Maine Indian Education system, and is
completing certain requirements for her
principalship. As she noted, "this is my
first shot at it. I like working with the kids
in any capacity."
Sister Maureen has seen the reserva
tion school go from state funding to U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs sponsorhip, but
Catholics 'nave remained in charge. She
remembers when “ were in a four-room
we
schoolhouse with double grades. The staff
has grown in two decades from four to 35.
including "para-counselor” Christopher
Altvater, a Passamaquoddy who deals
with truancy, among other things.
New rooms
may ease
crowded schools
INDIAN TOWNSHIP and PLEASANT
POINT — Elementary schools at the
sister Passamaquoddy reservations may
soon benefit from U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA) school facility renovation
funds.
The two kindergarten-eighth grade
schools, although housed in modern build
ings, are burdened by overcrowding. At
Pleasant Point, it has meant the use of
other buildings not designed as classroom
space.
Maine Indian Education superintendent
Edward DiCenso told Wabanaki Alliance
several new classroom additions will likely
be constructed at the schools, using an
estimated $1 million available from BIA.
DiCenso said the projects will not
compete with new school funding sought
from BIA by Indian Island (see separate
story this issue).
DiCenso has shepherded Indian schools
from state support, to full funding by BLA,
under terms of federal recognition of the
Passamaquoddy Tribe (1975), and the
Maine Indian land claims act of 1980.
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113-15 Springfield Bivd.
Queens Village, N.Y. 11429
Enrollment is at 123, but has been as vandalism breakage. An alarm system has constant energy to function here.”
high as 140-150 pupils. Graduates of the been installed.
A wall poster at the school quotes
reservation’junior high program usually
s
But Sister Maureen says, “
I'm an Virgil: “
They can because they think they
go on to Shead High School in Eastport, or optimistic person. You have to have can."
Lee Academy, the latter a boarding
school.
Why has Sister Maureen devoted so
many years to one school?
“ would say for the sake of the kids,"
I
she said. "They're very open, warm,
unsophisticated . . . and very accepting of
people they feel are sincerely interested in
them.”
Sister Maureen, a Portland native who
is now 38 years old. thinks the sisters have
a special role in reservation life. "I think
because we live here in the community,
there is a built-in trust level."
She said children “
respond to me
because they know me." The Catholic
sisters offer "a kind of security, almost a
motherliness.”
The other sisters teaching at the school
are Sylvia Pelletier, first grade, and
Patricia Pora, third grade. Remaining
positions are held by lay teachers.
Is there any special qualification a
teacher should have on the reservation?
“
You've got to be flexible, understanding
and able to let go of .your ways for another
way of reaching the children," Sister
Maureen said.
She is proud of her staff. “ a very
It's
lively school in that teachers are interested in the school." A graduate of Fordham,
Sister Maureen holds a master's degree in
learning disabilities.
Volunteers help with “
events of the
month" and various extra-curricular ac
tivities. such as record hops and movies,
beano games, a recent Christmas party.
"It helps the children to see the teachers
— I should say staff probably — in a
different light. I think they really care
Sally Mitchell, of Central Maine Indian Association in Orono, presents AI Socoby of Bangor
about the kids," Sister Maureen said.
with some surplus cheese, obtained through President Reagan’ distribution program.
s
There is no doubt kids care about their
CMIA received 900 pounds, or 30 cases, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’Calvin
s
principal. Warm, smiling, firm but kind.
B. Conant, donated commodity director. Indian Island also was scheduled to receive cheese.
Sister Maureen is like a magnet. Children
flock to her for a friendly word or just a
hug. They don't go away disapppointed.
It’ not all rosy at Beatrice Rafferty
s
School, named after a sister who was
tough as nails. Plexiglass has replaced
many of the glass windowpanes after
#
Cheese, please
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1
the Penobscot Job Corps Center has
training programs which may be of
interest to you.
The Penobscot Job Corps Center
provides all trainees with a place to
live, meals, health care and a cash
monthly stipend while you learn. And
when you finish, we’ also help you
ll
find a job.
SOUND GOOD?
IT IS GOOD.
ASK FOR JOB CORPS
—in the Portland area—775-7225
—in the Auburn area—786-4190
—in the Bangor area—947-0755
—or toll free anywhere in Maine
at 1-800-432-7307
ASK FOR
JOB CORPS RECRUITMENT
Equal Housing
OPPORTUNITY
BEING
TRANSFERRED?
Contact the VA for
information about
properties available
throughout the State.
These homes are available to veterans or
non-veterans without preference.
61 Fourth Avenue, Woodland
S40,GG0.
Rt. 1, Woodland
$20,900.
West Street, Plantation 21
$24,000.
Rt. 1, 39 Dublin St., Machias
$36,500.
$500 D.P.
18 Freemont St., Machias
$25,500.
Main Street, Baring
26,800.
9 Academy Street, Calais
25,900.
8 Chapel Street, Calais
12,500.
11 Temperance Street, Calais
26,000.
Summer Street, Calais
19,000.
Route #1—Houlton Road, Woodland 27,500.
31 Chapel Street, Calais
19,000.
FINANCED FOR 30 YEARS BY VA
NO DOWN PAYMENTS REQUIRED
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VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
LOAN GUARANTY DIVISION
TOGUS, MAINE 04330
Tel. 207 - 623 - 8 4 ! 1 Ext, 433
Page 8
YYabanaki Alliance March 19S2
Flashback
news notes
CMIA m eets with 50
PORTLAND — Some 50 persons at
tended a special staff panel meeting
sponsored here by Central Maine Indian
Association (CMIA).
James Sanborn, CMIA director, said
the meeting was successful, and served to
reassure Indians in Southern Maine that
they will not be forgotten by the Oronobased agency. Employment, health and
social services, business development and
education were among topics covered at
the meeting, which took place at Port
lands Holiday Inn. CMIA's services were
explained.
In the past. CMIA maintained a
Portland office, but the cost, plus staffing
problems, has made that impossible to
continue. Sanborn said.
Corbett returns
INDIAN ISLAND delegation promotes a new Pontiac, at least a generation ago, on Main
Street, Old Town. The YMCA building, now demolished, is in background. [Photo courtesy
of F. C. Sapiel!
Citizens group airs gripes
(Continued from page 1
)
They 're either starving or freezing.”
Hamilton said the tribe has. on the
oihi t hand, assisted a “
21-vear-old”who
they "put up in a motel where his Sights
are paid. As long as they put him up. he's
not going to get a job."
Hamilton said a goal of the group is
that, "we're entitled to guidelines, that’
s
all we're asking." He objected to five
recent, lengthy executive sessions by the
tribal council, stating that "unless it's
personal, I don't think any meetings
should be closed to the tribe."
Hamilton said income guidelines for
human services assistance have been
dropped from S3.000 to $2,200, and senior
citizens meals cut from $2.35 to $1.35 per
person.
Officers of the concerned citizens group
include Irene Pardilla, chairman; Alice
Fowler, co-chairman.
INDIAN ISLAND — Howard (Bud)
Corbett of Indian Island has returned to
his position as head of public safety for the
Penobscot Nation. Wabanaki Alliance
reported in November 1981 that Corbett
had resigned, a fact that was confirmed by
tribal Gov. Timothy Love.
He counsels The County
PRESQUE ISLE — Pious Perley is an
alcoholism counselor working out of
Wabanaki Corporation and assigned to
Presque Isle and northern Aroostook
County. He is offering his services and
assists clients on a 24 hour basis. Perley
may be contacted at 762-3751.
Corrections
In last month's Wabanaki Alliance, a
front page story on the Houlton Band of
Maliseets incorrectly stated that Fred
Toman served on the Micmac Recognition
Committee.
The story should have said Maliseet
Recognition Committee, as Tomah is a
Maliseet, and the band consists of mem
bers of that tribe.
A Micmac Recognition Committee was
formed Sept. 9, 1981. and currently has 1
4
members, according to Marlene Morey of
the Association of Aroostook Indians
(AAI) office in Presque Isle.
**
*
A photo in last month’ paper, showing
s
five generations of an Indian Island
family, called them the “
Ranco family,”
when in fact the family could be called the
“
Dana family,”
with Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy ancestry.
