Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Annual Report 2024

2023-24 TRIBAL COUNCIL

Members of the HBMI Tribal Council as of May 8, 2023, are, Chief Clarissa Sabattis (seated); and from left, council members Joshua Toner, Crystal Tucker, Beth Aucoin, Cathy St. John, Suzanne Desiderio and John Flewelling.

Beth Aucoin

Cathy St. John

Crystal Tucker

Suzanne Desiderio

John Flewelling

Joshua Toner

MESSAGEFROM OURTRIBALCHIEF

Greetings Maliseet Citizens,

As we embark on this new year, it is with excitement for our Maliseet People, and with gratitude that we reflect on the accomplishments we have achieved along our journey as a tribal nation.

Our tribal sovereignty predates the state of Maine and the United States government. We are separate and unique, and we understand that in order to truly thrive, we must continue to assert out right to selfgovernance and make these incremental changes toward restoration of our sovereignty. Self-governance allows us to protect the health and welfare of our citizens, not only through programs and services, but also through economic development, and the establishment of our own Maliseet Judicial and legal system.

Our decisions are guided by the collective voices of our people, with a focus on the future of our nation. We will continue to bring more programs and resources to our citizens, and hope this report will provide you with a picture of the work that has been taking place over the last few years, as well as some goals for our future.

Kci Woliwon, Chief Clarissa Sabattis

TribalHistory TribalHistory

BeforecontactwithEuropeans,theHoultonBandofMaliseetIndians occupiedmuchofwhatisnowconsideredtheeasternborderlineoftheU.S. andCanadainnorthernNewEngland.AftertheJayTreatyin1794,the Maliseetsobtainedfreebordercrossingrightsbetweenthetwocountries becausetheirvillagesspannedbothcountries.

Our Tribal Administration office is located on 88 Bell Road in Littleton, Maine. Also located in the building are other services: Vocational Rehabilitation, Natural Resources, Economic Development, Tribal Planning, and the Education Department. Our Health and Wellness center can be found at 3 CloverCircleinHoulton,Maine.WealsohaveaseparatebuildingforourBoys andGirlsClub;MaliseetHeadStart;andCommunityCenter.

Intheearly1970's,someMaliseetandmembersofothertribesnotlivingon recognizedreservationsbandedtogethertoformtheAssociationof AroostookIndians,whicheventuallyallowedthemaccesstofederaland stateprograms.TheHoultonBandofMaliseetIndians(HBMI)hasbeen federallyrecognizedasagovernmentbytheUnitedStatesofAmericasince Octoberof1980.ThisfederalrecognitiongivesHBMIauniquegovernmentto governmenttrustrelationshipwiththeUnitedStates.Inturn,recognition entitlestheHoultonBandtomanyservicesprovidedtoIndiansbytheUnited StatesofAmerica,includinghealthcarethroughIndianHealthServices(IHS), housingthroughtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofHousingandUrban Development(HUD),andtheabilitytogovernourownTribalAffairs.

TheHoultonBandofMaliseetIndiansiscomprisedofsome1700members andisledbyaTribalChief.AsmallerbandofthelargerMaliseetNationof NewBrunswick,Canada,theHoultonBandcallstheMeduxnekeagRiver home.TheMaliseetsareriverpeoplewhohavetraditionallybeenhunters andgatherersintheSt.JohnRiverbasin,ofwhichtheMeduxnekeagisa tributary. Theriveritselfisprizedforitsbrookandbrowntroutpopulations.Currently, HBMIhasfarmandcommerciallandholdingsinAroostookCounty.Muchof thelandbordersasignificantamountoftheMeduxnekeag,acriticallinkin preservingtribalpractices,traditionsandhistory.

B r i a n R e y n o l d s

T r i b a l A d m i n i s t r a t o r

J e s s i c a H u f f

H u m a n R e s o u r c e s

D i r e c t o r

C r y s t a l T u c k e r

T r i b a l C l e r k

L e o n a A l v a r a d o

T r i b a l L i a s o n

H e i d i K e l l e y

E n r o l l m e n t C l e r k

J o s e p h C y r

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s D i r e c t o r

M i c h a e l K e l l e y

A d m i n i s t r a t i v e A s s i s t a n t

C h e y e n n e R a y m o n d

A s s i s t a n t t o t h e

T r i b a l C h i e f

J u s t i n K o b y l a r z

A g r i c u l t u r a l i s t

A l a n S t . J e a n A g r i c u l t u r a l W o r k e r

T h e H o u l t o n B a n d o f M a l i s e e t s ’ F o o d S o v e r e i g n t y i n i t i a t i v e i s

f o c u s e d o n g r o w i n g t h e f r e s h e s t f r u i t s a n d v e g e t a b l e s t o p r o v i d e h e a l t h y o p t i o n s f o r t r i b a l m e m b e r s

J u s t i n K o b y l a r z h a s s e r v e d a s t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l i s t f o r t h e p a s t f o u r

y e a r s , o v e r s e e i n g t w o a c r e s f o r t h e t r i b e . A m o n g t h e m a n y v e g e t a b l e s g r o w n a r e c o r n , b e e t s , p e a s , g r e e n b e a n s , c u c u m b e r , s q u a s h , p o t a t o , p u m p k i n , o n i o n s , c a r r o t s a n d g a r l i c .

T h e r e i s a l s o a s m a l l o r c h a r d l o c a t e d n e a r t h e B o y s & G i r l s C l u b t h a t

i n c l u d e s a p p l e s , b l a c k b e r r i e s , s t r a w b e r r i e s , r a s p b e r r i e s a n d

b l u e b e r r i e s .

P l a n t s b e g i n i n o n e o f o u r t w o g r e e n h o u s e s , l o c a t e d o n t h e p r o p e r t y

a d j a c e n t t o t h e M a l i s e e t E l d e r s C e n t e r . M a n y o f t h e f o o d s g r o w n a s

s e r v e d t o t h e e l d e r s t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r , w h i l e o t h e r s a r e

d i s t r i b u t e d t o t h e c o m m u n i t y t h r o u g h t h e T r i b a l F o o d P a n t r y .

CONNECTINGWITHOURYOUTH CONNECTINGWITHOURYOUTH

T h e M a l i s e e t B o y s a n d G i r l s C l u b h a s e n j o y e d a w e a l t h o f

s u c c e s s i n r e c e n t y e a r s , d e s p i t e h a v i n g t o n e g o t i a t e t h e m a n y

c h a l l e n g e s o f C O V I D - 1 9 C O V I D p r e s e n t e d a r a n g e o f p r o b l e m s

f o r n o r m a l p r o g r a m d e l i v e r y , b u t P r o g r a m S t a f f r e m a i n e d

r e s i l i e n t i n t h e i r e f f o r t s t o m e e t n e e d s o f c o m m u n i t y y o u t h a n d

f a m i l i e s . P r o g r a m s t a f f s t a y e d c r e a t i v e i n t h e i r a p p r o a c h o n h o w

t o r e a c h y o u t h t h r o u g h v i r t u a l a n d r e m o t e m e a n s .

T h e B o y s a n d G i r l s C l u b w a s t h e r e c i p i e n t o f s e v e r a l r e c e n t

g r a n t s t o a i d t h e M a l i s e e t y o u t h . T h e f o l l o w i n g i s a l i s t o f s o m e

o f t h e m o s t r e c e n t f i n a n c i a l a w a r d s . W a l m a r t F o o d A c c e s s A w a r d - $ 4 , 0 0 0 - R e c e i v e d a w a r d t w i c e f o r

a t o t a l o f $ 8 , 0 0 0 - T o s u p p o r t f o o d p r o g r a m m i n g a t t h e B o y s &

G i r l s C l u b

F i r s t N a t i o n s A w a r d - $ 3 0 , 0 0 0 - T o s u p p o r t t h e o p e r a t i o n a l c o s t

o f t h e C l u b a n d p r o g r a m

M o r t o n K e l l e y - W i s s u i g n e m a t l - $ 6 , 6 6 6 6 6 “ T h e y w h o a r e

r e s i l i e n t ” P r o j e c t t o s u p p o r t C u l t u r a l E n g a g e m e n t P r o g r a m m i n g

J J A G A w a r d - $ 6 3 , 7 2 9 9 8 - T o s u p p o r t C u l t u r a l E n g a g e m e n t a n d

e v i d e n c e b a s e d p r o g r a m m i n g

· G a r y W e n d t A w a r d - $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 - T o s u p p o r t A c a d e m i c S u c c e s s

P r o g r a m m i n g

· O J J D P M e n t o r i n g - $ 2 0 , 0 0 0 - T o s u p p o r t m e n t o r i n g a c t i v i t i e s a t

t h e B o y s & G i r l s C l u b .

· C o c a C o l a F o u n d a t i o n - $ 1 3 , 8 7 5 . 0 0 - T o s u p p o r t C l u b

O p e r a t i o n s a n d A c a d e m i c S u p p o r t P r o g r a m s .

T R A I L ( T o g e t h e r R a i s i n g A w a r e n e s s f o r I n d i a n L i f e ) - $ 7 , 2 0 0 -

T o s u p p o r t t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f d i a b e t e s p r e v e n t i o n

p r o g r a m m i n g f o r t r i b a l y o u t h

M e n t o r i n g P r o g r a m S u p p o r t - J u v e n i l e J u s t i c e A d v i s o r y G r o u p -

$ 8 , 0 0 0 - T o s u p p o r t t h e C l u b s M e n t o r i n g P r o g r a m E f f o r t s

Changes at the Club Changes at the Club

T h e M a l i s e e t B o y s a n d G i r l s C l u b u n d e r w e n t a n u m b e r o f c h a n g e s

i n 2 0 2 3 - 2 4 J o n S o l o m o n w a s n a m e d t h e n e w C E O o f t h e B o y s a n d

G i r l s C l u b s o f B o r d e r T o w n s , o v e r s e e i n g n o t o n l y t h e M a l i s e e t

p r o g r a m , b u t a l s o t h e A r o o s t o o k B a n d o f M i ’ k m a q s a n d S i p a y i k

S o l o m o n t a k e s o v e r f o r F e n t o n R E J o n e s w h o s e r v e d a s C E O f o r

s e v e r a l y e a r s b e f o r e b e i n g n a m e d D i r e c t o r o f F e d e r a l G r a n t s -

C N C S a t B o y s & G i r l s C l u b s o f A m e r i c a

T a k i n g o v e r a s t h e U n i t D i r e c t o r f o r t h e M a l i s e e t B o y s a n d G i r l s

C l u b i s K a y l a S h r o u t S i n c e a s s u m i n g t h e r o l e o n J a n 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 ,

s e v e r a l c h a n g e s h a v e o c c u r r e d w i t h i n t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n

I n M a r c h , C h a r i t y C y r w a s n a m e d t h e n e w A s s i s t a n t U n i t D i r e c t o r

S h e j o i n s t h e C l u b a f t e r s p e n d i n g 1 2 y e a r s i n e d u c a t i o n a t

H o u l t o n E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l .

M e g a n A n d e r s o n , w h o o r i g i n a l l y j o i n e d a s a y o u t h w o r k e r i n 2 0 2 2 ,

h a s b e e n p r o m o t e d t o P r o j e c t C o o r d i n a t o r , s h o w c a s i n g h e r

g r o w t h a n d d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e c l u b ' s m i s s i o n .

A m b e r T o m p k i n s j o i n e d t h e s t a f f i n t h e e a r l y s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 4 a s

a p r o g r a m a i d e . S h e a s s i s t s i n w o r k i n g w i t h t h e s t u d e n t s i n b o t h

a f u n a n d e d u c a t i o n a l r o l e

J o n S o l o m o n

C E O o f B o y s & G i r l s C l u b s o f B o r d e r T o w n s

K a y l a S h r o u t C h a r i t y C y r

U n i t D i r e c t o r A s s i s t a n t U n i t D i r e c t o r

M e g a n A n d e r s o n

A m b e r T o m p k i n s

P r o j e c t C o o r d i n a t o r P r o g r a m A i d e

What is in store for the future?

WE ARE WORKING ON FUTURE PLANS TO EXPAND THE CURRENT YOUTH AND CULTURAL CENTER TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING FOR MORE COMMUNITY YOUTH WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE PROGRAM TO BEST SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY YOUTH. THIS UPCOMING YEAR, WE WILL BE RECRUITING PARENTS TO SUPPORT THE CLUB THROUGH A PARENT ADVISORY GROUP. THE CLUB WILL ALSO BE HOSTING MONTHLY FAMILY/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Who we are

The Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program was first funded in 1998 through a US Department of Justice, Office on Violence against Women (OVW) grant. Jane Root, the first director of the Maliseet Advocacy Center, built the program through multiple funding sources including establishing a DV/SA shelter. The program of one has blossomed into a staff of five; Program Director (Cathy St John), Shelter/Transitional Housing Coordinator (Allison Sabattis), Community Educator (Tawoma Martinez) and two shelter staff.

