Tyler-Ann Harris is a Penobscot tribal citizen. She graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and completed an internship with Maine State Senator Geoffrey Gratwick of District 9. Tyler-Ann was recently elected to the Penobscot Nation Census Committee, carrying on a family tradition as the fourth generation to serve on this particular committee. Tyler-Ann serves serves as Co-Chair for the REACH Board of Directors and on REACH’s Finance and Human Resources Committee.
Denise Altvater, Passamaquoddy from Sipayik, has served as Coordinator of Wabanaki Youth Program for the American Friends Service Committee for over twenty-five years. She was central to the creation, design, and implementation of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission, being the first to share her experiences in state foster care with the community and public. Denise now serves as Treasurer for the REACH Board of Directors and the Finance Committee.
Esther Anne, Passamaquoddy from Sipayik, joined the Muskie School of Public Service in 2003 where she works on projects that engage and benefit tribal communities including facilitating the Maine tribal state Indian Child Welfare Act workgroup and creating child welfare resources with the Capacity Building Center for Tribes. She had a primary role in the creation and establishment of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Wabanaki REACH. Esther serves as Board Co-Chair and for the communications, Fundraising and, Development Committee.
Elise Bolda, retired from the Master of Public Health faculty at University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School, in 2018. Her eyes were opened to the history of Maine-Wabanaki relations, REACH, and the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Commission as the result of a Wolastoq graduate student’s work with REACH and the TRC. In addition to encouraging support for REACH’s work, Elise volunteers with I-PIE, a Muskie School-based group of students, staff and faculty working to decolonize education. Elise lives and continues to learn in Scarborough. She serves on the REACH Board of Directors and the Human Resources/Finance Committee.
Penthea Burns, has worked at the University Of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service since 1999 and in the field of child welfare since 1981. Her experience includes delivering direct service, advocacy, training and technical assistance, and policy guidance. Penthea currently serves on the REACH Board of Directors (Treasurer/Secretary), Fundraising Development Committee, and initiatives focused on decolonizing higher education and faith communities. She is a co-founder of Wabanaki REACH, the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Youth Leadership Advisory Team (youth leaders in foster care), and Camp To Belong Maine (a summer camp program that reunites siblings separated by foster care and adoption). Penthea has an adult son who lives in PA.
Alivia Moore, of the Penobscot Nation, is a two-spirit community organizer committed to restoring traditional methods of healing through balanced relationship with the earth. She works to restore Wabanaki cultural lifeways as a path to heal our tribal families and revitalize indigenous food systems. As a co-founder & builder of Eastern Woodlands Rematriation, she supports the development of the Wabanaki Community Herbal Apothecary. Alivia is also immersed in tribal & state child welfare system reform and fosters native children. She is honored to serve the mission of Wabanaki REACH as the co-chair of the Board and the Communications Committee.
Nolan Altvater is a Passamaquoddy from Sipayik and is currently completing an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Maine in Orono. Nolan works for the Wabanaki Youth in Science Program helping the Maliseet Nation create and implement school curriculum; designing virtual earth camps; and creating a virtual field trip for the Penobscot Nation Water Quality Dept. He also serves as a McGillicuddy Humanities Center Fellow at the University where he is currently leading a Community Based Participatory research project that centers Wabanaki voices, writing, and stories in order to help create a better implementation of the Wabanaki Studies Law (LD 291).
Nolan is an advocate, avid reader, writer, photographer, and has experience in graphic design. He has worked with Wabanaki and Maine organizations and non-profits, lending his expertise and perspective to Sunlight Media Collective, Racial Equity and Justice, the Young People’s Caucus of Maine, and the Maine’s Children’s’ Cabinet.
Barbara Kates worked as a Maine Community Organizer for Wabanaki REACH from 2014 to 2020, and joined the Board in 2021 as co-chair of the programming committee. For decades, Barbara developed and managed programs in child welfare and adult literacy. Over the past ten years, Barbara worked as a consultant to non-profit organizations helping them to strengthen their programs. She is now retired. Barbara is honored to have the opportunity to continue to support REACH's work.