. • . v . v . v . '. w
TRI-CHEM
LIQUID EMBROIDERY
:*
*
TRY IT! GREAT RESULTS.
Classes and instructor-training
available.
CONTACT DEBBIE MITCHELL
827-7608
m
.v /.v .
>>:•
PATRICIA LYNNE PHILLIPS, the
daughter of Paul and Yvonne Nott of
Perry, has enlisted in the U.S. Navy. An
honor student, she graduated from Shead
High School, Eastport, in June 1981. She
received basic training in Orlando. Flor
ida. then spent two weeks’
leave at home,
in November 1981. and is now stationed in
Makakilo, Hawaii.
Grants aid engineers
NEW YORK — Westinghouse Edu
cational Foundation recently announced a
$30,000 grant to the National Action
Council for Minorities in Engineering
(NACMEi, the organization to help in
crease the number of black. Hispanic and
American Indian engineering students.
Pharmacy services
offered at clinic
INDIAN ISLAND — On-site pharmacy
services are now availabel at the Indian
Health Center Monday through Friday.
The pharmacist, Thomas Dorworth will
be there Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m.4:30 p.m. "Please bring all prescriptions to
the health center for filling. If it cannot be
filled here, you will be sent to a near-by
pharmacy,”says Patricia Knox, director.
“
Thank you for your cooperation.”
Sioux leader dies
WANBLEE, S.D. — Elijah Whirlwind
Horse, former Oglaia Sioux tribal chair
man, died recently after a short battle
with cancer. He was 46. Funeral services
were scheduled. Whirlwind Horse was
elected chairman of the Ogala Sioux in
1978. He served two terms.
S k it ik u k ^ _ f p O utfitters
.
Specialists in wilderness travel.
Sales - Rentals - Guide Service
•>T:
vX
>:>■:
fx *
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w
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1
y .v
3
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packs and equipment
38 Main St.
O ro n o
866*4878
OTERO'S SPORT SHOP
GUNS & ACCESSORIES
Exhibit at Na'swahegan
The photography of C.B. Mitchell of Indian Island is currently on display at
Na’
swahegan-Howland Printing, 76 North Main St., Old Town. Mitchell, a land use
specialist for the Penobscot Nation, holds a BS in biology from University of Maine at
Orono, and has worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He studied photography in
school, and had a small business called The Silver Image. He photographs weddings,
portraits and scenics, and his photos are for sale. For information call 827-2428,
evenings.
FISHING EQUIPMENT
BLACK POWDER & SUPPLIES
Bennoch Road
Old Town, Maine 04468
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
207-827-7032
Ask for A1 or Dave
A lliance
Published with the support of the Penobscot Nation and Diocesan Human Relations Services, Inc.
March
1982
New school seen by 1984
INDIAN ISLAND — An expansive new
school for Penobscot pupils could open its
doors as early as Sept. 1. 1984, the tribal
council has been told.
The proposed S3.5 million school com
plex would extend the present kinder
garten (levels one and two) through sixth
grade, to include all of junior high school.
In most cases, students leave the reserva
tion to attend nearby Old Town schools,
and this practice would continue, follow
ing graduation from the K-9 school.
Probably the most important aspect of
the proposed school is space. Currently,
some 100 pupils are crowded into a
building originally designed for about half
that number of students. Gov. Timothy
Love told the council and school board
that this situation “
impacts on the educa
tion" of the children. Love quoted a U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) official as
stating the Island school has the “
worst
conditions I’ seen anywhere.”
ve
The design and construction of a 32,000
square foot school — twice the size of the
tribal Community Building — hinges on
funding by the BIA.
In a recent dramatic turnaround, the
possibility of a new school rose from
“
almost nil to very high priority with the
BIA. Two BIA officials from Albuquerque,
N.M., visited the Island for a first
meeting: Frank Latta, in charge of school
facilities, and architect Jerry Gasparich.
They viewed the site, and met with school
committee chairman Kenneth Paul and
members, school principal Sr. Helen
McKeough. and Maine Indian Education
superintendent Edward DiCensc.
(Continued on page 4
)
Priest recalled
from reservation
INDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Rev.
Joseph Laughiin. a Jesuit priest at the
Passamaquoddy reservation the past five
years, has been ordered to leave by his
Jesuit superiors in Boston.
According to reliable sources. Father
Laughiin. or “
Father Joe” he preferred
as
to be called, was recalled after consider
able pressure was brought by persons
objecting to his presence on the reserva
tion. Father Joe was wholly identified
with the Charismatic movement, and his
Passamaquoddy following consisted of
people drawn to that radical version of
Catholicism.
Other parishioners at Indian Township
were less than enthusiastic about Father
Joe's unconventional ways. Objections
included numerous reports that the priest
was seldom at the rectory. He reportedly
made many trips to Boston and elsewhere,
and had connections with Charismatics in
Brockton, Mass.
Father Joe left Indian Township in
December 1981, but not before he had
complained bitterly to some people about
his treatment by the Roman Catholic
Diocese of Portland. The Jesuits, or
Society of Jesus, is under contract to the
Diocese to provide priests to the reserva
tion. A spokesman for the D iocese said
Father Joe s complaints were groundless.
The spokesman noied that respect for the
Church’ presence on the reservation had
s
deteriorated in recent years, and the
convent, housing the Sisters of Mercy, had
been broken into.
Filling in on a part time basis at Indian
Township is the Rev. Normand Carpentier
of Woodland. He will continue as tem p
orary administrator for St. Ann’ Parish
s
at Indian Township for an indefinite
period. The Diocese of Portland is respon
sible for a successor to Father Laughiin,
but plans were uncertain at press time.
Father Laughiin succeeded the Rev.
Raymond Picard, also a Jesuit.
PUPILS at old Indian Island Elementary School — at right - - board school bus at end of
day. Note fence and cramped yard.
Penobscots air complaints
INDIAN ISLAND — An unofficial
group of residents here, calling them
selves “
concerned citizens,” has held
several m eetings to discuss problem s they
are having with current tribai adminis
tration.
Last month, the group aired their com
plaints to Thomas Howard, a representa
tive for U.S. Sen. William S. Cohen.
Howard said all he would do is listen; he
would not get involved in internal tribal
matters, he said.
In general, group members say they are
not getting a fair shake in terms of
services and benefits, from tribal govern
ment. Also, som e residents have said they
do not trust the government to handle the
proceeds of the land claims settlement,
and that tribal officials have been secre
tive about it.
Peter Hamilton, an organizer but not a
spokesman for the group, said one of his
objections to the administration is that,
“
they were supposed to have an audit
every two years here, but they’ never
ve
had one.”
Further, he stated, “ get social security.
I
All I get from them up there is $65 per
month. I can use that for oil or food.
Before. I got oil and food. I’ run out of oil
ve
twice this winter. These people got no oil.
(Continued on back page)
Feelings mixed on land claims
ORONO — A recent Wabanaki Alliance
reader survey reveals Indians have differ
ing views on the $81.5 million settlement
of Penobscot-Passamaquoddy land claims.
Opinions weren’wishy-washy, however.
t
“
It's a start, use it wisely,” said one
reader. Another reader w rote that “
the
people’ opinions and questions were
s
ignored and totally tossed o u t . .. we gave
up more than what money can ever buy.”
In 1980, President Carter signed a
Congressionally-approved negotiated ac
cord ending a decade of litigation and
struggle by the sister tribes to assert a
sovereign right to the return of aboriginal
lands. The settlement provided a per
manent $27 million trust, plus $54.5
million to buy land — up to 300,000 acres
— for the Penobscots and Passama
quoddy s.
Thus far, Penobscots have purchased
some 140,000 acres; Passamaquoddys
have bought closer to 30,000 acres,
including some blueberry barrens. In
general, Penobscots have bought more
non-trust, taxable acreage, while the
Passamaquoddy Tribe has acquired des
ignated “
trust land,”that is tax-exempt.
Individual members of the tribes will
probably net about $1,000 per person,
per year, in interest earned on the trust
fund.
Unfortunately for the survey, less than
a dozen readers responded.
The first question asked if the reader
was “
personally satisfied with the Maine
Indian land claims settlem ent act."
