#RockportME - 2nd Annual SEED FEST

April 11 @ 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM

"The #RockportPublicLibrary will host its second annual SEED FEST on Saturday, April 11. This free, family-friendly event will take place on the upper and lower levels of the library. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., visitors can browse educational exhibits and activities covering #SeedStarting, #pollinators, #SoilHealth, #Composting, #NativePlants, #HeirloomVegetables, growing #rice and #grains in #Maine, #Wabanaki #FoodSovereignty, and much more!

"At 12:30 p.m., Petra Page-Mann of #FruitionSeeds will deliver an interactive keynote presentation. Page-Mann and her nonprofit seed company are strong advocates of 'gift culture,' which involves giving away seeds to promote food cultivation and community building. This ethos aligns perfectly with the theme of SEED FEST.

"The event is generously sponsored by the Rockport Library Foundation and is organized in partnership with several organizations, listed alphabetically: Herbal Hummingbird Hub, Knox Lincoln County Beekeepers, Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Grains and Maine Grain Alliance, Maine Heirloom Seed Network, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association [#MOFGA], #MaineRiceProject at Ararat Farms, #MerryspringNatureCenter, #Niweskok: From the Stars to Seeds, Roots n Shoots, #UMaineCooperativeExtension, and #WildSeedProject.

"The exhibiting partners will provide valuable information, hands-on activities, items for sale, and an abundance of free seeds and seedlings. Additionally, #midcoast artist Katharine Cartwright’s beautiful #BotanicalPaintings will be showcased in the library’s lower level for a month-long exhibition titled 'In My Garden.' "

FMI:
https://www.rockportlibrary.net/event/2nd-annual-seed-fest/

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #IndigenousFoodSovereignty #FoodSovereignty #LibrariesRule #SeedFest #WabanakiFoodSovereignty #SoilIsLife

#WabanakiAlliance: Spring 2026 Update

by #MaulianBryant, #PenobscotNation Citizen
March 27, 2026

"We want to share some of the powerful stories highlighting our work since January. From the halls of the State House to #Maliseet homelands in #HoultonME, the movement for #Wabanaki #sovereignty is growing stronger every day.

Advocacy in Action
We recently held a Lobby Day focused on two critical pieces of legislation:

#LD785: Restoring tribal self-government.
#LD395: Ensuring #WabanakiNations have access to future federal laws.

The bills have since been amended and, while they do not represent the original form, the Chiefs agreed the amendment from the governor’s office provided for incremental but important movement forward.

[...]

We remain committed to ensuring that people across our homelands now called Maine understand why it is vital that Wabanaki Nations are no longer treated differently than the other 570+ federally recognized tribes."

Read more:
https://mailchi.mp/wabanakialliance/wabanaki-alliance-newsletter-11040921?e=7e7095a76c

#IndigenousSovereignty #Dawnland #MainePol #NativeAmericanNews #MaineLegislation #MaineSettlementAct #TribalSovereignty #LandBack

Well, well... It seems #JanetMills is feeling the heat since #GrahamPlatner has made it very clear that he supports #Maine's #FirstNations!

#WabanakiNations, Mills are finding common ground

In the final chapter of the governor’s administration, she and tribal leaders are making progress on tribal priorities

Reuben M. Schafir, February 19, 2026

AUGUSTA — "#Wabanaki tribal leaders, state lawmakers and Gov. Janet Mills might not be entirely on the same page. But they’re reading the same book.

"Lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee heard from tribal leaders and their allies Thursday during a hearing on two bills that address the applicability of #FederalIndianLaw in Maine.

"Statements made by tribal chiefs and Mills’ representative hint at a tone shift in the ongoing dialogue between the tribes and the governor.

"Both bills are sponsored by Sen. #RachelTalbotRoss, D-Portland, and would make federal Indian law broadly applicable to the Wabanaki Nations. #LD785 would also make other changes recommended in 2020 by a task force of lawmakers and tribal leaders, including repealing restrictions on tribal land acquisition and the expansion of tribal authority over hunting and fishing on their lands."

https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/19/wabanaki-nations-mills-are-finding-common-ground/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/GVfKa

#MainePol #MaineTribes #LandBack #FederalRecognition #TribalSovereignty #NativeAmericanNews #Sovereignty

So, I missed the #EAB update from #MaineDACF, but since I registered for the event, I was sent the link to the video update. One thing I learned is that #Woodpeckers are #EmeraldAshBorer's natural enemy. But once EAB sets in, it's too much for the woodpeckers to handle. But if it's an early infestation, they *might* be able to control it! Just another reason to #GardenForBirds and #FeedTheBirds in the winter (and my woodpecker friends LOVE the wormy suet I make for them).

Here's a screenshot from the presentation. Also, the term "blonding" mentioned in the image refers to the process of older gray bark falling off an ash tree that has an EAB infestation, leaving behind lighter-colored newer bark.

The full video can be viewed at this link (includes transcript):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ogbMReBx38

#InvasiveSpecies #AshTrees
#SaveTheForests #ProtectTheTrees #ProtectTheSacred #Stewardship #Wabanaki #Basketry #SolarPunkSunday #Biocontrol #MaineTrees #MaineForestryService #MDIFW

Wabanaki Windows on #WERU!

"#WabanakiWindows presents a timely conversation on the past, present, and future of #Wabanaki #sovereignty featuring #WabanakiAlliance Executive Director #MaulianBryant and Professor #DarrenRanco.

The program examines the impact of the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims #SettlementAct, the formation of the Wabanaki Alliance, and the #legislation shaping the current session. There will be a part two at a later date!"

