DoomsdaysCWDec 1, 2024

So, I just found out that #PortlandMaine lost a voice for peace and kindness earlier this year. Judith Southworth was the editor and publisher of #MaineWellBeing -- a holistic newspaper that also focused on Peace Action events and other peace and justice issues. I worked with Judith for seven years, and when Judith was getting ready to sell the paper, I had considered buying it, but I saw the writing on the wall for printed newspapers, and knew I would have to hustle to get and keep advertisers. My passions were with laying out the newspaper, taking photographs and creating illustrations, and most of all, writing! Judith gave me a chance to work on feature stories, which led me to meet with leaders of the #WabanakiNation and tell their side of the story -- something I received accolades for, including an honorary membership in the Passamaquoddy Nation from Chief Francis.

I ended up going back to college instead of buying the newspaper, but Judith found other buyers (who unfortunately only kept it going for another year). It was the end of an era, but not our friendship. Every once in a while, I would run into Judith -- at the grocery store, or at Peace Action events, where she would talk with me about her job helping elderly refugees in Maine, which she loved. She will be missed. Rest In Power, Judith!

https://dobsonfuneralservices.com/obituaries/judith-southworth?fbclid=IwY2xjawG4i4FleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWhvlwYkbZkYzfL_NAjjBSn0p7izYaWbNH8Sbe7lLadUNggVBRs7-Dv7Gw_aem_-cujOwD3QRjAmyZ6sTnT6Q

#PeaceActivist #PeaceActionMaine #PeaceAndJusticeCenterOfMaine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #HumanRightsActivist #Truthteller #RefugeesArePeople

Judith Southworth Obituary (1956 - 2024) - Portland, Maine

Judith was born on March 29th, 1956 and passed away on April 30th, 2024 at the age of 68

Judith Southworth Obituary (1956 - 2024) - Portland, Maine
Show threadDoomsdaysCW

Here is a link to the story I wrote for #MaineWellBeing back in 2001. The publisher and editor, Judith Southworth, let me take the time needed to research this story -- including attending a conference at the #PenobscotNation on Indian Island, and interviewing the #WabanakiConfederacy leaders to get their side of the #MaineSettlementAct. I had some friends at the nearby Law School library help me to translate some of the "legalese" used in the Settlement Act (deliberately so). My story, though only in a newspaper with a small run (though statewide in its reach), helped to bring awareness to issues that the Wabanaki Confederacy -- especially the Penobscot Nation -- still face to this day.

Protecting Maine’s Life-Giving Rivers

First published in 2001, in Maine Well-Being

An excerpt:

TRIBAL GOVERNORS TAKE A STAND



The State of Maine and three major paper companies assert that the Settlement Act of 1980 makes the three tribes involved (the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and Houlton Maliseets) different from other sovereign Indian nations, claiming that they do not have the same rights as the other nations in the United States. There is language in the Settlement Act’s enforcement piece — the Implementing Act — which has been interpreted by the state as meaning the tribes are actually municipalities under state control. Because of this, the paper companies are bringing lawsuits against the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribal governments for access on their internal documents on water quality regulation. The paper companies claim that the Penobscot Nation and Passamaquoddy Nation are subject to the Freedom of Access Act, a state law requiring municipalities to provide such information on demand.



Passamaquoddy Governors Richard M. Doyle and Richard Stevens, as well as newly-elected Governor Dana of the Penobscot Nation, were threatened with daily $1000 fines and a year in jail for refusing to hand over the documents. The Penobscot and Passamaquoddy leaders claim that the health of their waters, which is life to them, is a matter of the health and welfare of their people and an internal matter, not subject to state regulations. The tribal governments are appealing to the Maine Judicial Supreme Court, but if they fail, the governors face imprisonment. Governor Dana asserted, “The paper companies don’t just want our documents... they’re after the continued right to pollute the river.” 



Read more:
https://doomsdayscw.blogspot.com/2022/12/protecting-maines-life-giving-rivers.html

#WaterIsLife #LandBack #Wabanaki #Maine #TraditionalCaretakers #MaineRivers #Pollution #Sovereignty #FirstNations #MaineFirstNations #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Protecting Maine’s Life-Giving Rivers

This was a published news story that I wrote after interviewing leaders of Maine's First Nations and doing some research on the Maine Settle...

Dec 1, 2024 at 1:06amWeb
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 1, 2024
So, some of the other topics Judith let me tackle in the pages of #MaineWellBeing were #HopiProphecy (which included a background section about #PeabodyCoal -- because, well, it's all tied together); #TheWhiteBuffaloCalfWoman (I interviewed Chief #ArvolLookingHorse for that one; #PeaceActionMaine events (one of which I had organized -- Peace Park Portland -- where folks played music, spoke truth, and where we fed the unhoused); and also a feature story about communities in New England where people were living closer to the earth and more sustainably (one of those being a friend's homestead in Vermont, which had a main cabin/house, and a number of individual cabins for folks to live in. My friend was a longtime Clamshell Alliance / anti-nuclear activist, and was the one who had a bicycle and generator, which we had to use to watch TV or listen to records). Anyhow, I am eternally grateful for Judith for allowing me to research subjects that I was passionate about, and bringing awareness of #HumanRights, #ClimateJustice, #Sustainability and other topics to a new audience! (I may have to reprint those articles online on my WordPress blog. A lot of those topics are still relevant today -- especially in these times...).
Show threadthomkennonDec 1, 2024
@DoomsdaysCW great work! We're in Tenants Harbor and trying to connect with more Indigenous as allies. Lemme know if you reco anyone or any group. Also - I teach my NextCapitalism course @ Colby and trying to integrate more Indigenous practice into the course. Any leads bigtime welcomed, comrade!
🖤✊
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 1, 2024
@thomkennon Have you talked to anyone at Wabanaki Reach? I've attended a number of their programs the past few years, and they are very much into outreach with allies.
Show threadthomkennonDec 1, 2024
@DoomsdaysCW This is great along with all ur other recos. Thx comrade!
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 1, 2024
@thomkennon Here's the link to Wabanaki Reach.
https://www.wabanakireach.org/
Show threadDoomsdaysCWDec 1, 2024
@thomkennon Also, there have been a number of groups involved with saving #SearsIsland from development. That's out your way. Some of the folks who have voiced opposition are from the Maine First Nations. The area was used as fishing grounds traditionally. That might be a good place to start making alliances.