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Maine blueberries ripening

“The opportunity for sharing has opened a space in which individuals are able to find comfort in knowing that they are supported and they are not alone.”
– TRC Research Coordinator Rachel George

While the TRC has concluded its work, the journey of truth, healing and change continues through the efforts of Maine-Wabanaki REACH. REACH is a cross-cultural collaborative that promotes best child welfare practice through reconciliation, engagement, advocacy, change and healing activities for and between Wabanaki and Maine citizens, communities and governments.

Support is essential in making truth, healing and change possible across Wabanaki and Maine communities. We invite you to help make a difference in this process by sharing your gift with REACH. Visit the REACH website to learn more.

Your contributions at work

Since July 2013, more than 1,000 Native and non-Native people across Maine have participated in activities supported by the TRC and Maine-Wabanaki REACH.

Statement Gatherers have collected more than 40 formal statements in four communities: the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township | Motahkomikuk; the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Pleasant Point | Sipayik; the Penobscot Indian Nation; and Wabanaki Health and Wellness in Bangor, which serves a Native urban population.

By May 2014, the five Commissioners had visited all Wabanaki communities in Maine.

Approximately 110 Native people have attended and shared their truths in healing circles held in communities.

Seven Wabanaki Community Organizers have been trained to help prepare their members for truth and healing work and to conduct healing circles.

Two Maine Community Organizers have begun outreach with DHHS staff; foster and adoptive families; community-based child-welfare agencies; and the legal community.

More than 1,000 non-Native Maine people have attended 21 community or organizational educational events to learn about Wabanaki history, intergenerational trauma and the reasons why the Commission was organized.

Some 539 high school students and educators have participated in similar events.

The TRC is deeply grateful for all of those who support the work, including:

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians

Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians

Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township – Motahkomikuk

Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point – Sipayik

Penobscot Indian Nation

Maine-Wabanaki REACH

Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS)
The Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) serves Maine’s children and their families and includes the Division of Child Welfare. OCFS is a partner in the Maine TRC.

Wabanaki Health and Wellness
Wabanaki Health and Wellness is an agency for tribally-enrolled Native Americans, based in Bangor, with services that include case management, free HIV testing and wellbriety meetings.

Abbe Museum
The mission of the Abbe Museum is to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nations with every visit.

American Friends Service Committee – Wabanaki Program
AFSC's Wabanaki Program draws tribes, state workers and communities together to confront injustices and promote healing among the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot.

Andrus Family Fund (AFF)
AFF’s Community Reconciliation program supports processes that address community problems, conflicts and injustices in a way that promotes healthy relationships, transforms power dynamics and otherwise addresses the systems that led to the original problem, conflict or injustice. AFF provided the funding to establish the Maine TRC.

International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
The International Center for Transitional Justice works with truth commissions and similar efforts around the world. They have provided valuable guidance and support in the establishment of the Maine TRC.

Inquirium
Inquirium is the maker of the software, InqScribe, which the TRC uses to transcribe statements.

Lerner Foundation
The Lerner Foundation supports organizations and projects that seek to improve and strengthen civic life, with a particular focus on the State of Maine. Among its priorities, it supports efforts to improve communication and increase tolerance and understanding among people of different cultures and religions.

Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission (MITSC)
MITSC is an inter-governmental entity that reviews the effectiveness of the Tribal – State relationships in Maine and makes recommendations for continued improvement. MITSC provided early and active support for the Maine TRC.

University of Southern Maine – Muskie School of Public Service
The Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy at the Muskie School of Public Service is dedicated to developing innovative, evidence-informed and practical approaches to pressing health and social challenges faced by individuals, families and communities.

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
NCAI is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments.

United South & Eastern Tribes (USET)
USET is dedicated to promoting Indian leadership, improving the quality of life for American Indians, and protecting Indian rights and resources on Tribal lands.

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