The man who represents the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in the Maine House is seeking recognition for another band of Maliseets in Maine, a move that he says will bring economic development to the Greenville area and acknowledge the Moosehead Lake region’s long Native American history.
Rep. David Slagger’s effort to secure state and federal recognition for the Kineo Band of Malicites — who have also been known as the Moosehead Lake Indians — promises to be lengthy and complicated, and it’s not likely to attract enthusiastic support from the four Maine tribes currently recognized by the federal government.
“It’s actually to serve the people of that area, so they can have something that they can call their own,” said Slagger, who lives in Kenduskeag. “That area is so rich in Indian history.”
Slagger became the state Legislature’s first Maliseet tribal representative when he was sworn in in January. But frustrated that tribal representatives can’t vote on legislation, he said earlier this year that he would step down at the end of his term. He’s now running as an independent for the House District 22 seat, representing Corinth, Glenburn, Kenduskeag and Levant.
The efforts to secure recognition for the Kineo Band of Malicites — another spelling for Maliseet — are in the beginning stages, Slagger said, but he has consulted with attorneys and says there’s sufficient history in the area to make a case for the tribe’s acknowledgement by both the state and federal governments.
Maliseets began forming settlements around Moosehead Lake in the 1800s, after Chief Louis Annance of the St. Francis tribe of Abenakis left his tribe for what became Greenville, according to “Seboomook,” a 2003 history of the Moosehead Lake region by Everett Parker. Slagger says his grandmother lived in the area during the 1930s and that descendants from Annance and other Maliseet settlers still live in the area.
The region’s full Native American history stretches back further.
Mount Kineo, on the shores of Moosehead Lake, is well documented as a place where Native Americans traveled for thousands of years for flint — Kineo is a Maliseet word for flint — a material they used for arrowheads. Moosehead Lake was also along a key route Native Americans used to travel to Quebec to hunt.
Slagger said he would seek to designate part of Mount Kineo and, potentially, Sugar Island as the Kineo Band’s tribal areas by negotiating with the state, which currently owns the land. He recently visited gravesites for Maliseets in Greenville and Sugar Island, Moosehead Lake’s largest island.
“Because there’s a historical record of them living there, being born there and dying there, and because there’s an existing form of government, that meets the criteria for federal recognition,” Slagger said.
Proving a tribe’s history in an area is a critical part of the often years-long process of securing recognition from the federal government through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribes seeking federal recognition also must prove a community of tribal members exists and provide a list of members.
The last tribe in Maine to secure federal recognition, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in Presque Isle, filed its petition with the federal government in 1985 and secured recognition six years later through an act of Congress. Another Maine tribe, the Wesget Sipu in Fort Kent, started the petition process in 2002 and has yet to receive recognition.
Maine currently has four tribes with federal recognition: the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, the Houlton Band of Maliseets, the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
Federal recognition would allow the Kineo Band of Malicites sovereignty over a particular territory and qualify them for federal funds through the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. It would also allow construction to take place in the area as a way to promote tourism, Slagger said.
“It would bring a lot of construction jobs and, I think, an economic boost to the area,” he said.
In addition to federal recognition, Slagger said he’s planning to propose legislation that would make the Kineo Band of Malicites the first tribe recognized by the state of Maine. Maine’s current recognized tribes have federal, not state, recognition. If he doesn’t win his House race, he said, he’d work with some of his current legislative colleagues to introduce the bill.
As he discusses recognition for the tribe, Slagger said he’s finding more support among his non-native legislative colleagues than among Maine’s existing tribes.
Recognition for the Kineo Band could hold some economic benefit for the Greenville area, said state Rep. Peter Johnson, R-Greenville.
“There’s a long history of Native American activity in this area, dating back hundreds of years,” he said. “I think it’s always good to remember your history and remember the circumstances from which this place developed.”
Representatives from Maine’s tribes contacted by the Bangor Daily News were less certain about supporting recognition for another tribe.
It will be difficult to make the case that another tribe qualifies for federal recognition, said Richard Getchell, chief of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs.
“As a tribal leader, that’s great, I support anybody going for recognition,” he said. “My only issue there is when it’s in competition with our federal grants and contracts. We’re federally recognized and we can barely take care of our own.”
