Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
The land we currently know as Maine is home to the Miꞌkmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot nations (the Wabanaki Confederacy). During the month of November, we wish to honor Indigenous University members by sharing their stories with you.
Ashlyn Tomer
As the founder and former President of the Native American Student Alliance and current grad student in Leadership studies, Ashlyn is an advocate for more inclusivity of Native Persons and cultures within our University community.
Sandra Basset
The daughter of fluent speakers of the Passamaquoddy language, Sandra attended Sipayik schools and recognizes that learning the languages of Native tribes is important for understanding.
Katie Tomer
Starting with her grandfather drumming and singing native Penobscot songs, Katie has built strong community roots by working with WABANAKI Reach and staying in contact with other Native individuals in the southern Maine area.
Jackie Crow Shoe / Kkiitoos aakii
Jackie has the great fortune to have “parents [who] recognized how to walk in both worlds without giving up who we are to the colonized world”. Dedication to her heritage supplies Jackie’s Indigenous voice and spirit.
Theresa Secord
Recognized as a Distinguished Alumni, Theresa has worked tirelessly to honor Native Americans and their culture through actions like assisting with the founding of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance.
Marissa Joly
Marissa's heritage is helping shape her path forward post-graduation, through workshops, connections, and internships she is staying involved and continuing to learn. "I know that I want to help out the Native community in some way whether it be within my career or within my personal time."
Sarah Grinder
As an alum and current Lecturer, Sarah has a unique perspective on Native student experience and recongizes that cultural displacement and colonization has made making connections and maintaining heritage very difficult.