The Maliseet Advocacy Center is available to anyone affected by domestic and sexual violence, dating violence, stalking and sex trafficking. We offer support, assistance and information about your options. You can call the hotline 24/7 to talk to an advocate at 207532-6401. All calls are confidential. Check us out on

Table1 ViolenceAgainstWomen

C O V I D h a s b e e n a c h a l l e n g e f o r t h e p r o g r a m , b u t a d v o c a t e s w e r e

s t i l l a b l e t o s e r v e s u r v i v o r s a n d c o n n e c t i n l o t s o f w a y s T h e y

p r o v i d e d p h o n e a s s i s t a n c e , e n c o u r a g e m e n t a n d s e l f - c a r e b u n d l e s

l i k e e a r r i n g k i t s ; s p a l i k e i t e m s s u c h a s l o t i o n , b a t h b o m b s a n d

s c r u b s ; a n d f l o w e r s u p p l i e s w i t h s o i l , p o t s a n d f l o w e r s

A f t e r f u l l y o p e n i n g , a c t i v i t i e s w e r e h e l d i n p e r s o n . J a n u a r y w a s

N a t i o n a l H u m a n T r a f f i c k i n g P r e v e n t i o n M o n t h . W e w e a r b l u e t o r a i s e

a w a r e n e s s , # W e a r B l u e D a y . I t w a s a l s o N a t i o n a l S t a l k i n g A w a r e n e s s

m o n t h w h e r e y e l l o w i s w o r n t o r a i s e a w a r e n e s s . F e b r u a r y w a s T e e n

D a t i n g V i o l e n c e A w a r e n e s s M o n t h . P r e s e n t a t i o n s w e r e d o n e f o r t h e

t e e n s a t t h e M a l i s e e t Y o u t h G r o u p a n d R e g i o n 2 - S A V E I n

c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e M i ’ k m a q N a t i o n , t e e n s r e c e i v e d a s e l f - d e f e n s e

c o u r s e p r o v i d e d b y P r e v e n t i o n A c t i o n C h a n g e

M a r c h s a w t h e s t a f f r e c e i v i n g S A F E ( S e x u a l A s s a u l t F o r e n s i c E x a m )

t r a i n i n g i n a d d i t i o n t o S e x u a l A s s a u l t S u p p o r t G r o u p t r a i n i n g A p r i l

i s S e x u a l A s s a u l t A w a r e n e s s M o n t h I n c l u d e d i n t h a t m o n t h i s S A A M

D a y o f A c t i o n w h e r e T e a l ( c o l o r o f S A ) i s w o r n f o r t h e d a y D e n i m

D a y ( d e n i m d a y o r g ) i s o b s e r v e d w h e r e s t a f f w e a r d e n i m i t e m s t o

w o r k i n s u p p o r t o f s u r v i v o r s F a m i l y S k a t e N i g h t i s h e l d t o p r o m o t e

a w a r e n e s s i n a r e l a x e d f a m i l y e n v i r o n m e n t I n M a y , w e w e a r r e d f o r

t h e M i s s i n g a n d M u r d e r e d I n d i g e n o u s W o m e n ( n i w r c o r g / p o l i c y -

c e n t e r / m m i w ) J u n e i s P r i d e m o n t h w h e r e w e w e a r r a i n b o w c o l o r s i n

s u p p o r t o f t h e L G B T Q I 2 S + c o m m u n i t y S e p t e m b e r i s E v e r y C h i l d

M a t t e r s w h e r e w e w e a r o r a n g e t o b r i n g a w a r e n e s s t o a b u s e a n d

d e a t h s o f c h i l d r e n f o r c e d i n t o r e s i d e n t i a l s c h o o l s a n d b o a r d i n g

s c h o o l s . O c t o b e r i s D o m e s t i c V i o l e n c e A w a r e n e s s M o n t h w e r e w e w e a r p u r p l e f o r t h e s u r v i v o r s a n d t h e d e p a r t e d b e c a u s e o f D V .

C h e c k u s o u t o n F a c e b o o k u n d e r M a l i s e e t A d v o c a c y C e n t e r o r o n t h e

H B M I w e b s i t e a t w w w . m a l i s e e t s . n e t . u n d e r “ D e p a r t m e n t s a n d

S e r v i c e s ” a t t h e t o p o f t h e p a g e .

M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y

D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y ( M C D A )

T h e M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y ( M C D A ) i s

a 5 0 1 ( c ) ( 3 ) n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n

M i s s i o n S t a t e m e n t : T h e p r i m a r y p u r p o s e o f t h e

C o r p o r a t i o n k n o w n a s “ M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t

A u t h o r i t y ” i s t o e n h a n c e t h e w e l l - b e i n g o f t h e H o u l t o n

B a n d o f M a l i s e e t I n d i a n s a n d i t s n e i g h b o r i n g c o m m u n i t i e s

t h r o u g h i n i t i a t i v e s i n t h e f o l l o w i n g a r e a s : E c o n o m i c ,

E d u c a t i o n , C u l t u r e , S o c i a l , H e a l t h a n d W e l l n e s s a n d

N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s .

M C D A r e c e i v e d i t s f i r s t g r a n t a w a r d o f $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 f r o m t h e

E l m i n a B S e w a l l f o u n d a t i o n i n f a l l o f 2 0 2 2 f o r a

W o l a s t o q - S t J o h n R i v e r B a s i n R i v e r R e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t

$ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 p e r y e a r f o r 3 y e a r s i s t o b u i l d t r i b a l c a p a c i t y

d e v e l o p m e n t T h e r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t w i l l f o c u s o n

i n f r a s t r u c t u r e o f f i s h p a s s a g e s , f a i l i n g c u l v e r t s a n d d a m s

a n d w i l l w o r k w i t h p r i v a t e l a n d o w n e r s , I r v i n g l a n d o w n e r s ,

a n d S t a t e a n d l o c a l m u n i c i p a l i t i e s

T h i s p r o j e c t g o t u n d e r w a y i n t h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 3 a n d w e

a r e e x c i t e d t o s e e h o w m u c h p o s i t i v e c h a n g e w e c a n m a k e

i n o u r l o c a l w a t e r s h e d !

P r e s i d e n t - C h r i s t o p h e r P h i l l i p s ( H B M I D i r e c t o r o f

E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t )

B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s :

D a n y a B o y c e - H B M I E l d e r C e n t e r D i r e c t o r

Z e k e C r o f t o n M c D o n a l d - H B M I T r i b a l A m b a s s a d o r

M i c h e l l e B a r r o w s - H B M I H e a l t h D i r e c t o r

R o s a M c N a l l y - H B M I G r a n t W r i t e r

S h a r r i V e n n o - H B M I N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s

A m b e r W i r e - H B M I E d u c a t i o n D i r e c t o r

J o s e p h C y r - H B M I C o m m u n i c a t i o n s D i r e c t o r

C h r i s P h i l l i p s

E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t

D i r e c t o r

H e l p i n g o u r S t u d e n t s

T h e E d u c a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t p r o v i d e s y e a r l y s e r v i c e s f o r H i g h e r

E d u c a t i o n a n d V o c a t i o n a l T r a i n i n g , A d u l t E d u c a t i o n , E m p l o y m e n t

A s s i s t a n c e , a n d w e o f f e r s u p p l e m e n t a l s e r v i c e s f o r l o c a l P r e K

t h r u 1 2 t h g r a d e s t u d e n t s u n d e r o u r J o h n s o n O ’ M a l l e y ( J O M )

p r o g r a m . O u r T i t l e V I P r o j e c t D i r e c t o r , C h a r l e n e ( S h e l l y )

C r a n d a l l , p r o v i d e s e d u c a t i o n a l a n d a c a d e m i c s u p p o r t f o r o u r

s t u d e n t s . T h e E d u c a t i o n D e p a r t m e n t a l s o p r o v i d e s a c a d e m i c

s u p p o r t d u r i n g P o w e r H o u r , a t t h e M a l i s e e t B o y s a n d G i r l s C l u b .

W o r k i n g t h r o u g h o u t t h e e n t i r e s c h o o l y e a r w i t h s t u d e n t s i s f u n

a n d r e w a r d i n g a n d s o m e o f t h e c u l t u r a l a c t i v i t i e s S h e l l y h a v e

a c c o m p l i s h e d s o f a r t h i s s c h o o l y e a r i n c l u d e :

W i n t e r S o l s t i c e ( D e c . 2 0 & 2 1 ) – E l d e r s s h a r e t r a d i t i o n s w i t h p r a y e r , s m u d g i n g , m a k i n g m e d i c i n e b a g s , d r e a m c a t c h e r s ,

m a k i n g j e r k y a n d t e a , s n o w s h o e i n g , a n d d o i n g y o g a

E x p l o r e G r o u p ( J a n 1 7 - M a r c h 2 4 ) – C o m m u n i t y p r e s e n t e r s t e a c h s t u d e n t s a b o u t s a c r e d m e d i c i n e s , m e n t a l h e a l t h , s e l fe s t e e m , h e a l t h y r e l a t i o n s h i p s , f o o d a n d n u t r i t i o n , t r a d i t i o n a l

g a m e s , a n d s t o r y t e l l i n g

S p r i n g A c t i v i t i e s f o r K - 2 n d & 3 r d t o 5 t h g r a d e ( A p r i l ) t o i n c l u d e b o t h s t u d e n t s a n d p a r e n t s / g u a r d i a n s a r o u n d s t a r t i n g

s e e d l i n g s a n d p l a n t i n g , m e n t o r r e a d i n g a n d l e a r n i n g , m a k i n g

t u r t l e r a t t l e s , f a c e p a i n t i n g , m a k i n g a s h b o o k m a r k s a n d

c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h W P H ( W a b a n a k i P u b l i c H e a l t h ) f o r h e a l t h y

f o o d a n d n u t r i t i o n .

* N e w * S u m m e r S e s s i o n P r o g r a m ( J u n e ) – L e a d i n g u p t o t h e

b e g i n n i n g o f s u m m e r b r e a k , K a y l a S h r o u t w i l l b e p l a n n i n g a n d

d e v e l o p i n g a c a d e m i c l e s s o n s t h r o u g h t h e M a l i s e e t B o y s &

G i r l s C l u b . S h e w i l l b e c o l l a b o r a t i n g w i t h t h e C l u b a n d o t h e r

s u m m e r a c t i v i t i e s / e v e n t s p u t o n b y o t h e r t r i b a l p r o g r a m s t o

i n c o r p o r a t e S T E M l e a r n i n g . H e r g o a l i s t o k e e p s t u d e n t s

e n g a g e d w i t h f u n l e a r n i n g d u r i n g t h e s u m m e r .

A m b e r W i r e

E d u c a t i o n D i r e c t o r

Our Mission

A tribal community is only as strong as its elder community. That is why taking care of the tribal elders is at the forefront of everyday activity for Danya Boyce, director of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Elders’ Center.

Whether it is preparing a home-cooked meal, sharing a friendly board game, engaging in arts and crafts, or simply just lending an ear to those who need it, the Elders’ Center is the hub for the tribe’s most sacred group

That group numbered between 25-30 strong before the pandemic, and the Elders’ Center was often bustling with regular activities each and every month Boyce said when they cooked meals twice a week, she was sure they always went home with enough leftovers for at least one more meal

But when COVID-19 brought gatherings to a screeching halt, Boyce said she had to get creative with ways to provide continue providing support to the elders That creativity included delivering meals, particularly those who were shut-ins, and making regular telephone calls to make sure everything was OK

The global pandemic essentially knocked out our ability to have meals at the Elders’ Center, Boyce said Before COVID, they would gather twice a week to provide not only food, but camaraderie to the community When those gatherings had to be put on hold for more than two-and-a-half years, pre-made – and sometimes frozen – meals were purchased, but the connection just was not the same

Boyce said it is her hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind them and she will soon be able to resume regular gatherings at the center Her goal is to start doing meals at the center once a week, to give their new cook a chance to become accustom to what meals the elders like and dislike

During the summer and fall months, fresh vegetables from either the food pantry or those grown on tribal lands are included in the regular deliveries Also, once a year, a large meal is traditionally held in the gymnasium for the elder’s and their families

Beyond food, the center also serves as a hub for activities like Bingo and arts and crafts Boyce said for many, those simple interactions are key to maintaining connections to the tribe’s cultural past

F o x c r o f t R o a d R e c o n s t r u c t i o n

T h i s p r o j e c t h a s b e e n u n d e r d e v e l o p m e n t s i n c e 2 0 1 9 , a n d i s c u r r e n t l y s e t f o r

c o n s t r u c t i o n b e g i n n i n g i n 2 0 2 4 T h e s c o p e o f t h e w o r k i n c l u d e s t o t a l r e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f 4 . 5 m i l e s o f t h e F o x c r o f t R o a d , f r o m M i l i t a r y S t r e e t i n H o u l t o n , n o r t h e r l y t o t h e H o u l t o n - L i t t l e t o n T o w n L i n e T h e w o r k w i l l i n c l u d e d r a i n a g e i m p r o v e m e n t s , p a v e d s h o u l d e r s t o a c c o m m o d a t e b i c y c l e s , a n d a n e w s i d e w a l k o n

t h e w e s t e r l y s i d e o f F o x c r o f t R o a d f r o m M i l i t a r y S t r e e t t o t h e n o r t h e r l y s i d e o f M a l i s e e t R i v e r s i d e V i l l a g e O t h e r w o r k w i l l i n c l u d e s a f e t y i m p r o v e m e n t s f o r

d r i v e r s a n d p e d e s t r i a n s , a n d t h e R i v e r s i d e V i l l a g e a r e a w i l l i n c l u d e c o n s t r u c t i o n

o f a s h a r e d - u s e p a t h , c r o s s w a l k s , t r a f f i c b e a c o n s , a n d i m p r o v e d s i g n a g e

F u n d i n g f o r t h i s p r o j e c t i n c l u d e s :

F e d e r a l H i g h w a y A d m i n i s t r a t i o n R A I S E G r a n t : $ 1

( c u r r e n t )

,

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( c u r r e n t )

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( p r o p o s e d )

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( p r o p o s e d )

U S D O T W i l d l i f e C r o s s i n g s G r a n t $ 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

( p r o p o s e d )

T o t a l P r o j e c t E s t i m a t e : $ 1 8 , 3 8 5 , 0 0 0

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t o w n o f H o u l t o n a n d M a i n e D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n

M a l i s e e t R i v e r s i d e V i l l a g e P h a s e I I I H o u s i n g

T h i s p r o j e c t h a s b e e n u n d e r d e v e l o p m e n t s i n c e 2 0 2 1 , a n d i s c u r r e n t l y s e t f o r

c o n s t r u c t i o n b e g i n n i n g i n 2 0 2 4 . T h e s c o p e o f w o r k i n c l u d e s c o n s t r u c t i o n o f 1

m i l e o f n e w p a v e d r o a d s a n d s i d e w a l k s o n T r i b a l T r u s t L a n d e a s t e r l y o f t h e

F o x c r o f t R o a d a n d n o r t h e r l y a n d e a s t e r l y o f M a l i s e e t D r i v e . T h e g o a l i s t o c r e a t e

2 4 n e w l o t s f o r s i n g l e f a m i l y h o m e s w h i c h m a y b e d e v e l o p e d t o s e l l o r r e n t t o

t r i b a l c i t i z e n s . S o m e o f t h e o b s t a c l e s t o o v e r c o m e i n c l u d e :

D e v e l o p i n g a L e a s i n g O r d i n a n c e t o c o m p l y w i t h B u r e a u o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s

r e q u i r e m e n t s · O b t a i n i n g S u b d i v i s i o n A p p r o v a l b y t o w n o f H o u l t o n

O b t a i n i n g S i t e L o c a t i o n o f D e v e l o p m e n t A c t P e r m i t f r o m M a i n e D e p a r t m e n t o f

E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n

C r e a t i o n o f d e s i g n p l a n s f o r m u l t i p l e r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t s t h a t a r e a f f o r d a b l e f o r i n d i v i d u a l s t o f i n a n c e f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n

F u n d i n g f o r t h i s p r o j e c t i n c l u d e s :

F o u r D i r e c t i o n s D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p . ( L a n d P l a n n i n g D e s i g n ) : $ 8 5 , 0 0 0 ( c u r r e n t )

I n d i a n H e a l t h S e r v i c e s ( S e w e r a n d W a t e r I n f r a s t r u c t u r e ) : $ 2 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0

( c u r r e n t )

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( p r o p o s e d )

U n k n o w n ( R o a d C o n s t r u c t i o n ) $ 2 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( p r o p o s e d )