Since Slagger is trying to secure recognition for another band of Maliseets, it should be an internal matter among the Houlton Band of Maliseets, said Slagger’s fellow tribal representatives in the Legislature, Passamaquoddy Rep. Madonna Soctomah and Penobscot Rep. Wayne Mitchell.
Soctomah said she has been focused in the Legislature on making sure that state resources available to members of Maine’s four recognized tribes aren’t wrongly used by non-tribal members. She sponsored a successful bill in 2011 that stripped Wesget Sipu members of their rights to receive free hunting and fishing licenses, a privilege afforded to members of Maine’s four recognized tribes.
“We’re constantly addressing issues of private organizations that want to appear to extract resources and draw some kind of attention for monetary reasons that continually misrepresent the recognized tribal population within the state,” Soctomah said.
Houlton Band of Maliseets Chief Brenda Commander said she doesn’t know much about Slagger’s effort to secure recognition for the Kineo Band. While it’s far from certain the Kineo Band would receive federal recognition, she said she’s concerned about the potential for existing federal resources to be spread even more thinly.
“Limited resources, federal and state, are always one of the main concerns for the tribes,” she said. “They are appropriating less and less every year.”
While Maliseet history in the Moosehead region has been documented, it might be more difficult to prove there’s much of a Maliseet population there today. Francis Tomer, who lives in Rockwood and whose father was Maliseet, said he didn’t know of many Native Americans living in the area. Historically, many Native Americans passed through the region, but didn’t end up staying, said Tomer, who’s registered with the Penobscot Nation at Indian Island.
Nonetheless, he said he’d support Slagger’s effort to receive recognition for another band of Maliseet Indians. It would be a way to bring more tourists to Mount Kineo, he said.
“I wish him good luck,” Tomer said. “I think it would be good.”
I think their hands are already deep enough in our pockets.
funny!!!!! i think your people are deep enuff into our land and resource’s and should go home!!!!! if your going to have closed minded comments like that then you well get closed minded opposing comments back…..
It takes every kind of people
To make what life’s about, yeah
Every kind of people
To make the world go ’round
not really….native americans we’re fine before columbus the world was spinning same speed as it is now
Who’s land?
You better look again. I think your land is pretty plainly marked out.
yah it’s called north america……
You should of fought harder! It’s ours now!
When we were called upon to help protect Americans … although we could have supported the British, which would have clearly resulted in America’s early defeat …. we entered into a Treaty (Watertown 1776) of military alliance … the first “foreign” treaty the United States had. The treaty is still valid and exists between two legal and political parties; the Maliseets (St. John River Indians) and the United States of America as represented by James Bowdoin (namesake of Bowdoin College) who represented the Massachussettes Bay Colony and the newly declared “United States of America”, just 14 days before. Maliseets did fight hard, but we fought on the side of America, and not against it, and America won it’s independence. We did not lose when America won. Did we? Are you saying that we should have sided with Great Britain Mr. smartfish?
We? How old are you anyway, you may have set a record as the oldest person in the world. We?, We?
I have great grandchildren, 8 grand children, 4 grown children and married almost 4 decades so far to the same person. You?
Just as an aside, the Treaty of Watertown was significant as a diplomatic precedent but not as a military alliance. The treaty provided for 600 troops which was about 1.5% of the Continental army in 1776. I don’t want to diminish their contribution, but it was hardly pivotal to America’s success; they participated in a failed offensive to take Nova Scotia and helped patrol northern boundaries. These activities were geographically far removed from the key battles the decided the outcome of the Revolutionary War.
Still, the Treaty should be celebrated today because it was this countries first and oldest since it is still in existence. As for LockDam “We” comment below, Americans refer to themselves as ‘we’ and we stand on the shoulders of our predecessors, taking credit for and enjoying the fruits of their achievements. I think others are allowed to do the same. In this case, the Treaty allows for Micmacs of any nation to enlist in the US military and serve this country. We should thank them for their service rather than deride them for taking pride in their ancestry.
Yes. That’s what I was trying to say. Many thanks, sir.
and remember none of you where alive at that time and times have changed grow up all of you .
who said we was done fighting?
LOL
This looks like two fleas on a dog’s back arguing back and forth about who owns the dog. Maliseets DON’T CARE who owns the land as long as, in our traditional hunting, fishing and gathering places, we have unobstructed access and unmolested use of it whenever our health and safety require it. Simple and easy to understand. Maliseets DO NOT have enough lands and resources to be completely, economically self sufficient quite yet. Whenever space is needed, as in the present situation, Maliseets have a natural right to seek it out as they see fit. Again, much like spawning salmon or migrating geese. Please respect and do not disturb. Just quietly back away and leave the area.
