Wabanaki REACH Newsletters
Wabanaki REACH, a Native-led organization began through shared efforts of State and Tribal child welfare workers seeking truth, healing and change for children, families, communities, and systems involved in the child welfare system.
In 1999, the Maine Indian Child Welfare Act Workgroup was formed to address the state government’s noncompliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), a federal law intended to protect the welfare of Native American children.
The workgroup provided education, and conceptualized and created the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (the TRC). In 2012 five Commissioners were selected to serve on the TRC and a three-year investigation into state child welfare practices ensued.
This group spent 27 months investigating and documenting the truth about Maine’s child welfare practices involving Wabanaki people.
…we educated Maine and Wabanaki people about the process, gained the support of Tribal and State leaders, prepared and supported people through the truth-telling process, and accept the responsibility of ensuring the implementation of the [Truth and Reconciliation] Commission’s recommendations.
In June 2015, the Commission released its report of findings and recommendations. This initiative was the first within U.S. territory focused on Indian child welfare and developed collaboratively between tribal nations and a state government.
Throughout the TRC process Wabanaki REACH provided consultation to the Commission and helped prepare and support people in Wabanaki and Maine Communities throughout this truth-telling process.In 2018, Wabanaki REACH became an official non-profit organization and replaced the term “Reconciliation” with “Restoration,” to reflect the group’s mission to “support the self-determination of Wabanaki people through education, truth-telling, restorative justice, and restorative practices in Wabanaki and Maine communities.”
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We envision a future when Maine and Wabanaki people join together to acknowledge truth and work collectively toward equity, healing, and positive change.
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February News, 2021
Wabanaki REACH
Wabanaki REACH monthly email newsletter promoting the Voices of Decolonization.
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May News, 2021
Wabanaki REACH
Featured blog post Voices of Decolonization, Restoring the Stream of Life in Our Rivers, by Diane Oltarzewski, "Part 1: The Kennebec Rivers are the Veins of Our Mother."
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November News, 2021
Wabanaki REACH
In recognition of National Native American Heritage Month, Wabanaki REACH promotes educational programs and resources intended to support truth, healing, and change.
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September News, 2021
Wabanaki REACH
A Conversation with Skutik Riverkeepers. Voices of Decolonization, Restoring the Stream of Life in Our Rivers. "Part 2: The Skutik."
Grandmother's Love and Community Water Justice programs support community families.
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Wabanaki REACH Public Events, Fall 2021
Wabanaki REACH
Event descriptions, dates, and times for Fall 2021 Wabanaki REACH programming.
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Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Summer 2021
Wabanaki REACH and Maria Girouard
Two new Wabanaki REACH board members, Janet Lola and Barbara Kates, are introduced in this edition of the newsletter, as well as new Administrative Assistant, Jillian Kerr; and Kate Russell, project coordinator for the truth-telling initiative focused on Maine Indian land claims. Headlines include:
- A Time for Renewal
- Welcome to the Team!
- Wabanaki Youth Circles
- A Profile of the Artist: James Michael Manley
- Mawita’nej Epij’iji — A Wabanaki Community Garden Project
- Woliwon — Woliwoni — Walalin — Thank You
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Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2021
Wabanaki REACH and Maria Girouard
Executive Director Maria Girouard welcomes in the New Year with the newsletter's new look. Headlines in this issue include:
- Woli pili k’ton! Happy New Year!
- Beginning the new year with a new look!
- REACH Welcomes Our Newest Board Member!
- Truth Telling
- REACH Online Interactive Educational Programs
- Summer Reading for Young Ones
- National Conference Activities
- Woliwon — Woliwoni — Walalin — Thank You
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Summer 2020
Wabanaki REACH and Maria Girouard
Included in this issue of the Wabanaki REACH newsletter is the Board of Directors statement following the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin. Headlines include:
- Mid-Summer Greetings
- Black Lives Matter
- Indian Radio Days in Production
- Welcome [Heather Augustine, newest REACH team member]
- Decolonizing Our Diet
- Work with the Portland Public Schools
- NMAI History Curriculum Resources
- Woliwon — Woliwoni — Walalin — Thank You
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2020
Wabanaki REACH, Maria Girouard, Andrea Francis, and Gregory Brown
Wabanaki REACH provides updates on programming and the appointment of Brian Altvater, Sr. as a Health and Wellness Coordinator in Wabanaki communities. Headlines include:
- Woli pili k’ton!
- Wabanaki Wellness Gathering October 4-5, 2019
- Rolling Out “Voices of Decolonization
- The Wheels of Decolonization
- Woliwon — Woliwoni — Walalin — Thank You
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2019
Wabanaki REACH and Penthea Burns
The Winter 2019 cover story for the Wabanaki REACH newsletter announces the appointment of Maria Girouard as REACH Executive Director. Headlines include:
- New and Good
- Wellness in Wabanaki Communities
- Decolonization with Our Whole Selves Next Steps in Non-Native Communities
- The Truth Commission and Beyond
- Woliwon ~ Woliwoni ~ Walalin ~ Thank You
- Protect the Children ~ Protect ICWA
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Summer 2019
Wabanaki REACH, Maria Girouard, Barbara Kates, and Penthea Burns
Wabanaki REACH Executive Director Maria Girouard explains the move by the organization to change the acronym from Reconciliation, established during the work with the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) 2012-2015, to Restoration to more accurately reflect the organization's ongoing work in "restorative practices, restorative talking circles, restorative justice, and decolonization."