T o t a l : $ 5 , 2 7 0 , 0 0 0

T h e p r o j e c t w i l l b e d e v e l o p e d i n p h a s e s a s f u n d i n g b e c o m e s a v a i l a b l e F o u r

D i r e c t i o n s D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n w i l l f i n a n c e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f h o m e s f o r s a l e

t o i n d i v i d u a l o w n e r s , a n d r e n t a l h o u s i n g w i l l b e d e v e l o p e d a s n e e d e d

M a l i s e e t R i v e r s i d e V i l l a g e M a s t e r P l a n

T h i s p r o j e c t i s c e n t e r e d a r o u n d t h e p l a n n i n g f o r v a r i o u s r e c r e a t i o n a l a n d

c o m m u n i t y f e a t u r e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e M a l i s e e t H o u s i n g a n d C o m m u n i t y

C e n t e r . A l a n d s c a p e m a s t e r p l a n w i l l b e d e v e l o p e d t o l o c a t e v a r i o u s s t r e e t

i m p r o v e m e n t s , s i d e w a l k s , t r e e s a n d s h r u b s , w a l k i n g a n d b i k i n g t r a i l s , a

“ m e m o r y ” o r “ m e d i c i n e ” g a r d e n , c h i l d r e n ’ s p l a y a r e a , n e i g h b o r h o o d p a r k s ,

a n d o t h e r c o m m u n i t y f e a t u r e s

F u n d i n g f o r t h i s p r o j e c t i n c l u d e s :

F e d e r a l T r a n s i t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( F T A ) ( P l a n n i n g ) : $ 1 5 , 0 0 0 ( c u r r e n t )

L o w r e y R o a d R e h a b i l i t a t i o n

T h i s p r o j e c t i s a p a r t o f t h e T r i b a l T r a n s p o r t a t i o n P r o g r a m f r o m B u r e a u o f

I n d i a n A f f a i r s . L o w r e y R o a d i s a t o w n o f H o u l t o n R o a d c o n n e c t i n g C u r r i e r

R o a d t o F o x c r o f t R o a d , a n d i s a m a i n a c c e s s r o a d f o r T r i b a l A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ,

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u n d e r w a y a n d w i l l b e c o m p l e t e d i n M a y , 2 0 2 3 , f o l l o w e d b y a d e s i g n p h a s e

C o n s t r u c t i o n f u n d s w i l l b e s o u g h t f r o m v a r i o u s s o u r c e s i n c l u d i n g B I A a n d

F D O T A c r i t i c a l s t r e a m c r o s s i n g c u l v e r t w i l l b e u p g r a d e d a s a p a r t o f t h e

p r o j e c t , w i t h p o t e n t i a l f u n d i n g f r o m f i s h h a b i t a t g r a n t s

F u n d i n g f o r t h i s p r o j e c t i n c l u d e s :

B u r e a u o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s T r i b a l T r a n s p o r t a t i o n P r o g r a m ( T T P ) $ 4 0 , 0 0 0

( c u r r e n t )

W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s C a m p g r o u n d I m p r o v e m e n t s

T h e T r i b e i s p r e p a r i n g a n a p p l i c a t i o n f o r U S E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t

A g e n c y ( E D A ) f u n d i n g t o i m p r o v e t h e W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s C a m p g r o u n d f a c i l i t y

w i t h a g o a l o f i n c r e a s i n g f i n a n c i a l v i a b i l i t y a n d s u s t a i n a b i l i t y o f t h e

b u s i n e s s T h e T r i b e h a s b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h a c o n s u l t a n t t o p r e p a r e a n

a p p l i c a t i o n p a c k a g e w h i c h w i l l i n c l u d e :

· 1 1 n e w r e c r e a t i o n a l v e h i c l e s i t e s w i t h s e w e r , w a t e r a n d e l e c t r i c i t y

T h r e e n e w r e n t a l c a b i n s .

· A n e w s w i m m i n g p o o l

A n e w n a t i v e - t h e m e d “ Y u r t ” s t y l e c a m p i n g a r e a .

· A n e w w a l k - i n t e n t i n g a r e a w i t h t r a i l s a n d r e s t r o o m s

F u n d i n g f o r t h i s p r o j e c t i n c l u d e s :

H B M I T r i b a l C o u n c i l $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( c u r r e n t )

U S E D A G r a n t A p p l i c a t i o n : $ 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( p r o p o s e d )

T o t a l $ 3 , 3 0 0 , 0 0 0

C l o v e r C i r c l e / F o x c r o f t R o a d P u m p S t a t i o n U p g r a d e

T h i s p r o j e c t i s c u r r e n t l y i n t h e d e s i g n p h a s e , a n d w i l l r l i j

u p g r a d e s t o t h e M a l i s e e t R i v e r s i d e V i l l a g e s a n i t a r y s e w e

s y s t e m o w n e d a n d o p e r a t e d b y H o u l t o n W a t e r C o m p a n y .

F u n d i n g s o u r c e s i n c l u d e : I n d i a n H e a l t h S e r v i c e s ,

U S D A R u r a l D e v e l o p m e n t - M a i n e D E P

T o t a l p r o j e c t b u d g e t $ 3 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

F u t u r e P r o j e c t

U S D e p a r t m e n t o f E n e r g y

G r i d R e s i l i e n c e F o r m u l a G r a n t $ 1 9 0 , 0 0 0 ( c u r r e n t )

C l e a n E n e r g y D e p l o y m e n t o n T r i b a l L a n d s T B D

P l a y g r o u n d f o r r e s i d e n t i a l u s e T B D

B r i a n S t e w a r t T r i b a l E n g i n e e r

B r u c e H a g g e r t y

F i n a n c e D i r e c t o r

C a t h y H o g a n

P a y r o l l A d m i n i s t r a t o r

S a r a h T o m a h

A c c o u n t s C l e r k

M y r n a F o r d

A c c o u n t s C l e r k

B o b L o r o m

C O V I D - 1 9

C o m p l i a n c e O f f i c e r

F i s c a l A s s i s t a n t

N a v i g a t i n g m a n y c h a n g e s

O v e r t h e p a s t t w o y e a r s , t h e F i n a n c e D e p a r t m e n t h a s

u n d e r g o n e a s e r i e s o f s i g n i f i c a n t c h a n g e s , m a r k i n g a n e w e r a

o f p r o g r e s s a n d a d a p t a t i o n f o r t h e H o u l t o n B a n d o f M a l i s e e t

I n d i a n s

F r o m r e t i r e m e n t s t o n e w h i r e s , a n d t h e c h a l l e n g e s p o s e d b y t h e

C O V I D - 1 9 p a n d e m i c , t h e d e p a r t m e n t h a s n a v i g a t e d t h r o u g h

u n c h a r t e d t e r r i t o r y , l e v e r a g i n g n o v e l f u n d i n g s o u r c e s a n d

e m b r a c i n g a c o l l a b o r a t i v e w o r k s p a c e

D i r e c t o r ’ s R e t i r e m e n t : A f t e r a n i m p r e s s i v e 3 8 - y e a r c a r e e r ,

U r s u l a G r e e n l a w b i d f a r e w e l l t o h e r r o l e a s F i n a n c e D i r e c t o r

H e r r e t i r e m e n t c o i n c i d e d w i t h t h e h e i g h t o f t h e C O V I D - 1 9

p a n d e m i c , w h i c h b r o u g h t u n f o r e s e e n c h a l l e n g e s a n d

o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e d e p a r t m e n t G r e e n l a w ' s w e a l t h o f e x p e r i e n c e a n d d e d i c a t i o n p r o v i d e d a s o l i d f o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e

d e p a r t m e n t ' s f u t u r e e n d e a v o r s

A d a p t i n g t o R e m o t e W o r k : W i t h t h e o u t b r e a k o f t h e C O V I D - 1 9

p a n d e m i c , t h e F i n a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , l i k e m a n y o t h e r s ,

t r a n s i t i o n e d t o r e m o t e w o r k . D e s p i t e t h e i n i t i a l h u r d l e s , t h e

t e a m d e m o n s t r a t e d r e s i l i e n c e a n d a d a p t a b i l i t y . E m b r a c i n g

t e c h n o l o g y a n d e f f e c t i v e c o m m u n i c a t i o n t o o l s , t h e y

s u c c e s s f u l l y c o n t i n u e d t h e i r o p e r a t i o n s , e n s u r i n g f i n a n c i a l

s t a b i l i t y d u r i n g a p e r i o d o f u n c e r t a i n t y .

N e w F u n d i n g S o u r c e s : T h e p a n d e m i c p r e s e n t e d t h e F i n a n c e

D e p a r t m e n t w i t h n e w f u n d i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r T r i b a l p r o g r a m s

I n A p r i l 2 0 2 1 , B o b L o r o m j o i n e d t h e t e a m t o a s s i s t w i t h

a c c o u n t i n g a n d r e p o r t i n g o f g r a n t f u n d s , s p e c i f i c a l l y f o c u s i n g

o n t h e C o r o n a v i r u s A i d , R e l i e f , a n d E c o n o m i c S e c u r i t y A c t

( C A R E S ) a n d t h e A m e r i c a n R e s c u e P l a n A c t ( A R P A ) L o r o m ' s

e x p e r t i s e p r o v e d i n s t r u m e n t a l i n e f f e c t i v e l y m a n a g i n g t h e s e

v i t a l r e s o u r c e s

T h e A r r i v a l o f N e w T a l e n t s : T o s u p p o r t t h e e v o l v i n g n e e d s o f

t h e F i n a n c e D e p a r t m e n t , s e v e r a l k e y h i r e s w e r e m a d e S a r a h

T o m a h , t h e l o n g e s t - t e n u r e d e m p l o y e e i n t h e d e p a r t m e n t , p l a y e d

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A s h l e y F o s t e r - K i n n e y D i r e c t o r

Who we are

The Maliseet Head Start is a federally-funded, locally-administered program and operates within the Administration for Children and Families Grants are awarded by Regional Offices within the Department of Health and Human Services. The Region XI Office in Washington, DC, has oversight responsibility for the Maliseet Head Start. The Maliseet Head Start is licensed by the state of Maine Department of Health and Human Services as a licensed Child Care Facility There are five full-time, and two part-time staff members

The Maliseet Head Start continues to provide free, full-day Head Start early learning programming for children ages 3-5. We utilize a curriculum that focuses on school readiness and emotional well-being, while integrating lessons incorporating the Maliseet culture and language

After limiting our enrollment to 15 students throughout the start of the COVID19 pandemic, we are now back up to our full enrollment of 20 students The dedicated staff has worked hard to put the health and safety of the children first, continuing to follow our cleaning and sanitizing protocol daily to reduce the risk of illness transmission.

The Maliseet Head Start makes every effort to provide a planned program of experiences which support and enhance the parental role as the principal influence in their child’s education. Parents are encouraged to provide input and planning and goal setting are able to choose how and how much they contribute to the Head Start programming Parents are encouraged to be involved in the Parent Committee, Policy Council, the Health Advisory committee, as well as volunteering activities. Goal oriented relationships are developed between parents and staff. Parents develop individualized family goals with staff and make plans toward meeting these goals.

The Maliseet Head Start works with local school districts to ensure continuity and successful transitioning of our children as they enter into their next school experience. Transition activities take place throughout the year, with the goal for each child who leaves Head Start to be social and emotionally competent, and school ready

Health and education information is transferred to the local school district, making the transition easier for school staff, as well as parents. For children with disabilities, a formal transition meeting takes place to ensure a smooth continuity of services

The funding level for the 2022-2023 fiscal year included $284,485 in the regularly operating grant, and $10,000 in Training and Technical assistance funds Head Start programs are required to provide at least a 20 percent match of their total funding in order to spend federal dollars.

The Maliseet Head Start fulfills this requirement through donated services and supplies, parent and community volunteers, and donated office space, and documents this support that is received through donations. The required nonfederal share for FY 22 was $62,808. The Maliseet Head Start is eligible to receive USDA reimbursement through the Maine Department of Education Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP), for food served to children in licensed centers

The Maliseet Head Start’s governing documents, financial documents, and conflict of interest policies are available for public revie

Please contact:

Tracie Botting, Director

Maliseet Head Start 1 Maliseet Drive Houlton, ME 04730 (207) 521-2411

Email: tbotting@maliseets.c

A NEW BEGINNING

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s e e i n g p e d i a t r i c p a t i e n t s T h e g o a l i s t o i n c r e a s e t h e p e d i a t r i c p o p u l a t i o n i n o u r p r a c t i c e s o t h a t w e c a n p l a y a h u g e r o l e i n p r o v i d i n g e d u c a t i o n a n d p r e v e n t i o n s e r v i c e s t o m o d e l a n d i n s t i l l h e a l t h y b e h a v i o r s b e g i n n i n g i n t h e e a r l y s t a g e s o f l i f e

A n o t h e r p r o j e c t w e h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g o n i s T e l e - P s y c h i a t r y S e r v i c e s T h e s e s e r v i c e s w i l l h o p e f u l l y b e g i n s o m e t i m e i n M a y o r e a r l y J u n e T h e g r o u p w e a r e w o r k i n g w i t h h a s i d e n t i f i e d a p r o v i d e r w h o i s a p s y c h i a t r i c n u r s e p r a c t i t i o n e r , w h o w i l l b e a b l e t o s e e p a t i e n t s r e m o t e l y t h r o u g h a t e l e m e d i c i n e c l i n i c f o r w h i c h w e a r e t h e h o s t s i t e T h i s s e r v i c e w i l l b e o p e n t o a d u l t s a n d c h i l d r e n t o p r o v i d e m e d i c a t i o n m a n a g e m e n t a n d t r e a t m e n t i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h o u r o n - s i t e p r o v i d e r s W e h o p e t h a t i t w i l l e a s e t h e b u r d e n o f o u r T r i b a l C i t i z e n s w h o m u s t c u r r e n t l y t r a v e l s e v e r a l m i l e s t o r e c e i v e t h i s s e r v i c e o r m a y b e p l a c e d o n l o n g w a i t l i s t s