You sir or madam, whichever, talk about respect and then talk trash.
I did not intend to be disrespectful or “talk trash”. I apologize. I will try to rephrase my statements. Thanks for pointing this out to me.
Your people? Into YOUR land and resources? Go home? Wow, talk about close mindedness.
and you calling them you people dose not help we are all american and get over it yes your and my ancestors where he long before most but dose not excuse you from racism either. grow up all of you.
“They are appropriating less and less every year.”
Yes, and eventually it will be nothing, and it will be time to put the big boy pants on and spread their wings like ever other American.
time to put our big boy pants on and become the true savage’s that settlers made us out to be!!!!! we are a quarter if not more of north america’s population bet we could make one heck of a stand
Go for it!
That would take a little more ambition than I’ve seen among your people.
It’s a huge world with billions of people. Did you really think that this entire continent would only be occupied by a handful of Indians? According the latest DNA testing, Indians were not the first here either. They only choose to look as far back in history as suits their needs. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/09/0903_030903_bajaskull.html
There were many lands and many people conquered over the centuries. It was your ancestors that were conquered, not you, and most of you are barely even blood relatives of those ancestors anymore. They were conquered by some of our ancestors, not all of our ancestors, yet you feel that all white people owe you. While it’s possible that some of our ancestors may have owed a debt to some of yours, all those people are long dead. We owe you nothing.
If one of your ancestors several generations back was a criminal, and was never caught, would you expect to have to pay for his crimes today?
Besides, tribes fought each other as much as whites, and seized the lands of other tribes. Who gets to determine how far back in history that we look?
well if your leaning on science your ancestors we’re from africa enit…
It is interesting that you admit that it is possible that your ancestors may have owed a debt to some of our ancestors, but you do not seem to think, being the beneficiary of their ill-gotten booty, that you do not have any obligation to repay your ancestor’s debt? So, if a family member unexpectedly passes away leaving an uninsured mortgage, a lumber yard bill, phone bill, funeral bill, and was found to be in possession of stolen property, etc… then your position is that your relative’s estate would not have to return the stolen property to anyone or owe anything? That’s not how it works. And, I think you know it.
Please, make your stand, this I want to watch.
Since this is apparently an important topic to some of us here, why let the discussion end? Instead, why don’t we start a permanent discussion group consisting of, at least, everyone here on this article’s blog. Interested? I am willing to host, at my home, such a discussion group say … on a monthly basis. It could be pot luck, veggies and appropriate beverages. My email is bearlaw2@yahoo.com. I think this kind of cross-talk is healthy and best conducted in person, face-to-face. Let me know.
this was there land long be fore it was yours and they live on less land and it is not them or us we are all american and you all should just grow up god dose not see color or race but human and that is what we all are and when people see that the would will run better.
A way to circumvent the process of public input on land development around Moosehead. Plum Creek and now this. Wouldn’t they have to prove in some way that they are genetically or some other way unique from the Houlton Maliseets to become a new tribe? I don’t know much about the law or process, but just living a hundred miles from the other tribe doesn’t seem like enough to be federally recognised as different.
Take a look at the two Passamaquoddy tribes, less than five miles apart.
how about 50 miles not 5 one in Prinston and the other Perry
Meant fifty, typo.
Some Band members are organizing themselves into a new Maliseet Band within their traditional hunting, fishing and gathering territories. That’s all. This happens from time to time for various reasons. The Passamaquoddy did it some time ago. It was their business and no one elses. Its natural. Provided there are no unnatural obstructions, salmon spawn and geese and Maliseets migrate along a well known and worn path. History records clearly how Maliseets routinely harvested, fished and hunted throughout this region, from Aroostook (Wulustook – the beautiful path and place of plenty) through the Penobscot (Pben-wapks-keag- the place with many round rocks in the river) to, even, Boston for trade and treaty making purposes. Mr Francis Tomah recites these well known stories. Wanna Eagle is a descendant of the prominent, present day Perley (Henry Red Eagle/Perley) family … a huge Maliseet family from the northern Maine and western New Brunswick region. It is certainly enough of a connection, but not to be “different”. The intent is to be another, formally established “Band” within the current Maliseet “Nation”, which already consists of ten (10) Bands. This is an idea who’s time has come for many of the region’s Maliseet people who, they feel, are, generally, not invited nor included in existing bands. Or, perhaps, they simply live too far away and prefer a Maliseet community that is a little closer. Either way, and for whatever reason, it is an internal matter and no one elses business. Right?