A New Haven, Ct., reader checked “
no,”
and added, “ think the tribe accepted
I
under pressure, and advice of legal
advisors.” The reader said “
yes” to a
question of whether the settlement chang
ed his/her life, and the reader said the
newspaper itself is satisfactory, although
it should publish m ore letters to the
editor, a pen pal column, and “ ore news
m
of social life on the reservation.”
Settlement saves home
A reader who identified herself, Jean
Watson of Milford, Mich., said the settle
ment “
gives a good economic base to our
tribe. We didn't have one before.”
Further, she wrote, “ provides jobs and
it
extra income."
Watson said the settlem ent is changing
her life; moreover, “ provided needed
it
income to supplement social security (and)
enabled us to stay in our home and pay the
high taxes.”
Watson praised the paper, saying it
“
provides news of the family and a
beloved picture of my grandfather, Peter
Ranco.”
Noel Tomer, Jr., of Fitchburg, Mass.,
said he is happy with the settlement, and
that it has changed his life, explaining;
“
The payments helped me catch up on my
(Continued on page 5)
Page 2
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
editorials
Too far
For a newspaper to win the confidence o f its community is a long,
slow process. It’ hard work. In many ways, the effort pays off.
s
People com e to trust the newspaper. They rely on it for certain in
formation. Why then do tribal officials, and other boards and
committees, persist in believing that "n o news is good news.” Is the
community really served by such thinking?
What is there to fear if the goings-on o f these boards and
committees are exposed to the light o f day? If members o f the
community, and readers o f this newspaper, truly don ’want to know
t
what goes on in smoke-filled rooms, behind closed doors, then fine;
things are as they should be.
But if tribal members think they should know — perhaps have a
right to know what’going on — then officials should ease up a little
s
on the policy o f secrecy.
Not far enough
The Penobscot Health and Human Services Department is to be
commended for banning smoking from the clinic wing o f its
building.
Recently, the ban was reportedly extended to the front hall, which
r
used to be a literal smokescreen for anyone entering the building, for
whatever purpose.
However, smoking cigarettes or cigars at all is contradictory to
good health. An institution devoted to the health and well-being o f
tribal members has no business permitting cancer-causing activities
in its headquarters.
The surgeon general has determined that cigarette smoking is
dangerous to your health. Freely translated, this means, it can kill
you.
Smoking should be banned throughout the building. The
non-clinic wing o f the building hosts senior citizens and young
children in day care.
Ironically, health center staff participated in a public service in
January, a TV "sp ot”for the American Cancer Society.
Sound advice
In promulgating your esoteric cognitations, or articulating your
superficial sentimentalities and amicable philosophical or psycho
logical observations, beware o f platitudinous ponderosity. Let your
conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a
compact comprehensibleness, coalescent consistency and a con
catenated cogency.
Eschew- all conglomerations o f flatulent garrulity, jejune babble
ment and asinine affections. Let your extemporaneous descantings
and unpremediated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious
vivacity, without rhodonontade or thrasonical bombast.
Sedulously avoid ail polysyllabic profundity, pom pous prolixity,
psitaceous vacuity, ventriloquial verbosity and vaniloquent vapidity.
Shun double-entendres, prurient jocosity, and pestiferous profanity,
obscurant or apparent.
In other words, talk plainly, briefly, naturally, sensibly, truthfully,
purely. Keep away from slang, d on ’put on airs, say what you mean,
t
mean what you say, and most o f all d on ’ use big w'ords.
t
Guest column
Island fortunate to have
its own firefighters
On Jan. 20,1had the occasion to call the
Penobscot Nation Fire Department. My
car was smoking badly beneath the hood.
The response time was 5 minutes. Three
men responded but one man was not a
volunteer fireman. One man was a
policeman. Dale Lolar.
There has been a little controversy
lately about the amount of men who
respond to a fire, also their response time.
It is for their benefit that I am attempting
a reply.
In this exact situation, that is, smoke
coming from beneath the hood of a car.
Old Town firemen would have sent one
fire engine and only two firefighters
aboard. On some occasions I have seen six
men respond on Indian Island.
I would like to point out that Indian
Island, is very fortunate to have as many
volunteers as they do. They are, “
green"
but not untrainable. They attend m eetings
for firefighting techniques and how to
maintain their equipment.
I went to see. them ‘ action’at a
in
structure fire on Oak Hill. I was really
pleased that they had a “
save." I have a lot
of confidence in them. I am sincerely
proud of this little band of men. I certainly
know how it feels to see these familiar
faces responding in such a short time
when I wated at my house!
These men have to make sacrifices to be
away from families by attending fire
fighting sessions, just to prepare to fight a
stinking fire. Please do not envy these
fellows paychecks, for these men risk
their lives for a meager $3.00 per week!
That is what it averages out to. My
husband gets paid more, naturally, he has
more responsibility.
Fire prevention has been encouraged
here. If w e’ had few fires, praise God.
ve
Some people are listening and making im
provements. Prevention is far less costly
than trying to save a home that’ fully
s
engulfed, or trying to rebuild it. And loss
of life can’be fixed!
t
I know what it is like to lose som eone in
a fire. One of my best friends died, his
apartment was just around the corner
from a fire station ... yet a 17 apartment
house went up! Also, another friend I’
ll
remember all my life. Patty and her
unborn baby and three little children were
all killed by a fire. If you have never
witnessed a yard full of bodies, you are
lucky. Thank God you have your own fire
Wabanaki Alliance
dept, and other Indians and friends that
care for you!
I did not select my husband’ vocation.
s
But I did not discourage it either. I
wouldn’take that job for $30,000 a year.
t
You’ gotta be a little nutty to expose
ve
yourself to smoke as often as they do.
That is not great for your lungs, you
know. Neither is the stress related with it.
There are many Indians putting down
Indians, on this island. I pray that my
husband does not lose his life just because
he’ crazy enough to try and save yours.
s
The very people you criticize . . . you
expect to jump into flames to save you or
your family or even your goods . . . when
your turn comes.
People, you’ fortunate to have a nice
re
piece of fire apparatus. I understand it
cost approximately $35,000, you made one
good decision by accomplishing this. It
would seem you would follow through and
give the firefighters your support. Don’
t
wait until there is a tragedy before you
realize just how fortunate you are to have
your own fire dept. Count your blessings.
When Old Town responded to the
recent fire at LaBree’ Bakery, what if
s
there had .been a fire on the island at the
same time? And no firemen advailable to
respond? Old Town also has a large
territory to cover. Also it has been
brought to the attention of many that,
there w ere fire hazzards in their homes.
Tell me . . . up ’ now . . . who the hell
till
cared? It was not Old Town that made
recommendations, or inspected your
homes on Indian Island.
Instead of figuring out how you can’
t,
why don’ you figure out how you can?
t
You know, that truck would look kinda
ridiculous as a flower planter, while you
twiddled your thumbs waiting for Old
Town to put out your fires. I say, you can
have a better fire dept, than Old Town.
What do you say?
To the Penobscot firefighters I say —
thank you for a job well done.
,
Helen Becker
Vol. 6, No. 3
March 1982
Published monthly by Wabanaki Alliance, through a sustaining grant from the
Penobscot Nation, under contract with Diocesan Human Relations Services, Inc.
Offices at 95 Main Street, Orono, Maine 04473. Telephone [207] 866-4903. Typeset
by the Penobscot Times Company. Printed by the Ellsworth American.
Reporters
Diane Newell Wilson
Brenda Polchies
Board of Directors
Jean Chavaree, Penobscot Nation, [chairman]
Donna Loring, Penobscot Nation
Jeannette LaPlante, Central Maine Indian Assoc.
Phone 827-6219
Phone 532-9442
Indian Island
Old Town
Old Town
A non-profit corporation. Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes.
Rates: S5 per year [12 issues]; $6 Canada and overseas; S10 for institutions [schools,
government, business, etc.]
Page 3
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
letters
B e a fr ie n d
W est Union, Ohio
To the editor:
I'm writing to you as I am very much
interested in corresponding with people of
different Indian tribes.
Name is Shirley Anne Halsinger
Wishteyah, 34 years old, 5 foot 2 inches,
116 pounds. Have shoulder length black
hair and turquoise eyes. I am of Cherokee,
Shawnee, Sioux and Irish decent. I have
three boys ranging from sixteen years of
age down to eight.