A n e w c l i m a t e c o n t r o l l e d s t o r a g e b u i l d i n g w a s e r e c t e d o n t h e H e a l t h C e n t e r p r o p e r t y l a s t s u m m e r T h i s b u i l d i n g s t o r e s c o m p u t e r e q u i p m e n t a n d m e d i c a l s u p p l i e s a s w e l l a s o t h e r s u p p l i e s n e e d e d b y t h e H e a l t h C e n t e r W e h a v e c r e a t e d a s e p a r a t e a r e a i n t h e h e a l t h c e n t e r f o r C O V I D - 1 9 t e s t i n g t o k e e p s y m p t o m a t i c p a t i e n t s s e p a r a t e f r o m a s y m p t o m a t i c p a t i e n t s I n t h e p a s t y e a r , t h e h e a l t h c e n t e r h a s b e e n w o r k i n g o n a 1 0 5 ( L ) l e a s e a g r e e m e n t w i t h I n d i a n H e a l t h S e r v i c e s , w h i c h w i l l a l l o w u s t o r e c e i v e t h e f u n d i n g n e c e s s a r y t o p r o p e r l y m a i n t a i n o u r h e a l t h f a c i l i t i e s W e c o m p l e t e d t h e l e a s e a g r e e m e n t i n e a r l y - A p r i l a n d w i l l b e g i n r e c e i v i n g m o n e y t o a d e q u a t e l y f u n d m a i n t e n a n c e a n d r e p a i r s t o o u r f a c i l i t i e s

W e r e c e n t l y e n r o l l e d i n P C P l u s t h r o u g h M a i n e C a r e l a s t J u l y T h i s s t a t u s r e p l a c e s t h e

M a i n e C a r e M a n a g e d C a r e p r o g r a m B y e n r o l l i n g a s a P C P l u s s i t e w e w i l l b e a b l e t o p r o v i d e i n t e g r a t e d c a r e a c r o s s h e a l t h c a r e d i s c i p l i n e s , b o t h w i t h i n o u r f a c i l i t y a n d w i t h o u t s i d e p r o v i d e r s a s w e l l T h e r e a r e s p e c i f i c m e a s u r e s t h a t w e a r e r e q u i r e d t o m e e t a s a P C P l u s d e s i g n a t e d s i t e i n c l u d i n g e a r l y d e n t a l s c r e e n i n g s a n d f l u o r i d e v a r n i s h f o r c h i l d r e n a n d i n c l u d i n g p a t i e n t i n p u t w h e n c a r e p l a n n i n g , a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s

C O V I D C h a l l e n g e s

O n e o f o u r b i g g e s t c h a l l e n g e s c r e a t e d b y C O V I D h a s b e e n i n a d e q u a t e s t a f f i n g O n s e v e r a l

d i f f e r e n t o c c a s i o n s , s t a f f w e r e w o r k i n g f r o m h o m e o r o u t d u e t o C O V I D - 1 9 r e l a t e d i l l n e s s W e

a l s o h a d t o l i m i t s o m e o f t h e s e r v i c e s t h a t w e p r o v i d e d i n p e r s o n , d u e t o r i s k o f i l l n e s s a n d

i n f e c t i o n T h i s c a u s e d o u r n u m b e r o f c o n t a c t s t o d r o p s i g n i f i c a n t l y W e s a w a l o t o f r o u t i n e

h e a l t h s e r v i c e s f a l l b e h i n d a n d a s i g n i f i c a n t i n c r e a s e i n a n x i e t y , d e p r e s s i o n , a n d s u b s t a n c e u s e i n t h e c o m m u n i t y M a n y i n - p e r s o n s e r v i c e s w e r e p u t o n h o l d d u r i n g t h e p a n d e m i c - - i n c l u d i n g

c o m m u n i t y e v e n t s , e l d e r m e a l - s i t e g a t h e r i n g s , i n - p e r s o n e d u c a t i o n , a n d f i t n e s s c e n t e r a c t i v i t y - -

f o r w e l l o v e r a y e a r a n d p e o p l e f e l t t r u l y d i s c o n n e c t e d S o m e p a t i e n t s e x p e r i e n c e d w o r s e n i n g h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n s , a s t h e y w e r e n o t a b l e t o s c h e d u l e n e c e s s a r y s p e c i a l t y s e r v i c e s o r r o u t i n e

h e a l t h c a r e

I n c r e a s e d s t a f f i n g i n t h e b e h a v i o r a l h e a l t h p r o g r a m h a s a l l o w e d u s t o a d d r e s s t h e m e n t a l h e a l t h a n d s u b s t a n c e u s e n e e d s o f o u r p a t i e n t s W i t h r e g a r d t o t h e f i t n e s s c e n t e r , w e b e g a n h a v i n g

c l i e n t s s c h e d u l e a p p o i n t m e n t s t o c o m e i n t o u s e e q u i p m e n t s o t h a t w e c o u l d m o n i t o r t h e n u m b e r o f p e o p l e i n t h e f i t n e s s c e n t e r a t a g i v e n t i m e W e r e q u i r e d m a s k s a n d p u t d i v i d e r s u p b e t w e e n e q u i p m e n t P a t i e n t s i n t h e c l i n i c w e r e s c r e e n e d a t t h e d o o r , r e q u i r e d t o w e a r m a s k s , a n d

s c h e d u l e d i n a m a n n e r t h a t s e v e r a l p e o p l e w e r e n o t i n t h e w a i t i n g r o o m t o g e t h e r W e h a v e s e e n a r e c e n t d e c r e a s e i n C O V I D - 1 9 r e l a t e d i l l n e s s a m o n g s t a f f i n t h e l a s t c o u p l e o f m o n t h s S t a f f h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g i n t h e o f f i c e r e g u l a r l y a n d m o r e i n p e r s o n s e r v i c e s a r e n o w b e i n g p r o v i d e d

s u c h a s r o u t i n e d i a b e t i c c a r e a n d e d u c a t i o n

S u c c e s s S t o r i e s

W e a p p l i e d f o r a n d w e r e a w a r d e d a g r a n t t h o u g h I n d i a n H e a l t h S e r v i c e f o r t h e S p e c i a l D i a b e t e s P r o g r a m ( S D P I ) i n t h e a m o u n t o f $ 9 2 , 0 0 0 P r e v i o u s l y w e w e r e a s u b - g r a n t e e u n d e r U S E T f o r

S D P I f u n d i n g b u t d u e t o c h a n g e s i n f u n d i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s T r i b e s w e r e r e q u i r e d t o a p p l y a s

i n d e p e n d e n t g r a n t e e s W e w i l l m a n a g e a n d r e p o r t o n t h e g r a n t i n d e p e n d e n t l y

A s m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , t h e B e h a v i o r a l h e a l t h p r o g r a m w a s a w a r d e d t h e S A P T A g r a n t i n t h e a m o u n t o f $ 3 0 6 , 7 6 2 p e r y e a r f o r a f i v e - y e a r p e r i o d B e i n g a w a r d e d t h e S A P T A g r a n t a n d e x p a n s i o n o f o u r B e h a v i o r a l H e a l t h P r o g r a m w a s a h u g e b e n e f i t f o r o u r d e p a r t m e n t

A l s o , b e i n g a b l e t o c o n t i n u e v i t a l h e a l t h s e r v i c e s d u r i n g t h e p a n d e m i c w i t h m i n i m a l i n t e r r u p t i o n

W e h a v e a l s o b e e n s u c c e s s f u l i n v a c c i n a t i n g g r e a t e r t h a n h a l f o f o u r p a t i e n t p o p u l a t i o n

D e s p i t e w o r k i n g r e m o t e l y s t a f f w e r e a b l e t o p r o v i d e m u c h n e e d e d t e l e m e d i c i n e v i s i t s f o r

b e h a v i o r a l h e a l t h g r e a t l y c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e h e a l t h o f t h e i r c l i e n t s a s w e l l a s r e v e n u e n e c e s s a r y t o s u s t a i n t h e p r o g r a m

T h e E l d e r p r o g r a m w o r k e d t i r e l e s s l y d e l i v e r i n g f o o d t w i c e a w e e k t o o u r e l d e r p o p u l a t i o n a n d

c h e c k i n g i n o n t h e m

W i t h h e l p f r o m f u n d i n g f r o m U S E T w e w e r e a b l e t o u p d a t e t h e T r i b e ’ s w e b s i t e t h r o u g h

T o w n s q u a r e M e d i a a n d a l s o w o r k e d w i t h K a t & C o t o d e v e l o p a n e w A p p t h r o u g h N a t i v e R e a c h i n o r d e r t o c o m m u n i c a t e m o r e e f f i c i e n t l y w i t h T r i b a l C i t i z e n s a n d p r o v i d e i n t e r a c t i v e e d u c a t i o n

F u t u r e P r o j e c t s

T h e H e a l t h C e n t e r w o u l d l i k e t o p u r s u e a f e a s i b i l i t y s t u d y f o r p h a r m a c y a n d d e n t a l s e r v i c e s i n t h e f u t u r e i n a n e f f o r t t o p r o v i d e o n e s t o p s h o p p i n g f o r o u r p a t i e n t s a n d e x p a n d o u r s e r v i c e s D e n t a l s e r v i c e s a r e d e s p e r a t e l y n e e d e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e S t a t e , b u t e s p e c i a l l y w i t h i n o u r T r i b a l n a t i o n N o w t h a t M a i n e C a r e c o v e r s d e n t a l s e r v i c e s f o r a d u l t s t h e r e m a y b e p o t e n t i a l t o d e v e l o p a p r o g r a m t h a t w i l l s u s t a i n i t s e l f

W e c o n t i n u e t o p r o v i d e m u c h n e e d e d m e d i c a l a n d b e h a v i o r a l h e a l t h t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s e r v i c e s a s w e l l F u t u r e b i l l i n g f o r c a s e m a n a g e m e n t s e r v i c e s i s a n o t h e r g o a l

N o w t h a t t h i n g s a r e b e g i n n i n g t o n o r m a l i z e s o m e w h a t p o s t - p a n d e m i c , w e l o o k f o r w a r d t o h o s t i n g m o r e i n p e r s o n c o m m u n i t y h e a l t h e v e n t s i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h o t h e r T r i b a l p a r t n e r s W e w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o r e - o p e n t h e e l d e r m e a l s i t e a s w e l l i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e

Serving our Community

T h e H o u l t o n B a n d o f

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A u t h o r i t y p r o v i d e s h o u s i n g

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m o d e r a t e i n c o m e m e m b e r s .

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a d d r e s s t h e s e i s s u e s , w e r e

p a r t i a l l y a d d r e s s e d i n 2 0 1 9

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m a i n t e n a n c e a n d p r e v e n t i o n

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C u s t o d i a n

Indian Child Welfare Act

The staff at ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) continues to move forward with collaborating with the Penobscot Nation on a Tribal Court, wellness to healing court, and child support enforcement

We have been taking interest polls on who would utilize these services within the Maliseet community We are also working on developing a Facebook presence specifically for HBMI/ICWA.

We have filled the two empty CPT positions in our department.

We are awaiting decisions from the 5th circuit regarding ICWA legalities, but while this is pending the state of Maine has been working on its own ICWA statute.

We have been working on being more of a preventative presence in the community by engaging in a more wrap around service with providers rather than coming in when DHHS is called. This has been communicating with Tribal providers and asking for releases for clients we share or who are eligible for family prevention services.

We continue to work on suicide prevention.

We have been working with Indian Township to have Tribal foster parents’ licenses completed within that district rather than having the State license homes.

We have completed an agreement with Wabanaki Public Health to work with an off-site ICWA case manager for some cases that are out of Houlton area.

We have been updating our Code of Conduct policy.

April will be child abuse prevention month we plan to be sending out something to recognize this throughout the month of April.

Keeping our language alive

I n S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 1 , t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d

H u m a n S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n f o r C h i l d r e n a n d

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B a n d o f M a l i s e e t I n d i a n s a s p a r t o f t h e A m e r i c a n

R e s c u e P l a n ( A R P ) N a t i v e L a n g u a g e P r o j e c t

T h i s g r a n t w a s a n u n c o m p e t i t i v e g r a n t a s a n e m e r g e n c y

r e s p o n s e t o t h e C O V I D - 1 9 p a n d e m i c a n d t h e i m p a c t

C O V I D - 1 9 h a d o n i n d i g e n o u s c o m m u n i t i e s . T h i s a w a r d

t a r g e t e d M a l i s e e t / W o l a s t o q e y L a t u w e w a k o n

p r e s e r v a t i o n w i t h f u n d s a l l o c a t e d f o r L a n g u a g e

C o o r d i n a t i o n , R e s e a r c h , P u b l i c a t i o n s , a n d T e c h n o l o g y .

T h e p r o g r a m h a s p r o d u c e d s e v e r a l l a t u w e w a k o n a i d s ,

i n c l u d i n g a d a i l y M a l i s e e t / W o l a s t o q e y a u d i o r e c o r d i n g

“ M a l i s e e t / W o l a s t o q e y W o r d a D a y ” , a W o l a s t o q e y

L a t u w e w a k o n w e b s i t e i n m i d - A p r i l 2 0 2 3 , t w o 1 5 - m i n u t e

o n l i n e c l a s s e s o f f e r e d d a i l y f a l l o f 2 0 2 2 p r o d u c e d

t r a d i t i o n a l s o n g s i n t o m u s i c s h e e t s a n d l a n g u a g e

p u z z l e s

T h e W o l a s t o q e y L a t u w e w a k o n g r o u p w a s a b l e t o l e a r n

6 1 w o r d s a n d p h r a s e s o u t o f 6 2 i n t h r e e m o n t h s T h e

r e s e a r c h d o c u m e n t e d s t o r i e s , t r a d i t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s ,

r e c o r d e d M a l i s e e t E l d e r s , a c c e s s e d t h e f i e l d n o t e s o f

K a r l V . T e e t e r f r o m H a r v a r d U n i v e r s i t y . T h e 1 9 8 3 f i e l d

n o t e s o f D r . T e e t e r w i t h t h e a i d o f W o l a s

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W o l a s t o q ( a k a S t . J o h n R i v e r i n N e w B r u n

b o o k n a m e d “ T a l e s f r o m M a l i s e e t C o u n t r

L a n g u a g e S p e c i a l i s t

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L e w i s P a u l a l s o w o r k w i t h a n o t h e r l i n q u i s t D i a m o n d J a n e s s

t o d o c u m e n t t h e M a l i s e e t l a n g u a g e . T h i s i s a s i g n i f i c a n t

f i n d a s i t d o c u m e n t s t h e o r i g i n o f t h e s c h w a , o r u p s i d e -

d o w n “ e ” , w h i c h s o m e s c h o l a r s b e l i e v e p r o v i d e s t h e

W o l a s t o q e y L a t u w e w a k o n t h e t r u e d i a l e c t o f t h e M a l i s e e t

O n g o i n g a c t i v i t i e s s u c h a s s w e a t l o d g e b u i l d i n g , l o n g

h o u s e b u i l d i n g a n d a n a s h b o o k m a r k w e a v i n g t e c h n i q u e s

w i l l b e c o n t i n u e d b e i n g o f f e r e d a n d a n m o n t h l y M e d i c i n a l

S w e a t o f f e r i n g t o t h e c o m m u n i t y . W e e k l y l a n g u a g e c l a s s e s

w i l l b e o f f e r e d s u m m e r 2 0 2 3 .