I should point out that the Houlton Band of Maliseets have nothing to be concerned with federal or state dollars as they own a multi million dollar corporation called Tribalco, and they own Maliseets gardens in downtown Bangor, thye are doing just fine and do not have to worry about the Kineo Band impeding on thier funding.
Us Mainers (Maine-ahs) and us Americans (Nat-ur-alized) do not live to far and even if we were to prefer a Maine-ah community we would not be given one, one as to play a race card first.
They are Abenakis
Wabanaki … people of the east or dawn lands…. Right. Still here, too. Yup. Nothing’s really changed these past 400 or so years. Essentially, its just us French, English and Wabanaki… still.
Many years ago there were people known as “dark Irish or Dark Dutch”. These were Scotch / Irish who married Natives or former African Slaves…often they were ostracized by both white and native or black communities…..many fled the south and ended up in New England and Canada.
Also many mountain folk (apalacha) are of mixed……similar to the Metis.
Actually, the Abenakis were “Wabanaki” who fled to the Northern Kingdom & Odanak & Tres Riviers during French & Indian wars. There are also few Huron people mixed in with the Malecite as well as Mohawk in Penobscot. We’re all skins.
If it is state ownwed land the the all the people of Maine should have access to this land and not just a certain group. free education, healthcare,land and ???????
When does it stop.
well stop when you guys go back to wherever you came from
and just where did these tribes migrat from, They were not here when the ice age was upon these lands. There shouldn`t be any entitled group.
I can assure you that the Vikings asked the same question when they encountered us in the St. Lawrence watershed in 800 A.D., just before we vanquished them back to their norseland. Chris Columbus was probably wondering the very same thing in 1492 when he first encountered my distant cousins and ancestors just off our the eastern seaboard. The French captain, Champlain probably asked the very same question when we mooned him, as his records show, as he was transiting the Wulustiguj River in 1601-02. The same for the Puritanical Pilgrims in 1620, after teaching how to plant corn and hunt turkey for survival. Then, as with the English in 1702 in the Gulf of Maine … the British in 1748-49 Halifax, etc … and the Americans in 1776, when they asked our Chiefs to tell them, exactly, where they were located and how many were they? To which our Chiefs responded that they would initially provide 500 Maliseet braves to rendevous with General Washington and that Maliseets who had two guns, would bring one with them to the fight. But, those Maliseets who had only one rifle, would leave that rifle behind and America would have to provide one to him. Within a few days of ratifying that Treaty, 120 canoes filled with 500 Maliseets departed the headwaters in northern Maine, made their way to Machias where they, then, embarked on ships to the Boston siege, which resulted in the expulsion of all British regulars and their allies from Boston and the ending of that siege. So, as far as you should be concerned, we “migrated” from parts unknown in northern Maine and the surrounding tribal territories to help ensure the survival and success of America’s revolution against Great Britain. We knew then, like we know now, that you have to fight to win. And, we fought. You want to be petty? Be petty. You want to be serious? Then, I am all ears. Let’s have a meaningful exchange of information and debate. Anything else will simply detract. Agree?
There he goes with the We word again.
my ninth great grand father was gov willaim bradford and you did not beat them back but lived with them. grow up and remember we are all human and stop the stupid bull that you all are saying.
You’re right. One can enjoy, a little too much, the rhetoric. Thanks for the reminder, Stephanie.
lets say your right, in doing the math 10k years is just a little longer tham 300. only possession of stolen property thats ever been made legal. it’s no different than rolling into canada and saying this is ours and we want you all to be americans. there is a word for it its called geonicide, whether its bosnia or somalia or darfur or rawanda or germany. its the same thing only worse, millions and millions dead, total tribal nations gone and wiped out. cmon read a book preferably one not written by you.
the ussr or russia .
I for one am from Maine and I did not have to sue over my ancestors need to play the race card.
You do know that disagreeing is healthy as long as it’s done respectfully, and does not destruct v. construct.
