Shown here (l-r): Vice Chief Teresita Hamel, candidate Matt Dunlap, candidate Paige Loud, candidate Joe Baldacci, candidate Jordan Wood, Chief Sheila McCormack, Mak Thompson, and Sonya Eyler
All four Democratic US House candidates for the second Congressional district (CD2) attended the Wabanaki Alliance Candidate Forum May 13 in Presque Isle, hosted by the Mi’kmaq Nation.
The forum was moderated by Darren Ranco, PhD, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation and professor of anthropology and coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine, with opening comments by Mi’kmaq Chief Sheila McCormack.
Vice Chief Teresita Hamel, Tribal Council, Tribal Youth Council, were in attendance, and the Nature Boys drum group performed.
Candidates Joe Baldacci, Matt Dunlap, Paige Loud, and Jordan Wood participated in the forum, which featured discussion on a wide range of issues of importance to the Wabanaki Nations.
“The conversation was engaging, honest, intelligent, respectful, and at times bold,” said Maulian Bryant, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation and executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance. “It felt as though there was a lot of agreement on the issues but very rich and dynamic perspectives from all candidates kept it interesting and informative. We are grateful to the candidates and attendees for their time, energy, and willingness to participate.”
This is the third candidate forum organized by the Wabanaki Alliance this year. Eight gubernatorial candidates participated in a forum March 19 hosted by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians (watch a recording here). The Penobscot Nation hosted a forum April 16 featuring two US Senate candidates (watch a recording here).
The primary election for Democratic and Republican candidates is Tuesday, June 9. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Find more information about Maine elections on the Secretary of State website.
Watch the Senate forum below.