My hobbies are car and motorcycle
racing, reading, any type of music and
making new friends. Also love traveling to
many different states.
If anyone is interested I will be happy to
write to them. Will do as soon as they
would write. Want friends of any age, men
or women.
Shirley Wishteyah
308 East Walnut St.
W. Union, Ohio 45693
M e e t th e p h a r m a c is t
Indian Island
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to
introduce myself. I am Tom Dorworth, the
inter-tribal pharmacist. I use the term
inter-tribal because I will be providing
pharmacy services to Indian Township
and Indian Island, as well as Pleasant
Point.
I graduated from St. Louis College of
Pharmacy. May 7th, 1974, and went to
work for the United States Public Health
Service. My first tour was in Baltimore,
Maryland at the USPHS hospital. From
there, I moved to Boston to work at the
USPHS hospital located in Brighton,
Mass. I spent six years there before
coming to “
Downeast" Maine. While in
Boston, I earned a masters degree in
pharmacology (study of drug actions) from
Northeastern University.
On Thursdays and Fridays I will be at
the Penobscot Health Center to provide
services. I am filling some prescriptions
now (no controlled substances) and am
available to answer questions about drugs
you are taking and their side effects. I am
looking forward to working in the Indian
communities and providing top-notch
pharmacy services.
Tom Dorworth
In dian a ffa ir s
Freedom
To the editor:
We here at the Farmstead Press have
recently taken over full editorial respon
sibility for Maine Life Magazine.
We hope to expand the editorial focus,
and plan to keep abreast of the issues that
affect the people as well as the rec
reational aspects of the state." I would
appreciate seeing any news or information
you have available about Indian affairs.
Terrence Day
Day care
kids study
self-hood
INDIAN ISLAND — “ About Me”is
All
the name of a recent activity that took
place at Penobscot Indian day care center.
The idea is just what it sounds like —
children explore their own identity, at the
same time polishing verbal and written
skills. “ involves children with positive
It
self-concept activities,’ explained Mat
’
thew O’
Donnell, day care director.
O n ly s o u r c e
Thomaston
To the editor:
I’ a Passamaquoddy presently serving
m
some time at the Maine State Prison. I’
m
aware that you send a copy to the prison.
However, it takes a month some times
before I get to read it. I read your October
and November issues. But to this time I
am still waiting for your Decem ber and
January issues. This is the reason why I
would like to subscribe, so I may receive a
copy for my own personal use.
Since I’ settled into my temporary
ve
home, your newspaper is my only source
of information concerning the Passama
quoddy and Penobscot tribes.
I'm also disappointed to hear that the
Passamaquoddy tribe refused to help this
very informative newspaper.
Ryan Newell
W a n ts g r a m m a r
Hanau, Germany
To the editor:
Thank you very much for your news
paper. Please send me a grammar of the
Penobscot language and a book about the
different nations and their languages.
I would be very happy if we stay in
touch. Please write back and I’ send you
ll
the money for the books later.
Kurt Gernhard
(This letter translated from German to
English by Richard Tozier of Brewer.)
Keona Love
“
They’ not only getting excited about
re
the visual, they’ getting excited about
re
what it means.”
All children in the program elected to
have their picture taken, and then write —
sometimes with assistance — about them
selves. The results w ere proudly dis
played on a wall at the Penobscot Health
Mike LeCasse
& Human Services building. Ages range
from two-and-one-half to six years, and
everybody seemed to enjoy doing their
“
autobiography," O’
Donnell reports.
Keona Love, for example, notes that she
is four years old, her favorite food is
“
sphaggetti” (well, you know what she
means), and furthermore, she wrote, “
I
like fishes." Not to be forgotten, she also
noted that her parents are “
Timmy and
Eva.”
Mike LeCasse, three, said his parents
are Christine and Ronald, his favorite
food is meat, and he likes dogs, and deer.
Mali Dana, only three years old, writes
that she is the daughter of “ (for Carol)
C”
and “
Stanly." She too loves “
spaghtti,”
meat, and her favorite animal is a “
CAT.”
Lisa Fugate is four, and she’ the
s
daughter of Mary Lee and Jeff; her
favorite food is chicken, although she likes
juice and milk. She com es to day care “
all
day,”whereas some children attend for a
half day. She also prefers “
cats.”
Along with the exhibit, children have
written and made drawings in their work
books, and they have made hand prints (of
their hands) to record themselves, and
show their parents they are “
little
people.”
What next? O’
Donnell said that “
from
this unit, we introduce the upper and
■
lower case letters of the alphabet,”in a
format for coloring. Most kids can’resist
t
coloring, but there is no pressure in
volved. “ few children just don’want to;
A
t
we don’force them,” Donnell said.
t
O’
Can't a ffo r d it
Portland
To the editor:
I will not be able to continue the sub
scription to the newspaper. I am not able
to afford it. I will continue to pray for the
success of your wonderful work you are
doing. Keep up the good work. With a
happy and prosperous year.
Sister M. Jeannette S.
Lisa Fugate
O’
Donnell said he is pleased with the
progress the children are making, because
of their own desire to master language
skills.
“
For us, it’ the process, not the
s
product.”
Mali Dana
MAIL TO WABANAKI ALLIANCE. 95 MAIN STREET, ORONO MAINE 04473
HOULTON BAND OF M ALISEET INDIANS
PO Box 576
Houlton, Me. 04730
Contact person: Terry Polchies
Announces the following available positions:
1 Director of Housing Improvement Program
.
2. Outreach W orker for the Housing Improvement Program
3. Director of Education, Vocational Training, and Employment Assistance
4. Counselor/Job Developer for Vocational Training and Employment Assistance
5. Secretary for Educational Vocational Training and Employment Assistance
6. Social Services General Assistance Officer
7. Outreach Worker for Social Services
8. Tribal Planner for the Houlton Band
9. Administrative Secretary
Job applications may be obtained at the Houlton Band Office in the Putnam
Arcade Office Building or by calling 532-9443. Salaries are negotiable.
An Equal Opportunity Employer*-
W A B A N A K I A L L IA N C E S U B S C R I P T I O N F O R M
( M a k e c h e c k s p a y a b le t o W a b a n a k i A llia n ce )
I EN CLOSE.
I
1 for one year
$5
.. J___ ((Individual—U.S.)
1
f$ 6 f o r one
1
___ I (Canada)
S treet
City / T o w n
year
1
1$10 f o r one year
1
___ I (Institutional rate)
a n d S ta te
.
Zip Cede
Page 4
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
Island optimistic
about new school
(Continued from page 1
)
Latta told Wabanaki Alliance “ up to
it's
Congress whether they wish to”tack the
estimated $3.5 million costs onto the
already approved fiscal year 1983 BIA
budget. But Latta said he’ optimistic:
s
Indian Island is officially number six on
the BIA school construction priority list.
Latta said the five schools ahead of the
Penobscot project are already funded for
design and construction, effectively mov
ing Indian Island up to the number one
slot.
Tribal councilors, hearing an update on
the proposed school from DiCenso, ex
pressed their surprise and enthusiasm
that the new building is so nearly a
reality. “ least, it’ m ore encouraging,”
At
s
declared councilor Gerry Francis.
The preliminary plans call for a school
BIA officials, Frank Latta, left, and Terry Gasparich, meet with Maine Indian Education
equipped to handle 250 students, complete
Supt. Edward DiCenso.
with gymnasium, and possibly even a
hockey rink — something Love would like
to see included. The most likely site is
either on the present ball field beside the
Community Building, or adjacent to that,
PATRICIA SOCKABASIN
in the vicinity of the tribal garden.
PETER DANA POINT - Patricia M.