I see your point. So, tell me, are you and yours enjoying your visit with us? Where did you say your family is from? Ireland? Nice place, we’ve heard. Never been there. No trees to speak of, I understand. Where’d they all go, I wonder. … Oh, and please, pass this along, while you’re sticking around these parts, don’t want to be rude or anything, but don’t behave like that here. No clear cutting. No monoculture. Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you. If you happen to find yourself in possession of anything that isn’t rightfully yours or your ancestors, please return it and we’ll think nothing more of it. Etc… You know what I mean. O.K.?
ok so my mothers family is native american and english and my father was from findland tell me where am i to go . grow up all of you.
It’s your choice. The question is a political one. You decide. In the summer, I’d love to visit Finland, personally. Where would one go first. I hear the salmon harvest is still great there.
think i will live on my land in monson. and i think we all should get along i am not chosing side i just think this hole thing should not be about race at all . i am so sick of hearing you and them when it is a us thing . we are all americans and we all need and if some need a little help then give it to them or who ever it is . We need to stop sending the u.s.a money over sea’s and keep it here with our own people no matter what they look like.
Yes. This should not be about race. This is about basic human rights to fair treatment, accommodation and respect. Charity and the upholding of these human rights does begin at home. I agree with you. That’s good policy.
Yeah…what little I had on my fathers side was seized / taken by the Czar in Lithuainia …..I can’t go back there…..and I doubt Gaspe would take me back.
You’ve got a nice place now, it seems. Good for you.
How much will this cost the taxpayers?
Nothing. If taxpayers don’t like the idea, should funding by Maliseets be needed outside their own resources, I’m certain they can get any funding, just like G.W. Bush did, from the Chinese, upon request. Do you think they’ll have to do that?
A whole he** of a lot.
Are there any other graves on Sugar Island or Mt. Kineo of whites. Just wondering.
Francis Tomer’s grandfather is buried on Kineo
Do not know about whites but do know many Indian burial sites not far from Kineo.
There is plenty of evidence of burial activity in this region that points to early occupation, by Maliseet ancestors, of this entire, eastern (Wabanaki) region. I would be pleased to provide it to you if you or anyone else is seriously interested. Or, you can get started, yourself, with several interesting, online web sites. I urge you to do so. Once we all have the same information about this issue we will then be able to discuss and debate it more meaningfully.
Why do the native Americans settle for separate but equal? Can’t we all be Americans? Racist set-asides only foster racial division. Separate cannot be equal.
On both my Mother and Father’s side are Maliseet people. In fact, a majority of my Mother’s ancestors and ALL of my Father’s ancestors were / are Maliseet people. I understand my ancestors liked Americans, for the most part. The same goes for me. We have always, because we had the choice, decided in favour of supporting Americans in every war it has found itself in. My Great Grandfather was THE FIRST “American Indian” Officer in George Washington’s 1st Continental Army. He even had his own command… a company comprising, exclusively, Maliseet / Passamaquoddy Indians, which helped relieve the besieged population in Boston who were, until Maliseet arrival by way of canoe and ship out of Machias, under British occupation. Upon arrival of the Maliseet reinforcement, the British had to evacuate Boston overnight by sea, which they then did. Maliseets are a seperate “Nation” under national and international law. Read the Watertown Treaty of 1776. Then read the minutes of the meeting between Ambrose Bear and James Bowdoin, President of the Massachusettes Bay Colony, who represented the newly created (Band) United States of America. Make up your own mind about whether we, as Maliseets, have any right to claim “seperate, but equal” or anything else for that matter.
Blessings.
They say that the “great white Chief” had much respect amongst the tribes.
I have made up my mind, when you folks decided the play the race card you do not have the right to claim separate but equal, or anything else for that matter.
I am very sorry to read such harsh comments…especially since I have family who are native.
That is why some prefer to keep to their own.
Some tribes follow the “1 drop rule” and others have harder requirements.
There was a genetic study a few years ago by the U of CA I believe that showed that some Tribes were not of the same genetics of those who crossed the Siberian Land Bridge. Some were genetically linked to eastern Europeans and Middle eastern genetics….this was from about 10,000 BC….I will see if I can locate it.
Cyrus Gordon (world renown Linguist from Brandeis) once believed this very thing with ancient Hebrew traders and was of course criticized for it.