T h r o u g h “ L a t u w e w a k o n ‘ C i w W e c k u w a p a s i h t i t ” , L a n g u a g e

f o r s e v e n g e n e r a t i o n s f o r t h o s e n o t y e t b o r n , ( A R P )

p r o g r a m 5 0 l a n g u a g e i P a d s w e r e p u r c h a s e d t h r o u g h A p p l e

w i t h A p p l e C a r e a n d M o b i l e d e v i c e m a n a g e m e n t .

T h e s e m o b i l e d e v i c e s w e r e d i s t r i b u t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e

H o u l t o n B a n d o f M a l i s e e t I n d i a n s t o l o c a l E l d e r s ,

d e p a r t m e n t s , t r a d i t i o n a l p e r s o n s a n d c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s

w i t h i n t r i b a l s e r v i c e z o n e i n t e r e s t e d i n l e a r n i n g

M a l i s e e t / W o l a s t o q e y

A b r e a k d o w n o f g r a n t f u n d s : 9 0 X N 0 2 0 2 - 0 1 - 0 0 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 3

t w o - y e a r G r a n t A w a r d B u d g e t 9 / 1 / 2 0 2 1 G r a n t A w a r d

9 0 X N 0 2 0 8 - 0 1 - 0 0 $ 8 2 , 6 0 9 . S a l a r y a n d S o c i a l S e c u r i t y

C o n t r i b u t i o n a n d i n d i r e c t c o s t s . 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 3 t w o y e a r s

( 2 4 , 8 8 4 . 2 2 p e r y e a r ) - $ 4 9 , 7 6 8 . 4 3 S t i p e n d s f o r L a n g u a g e

C a r r i e r s - $ 8 , 0 0 0 . D a t a S e r v i c e C o n t r a c t o r a n d S e t U p

- $ 5 5 0 . S p i r a l B i n d i n g E q u i p m e n t f o r B o o k s - $ 7 0 0 . 5 0

L a t u w e w a k o n i P a d s + S e r v i c e a n d D a t a M a n a g e r

- $ 2 0 , 5 9 7 . 5 0 S u p p l i e s - $ 1 , 7 4 3 . 0 7 P r o f e s s i o n a l v i d e o e d i t i n g

- $ 1 , 0 0 0 G a s - $ 2 5 0 . B a l a n c e $ 0 . 0 0

MeetourCrew

Our Tribal Maintenance Department is a key component of our day-to-day operations here at the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The department includes John Flewelling, Rodney Polchies and Roger Flewelling. Sandy Hayes serves as the head custodian for the administration building.

John and his crew are responsible for mowing Tribal Lands, including the Maliseet Veterans Cemetery, Natural Resources, Administration, Recognition Day field, Boys and Girls Club, Health Center and the Elders Center.

In the winter, the focus shifts to plowing and shoveling walkways for our staff. This involves many early mornings so that our facilities are able to open at their normal business hours.

In addition, the crew also serves as general carpenters, helping to assemble all office furniture; build walls; and ensure that the needs of Tribal staff are addressed.

L e t ' s g e t h e a l t h y !

T h e M a l i s e e t F i t n e s s C e n t e r i s a s t a t e - o f - t h e a r t p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s g y m p r o v i d i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r b o t h c a r d i o

v a s c u l a r a n d m u s c l e b u i l d i n g f o r t r i b a l m e m b e r s a n d e m p l o y e e s .

T h e c e n t e r i s o p e n M o n d a y s t h r o u g h T h u r s d a y s f r o m 7 a m t o 7 p m , b u t i s c l o s e d f o r l u n c h e a c h d a y f r o m 1 2 n o o n t o 1 p m

O p e n t o a n y t r i b a l m e m b e r a s l o n g a s t h e y f i l l o u t a p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s p a c k e t a n d s i g n a l i a b i l i t y f o r m , w h i c h i n c l u d e s o b t a i n i n g a d o c t o r ' s s i g n a t u r e v e r i f y i n g t h e p e r s o n i s h e a l t h y e n o u g h t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s a c t i v i t i e s

E m p l o y e e s a n d t r i b a l m e m b e r s a r e p e r m i t t e d t o b r i n g o n e

p e r s o n w h o i s n o t a t r i b a l m e m b e r , b u t t h e t r i b a l m e m b e r

n e e d s t o p r e s e n t w h e n e v e r t h e y c o m e i n

T h e r e a r e c u r r e n t l y f i v e t r e a d m i l l s , a r o w i n g m a c h i n e , o n e

e l l i p t i c a l m a c h i n e , a b e n c h p r e s s , t h r e e e x e r c i s e b i k e s , a

T r e a d C l i m b e r a n d f r e e w e i g h t s / d u m b b e l l s u p t o 4 5 p o u n d s a n d a P o w e r l i n e S m i t h M a c h i n e ( f l a t - i n c l i n e - d e c l i n e b e n c h , p e c s t a t i o n , p r e a c h e r c u r l s t a t i o n , l e g d e v e l o p e r s t a t i o n , a n d l a t r o w s t a t i o n ) e x e r c i s e r a c k f o r a b d o m i n a l m u s c l e s

I n a d d i t i o n , t h e r e i s a y o g a r o o m , c o m p l e t e w i t h b a l l s , m a t s , m e d i c i n e b a l l s , r e s i s t a n c e b a n d s , a n d k e t t l e b e l l s ( 1 2p o u n d a n d 2 0 - p o u n d s )

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t t h e f i t n e s s c e n t e r a t 2 0 7 -

5 3 2 - 2 2 4 0 e x t 1 5 1

A m y J o s e p h

F i t n e s s C e n t e r

D i r e c t o r

M a y a G a r d i n e r

F i t n e s s C e n t e r

A t t e n d a n t

W h a t h a s y o u r p r o g r a m b e e n w o r k i n g o n ?

W e c u r r e n t l y a r e r e o p e n i n g u p t o t h e t r i b a l c o m m u n i t y d u e t o C O V I D - 1 9 r e s t r i c t i o n s W e a r e p l a n n i n g f o r t h e u p c o m i n g

h e a l t h f a i r W e ’ r e c u r r e n t l y u n a b l e t o d o o n e o n o n e s w i t h

t h e c l i e n t s b e c a u s e w e ’ r e n o t c e r t i f i e d i n p e r s o n a l t r a i n i n g

W e h a v e p l a n n e d a f e w w a l

c h a l l e n g e s f o r o u r e m p l o y e e s a n d o u r t r

p r o j e c t s a n d c h a l l e n g e s w e ’ r e g o i n g t

W h a t w e r e s o m e o f t h e c h a l l e n g e s t h a t C

t h e m ?

f r o m 7 a . m . t o 7 p . m . w i t h n o a p p o i n t m e n t .

H a s y o u r p r o g r a m r e c e i v e d a n y r e c e n t

g r a n t s ? H o w m u c h ? W h a t f o r ?

I n 2 0 2 2 , C o m m u n i t y H e a l t h E d u c a t o r J o c e l y n H a n e y , a l o n g

w i t h A n i s s a S a b a t t i s s u c c e s s f u l l y r e c e i v e d a M a i n e

C o m m u n i t y F o u n d a t i o n g r a n t f o r $ 4 , 6 9 6 f o r n e w w o r k o u t

e q u i p m e n t T h e t r i b e w a s a b l e t o p u r c h a s e t h r e e n e w

t r e a d m i l l s a n d a r o w i n g m a c h i n e

W h a t a r e s o m e o f t h e s u c c e s s e s y o u w o u l d

l i k e t o h i g h l i g h t ?

E a c h m o n t h w e c h o o s e a " M e m b e r o f t h e M o n t h " b a s e d o n

h o w m a n y t i m e s t h e y c o m e i n W e a s k t h e m q u e s t i o n s f o r

t h e i r b i o a n d p o s s i b l y a b e f o r e a n d a f t e r p h o t o w h i c h w e

d i s p l a y a t t h e c e n t e r f o r i n s p i r i n g o t h e r m e m b e r s

W h a t a r e s o m e o f t h e p r o j e c t s t h a t y o u a r e

h o p i n g t o w o r k o n m o v i n g f o r w a r d ?

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t h i s s u m m e r t h a t i n v o l v e t h e c o m m u n i t y W e a r e a l s o g o i n g

t o b e w o r k i n g o n s o m e i n s i d e t h e F i t n e s s C e n t e r

c h a l l e n g e s

WHO WE ARE

R h o n d a C o c h r a n , W a t e r R e s o u r c e s S p e c i a l i s t : I

h a v e w o r k e d i n t h e w a t e r r e s o u r c e s p r o g r a m i n

2 0 0 4 - 0 5 a s a s u m m e r t e c h n i c i a n a n d r e t u r n e d

i n 2 0 0 8 u n t i l 2 0 1 2 a s a W a t e r T e c h n i c i a n I I .

I b e c a m e a v a i l a b l e o v e r t h e n e x t f e w y e a r s w h e n

t h e w a t e r p r o g r a m n e e d e d m y a s s i s t a n c e a n d

r e t u r n e d i n 2 0 2 0 t o t a k e t h e r o l e o f W a t e r

R e s o u r c e s S p e c i a l i s t . M y d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e

w a t e r p r o g r a m h a s b e e n a p r i o r i t y a n d f e l l i n

l o v e w i t h t h e w o r k f r o m t h e f i r s t d a y a s a

s u m m e r t e c h n i c i a n

S a m S t J o h n , W a t e r R e s o u r c e s T e c h n i c i a n :

A f t e r b e i n g a s u m m e r i n t e r n i n 2 0 1 6 , I c a m e o n

f u l l t i m e a s a W a t e r R e s o u r c e s T e c h n i c i a n t h e

f o l l o w i n g s p r i n g .

• C u r r e n t l y s e r v e a s a C o m m i s s i o n e r o n t h e

M a i n e I n d i a n T r i b a l S t a t e C o m m i s s i o n -

c o n t i n u a l l y r e v i e w s t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e

M a i n e I n d i a n L a n d C l a i m s S e t t l e m e n t A c t - I n t h e

b r o a d e s t s e n s e , M I T S C i s t a s k e d w i t h s u p p o r t i n g

e f f e c t i v e T r i b a l - S t a t e r e l a t i o n s , a n d i n s e r v i c e

o f t h i s , e m p h a s i z e s o u t r e a c h , n e t w o r k i n g , a n d

e d u c a t i o n

P a r t i c u l a r s u c c e s s e s I ’ d l i k e t o h i g h l i g h t :

• O u r A t l a n t i c S a l m o n g e n o m i c s p r o j e c t a n d

s u c c e s s f u l e f f o r t s i n w o r k i n g w i t h F i r s t N a t i o n s

a n d b o t h A m e r i c a n a n d C a n a d i a n f e d e r a l

a g e n c i e s i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e p a n d e m i c

A n g i e R e e d , W a t e r R e s o u r c e s D a t a S p e c i a l i s t

( p a r t t i m e ) : A n g i e j o i n e d t h e W a t e r R e s o u r c e s

P r o g r a m i n t h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 0 t o p r o v i d e

t e c h n i c a l a s s i s t a n c e w i t h d a t a c o l l e c t i o n a n d

m a n a g e m e n t

R h o n d a C o c h r a n

W a t e r R e s o u r c e s S p e c i a l i s t

S a m S t . J o h n

W a t e r R e s o u r c e s

A n g i e R e e d

W a t e r R e s o u r c e s

D a t a S p e c i a l i s t

W H A T W E

D O

The Natural Resources Water Resources Program deploys water quality equipment to collect water data such as Temperature, dissolved oxygen, Conductivity, pH, turbidity and we also collect nutrients, bacteria samples during the summer months from the Meduxnekeag River and its tributaries We also do a viewing bucket survey method that provides an estimate of the amount of periphyton, mostly epilithic algae that covers the stream bottom and occasionally green filamentous algae that has length The NR department a Tribal Youth Science Camp each summer for the community providing culture and science based activities from environmental professionals and Maliseet elders for tribal youth grades 5- 8 The water resources and natural resources program also works to eradicate invasive plants/noxious weeds from tribal lands The program has moved away from using toxic chemicals to control these invasive plants In the case of purple loosestrife, they began using galerucella spp leaf eating beetles (for biocontrol) in 2015 and have seen great success in areas where the beetles have been released. Plans are in the works to also address other plans such as garlic mustard and reed canary grass (sy) The tribe also works with USGS to maintain a stream gage on the Meduxnekeag at Lowery Bridge Real Time data for this gage and other gages in the USGS systems can be viewed by going to https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/01018035

What were some of the challenges that Covid created and how were you able to solve them? When I was hired in July 2020, when remote working was mandatory, it was challenging in the beginning to do the required tasks to do the job We finally went into the office every other day which helped me get things done I really needed to do Taking over the water program was exciting and I knew I could do it, just needed to get into the office

Has your program received any recent grants? How much? What for? The Water Resources Program is funded partially by the EPA Performance Partnership Grant Competitive BIA Water Resources Management funding Competitive BIA Tribal Youth Initiative Funding (Science Camp) Competitive BIA Noxious Weeds Funding

What are some of the successes you would like to highlight? Over the past couple years, we have made a few changes to how we monitor, collect and analyze data. Getting new and updated equipment for the lab, and now moving away from field paper sheets to digital forms on tablets for this year’s sampling season What are some of the projects that you are hoping to work on moving forward Moving forward, I would like to utilize our PRMS model (Precipitation Run-off Model) the USGS (United States Geological Survey) designed for the tribe and incorporate the gage data and data we collect to monitor changes in the Meduxnekeag and climate change

NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM FUNDING

Projects are funded in part from EPA Performance Partnership Grant BIA Forestry contract – part of CTGP

Competitive BIA Noxious Weeds Funding (with Water Resources)

Competitive BIA Tribal Youth Initiative Funding (with Water Resources)

Our projects

Food Sovereignty:

• Working with the Tribal Agriculturist, planning and setting up drip irrigation systems for vegetable gardens, food processing etc.

• Planning and planting/of apple orchards (at the youth building site), blackberries, raspberries and grapes (at the Elders site). Working with Wabanaki Public Healthy/WaYS to transplant blackberries, raspberries, fiddleheads at the Millinocket health center.

• Utilizing wild apple resources on Tribal lands— harvesting apples (many bushels were harvested and distributed), cider production.

• Maple syrup production. Planning-- purchasing equipment: Reverse osmosis, hydrometers, evaporator pan, spiles, tubing, buckets. 4 gallons of syrup produced to date. WAYS Sugar Camp.

• Spruce budworm monitoring on Tribal lands.