Love said the ball field area is above
Sockabasin, 65, died Jan. 29, 1982 at a
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Teresa A.
flood plain, while the garden site is lower,
Bangor hospital. She was born in Maliseet,
Sappier of Indian Island is currently em and less desirable. However, foundations
N.B., March 17, 1916, the daughter of
ployed as a physician’ assistant, treating
s
could be set on ledge in either case,
Simon and Elizabeth (Saulies) Paul. She is
Native Alaskan people.
according to Watie Akins, a tribal coun
survived by her husband, Simon of Peter
Sappier completed a one-year training
cilor who is an engineer. (Love suggested
Dana Point; five sons. Robert James
program in Gallup, New Mexico, through
Akins could officially monitor the con
Tomah of Wingdale, N.Y., Stuart Morris
a grant from the federal Indian Health
struction of the school for the council.) A
Tomah of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Alexander
Service (IHS). She is a former lab
new ball field will be constructed if the old
Paul of Maliseet, N.B., Jamie Sockabasin
technician at the Penobscot tribal health
site is used for building.
of Peter Dana Point, Dennis Tomah of
department. She is a graduate of the
The only apparent major obstacle to
Princeton; four daughters, Joyce Bear and
University of Maine at Orono, and Seaton
getting the design and construction under
Caroline Sappier, both of Maliseet, N.B.,
Hospital in Waterville.
way is Congressional support, and the
Geraldine Oliver of Danforth, Martina
“
add-on" needed to the 1983 BIA budget.
Stevens of Princeton; three brothers,
The council and school committee hope to
Abner and James Paul of Maliseet, N.B.,
enlist the support of Maine's Congres
Charles Paul of Fredericton, N.B.; three
sional delegation, and others, to win what
sisters, Edna Perley, Susie Bear, Rita
Love and DiCenso described as the only
Perley, all of Maliseet, N.B.; several
“
political” part of the process. Sen.
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces
William S. Cohen of Maine may offer key
and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial
support, as he is a member of reigning
was celebrated Monday, February 1 at
Republican party, and is chairman of
10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’ Mission, Peter
s
Senate Select Committee on Indian Af
Dana Point, with the Rev. Normand
fairs.
Carpentier and Rev. Joseph Laughlin
Love said both Congressional and BIA
officiating. Burial was in the Tribal
support is essential to the success of the
Cemetery.
“
ad-on.” If it fails, the school could be
delayed pending an appropriation in the
fiscal 1984 BIA budget. Both Cohen and
BIA director Kenneth Smith are expected
to visit Indian Island in the next few
months, Love told the council.
James Sappier, of the tribe’real estate
s
Ta-Kog-quew
and demography department, has care
They will stand firm until the mark of time
Mary Lee Fugate
fully researched property lines and re
breaks their bodies away
lated matters, at the proposed site of the
Like trees
new school.
They will become the earth again
One snag in the acquisition of property
What will remain ...?
is a stipulation by Mildred Akins of Indian
Island, holder of about one-ninth of the
The spirit that is the People
INDIAN ISLAND — Mary L ee Fugate land in question, that she will sell her
has been hired as dental assistant to Dr. share on condition that the Catholic
It is a gift given the young
Stuart Corso, at the Penobscot Depart Sisters of Mercy continue their teaching
who grew up in its shadow
relationship with the school, and that
ment of Health & Human Services.
They will in turn come to wear
Fugate, 24, began her duties Dec. 7. religion be offered to students.
this thorny crown
1981, as temporary replacement for Gail
Watie Akins, her son, said he believes a
of a drowning heritage
Graves, who is on maternity leave. She compromise arrangement can be worked
hopes to continue at the health clinic part out. He also owns a share of the land, and
Solid — never wavering — but sinking still
time, when Graves returns to her post.
is willing to swap his claim for a parcel
“ really like the job,” said Fugate, near his mobile home across the road.
I
Their eyes are deep
adding that it is “ the job training”for
on
Councilor Gerry Francis asked princi
from within them can be felt
her, since she had no particular back pal, Sister Helen, about the status of
solid, honest pride —
religious teaching in the school. He asked
ground in the work.
and the pain.
Although born in Bangor, Fugate grew
if catechism and Bible study are taught
up in California, where she attended high during the school day, or separately.
For within these peoples’
heart
school. She moved home to Indian Island a
Sister Helen said that prior to a lawsuit
beats the lifeblood of the Native
couple of years ago, and comments, “ several years ago, religion was offered
I
American
always wanted to com e back here . . . it’ before the school day began, and at
s
Like song — so sweet to hear
tendance was not required. However,
my roots, really.”
I am honored to be their friend.
She lived her first five years in Maine, Martin A. Neptune and other Indian
JHG
then moved to Massachusetts, then Cali Island parents filed suit to block the
From a friend in Seattle, accepted with
fornia. She has three children, Deann, six, teaching of religion at the school, and
deep thanks and appreciation — L.D.
since that time — although the suit has not
Lisa, four, and Jeffrey, two.
Penobscot lands
job in Alaska
Obituary
------------
\
Poetry
Fugate new
dental aide
been fully resolved — religion classes have
been held at the St. Ann’ parish hall on
s
the Island. “
When it doesn’ leak,”said
t
Sister Helen. She said children are offered
one hour per week, per class, and
attendance is not mandatory.
Sappier pointed out that to comply with
the law, the tribe cannot guarantee the
teaching of religion by the school, but
there is no reason that Sisters of Mercy, if
certified teachers, cannot continue to
teach the usual subjects. The sisters have
been involved with the reservation and its
school for more than 100 years, and are
considered an integral part of the Indian
community by a majority of tribal mem
bers.
An option school officials and the council
virtually ruled out is to apply for con
struction funds through the state. Sappier
said the state would want matching funds,
a 20-acre site that would be nearly im
possible to find on the island, and the
earliest project review would be July.
DiCenso’ suggested federal timetable
s
for construction calls for gathering engin
eering data and sending it to Latta this
month, selecting an architect by the end of
April, and final approval of a design by
February of next year.
By the following month, construction
bids would be let, and actual work would
begin by October 1983. All this depends on
the success of the BIA budgetary “
add
on” $3.5 million.
of
The optimism of the recent meeting
between council, school committee and
others contrasts sharply with comments
last year by committee chairman Paul,
who noted the old school has no library,
no gym, and no auditorium. Pupils
experience “ loss of motivation,”he said,
a
and are ill-prepared for the transition to
Old Town schools upon graduation from
Indian Island elementary school. “
We
must provide circumstances that nurture
pride, motivation and a sense of worthi
ness and accomplishment. I can’paint too
t
rosy a picture,”
Paul said last year.
The picture has brightened considerab
ly-
Ranco, Francis
capture elections
INDIAN ISLAND — Harry A. Francis
and Michael Ranco em erged the victors in
recent elections to fill two vacant seats on
the Penobscot tribal council.
In a related matter, no votes w ere cast
for a member of the tribal census commit
tee, apparently because nobody wanted to
serve, and there were no candidates.
Francis polled 78 votes, and Ranco, 75
votes. Other candidates were Richard
Hamilton, 63 votes, and Nicholas H.
Sapiel. 40 ballots. The vacancies were the
result of councilor Joseph Francis being
elected lieutenant governor, and councilor
Nicholas Dow taking a tribal government
job, which precludes serving on the
council. The special election for lieutenant
governor followed the death of Lt. Gov.
Edwin Mitchell.
There were ten write-in ballots cast in
the council election, including several
votes for Norman Lolar.
Clarification
INDIAN ISLAND — Wabanaki Alli
ance regrets the omission of S. Glenn
Starbird Jr., tribal genealogist, in a list of
persons deserving credit for the recentlypublished Penobscot Nation calendar, to
benefit the Island historical society.
Starbird did a good deal of work on the
project, and the newspaper apologizes for
overlooking the fact in earlier articles.
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
Page 5
Survey shows mixed
views on settlement
(Continued from page 1
)
paper. Her comment: "Indian women
bills, and keep ahead of them. It helped me
should have the same rights as the men,
and my children to have a higher standard
and marry who they want.”
of living. It’ helping with winter fuel
s
A reader identifying herself as “
Ne-qubills."
tar-tar-wet" declared that Indians “
were
Tomer said he is satisfied with the
sold out of our rights for who we are (by
newspaper, and he commented, "before
the settlement). It is a shame, I feel.
the land claims settlement, my paper used
"A lot of white people stop me and ask if
to be mailed to me a full month late, every
I'm Indian. Many people talk to me and
time. Now the paper arrives the first of
ask me how rich I am. Before, hardly any
each month. Good.”
people would just walk up and talk with
A Dover-Foxcroft reader, Ben Walking me," the reader writes.
