Marilyn Bronzi is a retired clinical social worker and psychotherapist who lives in Yarmouth with Jim, her partner of 30-plus years. She has one daughter and three grandchildren who live out of state. She grew up in Connecticut and came to live in Maine nearly 40 years ago.

Truth and reconciliation first came to her awareness as it was used in South Africa. Truth and reconciliation, along with restorative justice, appeal to her because the processes are about healing for individuals and communities, and are not about punishment.

She believes the power of story – and the healing that comes from being heard – changes the heart; restores strength and direction; and makes connection. Listening is an honor for her, and she is grateful to be part of these proceedings.

Marcie Lister shuttles between Portland and Prospect Harbor with her husband of 35 years and their dog, Lily. They have two grown daughters.

Marcie is a clinical social worker who works with people who are trying to have children, but have been unsuccessful. She helps them understand the medical help available to them and make decisions about what is right for them.

For fun, she spends time with friends, walks, hikes, reads, cooks and eats!

Marcie strongly believes in the power of truth-telling to help heal deep wounds. Although she has no specific connection to the Native community, Marcie hopes to bear witness to some of the wrongs Native people have suffered, while contributing to both individual healing and a more positive interface between the State of Maine child welfare system and Wabanaki families.

Margot Milliken was born in 1952 and spent her childhood in Eastchester, N.Y., a small town near New York City. After college, she lived in Boston and Hawaii, and moved to Cumberland, Maine, in 1985, where she has lived for 29 years. Margot is married to Roger Milliken, who manages forest land in Washington County. She has two children, Max, 29, who teaches middle school in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Tara, 23, who is a college student in Colorado.

Margot has been a volunteer at her children’s schools, and for organizations that support women and girls. She likes to hike, swim, do yoga and cook.

Margot is looking forward to being with the communities at Indian Township and Pleasant Point, and is grateful to the TRC and REACH for inviting her to participate in statement gathering. She believes that the vitality and health of Native people and communities is essential for planetary wisdom to evolve. She is committed to supporting Native people in Maine to be grounded in their own experiences and knowledge, and for non-Native people to see them with respect.

Frank Smith is a husband, father, writer and teacher – all roles about which he is passionate. He once lived on a remote island in South Carolina, doing community service and teaching in the two-teacher elementary school. The experience greatly effected him in wanting to always be open to people whose lives were different from his in many ways, realizing there is always common ground that joins us.

Frank feels the work of the TRC is very important. He has invested considerable effort in doing personal healing work around events in his own life, and understands the importance of giving voice to the wounds and offenses one has experienced. He also knows from personal experience the importance and value of being witness for others who seek to give voice to the wounds and offenses against them. He views being witness as sacred work. It serves also to heal those who listen, whether they were in any way involved or directly responsible – or not the source of the wound and hurt. These kinds of exchanges, of giving voice and listening, are what touches the deepest part of the common ground between people. Frank feels honored and appreciative of being invited to participate as a statement gatherer.

Joan Uranick has spent most of her life teaching at a small art college in Portland, Maine, and was married for 34 years. She has one wonderful son.

After her husband died, she went to the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME,) where she was ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 2011. Since then she has been involved with the Grace Street Ministry in Portland, the Center for Grieving Children, as well as being a faculty member at ChIME.

She has become involved with the TRC because she would like to be a part of helping with the reconciliation of this horrific piece of our history in the hopes of healing for all.