AFSC - Maine
The Wabanaki Program
For over 40 years, AFSC’s Wabanaki Program has worked with Maine’s four Wabanaki peoples: the Maliseets, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscots. Most of the program’s work occurs in Hancock, Penobscot and Washington Counties in Tribal communities in Houlton, Presque Isle, Pleasant Point, Indian Island and Indian Township. Denise Altvater administers the program, often working hand in hand with AFSC New England’s Healing and Transformative Justice program.
Healing and Transformative Justice for Native Communities
In Maine one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) of the total population is of Native Ancestry. Yet, Natives comprise up to 60% of the population in some local jails. Racial disparities exist in sentencing, furlough, probation, and the right to fair and reasonable bail. Most Native people who enter the prison system are non-violent drug offenders, but after being abused in prison they return home full of anger, and Maine’s close-knit Native communities suffer the consequences.
In response, the NERO Criminal Justice Program has worked with the NERO Wabanaki Program to develop a Wabanaki Healing Justice Project. One important achievement of this Project was the creation of the Sipayik Criminal Justice Commission established by the Passamaquoddy Tribal Council. The Sipayik Commission is now a powerful catalyst in documenting and addressing injustices in the Maine justice system.
At the end of September, 2008, we made history by holding the first Sweat Lodge in a Maine maximum security prison. After years of struggle, the prison system in Maine finally accepts our sovereign right to do all of our Ceremonies the way that our ancestors taught us. Maine has passed the first law in the country to guarantee the right of Natives to have access to Native Ceremonies.
A Tribal Advisory Group made up of Spiritual Leaders has been formed to guide our efforts. This group will guide those in prison in strengthening their spiritual beliefs so they can live productive balanced lives when they return home to their communities.
Substance Abuse Outreach
One of our goals in the coming year is to work on the issue of substance abuse among Native people. From examining the relationships between jail conditions, healthcare and substance abuse to helping women who are opiate- addicted and pregnant, there is a lot to be done in this area. We are building coalitions with substance abuse professionals and working to put together educational workshops for the Tribal Council so we can all better understand opium addiction and how to help combat it.
Truth and Reconciliation in the Foster Care System
Denise represents AFSC as a member of the statewide Indian Child Welfare Coalition, (ICWA). This coalition brings together State DHHS workers and Tribal Child Welfare workers to discuss the needs of Native children and to educate state workers about the legacy of the Maine foster care system as Wabanaki children have experienced it. So far the Coalition has trained 500 DHS workers.
Because of the long history of injustice and abuse in foster care homes where native children have been placed, the ICWA Coalition is currently working with the Muskie Foundation to begin a statewide Truth and Reconciliation process with all Native and Non-native child welfare workers. The process will be modeled after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.
Youth
The Wabanaki Program is proud to support a Drum Group composed of children age 8 and up who perform at gatherings, schools, and events. The group includes both girls and boys and has performed at the Bangor Folk Festival and at the opening of the Tip O’Neil Building in Boston.