I also believe this is what the Mormons believe (although I have not studied Mormonism),
Being a member of the Maliseet Nation was never about blood quantum. It was political. You stand with us … you are us. Simple. You will surely be loved or hated … just like us. Interestingly, that is exactly the same standard used for citizenship in the United States. Isn’t it? No difference.
Interesting….I thought there was a blood percentage requirement (parentage)? My wifes great grandmother was Canadian Maliseet.
I also have Passamaquoddy and Penobscot family (neices, nephews, etc.).
My fathers side was from Lithuainia…..Mothers side Gaspe / Bay peninsula before moving to Maine.
We are a real mixed bunch.
Not traditionally, sir. Given your stated background it seems … and you’d better hold onto your hat …. that you’re one of us … if you want to be. Incidentally, because of our various alliances and “acquaintances” over our history, we’re quite pleased to be a “mixed bunch” … there is no shame in this game.
Blessings to you.
I am still looking for that particular genetic study from the university of CA.
Its a hobby of mine, after researching for many years on my fathers history (which came to a stand still).
I did find this interesting paper on one DNA site referencing the Cherokee.
http://dnatestingsystems.goodbarry.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=4830&PostID=91847
Once privy to a hugh shell heap on an island in Knox County, actually seeing stone tools, arrow heads, one must be in awe, they made their way here long before being discovered. It would seem that it would be of a pure policy for the Native Americans, to, keep, protect, develop what they have, rather than try to expand. That, in this Country, the US, the Native Americans were able to come this far with Reservations still in tact, is probably a miracle. In
my life time, I have always felt comfortable with the Reservations, and feel they the Native Americans in some ways show us, how far we have gone too far. Simplicity of life, respect for what we have, for a soul of less need of everything, but a cool sometimes sullen steady faith, I am glad we have Native Americans among us.
Oh, and not incidentally, I want to express my heartfelt “good job” to our new, Maliseet Representative in the State of Maine Legislature, who is clearly demonstrating an interest in protecting and effectively advancing the interests of the Maliseet Peoples he represents in that forum. In my view, he has, with humility and kindness, become a fierce and fearless leader without even trying to be one. He’s a natural. Again, well done, Nedup. Nidlayig.
Really Hank? LOL
Yep. At least, after meeting and discussing his vision for the people, I was pleased. You?
I have yet to hear an intelligent comment from uptocamp26, he must be waiting to really surprise us…
Really David? LOL
LOL. Rodup. Gittyup.
Just sue the State of Maine, the federal government and play the race card, you cannot lose.
The playing the race card is getting old, how about you just admit that your angry if some one is getting someting that in your mind they do not deserve.
Talk …. not courts. What is this “sue” the State stuff? Let’s keep talking.
You people are all aware that this is here and now and not 200+ years ago, right? I had nothing to do with taking land away from anyone nor did I own a slave. The past is past, none of us live like our ancestors did. If you want to do that, get rid of modern technology and then talk to me.
” You people” how about when they use terms like “we the people” ?
Long before the Europeans came to this land, when we were just an infant culture, we, too, had thermonuclear weapons, sought life on other planets and solar systems, clear cut the forests, killed most of the fish, and poisoned most of our air, water and soil, but we stopped behaving like that and, after finally cleaning it all up, you guys show up, find perfection, bounty and harmony, but didn’t appreciate it as it was. What if that is exactly what happened to the ancients throughout history? A mature culture is respectful, caring, sharing and able to live fully, and sustainably. … achieving contentment without impacting unnecessarily. Whether we know or are ready for it, we have not choice, because that is where we are going, sooner or later. This is the traditional Maliseet culture. Today, you might know it as Agenda 21. But, it is where we are all going in order to survive and thrive within the context of our living, Mother Earth.
Well…everyone will have to compete with the “INDIGENOUS MUSLIMS NOW”.
I happened to dig up this older commentary from BBC which I really enjoyed.
“I ran faster” what a great Chief.
http://www.cbc.ca/archives/discover/programs/t/telescope/telescope-may-25-1971.html
Thanks for the cbc vid, John. Watched it. I’ve had the honour of actually sitting on his “reserved” bar stool at the King George Hotel in Vancouver, which had / still has a brass plate with his name on it rivetted to it’s back rest. I’ve been to beautiful Vancouver … almost a dozen times and had meetings with some of Chief George’s relatives to discuss Indigenous land, fish and forestry issues. It was always a treat to head over to Horseshoe Bay to eat the huge oysters and watch the Nanaimo Ferry load and unload tourists headed for the Islands. It almost competes with Moosehead. Of course, I am biased.
how bout the mic macs? shouldn’t they have a hand in this too?
taxpayer dollara?= Rent
Federal dollars= repairations of billions of dollars lost in natural resources, beyond dollars hundreds of years of cultural loses.
