* A presentation with Maria Girouard, Penobscot Nation tribal member and historian

The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 brought to a close a tumultuous decade in Maine history. Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Tribes had sued the State of Maine for illegal sale and transfer of their aboriginal land. The complex out-of-court settlement that was negotiated was originally framed as a watershed victory for the Tribes but they would come to discover that the written document did not accurately reflect their understanding of the settlement.  

This talk will examine intentions and contentions associated with the land claims and the historical context in which the act was framed, and describes ripple effects that have rocked the boat of tribal-state relations ever since.

 Maria Girouard, M.A., of Penobscot Nation is a tribal historian, longtime community organizer, educator, and activist. She is a co-founder of Sunlight Media Collective and The    People’s Garden - a community garden located on Indian Island where she volunteers growing food for community. She is a member of the health committee, census committee, and chairperson of the Economic and Community Development Committee of tribal government.  She was an elected member of Penobscot Tribal Council and director of Penobscot Nation Cultural and Historic Preservation Department. Maria is the Executive Director for Maine-Wabanaki REACH.

This event (FREE and Open to the Public) is co-sponsored by the Cutler Institute and the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education Mattson/New York Times Lecture Fund.

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Bake sale proceeds to benefit the USM Native American Students Alliance.