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In 2019, Maine took a symbolic yet meaningful step by changing the second Monday in October from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. If anyone is wondering about how that change has impacted our tribal neighbors, we strongly recommend reading the powerful column that outgoing Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Bryant wrote this week in the Bangor Daily News.
“Something I didn’t realize when we were making this policy and speaking to the need for this change to Indigenous Peoples’ Day was the effect on tribal citizens. Over these five years I have heard from many Wabanaki thankful for this change and excited to celebrate this day instead of feeling conflicted or hurt by it,” Bryant, who is set to become the next executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, wrote in the column. The BDN publishes opinion pieces from tribal citizens as part of the Wabanaki Voices project with the Wabanaki Alliance.
“Our people have endured so much, and it is a blessing to have been able to bring about a reason to be joyful and proud in our continued presence and rich history and contributions,” Bryant continued. “When I was growing up there was pain and confusion around why anyone would celebrate Columbus. Now my children are 2, 15, and 17 and in their homelands now called Maine they get to embrace this day each year and feel the strength and wisdom of our ancestors who smile as we make progress one issue at a time and honor their sacrifices.”
Clearly, the law creating Indigenous Peoples’ Day that was passed by the Maine Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills has made a meaningful impact for many Wabanaki people. It has also provided an invaluable opportunity for non-tribal Mainers to learn more about the four Wabanaki Nations — Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot — who have called this place home for much longer than it has been a state.
This holiday and the long list of events planned around the state, including a potluck celebration and open dialogue at the University of Maine’s Wilson Center from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, is yet another chance to deepen our understanding of each other and of our shared history. That must include confronting the ugly parts of this history, which sadly and shamefully has included oppressive actions and attitudes from state government.
In better understanding that past, we better position ourselves to rectify mistakes and build a stronger future together. In addition to the symbolic but tangible momentum provided by changes like the creation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, state and tribal leaders have also taken concrete steps in recent years to improve tribal-state relations and have set the stage for more progress.
The compromise reached earlier this year to expand tribal court authority and the Penobscot Nation’s ability to regulate drinking water on its tribal lands, while not the sweeping tribal rights approach that was initially proposed, still yielded positive results and once again highlighted the value of constructive negotiation. State and tribal leaders must continue to pursue changes, both symbolic and systemic, that can deepen dialogue and further rebalance the critical relationship between Maine and the Wabanaki Nations.
Monday’s holiday is a meaningful day of celebration and reflection. It must also be a day of resolve, one where we recommit ourselves to walking a more collaborative and equitable path together.