“great white Chief” we do have respect for him, only one small fact= hes not white!
disease, wars, boarding schools, urban relocation, forced sterilization, bounties, and we are still here. What some of you do not get is that these are not entitlements but again payment. there are three sovereigns in the US constitution states, feds,tribes. that is recognized not granted and when you invade a country and conquer multiple nations there are repairations owed!!
blood quantum: being part of a nation is not about blood quantum its about values and a philosophy and dedication to that. how many 100% americans do you know, none but does that mean theres no americans. I wonder if living as one with the earth, sustainable mindset, hunting and gathering, growing own food, focusing on family and community appraoch was about everyone, if thats the way it was today I wonder who the welfare receipients would be.
“did we really expect to have this country to ourselves forever”? do you? and my answer Yes!
General Washington was not white?
That is who I was referring too.
That is how natives spoke of him at that time.
I am not a racialist….I think people should be able to love, marry etc. whatever race they want.
Not all my family thinks the same.
And they do define by blood.
I believe government entitlements really destroy a persons / peoples dignity (I don’t see treaties etc. the same as entitlements).
Sure people should not freeze or starve to death, and we really need to work on healthcare….but not entitlements for a system of living….it keeps people in bondage.
For the most part this is what the US Government has done to many native tribes over the years.
And now they have done it to everyone else.
People were / are supposed to take care of people.
I make many of the same statements about treatment in relocation camps etc….in fact John Tobin made point in his biography on Hitler that Hitler learned some of his ideas from concentration camps from US Government treatment of Indians.
Once I had quite a discussion on “the root” with a couple posters about why they hated Jews so much?
I asked them if Scholar Diop was correct and Egyptians were Black Africans, Jews don’t blame the color of people or a race (black people) for their slavery?
They replied that Jews are really blacks and white people are fake Jews.
So there you have another groups way to deal with or justify their racism.
I am dark complected….when I was a young boy my younger sister and I were really dark, almost black…we used to be called racial terms, and people did not want us to swim in the pool.
Of course I did not understand at that time, being so young…I really did not know what the “N word” meant.
Things have really changed, and although I always can’t forget and the past sometimes molds us, my life with Gods grace, is before me.
Also, not all the tribes were war like, some were peaceful and others fought over land and took slaves too. Some fought the Europeans and others loved and intermarried.
I grew up in that area and was born in greenville and it is not if the we are all american becouse we are and we should respect each other . i may be passamaqudiy and english . my ninth great grandfather was gov willaim bradford and he and his people made peace with the indains and i think we should go back to what our four fathers did and get over it we all bleed red no matter what we look like . Grow up all of you and stop fighting each other and fight evil . Just grow up
You’ve got my attention. Historical wrongs are a fact of life. I look forward to when we can all get over it. It will happen quickly when the historical imbalance has been wrighted and restitution has been fully made to affected People. We share the same goals.
Stephanie, you have reminded me of an important truth. And, that is, we are made wise not necessarily by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future, which you advocate should be our focus. I will consider myself admonished, if I may.
We’re going back into the Moosehead in a few days to fish and enjoy some respite. I hope there’s no chop while I attempt to navigate our 3 horsepowered canoe out of Lily Bay. While we’re there we will be discussing the finer details of re-establishing a formal, seasonal Maliseet presence in this part of our traditional hunting and fishing grounds. I will also be
reflecting on and seriously considering everything that has been said here. If you happen to be there when we portage in and embark across the lake, don’t get freaked out by the guys with the feathers. Instead, feel free to join us.
Its been nice writing to and exchanging information with those of you who’ve emailed. Let’s keep it going; keep sharing, talking and writing over the next period.
I was reading about “Frankie’s Law”. I can see how its a trap. What? Frankie’s Law? you may be asking. It states that “whoever stops fighting first – loses”.
That’s one of the reasons … the best reason … not to “fight” if at all possible. Its far better to “talk” about issues and how to resolve these, peacefully. Might does not always make right. In fact, it’s usually wrong.