Beyond the South End

Maine Native American History—

Today's Population

This is the final of the three-part series about our Maine Native Americans. In this part we will explore today’s populations; reference materials; and the Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980.

Recently, reader Janet Bennett, led me to sites featuring Maine Native basket weaving. There was an exhibit at the University of Maine, called “Transcending Traditions,” featuring several Indian basket weavers who learned their craft at Indiantownship which is downeast in Princeton. The site features several weavers. This picture is one of those made by Eric “Otter” Bacon, a Passamaquoddy. For a look at these beautiful baskets, go to

 www.umain.edu/hudsonmuseum/exhibits/tt/ericBacon.php.

When I set up housekeeping again in a real house, one of these baskets will be one of the first things I buy. Remember when they used to have stands during the summer? I think that was up Lincolnville way. We also had Indian moccasins available at a store which I think was somewhere on Park Street. Don’t know if these were machine-made or not, but I always coveted a pair. The old LL Bean had them too.

If you’d like to learn more about Maine’s Native Americans, here are some places and events you could check out while you are touring in Maine.

On August 12, 13, and 14, the members of the Passamaquoddy tribe in Perry will be celebrating the “Revival of Indian Ceremonial Days,” at the Pleasant Point Reservation and the general public is welcome.

The Sipayik Museum at Pleasant Point Indian Reservation in Perry has many treasures to view. In several rooms of the museum there are mannequins modeled after actual residents of the Reservation. Some of these figures have been displayed at the Maine State Museum in Augusta. There is a room set up where David Francis, Sr. teaches the new written language. Here you will find many reference materials.

The Wabanakis shared their artistry and history in Bar Harbor on July 7. Unfortunately this report was not done by then. They have a Facebook page if you’d like to put it in your favorite places for next year:

www.facebook.com/pages/Native-AmericanFestival-and-Basketmakers-Market/185947381455137.



The Wabanakis dance at the Festival

Census

I couldn’t find too much as to the population of our Native American population today, but here’s what I did find. At the Penobscot reservation in Old Town, the 2000 census showed 562 residents. The Passamaquoddy Indian reservation in Perry has a population of 549. There were Indians in Hope too, but in 2000 their number was only 0.23%. In 1822 there were 379 Passamaquoddy Indians; today there are more than 2,000.

Hope Indians

Here’s a little back history to share from the Hope Historical Society. I didn’t have this information for the last blog.

Hope’s most historical event was a war in 1615-17 between the East Penobscot Bay Tarratines and the Pemaquid Wawenocks. Their peace treaty is said to have been signed at Hatchet Mountain in Hope Corner. However, the Indian population of Hope at best was only 10 in winter, when they camped and hunted for deer and bear; and zero in summer when they left for the shore to get fish and shellfish.

Indian Warfare

Warfare in Maine between Indians and settlers lasted for 85 years more or less. It consisted of six “Indian Wars.” These wars resulted in over 1,000 Maine settles being killed and hundreds captured.

Before the Revolution and before Maine became a separate state, treaties were made between each of the two remaining tribes and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which established the Penobscots and Passamaquoddies as “nations” within the state. The treaties gave the Penobscot Indians land on Indian Island in Old Town; the Passamaquoddies at Pleasant Point in Eastport and Princeton; and guaranteed the annual delivery of specified items of arms, cloth and food.

When Maine became a state in 1820, it became guardian for the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Tribes and assumed responsibility for fulfilling these treaties.

For more information go to www.mainerec.com.

Which leads us to the next phase of Indian life in Maine:

The Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980

This act gave the two tribes some hope of independence. The settlement included $81.5 million, with some set aside in trust and some funds for land acquisition.

Here is a portion of that act:

Sec. 1721. Congressional findings and declaration of policy

(a) Findings and declarations

Congress hereby finds and declares that:

(1) The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the

Maliseet Tribe are asserting claims for possession of lands within

the State of Maine and for damages on the ground that the lands in

question were originally transferred in violation of law, including,

but without limitation, the Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790 (1

Stat. 137), or subsequent reenactments or versions thereof.