Culturally Significant Plants

• EAB (Emerald Ash Borer) monitoring for the presence Of EAB on Tribal lands (purple traps) Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) seed/fruits, collected processed and stored in a freezer for the future Propagation of hundreds of ash seeds for the future

• Medicinal plants, continued production of sweet grass (Hierchloe odorata), tobacco (nicotiana rustica) and muskrat root (Acorus americanus).

• Propagating rare plants like the blue native lupine (Lupin perrennis) • Regular taxonomy helping Tribal member’s ID plants, fungi etc

• Experimental archaeology collecting plants for various projects

• Planting trees in buffers and along waterways (Populus balsamifera) Also performs various duties in support of EPA Non-Point Source management objectives Point of contact for Tribal Forestry Plan and Fire Management Plan Conducts initial site inspection/review of lands being considered for tribal purchase (sy)

Environmental Planning

Sharri has worked for HBMI as an environmental planner for 30 years She has degrees in biology and wildlife conservation In 2020 Sharri was recognized by EPA Region 1 with a lifetime Achievement Award for her commitment to environmental excellence

These past couple of years the environmental planning program has focused on advancing a Meduxnekeag Watershed Restoration Initiative with multiple federal and local partners. Activities under this Initiative include

• Replacing undersized and failing culverts to improve fish passage,

• restoring fish habitat in the channel,

• promoting the practice of planting a buffer of trees along the river for shade and erosion control,

• working with Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Maliseet First Nation in Canada to identify an appropriate genetic strain of Atlantic salmon to support active salmon restoration in the Meduxnekeag which could either include planting salmon eggs, releasing salmon fry or smolts, and raising adults to spawn directly into the river

In addition, we are continuing a long term effort to develop an international transboundary agreement on watershed restoration of the Meduxnekeag and the entire Wolastoq-St John

Covid Challenges

Initially the challenges were technological (i e the challenges of setting up a remote office) Since most of the work of environmental planning relies on good communication with many partners, in some ways meeting remotely due to Covid has increased our capacity. However, face to face meetings are still the ideal. Also, many of our partners have lost staff and so progress on our collaborations has slowed.

G r a n t s / P r o j e c t s m o v i n g f o r w a r d : T h e s e n e x t s e v e r a l y e a r s w i l l

p r o v i d e u n p r e c e d e n t e d o p p o r t u n i t y t o a p p l y f o r f u n d s t o

r e p l a c e u n d e r s i z e d a n d f a i l i n g c u l v e r t s T h i s m a y a l s o i n c l u d e

a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o h i r e a f i s h e r i e s b i o l o g i s t f o r 5 y e a r s t o

s u p p o r t t h a t a c t i v i t y i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s

C o n s e r v a t i o n S e r v i c e I n a d d i t i o n , t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l p l a n n i n g

p r o g r a m h a s b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y

D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y ( M C D A ) t o e s t a b l i s h a l a r g e r W o l a s t o q -

S t J o h n R e s t o r a t i o n I n i t i a t i v e w i t h m u l t i p l e f e d e r a l , s t a t e a n d

l o c a l p a r t n e r s F e d e r a l a n d s t a t e f u n d i n g f o r c l i m a t e c h a n g e

a d a p t a t i o n a n d m i t i g a t i o n p l a n n i n g a n d i m p l e m e n t a t i o n i s a l s o

i n c r e a s i n g d r a m a t i c a l l y I d e a l l y , i f w e h i r e a f i s h e r i e s

b i o l o g i s t , t h i s w i l l f r e e u p t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r o g r a m t o f o c u s

o n a d d r e s s i n g t h e s e c h a l l e n g e s a n d o p p o r t u n i t i e s

W h a t a r e

• r e p l a c i n g M o o s e B r o o k

Real Estate

Susan Young has worked for HBMI’s Natural Resources Department for 24 year As Natural Resources Director oversees the Tribe’s Environmental Protection/Planning, Forestry and Water Resources Programs, Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) and manages the financial portion of all the department’s grants and contracts As Real Estate Director, she is responsible for coordinating land acquisitions, trust land applications and works with various tribal departments on planning and land use issues. Along with THPO Isaac St. John, they are currently working with the other Wabanaki tribes in Maine to help gain access to lands held by land trusts and conservation organizations for the purpose of hunting, gathering and co-management of resources and is working actively to help regain Wabanaki land in the area known as Maine. Susan and Isaac also represent HBMI in discussions with the National Park Service surrounding Wabanaki engagement/involvement/representation in the management of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Land acquisition/management

• In 2022 acquired 1 parcel of land within the Wilderness Pines Subdivision – and submitted an application for trust status on that parcel

• In 2022 the Fawkes parcel at Portage Lake achieved trust status

• In 2023 acquired 2 parcels on the Foxcroft Road and submitted application for trust status

• Acquisition of Stardust Motel property – North Rd Houlton

• Investigation of multiple parcels the tribe opted not to purchase

• Working to acquire 330 acre parcel – should be completed in 2023

• Began researching/working on possible acquisition of 2 additional parcels that would add significant acreage to the tribal land holdings

• Working with intertribal land group to facilitate land back initiatives in Maine

• Managing disbursement requests from tribal land trust fund as outlined in MICSA Realty

Miscellaneous

• Participate with planning department regrading land use

• Process all tax payments on fee lands owned by the tribe

• Updated land holdings report and shared with tribal programs and administration

• Updated tribal land boundary information in various databases such as Census Bureau, Boundary Annexation Survey etc

• Working with tribal attorney to outline tribal boundaries and tribal addresses located on tribal trust lands for work on taxation bill

• Coordinating with land surveyor with regards to clearly identifying land boundaries

• Acquiring additional funds for boundary line marking and maintenance

• Along with THPO Isaac St John, they are currently working with the other Wabanaki tribes in Maine to help gain access to lands held by land trusts and conservation organizations for the purpose of hunting, gathering and co-management of resources and is working actively to help regain Wabanaki land in the area known as Maine

• Susan and Isaac also represent HBMI in discussions with the National Park Service surrounding Wabanaki engagement/involvement/representation in the management of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Director's Update

• Oversight on all natural resources programs and projects

• Provide financial management for all grants/contracts for natural resources programs/projects

• Manage department’s Facebook page

• Worked with tribal attorney to assemble information to support various tribal initiatives as directed by tribal administration

What were some of the challenges that Covid created and how were you able to solve them? Getting the technology straightened out to work remotely. Once that was done, I was able to function quite well accessing all my files electronically. The shutdowns provided an opportunity to participate in many more meetings, trainings and workshops once they went virtual which proved to be a great asset.

I was very fortunate to have a great group of folks working here in natural resources – they were able to complete some work as usual since they were working outdoors and could socially distance etc. and they were very responsive to submitting updates/paperwork electronically.

Has your program received any recent grants? How much? What for?

• The Realty Program is funded through the Real Estate contract included in the CTGP

• The Natural Resources Director position is funded through a variety of grants/contracts in the Natural Resources Department.

What are some of the successes you would like to highlight?

• Completion of fee to trust process for Fawkes parcel Portage Lake

• Acquisition of three parcels of land (1 Monticello, 2 Houlton)

• Ongoing negotiations for a 330 acre parcel in Aroostook County

• Partnership building that has opened doors for additional land acquisition / access for hunting/gathering

What are some of the projects that you are hoping to work on moving forward?

• Increased land acquisition to address tribal needs for growth, sustenance hunting, fishing and gathering

Tribal Historic Preservation Office

TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE Isaac St John, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Currently the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, as well as Master's student at the University of New Brunswick at Fredericton Isaac joined HBMI in 2020 (sy) This year, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office has been working on a number of cultural projects, as well as working with a number of organizations dealing with land sovereignty, food sovereignty, etc

The projects consist of pottery making, stone tool making, plant cordage gathering and making, and bow making Currently, along with the Natural Resources department, the THPO program is gathering maple sap and making maple syrup for the youth and community

NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARMENT FUNDING 2- EPA Performance Partnership Grant (includes Brownfields program) supports all NR programs Elmina B Sewall Foundation BIA Forestry Contract (CTGP) BIA Realty Contract (CTGP) BIA Water Resources Management (Competitive Grant) BIA Tribal Youth Initiative (Science Camp – Competitive Grant) 3- BIA Noxious Weeds (Invasive Plants – Competitive Grant) BIA Tribal Resilience Grant (Climate Change – competitive grant) 2- US Fish & Wildlife Service – Tribal Wildlife Grant (Instream Habitat Restoration –Competitive Grants)

O v e r a l l C h a l l e n g e s

P l a n n i n g a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n d u r i n g t h e p a n d e m i c c r e a t e d

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i n w i t h l i t t l e t o n o g u i d a n c e ; u n r e a l i s t i c t i m e l i n e s ; a n d

l a c k o f c a p a c i t y a n d a v a i l a b i l i t y o f g o v e r n m e n t a l a g e n c i e s

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e l i g i b l e a c t i v i t i e s .

T h e c h a l l e n g e w a s f u r t h e r c o m p l i c a t e d b y l e a r n i n g h o w t o

w o r k r e m o t e l y , m a n a g e t e c h n o l o g y i n w a y s t h a t w e r e

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w a y o f d o i n g b u s i n e s s . M a n y a g e n c i e s w o r k e d r e m o t e l y

b u t h a d n ’ t h a d t h e i r e m a i l s , c o n t a c t i n f o r m a t i o n o r p r i o r

i n f o w e h a d s u b m i t t e d , f o r w a r d e d t o t h e i r r e m o t e

l o c a t i o n s T h i s e m p h a s i z e d t h e c h a o s T h e y , t o o , w e r e

b o m b a r d e d

M o n e y w a s d i s p e r s e d n o t o n l y t o t r i b e s , b u t l o c a l l y t o

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w h i c h h a d t h e s a m e t i m e l i n e s w e h a d t o s p e n d d o w n t h e

f u n d s T h i s c r e a t e d a n u n m a n a g e a b l e d e m a n d o n A / E f i r m s

a n d g e n e r a l c o n t r a c t o r s I t a l s o c a u s e d d e l a y s w i t h t h e

s t a t e f o r o u r e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r o c e d u r e s s u c h a s s i t e

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c o n s t r u c t i o n u n t i l a l l e n v i r o n m e n t a l h a s b e e n p a s s e d .

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c o m p e t i t i v e l y a p p l y i n g f o r a d d i t i o n a l f u n d s T h i s w a s a

m a s s i v e c h a l l e n g e t o m a n a g e a l l f u n d i n g ; p r o v i d e u n m e t

n e e d s o f t r i b a l c i t i z e n s ; a d h e r e t o a l l g o v e r n m e n t

r e g u l a t i o n s ( d i f f e r e n t r e g u l a t i o n s a n d t i m e l i n e s s f o r e a c h

f u n d i n g a g e n c y ) ; a n d t o c o m m u n i c a t e e f f e c t i v e l y w i t h t h e

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m a k i n g m i s t a k e s , a n d t h e C O V I D d i s e a s e w e r e p r e e m i n e n t

W e w e r e f o r c e d t o p e r s e v e r e , a n d p e r s e v e r e , w e d i d !

H B M I i s o n e o f t h e m o r e p r o g r e s s i v e t r i b e s i n t h e n a t i o n , w o r k i n g c o l l e c t i v e l y t o m a x i m i z e f u n d i n g a n d m e e t i n g

u n m e t n e e d s o f o t h e r C O V I D r e l a t e d p r o j e c t s . T h e r e a r e

m a n y t r i b e s t h a t a r e s e t t i n g o n f u n d s a n d c a n n o t c o m p l e t e

t h e i r p r o j e c t s b e c a u s e t h e c o s t o f c o n s t r u c t i o n h a s

e x c e e d e d t h e i r a v a i l a b l e g r a n t f u n d s H B M I , h o w e v e r ,

c h o s e t o s u p p l e m e n t a n d c o n t i n u e t o p u r s u e a n d

p r i o r i t i z e t h e i r p r o j e c t s , p r o v i d i n g e x c e l l e n t s e r v i c e t o t h e i r c i t i z e n s .

I b e l i e v e w e e f f e c t i v e l y s u s t a i n e d o u r o p e r a t i o n a n d

s e r v i c e s d u r i n g t h e s e t i m e s d u e t o t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f t r i b a l

g o v e r n m e n t a n d o u r t r i b a l c h i e f , a n R N , w h o u n d e r s t o o d

t h e i m p a c t o n s e r v i c e s , h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y f o r t h e H B M I

c o m m u n i t y d u r i n g a g l o b a l p a n d e m i c .

R o s a M c N a l l y

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I s s u e s o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , h e a l t h , e m p t y s h e l v e s a t l o c a l g r o c e r y s t o r e s

a n d q u a r a n t i n i n g w e r e i m m e d i a t e t h r e a t s t h a t r e q u i r e d p r o m p t a t t e n t i o n . R e s p o n d i n g t o t h e u r g e n c y , H B M I c o n v e r t e d t h e b o t t o m h a l f

o f t h e H o u s i n g A u t h o r i t y A d m i n i s t r a t i v e B u i l d i n g t o a f o o d p a n t r y T h e

b u i l d i n g w a s e x p a n d e d , a n d i n c l u d e d a w a l k - i n c o o l e r a n d f r e e z e r

A d d i t i o n a l o f f i c e s p a c e w a s c r e a t e d u p s t a i r s f o r d i s p l a c e d S o c i a l

S e r v i c e s s t a f f , a n d a l a r g e r c o n f e r e n c e a r e a f o r b o a r d m e e t i n g s w a s

c o n s t r u c t e d t o i m p l e m e n t s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g . T o t a l P r o j e c t C o s t :

$ 1 , 0 4 0 , 0 0 0 F u n d i n g s o u r c e s : N a t i o n a l C o m p e t i t i v e I C D B G I m m i n e n t

T h r e a t C o v i d F u n d i n g , $ 9 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d T r e a s u r y C o v i d F u n d i n g $ 1 4 0 , 0 0 0

H o u s i n g M a i n t e n a n c e G a r a g e – C r e a t i n g t h e f o o d p a n t r y r e s u l t e d i n t h e

n e c e s s i t y t o r e l o c a t e m a i n t e n a n c e s e r v i c e s a n d c o n s t r u c t a 1 , 2 0 0

s q u a r e f o o t H o u s i n g M a i n t e n a n c e G a r a g e . T h e g a r a g e h a s h e a t e d a r e a s

f o r P P E s t o r a g e . T h i s b u i l d i n g w a s t h e f i r s t c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t w h e r e

w e w i t n e s s e d f i r s t - h a n d t h e o u t r a g e o u s c o s t o f c o n s t r u c t i o n . T h e s e

h i g h e r c o s t s f o r c e d u s t o v a l u e e n g i n e e r t h e p r o j e c t r e d u c i n g t h e f o o t

p r i n t a n d u t i l i t i e s

T o t a l P r o j e c t C o s t $ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 F u n d i n g S o u r c e : N A H S D A

M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r - - M o r e c o m m o n l y r e f e r r e d t o a s t h e g y m , a n d

t h e E m e r g e n c y S h e l t e r , t h e M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r h a s l o n g b e e n i n n e e d o f e x p a n s i o n a n d r e h a b i l i t a t i o n T h e t r i b e e x p a n d e d t h e 6 , 3 0 0

s q u a r e f o o t c o m m u n i t y c e n t e r b y a n a d d i t i o n a l 2 , 4 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t T h e

C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r n o w h o s t s a c o m m e r c i a l k i t c h e n w i t h f i r e s u p p r e s s i o n

h o o d , p u b l i c s i z e d m u l t i - s t a l l e d b a t h r o o m s , i m p r o v e d h e a t i n g s y s t e m ,

s p r i n k l e r s y s t e m , n e w f l o o r i n g , a n d a c o n f e r e n c e r o o m .