Airs January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM on WERU — WERU.org

https://archives.weru.org/category/wabanaki-windows/

#MainePol #Sovereignty #WabanakiNations #TribalRights #WabanakiConfederacy #IndigenousSovereignty #MaineTribes
#PassamaquoddyNation #PenobscotNation #HoultonBandOfMaliseetIndians #MikmaqNation #LandBack

Upcoming #WabanakiStudies Webinars for 2026

"The #Wabanaki Studies Webinars are back for the spring and we're excited to see and learn from Wabanaki citizens doing such meaningful work. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our cultures, histories, and sovereignty from experts across our homelands.

The webinars are free and open to the public.

- Jan 21- #BrianneLolar - Wabanaki Studies in 2026 [already passed]
- January 28- #KayaLolar & #SagePhillips - Wabanaki Youth & Policy
- Feb 4 - #RogerPaul
- February 11 - #SuzanneGreenlaw
- Feb 25 - #DamonGalipeau
- March 4 - #JohnNeptune
- March 11 - #ChrisNewell - If You Lived During the American Revolution
- April 1 - #BonnieNewsom - Swordfish in Past Wabanaki Lifeways
- April 8 - #MaulianBryant - #WabanakiAlliance
- April 2 9- Kaya Lolar, Sage Phillips, and Youth
- May 6 - #DwayneTomah - #WabanakiLanguages
May 13 - #ApemesimGalipeau

FMI and to register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI7VEREUSAy_PYfEHCt0wfsNp_nQjZ5U7b9PNRXdqWWHYkgw/viewform?pli=1

Source:
https://mailchi.mp/wabanakialliance/wabanaki-alliance-newsletter-11039681?e=7e7095a76c

#WabanakiAlliance #MaineTribes #MaineFirstNations #Dawnland #NativeAmericanCulture #NativeAmericanLanguage #TraditionalWays #NativeAmericanHistory #AmericanHistory #NativeAmericanCulturalPreservation

More about #BaunegBeg ! The name comes from the #Wabanaki word #Bannebeaugue, which means “spread out” and “still water.”

"Bauneg Beg Conservation Area in North Berwick includes 89 acres of deciduous forest land surrounding the 866-foot, three-peaked Bauneg Beg Mountain. The land was acquired by Great Works Regional Land Trust in three parts over the course of seven months in 2000 and 2001.

The 0.65-mile trail winds through a deciduous forest, a pine grove and a section of large boulders described as "Devil's Den" before reaching the highest of the three peaks. Trail forks just before the summit with a choice of routes to the top. Easier trail veers to the right.

Rocky outcroppings offer views of nearby Mount Hope, parts of south Sanford and, according to Great Works Regional Land Trust, on a clear day, Mount Washington to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast."

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/bauneg-beg-middle-mountain-trail

#SolarPunkSunday #ConservationLand #MaineTrails #MaineHikes #SpendTimeInNature #NorthBerwickME #ConservationLands #GreatWorksRegionalLandTrust

Hype for the Future 62CWM: City of Calais, Maine

https://novatopflex.wordpress.com/2026/01/01/hype-for-the-future-62cwm-city-of-calais-maine/

#Sovereignty Starts Here: Land, Economy, and #TribalRights in #Maine

James Myall
October 14, 2025

"Maine has profited from centuries of #Wabanaki land loss. Supporting land return and sovereignty reforms is both a moral responsibility and a smart economic investment.

This report focuses on the fundamental importance of land acquisition and usage to lay out an economic case for fully recognizing the #WabanakiNations’ inherent sovereignty.

Key Facts

- For at least 13,000 years, Wabanaki people and their ancestors have cared for this region’s land, water, and natural resources through sustainable stewardship.
- About 12.5 million acres of Wabanaki territory, valued at $105 billion in 1976, were claimed by Maine before rulings showed the claims were based on invalid treaties. Between 1820 and 1980,
- Maine extracted hundreds of millions in profits from tribal land seizures and sales, resource exploitation, tourism, and taxes — without compensating the Wabanaki Nations.
- The 1980 Settlement Acts ended the federal land claims case but left the Wabanaki Nations uniquely constrained compared to other federally recognized tribes, granting the state unusual control over their affairs and sparking decades of contention over unfulfilled promises.
- The Federal government contributed $26.8 million each to trust funds for #Passamaquoddy and #Penobscot Nations to purchase a maximum of 150,000 acres each, and $900,000 for the Houlton Band of #Maliseet Indians to purchase 5,000 acres. But the funds were exhausted before the full amount of land could be secured. #Maine did not contribute any funds to the settlement.
- The federal land acquisition funding was based on a calculation of $181 per acre. A recent purchase on behalf of the Penobscot Nation was valued at more than $1,000 per acre.
- The #Mikmaq Nation did not receive any federal funding for land acquisition until 1991. Today, the Mi’kmaq Nation still faces more land acquisition restrictions than other Wabanaki Nations.
- In contrast to efforts across North America to foster tribal sovereignty, the Settlement Acts lock the Wabanaki in an outdated system that blocks access to federal programs and about $4.6 million in funding per year, limits land acquisition and usage, and stifles economic growth.
- Between 1989 and 2020, tribes in the US with full recognition of their sovereign authority had six times greater income growth per capita than Wabanaki Nations.
- Modernizing the Settlement Acts could add $330 million to Maine’s GDP each year, create 2,700 new jobs, and generate $51 million in state and local tax revenue.
- Collaboration between Wabanaki Nations and non-native organizations will secure the return of over 50,000 acres to Wabanaki communities. But the state and federal government can and should do far more to fund and facilitate land return."

Source:
www.mecep.org/maines-economy/sovereignty-starts-here/

#WabanakiNations #IndigenousSovereignty #MaineTribes #PassamaquoddyNation #PenobscotNation #HoultonBandOfMaliseetIndians #MikmaqNation #Maine #LandBack #SettlementAct