Hawk, identified as a Cheyenne, said the
Discussing the newspaper, Ne-qu-tarland claims ‘ a start, use it wisely. In the
‘
is
tar-wet said it “
gives people a real look at
beginning," he wrote, “ the land
all
how we are, w-hat we live like." The paper
belonged to us. It can give people em should promote talent, people celebrating
ployment; it’our home."
s
Children are cramped by limited space at existing Indian Island school.
graduations, etc. “
Nation" sports events
Although Walking Hawk does not
should be included, along with “
comics, or
receive any direct benefits of the claims
have a section for people to send in
accord, he said "it helps me hold my head
drawings or designs. Have a page (where)
high, and gives us roots." He said the
people could share ideas. Maybe write on
newspaper should show "long lost ways"
how to do bead work, tan hides, leather,
to our children. He said he wished the
etc." The reader would also like to see
tribal council would “
grow," although he recipes.
did not say how.
Charles E. Colcord, a Penobscot with
A certified public accountant who has less than the quarter-blood minimum
worked with the tribes. George Chebba of requirement for tribal membership,
Bangor, said he thinks the land claims writes from New York City that he is
INDIAN ISLAND — The following
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
cases were heard at Penobscot tribal court Authority vs. Gerardo Pardilla, motion for settlement is okay, but not this news dissatisfied with the claims settlement.
Since you re
recently, the Honorable Andrew M. Mead attachment and trustee process, con paper. Writes Chebba: “
ihe tribe has traded sovereignty for
ceived funding by the Penobscot Nation, cash." he said. How does it change his life?
presiding:
tinued for hearing.
you have published more articles con ‘ addition to all the other fights I have
Arraignments
In
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Gary Attean, Authority vs. Joseph Sapiel, motion for cerning Indian Island than the other two on my hands, I now have to fight to
possession of moose killed in closed attachment and trustee process, con reservations, who didn't give you any restore tribal sovereignty,” said.
he
financial help.
season, plea of not guilty, continued for tinued for hearing.
Colcord also complained about the
"As a consequence, in my opinion, you
trial.
newspaper. “
Since receiving tribal fund
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Michael Paul, Authority vs. Roger Ranco, motion for lost your former balanced perspective.
ing, the paper has tended to become a
illegal possession of moose parts, plea of attachment and trustee process, con Wabanaki Alliance used to be the common house organ. The paper ow'es its first
denominator that united Maine Indians as loyalty to the tribe, not the tribal council.”
guilty, paid $50 fine.
tinued for hearing.
an ethnic whole. Now it seems it has
Penobscot Nation vs. David R. AlLinda Nicholas, a Passamaquoddy living
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
menas, illegal possession of moose parts, Authority vs. Doreen Bartlett, continued. degenerated to prostituting its reporting in Medford, Mass., sent in a questionnaire
function.”
plea of guilty, paid $50 fine.
from a survey conducted by Wabanaki
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Evelyn St. Pierre of Lewiston said the Alliance several years ago, with a dif
Penobscot Nation vs. Carl Mitchell, Authority vs. Christine LaCasse, motion
settlement has not changed her life, but ferent set of questions. She said the
speeding, 28/20, radar; filed at request of for attachment and trustee process,
she is content with it, as she is with the newspaper is fair to Indian people.
Officer Dale Lolar.
continued.
Penobscot Nation vs. Walter Meader,
Dismissed
operating under the influence, dismissed
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
(blood count too low).
Authority vs. Brenda Fields, motion for
Penobscot Nation vs. Steven J. Paul, attachment and trustee process, dis
operating after suspension, plea of not missed by the plaintiff.
guilty, continued for trial.
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Donald Nelson, Authority vs. Kenneth W. Paul, motion
Jr.; keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of for attachment and trustee process, dis
guilty; waiver signed, found guilty. Paid
missed by plaintiff.
$15 fine.
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Carl Mitchell,
Authority vs. Dennis Pehrson, motion for
keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of nolo
attachment and trustee process, dis
contendere; found guilty, paid $15 fine.
missed by the plaintiff.
Penobscot Nation vs. Kevin Mitchell,
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of nolo
Authority vs. Theresa Snell, motion for
contendere; found guilty, paid $15 fine.
attachment and trustee process, forcible
Penobscot Nation vs. James Sappier,
entry and detainer, dismissed by plaintiff.
keeper of unlicensed dog, plea of guilty;
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
waiver signed, found guilty. Paid $15 fine.
Authority vs. Louis K. Paul, motion for
Penobscot Nation vs. Richard Hamilton,
attachment and trustee process, dis
permitting a dog to roam at large; plea of
missed by plaintiff.
not guilty, continued for trial.
Hearings
Trials
Probate action: request for name
Penobscot Nation vs. Louis K. Paul,
changes, Renee Marie Knapp, James Eric
keeper of vicious dog; filed upon request
Knapp, Joseph Donald Knapp, Jr. Petition
of Nation; dog roaming at large, two
for name changes by mother, Cheryl
counts, dismissed at request of Nation.
Knapp. Petitions granted, names changed
Penobscot Nation vs. Ernest Goslin,
to Renee Marie Francis, James Eric
wrong way on one-way street; dismissed
Francis and Joseph Donald Francis.
Jord Thomas visits with great aunt, Jean Thomas, in Gardiner.
by agreement of the Nation (summonsing
Appeals court
officer not in uniform).
Appellate decision on the following
Everett J. Sapiel vs. John Davis, small
matters entered: Denise Mitchell, et al vs.
claims action hearing on motion to show
Wilfred Pehrson, et als; appellate court
cause for contempt; by agreement, will
upheld decision of Judge Mead, appeal
NEW YORK CITY - Jord Errol
Jord also belongs to Mensa, an interna
pay a portion of his per capita payment to
denied.
Thomas, 16, a Penobscot and the son of tional society, whose only qualification for
the plaintiff toward outstanding balance
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing William E. Thomas, has been accepted to membership is a score on an intelligence
due. Ordered to continue to make pay Authority vs. Shirley Francis, forcible Haskell Indian Junior College of Law
test higher than that of 98 percent of the
ments to the plaintiff in the amount of $5 entry and detainer; appellate court upheld rence, Kansas for the Spring semester of
general population. Only students 15
per week until bill paid in full.
decision of Judge Mead, appeal denied, 1982.
years old and older are allowed to take the
Continued
original order in effect.
Jord has been living in Missouri for the test, but they made an exception in Jord’
s
Penobscot Tribal Reservation Housing
Penobscot Nation vs. Marcia Goslin, past few years attending high school in case and allowed him to take the test at
Authority vs. James Sappier, motion for
operating under the influence, appellate Eldon. Jord quit school in the 10th grade, 13. He passed.
attachement and trustee process, con court upheld decision of Judge Mead, studied for his GED diploma and passed it
His current interests are in tinkering
tinued for hearing at request of defendant,
original sentence ordered imposed, stayed with a high score enabling him to qualify with cars, and chess, which he learned to
and upon agreement of plaintiff.
for five days.
for college.
play when he was three.
Penobscots face illegal
moose hunt charges
Accepted at Indian school
Page 6
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
b o o k nook
Role of the Indian press
CARBONDALE, Illinois — James and
Sharon Murphy of Southern Illinois Uni
versity :Carbondale's School of Journalism
have written a 150-year history of Indian
print and broadcast media.
Their book, “
Let My People Know-:
American Indian Journalism, 1828-1978,"
documents the history and current status
of the Indian press and describes a race
stereotyped and often misrepresented in
the nation’ “
s establishment”
media.
American Indian journalism began with
Sequoyah’ development of the Cherokee
s
alphabet and with Elias Boudinot’ pub
s
lication of the first Indian newspaper, the
“
Cherokee Phoenix,”in 1828. Much of its
recorded history was lost in the resettle
ment of a race in bondage within the land
of its heritage.
The spirit of the earliest contributors to
Indian journalism is reflected in excerpts
from newspaper philosophies and policies
and in historical anecdotes. That spirit
was rekindled in the 1970s as regional
Indian print and broadcast media groups
worked to strengthen the press editorially
and financially while continuing to put
Indian news in perspective.