T h e p a n d e m i c w i t n e s s e d a s t r o n o m i c a l i n c r e a s e d c o s t s f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l s , a s w e l l a s b a c k o r d e r s o n m a t e r i a l s a n d s h i p m e n t d e l a y s , w h i c h c r e a t e d a c o s t e x c e e d i n g t h e g r a n t a w a r d T h e p r o j e c t e n c o u n t e r e d a c o n s t r u c t i o n i n c e p t i o n d e l a y d u e t o c o n f l i c t s o f e n g i n e e r i n g b e t w e e n t h e s t e e l b u i l d i n g m a n u f a c t u r e r e n g i n e e r a n d

B R S A e n g i n e e r s , a s w e l l a s d e l i v e r y o f b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s T h e s i g n a g e

w a s p u t o u t t o t h e c o m m u n i t y t o d e s i g n t h e s i g n , a n d w a s c r e a t e d b y

B r i a n D e v o e .

T o t a l P r o j e c t C o s t : $ 1 , 0 7 8 , 0 0 0 . F u n d i n g S o u r c e : R e g i o n a l C o m p e t i t i v e

I C D B G $ 9 0 0 , 0 0 0 / A R P A F u n d i n g $ 1 7 8 , 0 0 0

U S D A C o m m e r c i a l K i t c h e n E q u i p m e n t T h i s p r o j e c t p r o v i d e d

s t a i n l e s s s t e e l c o m m e r c i a l w o r k s t a t i o n s , r e f r i g e r a t o r , f r e e z e r ,

i c e m a c h i n e , s t e a m t a b l e , p r o p a n e s t o v e a n d a m e n i t i e s f o r t h e

M a l i s e e t C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r T o t a l P r o j e c t C o s t : $ 5 0 , 0 0 0

F u n d i n g S o u r c e : U S D A R u r a l D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m u n i t y

F a c i l i t i e s

S t o r a g e U n i t C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r – T e m p e r a t u r e c o n t r o l l e d

s t o r a g e f o r P P E a n d E m e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t M a t e r i a l s T o t a l

P r o j e c t C o s t : $ 1 1 1 , 8 2 1 F u n d i n g S o u r c e : A R P A

S t o r a g e U n i t H e a l t h C e n t e r - C r e a t i o n o f a 1 , 2 0 0 s q u a r e f o o t

p a r t i a l l y t e m p e r a t u r e c o n t r o l s t o r a g e u n i t f o r P P E . T o t a l

P r o j e c t C o s t : $ 9 8 , 9 7 3 , F u n d i n g S o u r c e : C D C .

H o u s i n g R e h a b i l i t a t i o n – T h i s p r o j e c t r e h a b i l i t a t e d 2 2 N A H S D A

r e n t a l u n i t s . T h e g o a l w a s t o a d d r e s s r e p l a c e m e n t o f l i f e

e x p e c t a n c y m a t e r i a l s s u c h a s r o o f i n g , w i n d o w s , m e c h a n i c a l ,

p l u m b i n g a n d d o o r s . S w a l e s w e r e c r e a t e d o n t h e e x t e r i o r o f

s o m e o f t h e h o m e s t o d i v e r t w a t e r i n f i l t r a t i o n . T h e p r o j e c t w a s

a h u g e c h a l l e n g e t o c o m p l e t e f a c i n g C O V I D i m p l i c a t i o n s w i t h

t e n a n t s a n d c o n t r a c t o r s . T h i s p r o j e c t p r o v i d e d l e v e r a g e o u t o f

t h e I C D B G R e h a b i l i t a t i o n p r o j e c t l i s t e d n e x t t o p a y t h e i n t e r e s t

o n t h e l o a n . O v e r a l l , t h e i n t e r e s t p a y m e n t s w e r e l e s s t h a n t h e

2 5 % t o t a l p r o j e c t c o s t l e v e r a g e i s o n a n I C D B G p r o j e c t .

T h i s f u n d i n g d i f f e r s f r o m o t h e r s o u r c e s o f f u n d i n g W h i l e

c o m p e t i t i v e , t h e p r o j e c t m a n a g e m e n t a w a r d , i n i t i a t e s a s a

c o n s t r u c t i o n l o a n b e t w e e n t h e M a l i s e e t H o u s i n g A u t h o r i t y w i t h

B a n g o r S a v i n g s B a n k O n c e t h e p r o j e c t w a s c o m p l e t e d , t h e

F H L B p a i d o f f t h e l o a n a s a g r a n t t o B S B T h e H o u s i n g

A u t h o r i t y i s o b l i g a t e d f o r 1 5 y e a r s t o m a i n t a i n t h e a p p r o p r i a t e

i n c o m e l e v e l s f o r e a c h u n i t t h a t w a s r e h a b b e d u n d e r t h i s

p r o j e c t

T o t a l P r o j e c t C o s t : $ 6 5 0 , 0 0 0 F u n d i n g S o u r c e : T h e F e d e r a l

H o m e L o a n B a n k o f B o s t o n ( F H L B ) t h r o u g h B a n g o r S a v i n g s

B a n k ( B S B ) .

H o u s i n g R e h a b i l i t a t i o n – T h i s p r o j e c t e x c e e d e d o u r g r a n t

a w a r d . M a l i s e e t H o u s i n g A u t h o r i t y o b l i g a t e d a n a d d i t i o n a l

$ 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 f r o m C O V I D f u n d i n g t o r e h a b 3 2 u n i t s , i n c l u d i n g

r o o f i n g , w i n d o w s , d o o r s a n d s i d i n g .

T o t a l P r o j e c t C o s t : $ 1 , 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 . F u n d i n g S o u r c e s : I n d i a n

C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t B l o c k G r a n t ( I C D B G ) $ 9 0 0 , 0 0 0 ,

N A H A S D A 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 .

Happenings at the social service office

We at the Houlton Band of Maliseet Social Services Department have had a busy year We have provided many services to the citizens of the tribe We have continued with the same services that we usually provide and have also had a few new ones. Here are a few of the new ones we have been working on. Last summer/early fall, we provided assistance for citizens to cover the cost of rent or mortgage payment and utility bills for three months This was done to help with the increase in prices.

We provided tribal citizens with food cards six times during the last year. These cards were for $250 and were provided once a month to help with the rising cost of groceries

Another new program we are doing is LIHWAP (Low Income Housing Water Assistance Program). This program is like LIHEAP, only it is to help for water and wastewater. If you qualified for LIHEAP than you qualify for LIHWAP. This is a one-time program There will be no further funding provided The child care program is one that we have had, however we have been working on making some changes to the program We are temporarily going to drop the income guidelines so that we can help more families. We are also looking at raising the rate of pay for providers.This is exciting news as day care is hard to find and expensive

COVID-19 Challenges

COVID presented many challenges for the Social Service Department. Many tribal citizens experienced a financial hardship, due to the increase in prices and job loss for some This had us looking for creative ways to help the citizens with meeting their basic needs Another challenge that COVID presented was that due to social distancing people were not allowed in the offices for applications and things. We relied heavily on the postal service and technology to get these things done

Success Stories

We had a tribal citizen leave a difficult situation and relocate to our area This citizen was homeless and stayed in our tribal hotel. The citizen worked with our service navigator and now has their own apartment and a full-time job.

Social services provide an array of services. The following is a collection of the programs we offer.

LIHEAP: Each year the social service department manages the LIHEAP program Applications for this program are accepted from October to March of each year

Elder fuel: Each year the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians provide the tribal elders with monthly fuel from the months of November to March The elders must first complete an application for LIHEAP to see how many gallons a month they will qualify for

Food Pantry: We have a great food pantry the tribal citizens can utilize when they are in need of it

Our food pantry is equipped with a walk in fridge and a walk in freezer and tons of shelving for dry/canned goods

Transportation: The social service department has a transportation program We will transport tribal citizens so that they may get the services that they may need, we will transport them to get groceries, prescriptions, and to medical appointments when the clinic is unavailable

Childcare: We have a grant that can help with childcare payments Parents just need to come in and fill out an application and then have their provider complete an application

Emergency Assistance: This is a program that allows a tribal citizen to apply for emergency financial help The applicant would complete the application and return it and all necessary documents to the social service office The social service director will then call and get an appointment to take the application and all relevant information to council, council then votes on whether or not it justifies an emergency and if they approve it.

Emergency rental/mortgage and utilities: Social services had a program in the summer of 2022 in which we helped 182 people with their rent/mortgage and their utilities for 3 months.

Food Cards: We provided tribal citizens eighteen and over with $250.00 gift cards to the grocery store to help them get groceries With the price of food these were a tremendous help to our citizens We provided these for 6 months

Burial: This program is to help loved ones with the cost of burial/cremation of their loved one after they have passed on

LIHWAP: This is a new program that will help with paying peoples water/ waste water bills If you qualify for LIHEAP then you qualify for this program

Our Staff

Lisa Matthews, Outreach Worker -- Lisa has been with the social service department since March of 2020 Prior to coming to social services she worked in the finance department for twenty years Lisa has two daughters and four grandchildren In her free time Lisa loves to travel

Joshua Toner, Service Navigator -- Joshua has been with social service department since January of 2022 Prior to coming to the social service department Joshua worked as an employment specialist/ DSP for seven years He holds a seat on the Maliseet Housing Board of Commissioners Joshua is very family oriented and loves to travel in his free time

Tanya Raymond, Program Director -- Tanya has been with the social service department since April of 2022. Prior to coming to the social service department Tanya worked for the Domestic Violence program for eight years. Tanya is married with three kids and four grandkids. Tanya enjoys spending her free time with her family

S i n c e 2 0 2 2 , O s i h k i y o l ( Z e k e ) C r o f t o n - M a c d o n a l d h a s s e r v e d a s

t h e M e d u x n e k e w i y i k ( H o u l t o n B a n d o f M a l i s e e t I n d i a n s ) T r i b a l

A m b a s s a d o r T h e r o l e o f T r i b a l A m b a s s a d o r i s a n e w p o s i t i o n f o r

t h e H o u l t o n B a n d T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e r o l e i s t o s t r e n g t h e n t h e

M a l i s e e t N a t i o n ’ s r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h t h e o t h e r W a b a n a k i N a t i o n s ,

t h e s t a t e o f M a i n e , t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s f e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t , a n d

o t h e r I n d i g e n o u s N a t i o n s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y T h e r o l e o f T r i b a l

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a n d i n t e n t i o n t o a s s e r t o u r i n h e r e n t r i g h t t o s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n

a s a f e d e r a l l y r e c o g n i z e d s o v e r e i g n n a t i o n F o r t h e p a s t y e a r ,

Z e k e h a s w o r k e d t o h o n o r o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h t h e o t h e r

W a b a n a k i N a t i o n s i n M a i n e , s t r e n g t h e n o u r k i n s h i p t i e s w i t h t h e

r e s t o f t h e M a l i s e e t N a t i o n i n N e w B r u n s w i c k , a n d w o r k e d t o

n e g o t i a t e i m p r o v e m e n t s t o o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p s w i t h t h e s t a t e

U p o n a s s u m i n g h i s d u t i e s a s T r i b a l A m b a s s a d o r , Z e k e t o o k a

s e a t o n t h e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s o f t h e W a b a n a k i A l l i a n c e .

I n c o r p o r a t e d i n J u n e o f 2 0 2 0 , t h e W a b a n a k i A l l i a n c e w a s c r e a t e d

b y t r i b a l l e a d e r s h i p w i t h t h e s p e c i f i c i n t e n t i o n t o p r e s e n t a

u n i t e d f r o n t f o r t h e W a b a n a k i N a t i o n s i n M a i n e ’ s u n i f i e d g o a l t o

i n c r e a s e o u r a b i l i t y t o d e t e r m i n e o u r o w n f u t u r e s a s s o v e r e i g n

n a t i o n s T h e A l l i a n c e i s c o m p o s e d o f a B o a r d o f R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s

a n d A m b a s s a d o r s f r o m e a c h o f t h e f o u r N a t i o n s i n M a i n e , w h i c h

t a k e d i r e c t i o n f r o m a n A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l c o m p o s e d o f e a c h

N a t i o n ’ s C h i e f

A l o n g s i d e h i s d u t i e s a s A m b a s s a d o r , Z e k e h a s a l s o s e r v e d a s

o n e o f H B M I ’ s T r i b a l C o m m i s s i o n e r s o n t h e M a i n e I n d i a n T r i b a l

S t a t e C o m m i s s i o n ( M I T S C ) M I T S C w a s c r e a t e d a s a f u n c t i o n o f

t h e 1 9 8 0 M a i n e I m p l e m e n t i n g A c t , t h e S t a t e c o m p o n e n t o f t h e

l a w w h i c h i m p l e m e n t s t h e M a i n e S e t t l e m e n t A c t

S i n c e i t s f o r m a t i o n , M I T S C h a s s e r v e d a s o n e o f t h e f e w a v e n u e s

o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e W a b a n a k

I n r e c e n t y e a r s , M I T S C h a s s u p p o r t e d t

W a b a n a k i N a t i o n s ’ l e g i s l a t i v e g o a l s i n

m o d e r n i z e t h e S e t t l e m e n t A c t .

