List of Upcoming Speakers
TBD - John Bear Mitchell will present a few stories as a way to help close the Wabanaki Voices Speaker Series.
TBD - date to be determined at a later time. Darren Ranco will speak on sovereignty issues
Check back soon for more details!
Past Speakers
Mali Obomsawin presented the living Wabanaki history of the Kennebec River region and its people from before European arrival to the colonial era (up to present) and the LandBack movement in Maine and beyond.
June 15 at 7pm by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall (Weston Ave), Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here
A Conversation with Penobscot Artist, Barry Dana
June 8, 2023 in person at the Margaret Chase Smith Library
Barry offered us visual representations of his experience of his culture, his tradition and the natural world. As part of this talk he presented his latest work--a mural sponsored by Skowhegan History House.
To view the presentation click here
Nathan Scholl Presents his Shawmut Dig Report
March 31, 2023 by Zoom and in person at the Skowhegan Free Public Library
From 2019-2021 Geo-Archaeologist and Principal Investigator Nathan Scholl worked for a consulting firm specializing in cultural resources management and historic preservation services. He was involved with archeology dig sites at Shawmut Dam and adjoining riverside properties.
To view the presentation click here
Chris Sockalexis presented Penobscot culture, history, and archaeology within the traditional landscape of the Penobscot Nation. This included an overview of the archaeological record mixed with traditional knowledge. Within this program, Chris included traditional / contemporary drumming/singing.
October 13, 2022 by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here
Ashley Smith led a talk entitled, “Stories of Nanrantsouak/Norridgewock Village: Understanding the Legacies of our Shared Histories of Violence”.
August 22, 2022 by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here
Dwayne Tomah, Director and Curator of the Sipayik Museum, led a discussion after presenting the 1-hour film, “The Doctrine of Discovery–Unmasking the Domination". The Doctrine of Discovery refers to a principle in public international law under which, when a nation “discovers” land, it directly acquires rights on that land. The Doctrine provided the basis for subsequent laws depriving indigenous peoples of their lands.
July 21, 2022 in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
Maria Girouard spoke on the Original Meaning and Intent of the Maine Indian Land Claims.
June 23, 2022 in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan.
Video not available.
Darren Ranco gave a talk on "Major Episodes of Colonial Racism in Maine State Indian History and Policy," He discussed issues of racial injustice have shaped State of Maine Indian History and Policy, as well as presented a broad historical and rights context to contemporary issues related to Wabanaki Tribal Sovereignty and Treaty Rights.
June 9, 2022 by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here
John Bear Mitchell, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation from Indian Island in Maine, is a Lecturer of Wabanaki Studies and Multicultural Studies at the University of Maine in Orono, where he also serves as the Native American Waiver and Educational Program Coordinator. Mitchell spoke about “Wabanaki Storytelling: History and Lessons.”
May 19, 2022 by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here
Dr. Darren Ranco, a Penobscot Tribal member, is an associate professor of anthropology and coordinator of Native American research at the University of Maine at Orono, discussed, “Our Indian Distinction: Wabanaki Diplomacy, Treaties, and Colonial Legacies of the Maine Frontier.”
May 5, 2022 by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here
James Francis, Penobscot Tribal Historian, talked about sense of place, the relationship between natural resources, place names and Wabanaki world view.
April 21, 2022 by Zoom and in person at Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan
To view the presentation click here