Obstacles in researching the book
challenged the authors. R ecords of many
short-lived newspapers w ere never kept
Two Islanders
in d icted for burglary
BANGOR — A Penobscot superior
court grand jury has indicted two Pen
obscot tribal members for burglary and
theft.
Named in the indictments are Alice
Fowler. 43, of Indian Island, and Barry
McGrane, 25, of Old Town. The jury
announced the indictments after Deputy
District Atty. Margaret Kravchuk pre
sented evidence.
According to superior court records,
Fowler and McGrane w ere allegedly
involved in the Jan. 17, burglary and theft
of personal property at the residence of
Edgar S. Day, Main Road, Milford. Bail
was set at $5,000, plus two securities, for
each of the accused, or 50 percent cash.
Woodstoves aid
Island families
INDIAN ISLAND - At least a dozen
wood burning stoves have been delivered
to the Penobscot Nation, and some of
them are already helping to heat Island
homes.
Philip Guimond, tribal official, told
Wabanaki Alliance that he was able to
obtain the steel plate stoves from a
Winterport firm at almost half price —
about $150 each. The stoves have thus far
been distributed mostly to families in
what’known as the “
s
new housing.”
McManus takes
family care job
INDIAN ISLAND — A former tribal
clerk has been hired as tribal family care
coordinator, for the Penobscot Depart
ment of Health & Human Services.
Rhonda McManus, a tribal member who
most recently was contract medical care
clerk for the department, takes over the
job from Freeman Morey, a Passamaquoddy. Morey resigned the position to
attend school full time, according to
Carolyn Styrnad, human services director.
or had been lost. Because of the unstable
nature of the Indian press, existing
directories were outdated. To gather
accurate data, the couple turned to inter
views with person who edited individual
newspapers, visited state historical socie
ties and examined Indian holdings in the
archives of Princeton University’library,
s
the Gilcrease Institute in Tulsa, Okla., and
other collections.
Research on the book became a family
project for the Murphys. For five sum
mers they and their two daughters.
Shannon and Erin, traveled in vans to
Indian reservations and urban centers
throughout the country. Often, to find
existing newspapers or to learn of earlier
publications, the family would drive into a
town and “
just ask directions to the news
paper office or the editor’home.”
s
The Murphys said they found Indian
journalists “
hungry to know about other
tribal newspapers in the country.” To
assist in establishing communication be
tween journalists, they compiled and
edited a print and broadcast media
directory in 1978 as part of their con
tinuing research.
The Murphys hold doctorates from the
University of Iowa and have some years of
teach in g and n ew sp a p er exp erien ce.
Sharon Murphy is associate professor and
head of graduate studies in journalism at
SIUC. James Murphy is an assistant
professor in SIUC’ School of Journalism
s
and is doing research on Alaska native
publications.
"Journalism history texts give little or
no mention to prominent minority publi
cations, particularly the American Indian
press," Sharon Murphy said. The couple’
s
interest in adding Indian contributions to
America's press history stemmed from
research for her book, “
Other Voices,”an
overview of the black, Chicano and
A m erican Indian p r e ss w ritten for
summer recruitment programs for high
school minority journalists.
Jeannette Henry, an Indian journalist,
wrote a foreword to “
Let My People
Know.”
“
Let My People Know” is available
through the University of Oklahoma Press
in Norman, Okla. The Murphys have
earmarked proceeds from the book for
Indian journalism scholarships.
Young CMIA proxy
FBI delays report on
AAicmac hit-run death
AUGUSTA — The Maine Attorney
General’ Office is apparently waiting on
s
the FBI’Washington laboratory to report
s
results of tests, in the case of the hit-andrun death last summer of a Micmac
Indian.
According to the Ellsworth American,
attorney general staffer William Pearson
said delays in the review of the case are
due to the FBI's work, in which material
such as paint chips are being analyzed.
On Aug. 17, 1981, Joseph Peters, 20, a
Micmac blueberry raker from Canada,
was apparently lying in the road, on Rt.
193 in Deblois, when he was struck by a
vehicle operated by Cherrifield police
officer and part-time deputy sheriff Mur
ray B. Seavey.
Seavey, 50, was charged with leaving
the scene of a “
personal injury accident."
Peters was dead at the scene, and Seavey
later claimed the man was already dead
when his car ran over him, although it was
dark, foggy, and Seavey apparently did
not get out of his vehicle. He reportedly
claimed he looked in his rear view mirror.
On Sept. 21, 1981, Seavey pleaded nolo
contendere, or no contest, and was fined
$100 by Judge Millard Emanuelson in
District Court in Machias. Seavey was re
portedly driving a blue police car at the
time his vehicle struck Peters.
Following the outcome of the case in
District Court, Povich, district attorney
for Washington and Hancock counties,
explained he did not present the case to
the Grand Jury because there were “
no
elements of manslaughter."
Peters was killed between 2-2:30 a.m.,
according to official reports, and was
under the influence of alcohol at the time.
The re-investigation of the case began
after snow-balling of public reaction. Some
downeast residents said they were out
raged that an officer of the law — who also
worked security at the blueberry farm
where Peters raked — was fined “
only”
$100 for a fatality.
island trounces others in hoop
INDIAN ISLA N D— The men’basket
s
ball team here, sponsored by the PNF
Snack Bar, em erged the winner in recent
playoffs with Pleasant Point, and Town
ship, and teams from Boston Indian
Council, and Mashpee, Mass.
The Township was runner-up, and the
Point took third place, according to Red
Bartlett, Penobscot tribal recreation di
rector. In all, seven teams comDeted.
The m ost valuable player award went to
Henry Sockabasin of Indian Township; the
sportsmanship trophy was presented to
Ronny Pond of Pleasant Point.
Members of the Penobscot team, be
sides Bartlett, are Pat Francis, Mike
Francis, Dennis Pehrson, Jim Clarkson,
Junior Pehrson and Kevin Mitchell.
The tournament was organized by
Indian Island Recreation Department, and
the winner’ trophy was accepted by
s
Howard Wilson, snack bar manager.
ACH1AS
SAVINGS
BANK
THE SUNSHINE SERVICE BANK OF SUNRISE COUNTY
ORONO — Owen (Sonny) Young of
Brewer has been voted president of
Central Maine Indian Association, in a
recent election here. Bridget Woodward
of Bangor was voted vice president,
leaving open her former position, that of
secretary-treasurer. At press time that
slot had not been filled.
THE PENOBSCOT INDIAN
CALENDAR FOR 1982
IS NOW ON SALE
It is a first printing, a limited edition,
and a future collector’item.
s
It is now on sale at the Community
Building and at the Drop-In Center on
Indian Island.
Price $5.00
Mailing Address for prepaid orders:
National Historical Society
Box 313
Old Town, Maine 04468
Please make checks payable to Pen
obscot National Historical Society.
All orders will be postpaid
MACHIAS •CALAIS
MEMBER FDKI
Wabanaki Alliance March 1982
Page 7
Sister Maureen beloved school leader
PLEASANT POINT — Her face hot
with indignation, little Rachel Paul, a
Passamaquoddy second-gTader, dashed
into the reservation school principal's
office.
A basketball game between Pleasant
Point and neighboring Pembroke was in
progress, and Rachel demanded: “
How
come the whites have the cheerleaders
and the Indians don’
t?”
Sister Maureen Wallace. new principal
at the school, turned her attention to
Rachel and said gently, “
That's a good
question. Why don't you ask them (the
Indians)?” Rachel learned an Indian
cheerleading team is in the works, and she
declared she'd be the first to sign up.
The interruption didn't bother Sister
Maureen in the least. It’ part of being a
s
principal, a job she took over from Sister
Rose Marie Rush. Sister Maureen has
spent 1 of her 16 years in education
4
teaching at the Pleasant Point school, save
for a brief stint at Peter Dana Point, the
sister Passamaquoddy reservation.
She is the longest tenure teacher in the
Maine Indian Education system, and is
completing certain requirements for her
principalship. As she noted, "this is my
first shot at it. I like working with the kids
in any capacity."
Sister Maureen has seen the reserva
tion school go from state funding to U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs sponsorhip, but
Catholics 'nave remained in charge. She
remembers when “ were in a four-room
we
schoolhouse with double grades. The staff
has grown in two decades from four to 35.
including "para-counselor” Christopher
Altvater, a Passamaquoddy who deals
with truancy, among other things.
