A Day in Photos: Historic State of the Tribes and Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day

On March 16, 2023, a joint session of the Maine Legislature convened for a historic State of the Tribes Address. On the same day, nearly 200 Mainers came to the State House for the Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day. The media gallery below chronicles the State of the Tribes address, Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day and some of the many legislators who #StandWithWabanaki.

The State of the Tribes Address

March 16, 2023 was a historic day at the Maine Legislature, with all five Wabanaki Chiefs delivering individual speeches to a joint session of the Maine Legislature. It was only the second State of the Tribes address in the state’s history and the first to include all five Chiefs. You can read more details in our press release and view photos and a video of the address below. Click on the first image to open a larger gallery.

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Chief Clarissa Sabattis entering the House chamber for the historic State of the Tribes address to a joint session of the Maine Legislature.

Standing ovation from supporters watching from an overflow room as the Wabanaki chiefs entered the House chamber.

Passamaquoddy citizen Lauren Stevens sang the “Welcome Song” to begin the historic State of the Tribes address.

A full gallery of Wabanaki citizens, allies and other honored guests watched the historic State of the Tribes address from the balcony of the House chamber.

"We are not a long-forgotten society. We are strong. We are resilient. And most importantly, we are still here." -- Chief Clarissa Sabattis of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians

Wabanaki leaders, citizens and allies watched the address from the House balcony.

" Today is beyond symbolic. Today, just as I did 21 years ago, I will appreciate the words heard before me and those that will follow and it is certainly my hope that those in attendance today and watching and the citizens of this great state of Maine will also hear the messages brought forth on this day."-- Chief Rena Newell of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik

Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana watches the address from the House balcony.

“The Penobscot people and Wabanaki Nations are Mainers. The blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors run through this land, and will continue to do so for generations to come. We are not going anywhere.” -- Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation

This is only the second State of the Tribes address in Maine history and the first to include all five Wabanaki chiefs.

"With open hearts and minds, with honesty and fair dialogue, there is no doubt we can create solutions that will not only benefit the Wabanaki people, but all Maine people. " -- Chief Edward Peter-Paul of the Mi'kmaq Nation

U.S. Rep Jared Golden, a longtime supporter of Wabanaki sovereignty, attended the State of the Tribes address as a special guest.

"The opportunity to address the unfair treatment that Maine tribes have received since 1980 can be worked on and end with this legislative body of leaders. " -- Chief William Nicholas of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk

Passamaquoddy culture keeper Dwayne Tomah offered the song “Come Together" to close out the joint legislative session.

Front row (l-r): House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham and Senate President Troy Jackson; Second row (l-r): Chief Sabattis, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, Chief Newell; Back row: Chief Francis, Chief Peter-Paul, Chief Nicholas.

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Wabanaki Nations’ State of the Tribes Address on Maine Public.

Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day

A broad coalition of advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, businesses and others support Wabanaki sovereignty, many of whom took part in the 2023 Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day on March 16. More than 200 people from all 16 Maine counties came to the State House that day and took part in trainings, talked with their legislators and witnessed the historic State of the Tribes address. Some photos from the day are below. Click on the first image to open a larger gallery.

If your organization, group or business is interested in learning more about the Wabanaki Alliance, email info@wabanakialliance.com.

Passamaquoddy Tribal
Representative Aaron Dana (facing viewer), then clockwise Wambli
Martinez, Amuwes Dana and Nicholas Paul drum in the Hall of Flags
for the 2023 Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day. Barbara and Terry Baker
hold the banner. — Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative Aaron Dana (facing viewer), then clockwise Wambli Martinez, Amuwes Dana and Nicholas Paul drum in the Hall of Flags for the 2023 Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day. Barbara and Terry Baker hold the banner.

Nearly 200 people attended Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day, a group so large, trainings took place in three different locations in the State House.

Supporters of Wabanaki sovereignty came from across the state to attend Lobby Day.

Lobby Day began with trainings led by allies and Tribal citizens, including Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana.

Volunteers staffed check-in tables and Lobby Day trainings, helping supporters from all 16 counties learn more about the importance of Wabanaki sovereignty.

John Dieffenbacher-Krall, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, led a training at Lobby Day.

Attendees at Lobby Day and the State of the Tribes address included Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald (left), Ambassador of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Darren Ranco, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, Chair of Native
American Programs and Coordinator of Native American Research at the
University of Maine, and a member of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission. — Attendees at Lobby Day and the State of the Tribes address included Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald (left), Ambassador of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and Darren Ranco, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, Chair of Native American Programs and Coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine, and a member of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission.

Allies at Lobby Day held banners created by the Artists Rapid Response Team (ARRT!).

A broad coalition #StandsWithWabanaki, including Defend Our Health.

A statewide coalition of organizations, businesses and faith-based groups support Wabanaki sovereignty, including the Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN).

Lobby Day participants lined the halls of the State House to talk with legislators about Wabanaki sovereignty.

Nearly 200 people attended Lobby Day to talk with legislators about Wabanaki sovereignty.

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Legislators who #StandWithWabanaki

The Wabanaki Nations are the only federally recognized tribes in the entire United States that are denied their inherent sovereignty. Efforts to change that by restoring Wabanaki sovereignty have broad support from legislators from across the state. The right to self-governance isn’t a partisan issue. When the Wabanaki thrive, all of Maine thrives. That is why these and many other legislators #StandWithWabanaki. Click on the first image to open a larger gallery.

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry (District 23) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Allison Hepler (District 49) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Sen. Henry Ingwersen (District 32) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Christopher Kessler (District 121) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Daniel Sayer (District 135) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Cheryl Golek (District 99) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. James Worth (District 13) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Raegan French LaRochelle (District 59) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Ambureen Rana (District 21) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Melanie Sachs (District 102) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Daniel Shagoury (District 55) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Vicki Doudera (District 41) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Sen. Jill Duson (District 131) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center (District 12) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli (District 24) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier (District 94) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Lynn Copeland (District130) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Rep. Jan Dodge (District 39) #StandsWithWabanki.

Sen. Chip Curry (District 11) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Sen. Donna Bailey (District 31) #StandsWithWabanaki.

Sen. Peggy Rotundo (District 21) #StandsWithWabanaki.

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A Day in Photos: Historic State of the Tribes and Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day

The State of the Tribes Address

Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day

Legislators who #StandWithWabanaki

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