Headlines in this issue the following:
- From Reconciliation to Restoration
- Within the Healing Circle
- Maine's Bicentennial and Mainers Reach for the Truth
- REACH at Maine Schools and Youth Groups
- The Truth Commission and Beyond
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Summer 2018
Wabanaki REACH
Wabanaki REACH announces their incorporation as an official non-profit in order to continue the Maine-based, Wabanaki-led organization dedicated to the decolonization that supports Wabanaki health, wellness, and self-determination. Headlines in this issue include:
- Maine-Wabanaki REACH: Incorporated!
- Wabanaki Health, Wellness, and Self-determination
- Dawnland — A Story of Stolen Children
- The Path to Decolonization
- The Truth Commission Three Years Later
- Woliwon ~ Woliwoni ~ Walalin ~ Thank You
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Summer 2017
Wabanaki REACH
The Summer 2017 issue of the Wabanaki REACH newsletter focuses on the topic of decolonization and efforts undertaken by the organization to promote cultural healing and self-determination. Articles in this issue include:
- Decolonization — A Shift in Focus for Mainers
- Wabanaki Health, Wellness, and Self Determination
- Maine Community Organizing
- Restorative Justice and Healing
- Woliwon — Woliwoni — Walalin — Thank You
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2017
Wabanaki REACH
This quarter's cover story discusses the ongoing mission of Wabanaki REACH to provide learning and healing programs. Over 1,800 participants engaged in REACH programming during 2017. Headlines include:
- Planting Seeds of Decolonization
- Wabanaki Health, Wellness, and Self Determination
- Maine Community Organizing – Higher Education
- Restorative Justice in Community
- Song of the Stars — Passamaquoddy
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2016
Wabanaki REACH
Coverage in this issue includes the first of three regional events entitled, The System is Broken: Native Americans, Mass Incarceration, and Restorative Justice staged by Wabanaki REACH to help educate people about the disproportionate imprisonment rate for People of Color in the U.S. Headlines include:
- Strengthening Systems and Organizations: Wabanaki Restorative Justice
- Ally Building
- Wabanaki Health, Wellness & Self-Determination
- 2017 Peace and Healing Circles
- REACH Participants in Grants for Change
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Autumn 2015
Wabanaki REACH
Healing, resiliency, and community wellness are the focus of articles in the Autumn 2015 Wabanaki REACH Newsletter. Headlines included in this issue are:
- Meeting with Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart
- Ally Building in Maine Communities
- Health and Wellness Coordination
- Healing and Resiliency Building in Wabanaki Communities
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2015-2016
Wabanaki REACH
The Winter 2015-2016 issue of the Wabanaki REACH newsletter discusses ally-building in Maine communities. Headlines in this issue include:
- Moving Forward
- The Great Healing (poetry)
- Ally Building in Maine Communities
- Health, Wellness & Self Determination in Wabanaki Communities
- 2nd Annual Wabanaki Wellness Gathering
- Teaching the Teachers — Professional Development Workshops
- Save the Date!
- Community Education
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Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Spring 2015
Wabanaki REACH
The Spring 2015 issue of the Wabanaki REACH newsletter includes a list of public forums scheduled to discuss the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) findings. Headlines in this issue include:
- The Mandate and Beyond: Recommendations of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission
- REACH Development Committee
- Facilitation Skills Coaching
- Evaluation Focus Groups
- Health and Wellness Coordination
- Wabanaki Corrections Organizing
- Maine Ally Building
- Maine Community Engagement
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Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Summer 2015
Wabanaki REACH
The Wabanaki REACH newsletter closes out the mandate held with the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Headlines in this issue include:
- Heartfelt Thanks and Farewell
- Indian Child Welfare Act Workgroup — A tribal-state partnership
- Ally Building in Maine Communities
- Healing & Resiliency Building in Wabanaki Communities
- Health and Wellness Coordination
- Wabanaki Community Organizing
- Wabanaki Corrections Organizing
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Maine-Wabanaki REACH Newsletter, Winter 2014-2015
Wabanaki REACH
The Winter 2014-2015 Maine-Wabanaki REACH newsletter ushered in the final six months of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mandate. Headlines in this issue include:
- TRC closing ceremony, June 14, 2015
- Genocide & ME: Shining the Light of Truth
- Collaboration with Maine Indian Education
- Meeting with Catholic Bishop Deeley
- Wabanaki Corrections Organizing
- Gathering Centered on Community Wellness
- Wabanaki Community Organizing
- Maine Ally Building
- Evaluation
- Resiliency & Capacity Building Trainings