New rooms
may ease
crowded schools
INDIAN TOWNSHIP and PLEASANT
POINT — Elementary schools at the
sister Passamaquoddy reservations may
soon benefit from U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA) school facility renovation
funds.
The two kindergarten-eighth grade
schools, although housed in modern build
ings, are burdened by overcrowding. At
Pleasant Point, it has meant the use of
other buildings not designed as classroom
space.
Maine Indian Education superintendent
Edward DiCenso told Wabanaki Alliance
several new classroom additions will likely
be constructed at the schools, using an
estimated $1 million available from BIA.
DiCenso said the projects will not
compete with new school funding sought
from BIA by Indian Island (see separate
story this issue).
DiCenso has shepherded Indian schools
from state support, to full funding by BLA,
under terms of federal recognition of the
Passamaquoddy Tribe (1975), and the
Maine Indian land claims act of 1980.
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Queens Village, N.Y. 11429
Enrollment is at 123, but has been as vandalism breakage. An alarm system has constant energy to function here.”
high as 140-150 pupils. Graduates of the been installed.
A wall poster at the school quotes
reservation’junior high program usually
s
But Sister Maureen says, “
I'm an Virgil: “
They can because they think they
go on to Shead High School in Eastport, or optimistic person. You have to have can."
Lee Academy, the latter a boarding
school.
Why has Sister Maureen devoted so
many years to one school?
“ would say for the sake of the kids,"
I
she said. "They're very open, warm,
unsophisticated . . . and very accepting of
people they feel are sincerely interested in
them.”
Sister Maureen, a Portland native who
is now 38 years old. thinks the sisters have
a special role in reservation life. "I think
because we live here in the community,
there is a built-in trust level."
She said children “
respond to me
because they know me." The Catholic
sisters offer "a kind of security, almost a
motherliness.”
The other sisters teaching at the school
are Sylvia Pelletier, first grade, and
Patricia Pora, third grade. Remaining
positions are held by lay teachers.
Is there any special qualification a
teacher should have on the reservation?
“
You've got to be flexible, understanding
and able to let go of .your ways for another
way of reaching the children," Sister
Maureen said.
She is proud of her staff. “ a very
It's
lively school in that teachers are interested in the school." A graduate of Fordham,
Sister Maureen holds a master's degree in
learning disabilities.
Volunteers help with “
events of the
month" and various extra-curricular ac
tivities. such as record hops and movies,
beano games, a recent Christmas party.
"It helps the children to see the teachers
— I should say staff probably — in a
different light. I think they really care
Sally Mitchell, of Central Maine Indian Association in Orono, presents AI Socoby of Bangor
about the kids," Sister Maureen said.
with some surplus cheese, obtained through President Reagan’ distribution program.
s
There is no doubt kids care about their
CMIA received 900 pounds, or 30 cases, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’Calvin
s
principal. Warm, smiling, firm but kind.
B. Conant, donated commodity director. Indian Island also was scheduled to receive cheese.
Sister Maureen is like a magnet. Children
flock to her for a friendly word or just a
hug. They don't go away disapppointed.
It’ not all rosy at Beatrice Rafferty
s
School, named after a sister who was
tough as nails. Plexiglass has replaced
many of the glass windowpanes after
#
Cheese, please
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Page 8
YYabanaki Alliance March 19S2
Flashback
news notes
CMIA m eets with 50
PORTLAND — Some 50 persons at
tended a special staff panel meeting
sponsored here by Central Maine Indian
Association (CMIA).
James Sanborn, CMIA director, said
the meeting was successful, and served to
reassure Indians in Southern Maine that
they will not be forgotten by the Oronobased agency. Employment, health and
social services, business development and
education were among topics covered at
the meeting, which took place at Port
lands Holiday Inn. CMIA's services were
explained.
In the past. CMIA maintained a
Portland office, but the cost, plus staffing
problems, has made that impossible to
continue. Sanborn said.
Corbett returns
INDIAN ISLAND delegation promotes a new Pontiac, at least a generation ago, on Main
Street, Old Town. The YMCA building, now demolished, is in background. [Photo courtesy
of F. C. Sapiel!
Citizens group airs gripes
(Continued from page 1
)
They 're either starving or freezing.”
Hamilton said the tribe has. on the
oihi t hand, assisted a “
21-vear-old”who
they "put up in a motel where his Sights
are paid. As long as they put him up. he's
not going to get a job."
Hamilton said a goal of the group is
that, "we're entitled to guidelines, that’
s
all we're asking." He objected to five
recent, lengthy executive sessions by the
tribal council, stating that "unless it's
personal, I don't think any meetings
should be closed to the tribe."
Hamilton said income guidelines for
human services assistance have been
dropped from S3.000 to $2,200, and senior
citizens meals cut from $2.35 to $1.35 per
person.
Officers of the concerned citizens group
include Irene Pardilla, chairman; Alice
Fowler, co-chairman.
INDIAN ISLAND — Howard (Bud)
Corbett of Indian Island has returned to
his position as head of public safety for the
Penobscot Nation. Wabanaki Alliance
reported in November 1981 that Corbett
had resigned, a fact that was confirmed by
tribal Gov. Timothy Love.
He counsels The County
PRESQUE ISLE — Pious Perley is an
alcoholism counselor working out of
Wabanaki Corporation and assigned to
Presque Isle and northern Aroostook
County. He is offering his services and
assists clients on a 24 hour basis. Perley
may be contacted at 762-3751.
Corrections
In last month's Wabanaki Alliance, a
front page story on the Houlton Band of
Maliseets incorrectly stated that Fred
Toman served on the Micmac Recognition
Committee.
The story should have said Maliseet
Recognition Committee, as Tomah is a
Maliseet, and the band consists of mem
bers of that tribe.
A Micmac Recognition Committee was
formed Sept. 9, 1981. and currently has 1
4
members, according to Marlene Morey of
the Association of Aroostook Indians
(AAI) office in Presque Isle.
**
*
A photo in last month’ paper, showing
s
five generations of an Indian Island
family, called them the “
Ranco family,”
when in fact the family could be called the
“
Dana family,”
with Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy ancestry.
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PATRICIA LYNNE PHILLIPS, the
daughter of Paul and Yvonne Nott of
Perry, has enlisted in the U.S. Navy. An
honor student, she graduated from Shead
High School, Eastport, in June 1981. She
received basic training in Orlando. Flor
ida. then spent two weeks’
leave at home,
in November 1981. and is now stationed in
Makakilo, Hawaii.
Grants aid engineers
NEW YORK — Westinghouse Edu
cational Foundation recently announced a
$30,000 grant to the National Action
Council for Minorities in Engineering
(NACMEi, the organization to help in
crease the number of black. Hispanic and
American Indian engineering students.
Pharmacy services
offered at clinic
INDIAN ISLAND — On-site pharmacy
services are now availabel at the Indian
Health Center Monday through Friday.
The pharmacist, Thomas Dorworth will
be there Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m.4:30 p.m. "Please bring all prescriptions to
the health center for filling. If it cannot be
filled here, you will be sent to a near-by
pharmacy,”says Patricia Knox, director.
“
Thank you for your cooperation.”
Sioux leader dies
WANBLEE, S.D. — Elijah Whirlwind
Horse, former Oglaia Sioux tribal chair
man, died recently after a short battle
with cancer. He was 46. Funeral services
were scheduled. Whirlwind Horse was
elected chairman of the Ogala Sioux in
1978. He served two terms.
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Exhibit at Na'swahegan
The photography of C.B. Mitchell of Indian Island is currently on display at
Na’
swahegan-Howland Printing, 76 North Main St., Old Town. Mitchell, a land use
specialist for the Penobscot Nation, holds a BS in biology from University of Maine at
Orono, and has worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He studied photography in
school, and had a small business called The Silver Image. He photographs weddings,
portraits and scenics, and his photos are for sale. For information call 827-2428,
evenings.
FISHING EQUIPMENT
BLACK POWDER & SUPPLIES
Bennoch Road
Old Town, Maine 04468
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
207-827-7032
Ask for A1 or Dave