Blog: Voices of Decolonization
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address
November 12, 2023
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address (The words in bold are not meant to be spoken) The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address is an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and her inhabitants. The children learn...
Read More ShareHuman Resources to Growth and Support: A new take on Annual Performance Reviews. (Vol. 2), by Andrea Francis
October 05, 2023
On our continued journey towards a more values-aligned Human Resources department, Wabanaki REACH is exploring new ways to take on traditional HR practices and disentangle them from the idea that humans need to be...
Read More ShareLimited Series-Human Resources to Growth and Support: How REACH does HR (Vol. 1), by Andrea Francis
August 03, 2023
I have been connected with Wabanaki REACH since 2017, first as a Graduate Assistant, a volunteer, a temporary employee, and most recently as the newly appointed Assistant Director. In this role, developing our policies...
Read More Sharewhere the river widens, by Kate Russell
August 03, 2023
Wabanaki REACH has partnered with Threadbare Theatre Workshop to craft an original, community-devised play together– where the river widens– to be performed along the Penobscot River in September. This collaboration with the Wabanaki community...
Read More ShareDecolonizing Human Resource Policies for Nonprofits, by Andrea Francis
July 06, 2023
It has been several months since the emergency declaration over the COVID-19 pandemic has been called off. However, the disparate effects that it had on historically marginalized communities and the inequalities of work places...
Read More ShareOn the Anniversary of the Maine Wabanaki State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission, by Andrea Francis
June 02, 2023
June is the anniversary of the Maine Wabanaki State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). As we move into the summer months, and continue to explore the significance of the Indian Child Welfare...
Read More ShareHappy Birthday REACH! Thank you Denise!
May 16, 2023
On May 16, 2018, Wabanaki REACH became an official non-profit organization so today is our 5th Birthday! To celebrate, we are honoring and showing gratitude to Denise Altvater, REACH co-founder, champion of truth, healing,...
Read More ShareNative Children Are at the Heart of ICWA, by Erika Bjorum
May 04, 2023
In 2014, while I was pregnant with my first child, and for the final year of the Maine-WabanakiState Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), I was on the TRC’s researchstaff. Initially, I drove...
Read More ShareICWA Under Attack: Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument for Haaland v. Brackeen, by Ryan Lolar, Indigenous Peoples Unit (IPU) Staff Attorney and Alida Pitcher-Murray, IPU Intern
April 06, 2023
February 17, 2023The Supreme Court heard a major case in November 2022 that may have ramifications for all of Indian Country. Haaland v. Brackeen, or simply Brackeen, is a case brought by an adoptive...
Read More ShareMy life today as a Person in recovery, I stand Proud
March 02, 2023
by Melody Paul My daily life is basic today, I have a regular routine that I stick to. I avoid people, places and things that could trigger my Peace. Today I try to live...
Read More Share