Who We Are
In June of 2020 the tribes in Maine (Mi’kmaq Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation) formed the Wabanaki Alliance. The Wabanaki Alliance was formed to educate people of Maine about the need for securing sovereignty of the tribes in Maine.
In 1980, the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act was passed by Congress and ratified by the tribes and the State of Maine. The Settlement Act was supposed to be a living document that would be improved upon. Under political duress the tribes agreed to the Settlement Act but with the hope to continue improving the relationship between the State of Maine and the tribes. For forty years this has not happened.
Because of the 1980 Settlement Act the Tribes in Maine have had their sovereignty stripped from them. The promise of improving the Settlement Act has never been fulfilled. Now the Tribes in Maine are treated less than every other federally recognized tribe in America. The Wabanaki Alliance is not asking for special privileges but fairness by having the same or similar sovereignty as the more than 500 other tribes across America.
We ask all those who support the sovereignty of the Tribes in Maine to educate themselves on the issues, why they are important and join us in securing sovereignty.
Wabanaki Alliance Officers and Board
President
Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Ambassador
Vice President
Donna Loring, Elder, Penobscot Nation
Secretary
Aaron Dana, Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative in the Maine House of Representatives
Treasurer
Rena Newell, Citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik
Board Member
Richard Silliboy, Vice Chief of the Mi’kmaq Nation
Advisory Board Members
Advisory Board Member
Edward Peter-Paul, Chief of the Mi’kmaq Nation
Advisory Board Member
Kirk Francis, Chief of the Penobscot Nation
Advisory Board Member
Clarissa Sabattis, Chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
Advisory Board Member
Chief Pos Bassett, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik
Wabanaki Alliance Staff
Executive Director
Maulian Bryant
(she/her/hers)
Maulian Bryant (formally Maulian Dana) was named Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance in December 2024. She has been with the Alliance since its founding in 2020, serving for four years as President of the Wabanaki Alliance Board.
Bryant served as the first Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador from 2017-2024, having been appointed by Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis. As Ambassador, Bryant acted as a representative of the Penobscot Nation and liaison for the Nation at the local, state, and federal levels of government in order to educate and advocate for policy and laws that impact and protect the Penobscot Nation’s sovereignty, culture, natural resources, and the general welfare of the Penobscot people.
Prior to her work as Ambassador, Bryant served as an elected member of the Penobscot Nation Tribal Council. She grew up on Indian Island within the Penobscot Nation’s Reservation and is the daughter of former Penobscot Nation Chief Barry Dana, who served from 2000-2004. Bryant graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in political science. In 2022, Colby College presented her with an honorary doctorate for her work on equity issues and policy.
Bryant is an outspoken advocate on the issue of derogatory mascots and imagery. Her advocacy resulted in the state of Maine enacting laws that changed the annual Columbus Day in October to Indigenous Peoples Day and prohibited public schools from using derogatory mascots. Her other passion is finding ways to strengthen and expand programs that help to preserve and teach the customs and traditions of the Penobscot people. She is a loving mother to three daughters and centers them in much of her work making the state and country a safer and more equitable place for her children and all tribal people. She believes in leading with love and making progress by finding shared humanity.
Voter Empowerment Coordinator
Liliana Sapiel
(she/they)
Liliana Sapiel (she/they) is a citizen of the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribe.
Growing up on the Penobscot Reservation Liliana developed a passion for water rights and tribal sovereignty. Her passions led her to become an environmental/political activist, a public speaker on decolonization work, and a leader in youth engagement.
Liliana is currently a student at the University of Maine Orono pursuing an education in Political Science and Pre-law. During Liliana’s education at the University of Southern Maine she engaged in many efforts to uplift Indigenous voices, creating the Student Alliance of Indigenous People where the group aimed to give Native students a platform to speak their truths and safe space to practice their culture.
Liliana is committed to empowering Indigenous communities to use their voice to protect Indigenous sovereignty.