Welcome
Welcome to Native American Programs at the University of Maine! Here, you can access information about Native American Studies, the Wabanaki Center, the Native American Tuition Waiver and Scholarship Program, and information about University of Maine programs that promote, support and provide educational opportunities for and about Wabanaki peoples across the State of Maine and beyond!
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION:
We are prioritizing the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and broader Maine communities. Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and following institutional, state, and federal safety guidelines, our office has adjusted the way we connect with you. To best serve our students and align with recent public health advisories in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), in-person availability may be limited but assistance is still available Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30 by email, phone, scheduled Zoom session, or by visiting our website 24/7.
In-person: Native American Programs/Wabanaki Center will be staffed in-person on Thursdays from 8:00-4:30.
Email: Students and families are able to email questions or concerns to Jen at jennifer.bowen@maine.edu Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30.
Phone: Students and families are able to leave a voicemail message at 207.581.1417 with your name, student id and email address. Please allow 24 business hours for a call back or email response and please note the call may be returned from a restricted number.
Zoom session: Have some more in depth, specific questions? Students and families are able to email Jen at jennifer.bowen@maine.edu to schedule a 1-on-1 Zoom session.
What Does Decolonizing Mean?
November 18th at 12:00
Virtual via Zoom, Free and Open to the Public
https://maine.zoom.us/j/84810033811?pwd=MnNOYW9QTEZ4b0wrc3pSdzlsMktMUT09
Raising our Voices on Race and Racism
Monday , November 30th from 4-5pm
Virtual via Zoom, Free and Open to the Public
REGISTER AT: https://forms.gle/QkZobyEPXYRatYBw7
NSF INCLUDES – Wabanaki Youth Science (WaYS) Program Connects Native Students to STEM through Culture and Heritage
September 22, 2020
https://www.includesnetwork.org/blogs/jenna-rush1/2020/09/16/wabanaki-youth-science-ways-program-connects-nativ
Nolan Alvater: Honorable Mention for the Udall Scholarship in Native American Policy
June 18, 2020
https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2020/06/16/nolan-altvater-honorable-mention-for-the-udall-scholarship-in-native-american-policy/
Unpacking the Maine-Wabanaki Studies Law (LD 291) Past, Present and Future
November 18, 2019
Video Recording
• Dr. Rebecca Sockbeson, UMaine Visiting Libra Professor, University of Alberta
• Donna Loring, Senior Advisor on Tribal Affairs to Governor Mills and Author of LD 291
• James Francis, Director, Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department
• Dr. John Maddaus, Professor of Education (Retired) • John Bear Mitchell, Educator and Wabanaki Center Outreach and Student Development Coordinator
• Dr. Darren Ranco, Chair of Native American Programs
• Maulian Dana, Penobscot Nation Ambassador
Penobscot signs at UMaine point out ‘book house,’ ‘place where you play a variety of games’
Bilingual signage — English and Penobscot — now at UMaine
July 17, 2019
https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2019/07/17/bilingual-signage-english-and-penobscot-now-at-umaine/
One of our students. Congratulations Brady!
Panthers prospect Keeper ‘role model’ to aboriginal youths.
https://www.nhl.com/news/florida-panthers-brady-keeper-role-model-to-aboriginal-youths/c-305932052
Historic Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Penobscot Nation
Full text of document can be found here.
Media related to the MOU
University of Maine Land Acknowledgement
The University of Maine recognizes that it is located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation, where issues of water and territorial rights, and encroachment upon sacred sites, are ongoing. Penobscot homeland is connected to the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations—the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Micmac—through kinship, alliances, and diplomacy. The University also recognizes that the Penobscot Nation and the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations are distinct, sovereign, legal and political entities with their own powers of self-governance and self-determination.