(2) The Indians, Indian nations, and tribes and bands of

Indians, other than the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation,

and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, that once may have held

aboriginal title to lands within the State of Maine long ago

abandoned their aboriginal holdings.

(3) The Penobscot Nation, as represented as of the time of

passage of this subchapter by the Penobscot Nation's Governor and

Council, is the sole successor in interest to the aboriginal entity

generally known as the Penobscot Nation which years ago claimed

aboriginal title to certain lands in the State of Maine.

(4) The Passamaquoddy Tribe, as represented as of the time of

passage of this subchapter by the Joint Tribal Council of the

Passamaquoddy Tribe, is the sole successor in interest to the

aboriginal entity generally known as the Passamaquoddy Tribe which

years ago claimed aboriginal title to certain lands in the State of

Maine.

(5) The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, as represented as of

the time of passage of this subchapter by the Houlton Band Council,

is the sole successor in interest, as to lands within the United

States, to the aboriginal entity generally known as the Maliseet

Tribe which years ago claimed aboriginal title to certain lands in

the State of Maine.

(6) Substantial economic and social hardship to a large number

of landowners, citizens, and communities in the State of Maine, and

therefore to the economy of the State of Maine as a whole, will

result if the aforementioned claims are not resolved promptly.

(7) This subchapter represents a good faith effort on the part

of Congress to provide the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot

Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians with a fair and

just settlement of their land claims. In the absence of

congressional action, these land claims would be pursued through the

courts, a process which in all likelihood would consume many years

and thereby promote hostility and uncertainty in the State of Maine

to the ultimate detriment of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot

Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, their members, and all

other citizens of the State of Maine.

(8) The State of Maine, with the agreement of the Passamaquoddy

Tribe and the Penobscot Nation, has enacted legislation defining the

relationship between the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation,

and their members, and the State of Maine.

(9) Since 1820, the State of Maine has provided special services

to the Indians residing within its borders, including the members of

the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band

of Maliseet Indians. During this same period, the United States

provided few special services to the respective tribe, nation, or

band, and repeatedly denied that it had jurisdiction over or

responsibility for the said tribe, nation, and band. In view of this

provision of special services by the State of Maine, requiring

substantial expenditures by the State of Maine and made by the State

of Maine without being required to do so by Federal law, it is the

intent of Congress that the State of Maine not be required further

to contribute directly to this claims settlement.

(b) Purposes

It is the purpose of this subchapter--

(1) to remove the cloud on the titles to land in the State of

Maine resulting from Indian claims;

(2) to clarify the status of other land and natural resources in

the State of Maine;

(3) to ratify the Maine Implementing Act, which defines the

relationship between the State of Maine and the Passamaquoddy Tribe,

and the Penobscot Nation, and

(4) to confirm that all other Indians, Indian nations and tribes

and bands of Indians now or hereafter existing or recognized in the

State of Maine are and shall be subject to all laws of the State of

Maine, as provided herein.

If you want this all in English, go to “Maine Indian Claims Settlement: Concepts, Context & Perspectives” at www.mitsc.org/documents/21_Body.doc.pdf

The right to establish casinos in Maine by the Indians was excluded. Indians did, however, buy the Cement Plant in Thomaston as an investment. They didn’t actually work at the plant.

At the Pleasant Point Indian Reservation in Perry, the Settlement made it possible to build new homes, an administration center, and a recreational building. Stores and industry have also been created.

After all these generations of being treated as non-residents of their own land, they finally have something to smile about.

The fourth Friday in September became “Native American Day” when President Ronald Reagan signed a resolution establishing it. It became a state holiday in California in 1998.

As this third portion of “Maine Native American History” has run long, I will include all the references I found in a separate blog, “Maine Native American History References.” Look for materials for children here also.

Thanks for listening.