A s a m e m b e r o f b o t h M I T S C a n d t h e

W a b a n a k i A l l i a n c e , Z e k e h a s w o r k e d

t o f o s t e r t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p a n d h e l p e d

t h e t w o o r g a n i z a t i o n s u n i f y

i n t h e i r m e s s a g i n g a n d g o a l s

Z e k e C r o f t o n -

M a c d o n a l d

T r i b a l A m b a s s a d o r

I n h i s r o l e a s A m b a s s a d o r , Z e k e h a s b e e n w o r k i n g a l o n g s i d e t h e

T r i b a l C h i e f a n d t h e W a b a n a k i A l l i a n c e w i t h s t a t e l e g i s l a t o r s i n

t h e 1 3 1 s t M a i n e L e g i s l a t u r e i n t h e f o r m a t i o n o f n e w b i l l s f o r t h e

c o l l e c t i v e a d v a n c e m e n t o f W a b a n a k i p r o s p e r i t y i n M a i n e T h e

t w o m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t b i l l s f o r t h e a d v a n c e m e n t o f s e l f -

d e t e r m i n a t i o n t h i s s e s s i o n a r e L R 1 1 8 4 , c o l l o q u i a l l y k n o w n a s

t h e “ T r i b a l S o v e r e i g n t y ” b i l l a n d L R 1 3 2 5 , a l s o k n o w n a s t h e

“ F e d e r a l B e n e f i c i a r y B i l l . ”

T h e “ T r i b a l S o v e r e i g n t y B i l l ” w i l l f o c u s o n a d v a n c i n g t h e 2 2

T a s k F o r c e R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s p r o p o s e d i n L D 1 6 2 6 f r o m l a s t

y e a r ’ s 1 3 0 t h M a i n e L e g i s l a t u r e

A t a s k f o r c e c o m p r i s e d o f t r i b a l c h i e f s a n d t h e g o v e r n o r ’ s

a p p o i n t e e s a n d l e g i s l a t o r s w a s e s t a b l i s h e d t o p u t f o r t h

r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s

T h e T a s k F o r c e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s w e r e t h e r e s u l t o f f o u r y e a r s

w o r t h o f n e g o t i a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e N a t i o n s a n d t h e S t a t e w h i c h

o u t l i n e d w a y s t o i m p r o v e t h e 1 9 8 0 S e t t l e m e n t A c t f o r t h e b e n e f i t

o f a l l p e o p l e i n M a i n e I n s h o r t , t h e y s e e k t o u p d a t e t h e

a g r e e m e n t a n d b r i n g i t i n t o c l o s e r a l i g n m e n t w i t h t h e m a n y

s i g n i f i c a n t w a y s i n w h i c h F e d e r a l I n d i g e n o u s p o l i c y h a s g r o w n

i n t h e p a s t 4 0 y e a r s s i n c e i t s e n a c t m e n t

A p a r t f r o m t h e s e t w o m a i n b i l l s , Z e k e h a s w o r k e d t o a d v a n c e L R

1 5 6 6 , k n o w n a s t h e W a b a n a k i S t u d i e s B i l l , w h i c h w o u l d s e e k t o

i m p r o v e t h e 2 0 - y e a r - o l d M a i n e l a w r e q u i r i n g a l l p u b l i c s c h o o l s

i n t h e S t a t e t o t e a c h W a b a n a k i S t u d i e s . E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r , Z e k e

c o n t r i b u t e d t o a r e p o r t a u t h o r e d b y M I T S C , t h e W a b a n a k i

A l l i a n c e , a n d t h e A C L U o f M a i n e o n t h e S t a t e ’ s f a i l u r e t o

i m p l e m e n t t h i s l a w .

L R 1 5 6 6 t h i s s e s s i o n w o u l d s e e k t o a m e n d t h e f i n a n c i a l a n d

a d m i n i s t r a t i v e b a r r i e r s w h i c h s t a n d i n t h e w a y o f t h e f u l l

i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f t h i s l a w a c r o s s t h e S t a t e a n d n e c e s s i t a t e t h a t

p u b l i c s c h o o l s a c r o s s M a i n e h a v e t h e f u n d s a n d c a p a c i t y t o

t e a c h W a b a n a k i S t u d i e s

T o t h i s e n d , Z e k e a l o n g w i t h a n o r g a n i z a t i o n o f W a b a n a k i

p e o p l e f r o m e a c h o f t h e N a t i o n s , h a s b e e n w o r k i n g t o

c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h t h e M a i n e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n o n t h e

b e g i n n i n g s t a g e s o f t h e f o r m a t i o n o f a W a b a n a k i S t u d i e s

C u r r i c u l u m . T h i s i s a n o n g o i n g w o r k i n p r o g r e s s a n d o n l y t h e

s t a r t o f w h a t w i l l h o p e f u l l y b e a l o n g a n d c o l l a b o r a t i v e

p r o c e s s t o c o n t i n u a l l y p r o v i d e W a b a n a k i v o i c e s a n d i n s i g h t

i n t o t h e w a y p u b l i c s c h o o l s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e t e a c h W a b a n a k i

S t u d i e s .

A n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t b i l l t h i s s e s s i o n i s L D 7 8 , " R E S O L U T I O N ,

P r o p o s i n g a n A m e n d m e n t t o A r t i c l e X o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n o f

M a i n e R e g a r d i n g t h e P u b l i c a t i o n o f M a i n e I n d i a n T r e a t y

O b l i g a t i o n s . ” T h e b i l l a c k n o w l e d g e s t h a t i n 1 8 7 6 , t h e M a i n e

L e g i s l a t u r e p a s s e d a n a m e n d m e n t t o r e m o v e f r o m p r i n t e d

c o p i e s o f t h e M a i n e C o n s t i t u t i o n , A r t i c l e X , S e c t i o n 5 , w h i c h

a m o n g o t h e r t h i n g s , o u t l i n e d t h e S t a t e ’ s o b l i g a t i o n t o

“ a s s u m e t h e d u t i e s o f [ t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h o f M a s s a c h u s e t t s ] ,

t o w a r d s t h e I n d i a n s w i t h i n s a i d D i s t r i c t o f M a i n e . ”

I t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t t h i s c l a u s e i s s t i l l a c t i v e i n t h e M a i n e

C o n s t i t u t i o n , t h e a m e n d m e n t i n 1 8 7 6 j u s t v o t e d t o r e m o v e

t h i s l a n g u a g e f r o m p r i n t e d v e r s i o n s o f t h e M a i n e

C o n s t i t u t i o n .

T h e p r o p o s e d a m e n d m e n t w i l l r e w i n d t h i s d e c i s i o n a n d a g a i n

r e q u i r e t h e S t a t e t o p r i n t t h i s c l a u s e . I f t h i s b i l l p a s s e s b o t h

t h e H o u s e a n d t h e S e n a t e , i t w i l l g o o u t t o a s t a t e - w i d e

r e f e r e n d u m a n d M a i n e c i t i z e n s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e w i l l h a v e a n

o p p o r t u n i t y t o v o t e o n i t s p a s s a g e .

Who we are

The Wabanaki Vocational Rehabilitation (WVR) program continues to provide vocational rehabilitation services to the five tribes in Maine. The WVR program assists with vocational needs and work readiness skills with eligible consumers. The WVR program also attends all five tribal health fairs and other social events In addition, the WVR program collaborates with intertribal programs as well as outer tribal programs to help consumers become successful with their vocational goals.

The main way COVID has impacted the WVR program was the delivery of service The WVR program attended meetings virtually versus in person, saving travel and allowing more time in the office. The virtual option was also convenient when transportation or sickness prevented inperson meetings

The WVR program is a competitive five-year grant, and we will be looking to begin the application process for another five years in 2024

The WVR program works with American Indians with disabilities, maintaining, sustaining, or obtaining employment The program experienced fewer referrals during COVID; however, referrals are increasing The program continues to build professional relationships with the five tribes in Maine and non-tribal programs that provide services to American Indians with disabilities.

The WVR program continues to work toward achieving its goals each year. WVR is assisting a consumer who struggles with substance use. She could not hold down a job and struggled mentally and emotionally for a while This consumer began healing herself by going to treatment and therapy, which led her to be referred to the WVR program, as she was ready to seek employment.

WVR assisted with counseling, guidance, and collaboration with her service providers WVR helped the individual explore her vocational interests and abilities She expressed interest in helping others with similar challenges and giving others hope. So, WVR assisted with this consumer becoming peer support, and the consumer became trained as peer support and is now working with the American Indian population part-time

The program continues to grow and improve, and hopefully, the WVR program can be re-funded yearly and not be a competitive five-year grant. The program is also working on enhancing professional relationships with other service providers who work with natives with disabilities

L a c e u p t h o s e s k a t e s !

M a l i s e e t R o l l e r a m a L L C i s l o c a t e d a t 4 9 4

N o r t h R o a d , H o u l t o n , M a i n e 0 4 7 3 0 . T e l : 2 0 7 -

5 2 1 - 5 2 5 5

K e y e m p l o y e e s : L a u r a T o m a h i s o u r m a n a g e r

a n d h a s b e e n e m p l o y e d w i t h u s s i n c e

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9 . S h e b r i n g s y e a r s o f

m a n a g e m e n t e x p e r i e n c e a n d h a s b e e n

o v e r s e e i n g p a r t i e s a n d s e e i n g t h a t a l l g u e s t s

h a v e a s a f e a n d f u n e x p e r i e n c e . T w o n e w s t a f f

h a v e b e e n r e c e n t l y h i r e d a s r i n k a t t e n d a n t s t o

h e l p L a u r a o u t f o r t h e r e o p e n i n g . P l e a s e

w e l c o m e M c K e n n a T i d d a n d C a d e n S h a w t o t h e

R o l l e r a m a t e a m i f y o u s e e t h e m !

R o l l e r a m a s a w a g r e a t t u r n o u t a t o u r g r a n d

r e o p e n i n g i n S e p t e m b e r o f 2 0 1 9 a n d h a d g o o d

a t t e n d a n c e u p u n t i l M a r c h 2 0 2 0 w h e n t h e

p a n d e m i c h i t . W h e n i n d o o r g a t h e r i n g

r e s t r i c t i o n s w e r e p u t i n p l a c e f o r b u s i n e s s e s ,

R o l l e r a m a w a s c l o s e d t o t h e p u b l i c d u e t o

C o v i d - 1 9 . S i n c e i n d o o r g a t h e r i n g r e s t r i c t i o n s

w e r e l i f t e d i n 2 0 2 1 , w e s h i f t e d t o d o i n g j u s t

p r i v a t e p a r t i e s a n d f u n c t i o n s a n d h a v e b e e n

a v e r a g i n g 4 - 6 p a r t i e s a w e e k .

M c K e n n a T i d d A l o o k a t o u r B u s i n e s s e s

L a u r a T o m a h M a n a g e r

About our lodge

The year 2023 brought another successful year for WPC. Once again surpassed our previous year making this the fourth year in doing so.

We started our season with upgrades to several RV sites, water lines to cabins, tree trimming, pool fence upgrade and road repairs. Our next project was the addition of a 30’ X 60’ Post & Beam Event Pavilion and three new cabins.

We hosted nine weddings, three large corporate events, car show (4th year) ATV Rally (2nd Year) and numerous private events. Our Outfitting / Guide service was successful with Bear –Moose and Bird Hunts.

Our winter season was very successful with Christmas parties and a full winter snowmobile season.

Our 2023 season surpassed 2022 and we are now booking weddings into 2024.

W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s C a m p g r o u n d i s l o c a t e d a t 8 3 C o n r o y L a k e R o a d

M o n t i c e l l o , M a i n e 0 4 7 6 0 2 0 7 - 5 3 8 - 4 5 0 0

K e y E m p l o y e e s : W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s C a m p g r o u n d u n d e r w e n t a c h a n g e

i n 2 0 2 3 a s l o n g t i m e m a n a g e r G e o r g e H u r t e a u s t e p p e d d o w n f r o m h i s

p o s i t i o n . S t e p h e n W o t t o n w a s n a m e d t h e n e w m a n a g e r i n D e c e m b e r

2 0 2 3 a n d b r i n g s a w e a l t h o f e x p e r i e n c e t o t h e P i n e s .

H e i d i H u r t e a u r e m a i n e d o n b o a r d a n d i s t h e o f f i c e a n d r e s e r v a t i o n s

m a n a g e r . S h e b r i n g s 3 0 y e a r s o f o f f i c e m a n a g e m e n t / s e c r e t a r i a l

e x p e r i e n c e .

C u r r e n t l y W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s C a m p g r o u n d o p e r a t e s 6 c a b i n s , 2 6 R V

s i t e s w i t h f u l l w a t e r , s e w e r a n d e l e c t r i c a l h o o k u p , a n d 9 t e n t s i t e s

T h e r e i s a c o m m e r c i a l k i t c h e n , a s m a l l p o o l a n d a r e c e n t l y b u i l t

p a v i l i o n w h i c h i s u s e d f o r w e d d i n g s , p a r t i e s a n d c o r p o r a t e e v e n t s .

A l s o o n s i t e i s a c o m m e r c i a l t e n t u s e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e

p a v i l i o n f o r l a r g e r w e d d i n g s . T h r e e ( 3 ) n e w c a b i n s a r e i n t h e p r o c e s s

o f b e i n g i n s t a l l e d o n t h e W P C p r o p e r t y b r i n g i n g t o t a l c a b i n s t o 9 .

I n t h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 2 , a n e w p o s t a n d b e a m p a v i l i o n w a s b u i l t t o

a c c o m m o d a t e m o r e s h e l t e r e d s p a c e f o r o u r w e d d i n g s g u e s t s A s a

d e s t i n a t i o n l o c a t i o n f o r w e d d i n g s , e v e n t s a n d e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m s ,

w e m a i n t a i n o u r p r o p e r t y t o t h e h i g h e s t e n v i r o n m e n t a l s t a n d a r d s

W h e t h e r i t ’ s a w e d d i n g i n t h e t o w e r i n g p i n e s , a c o r p o r a t e m e e t i n g ,

o r a y o u t h o u t d o o r e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m o n o n e o f m a n y t r a i l s ,

W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s C a m p g r o u n d i s t h e u l t i m a t e o u t d o o r d e s t i n a t i o n .

O u r g u e s t s a r e n o t o n l y f r o m M a i n e b u t a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y .

C u s t o m e r s r a n g e f r o m s p r i n g f i s h i n g g r o u p s , s u m m e r c a m p e r s , f a l l

b i r d h u n t e r s t o w i n t e r s n o w m o b i l e r s , x - c o u n t r y s k i e r s a n d

s h o w s h o e r s .

U n l i k e o t h e r a r e a c a m p g r o u n d s a n d e v e n t v e n u e s , W i l d e r n e s s P i n e s

h a s t h e a b i l i t y t o p r o v i d e e v e r y t h i n g o u r g u e s t s n e e d o n s i t e s u c h a s

l o d g i n g , a n e v e n t v e n u e , b r i d a l c h a p e l i n t h e p i n e s , c a t e r i n g , g u i d e

s e r v i c e , A T V , s n o w m o b i l e , s n o w s h o e , c a n o e , a n d k a y a k r e n t a l s

E x p a n s i o n t o t h e c a m p g r o u n d t o o k p l a c e i n 2 0 2 3 w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n o f

t h r e e n e w c a b i n s . I n D e c e m b e r o f 2 0 2 3 , t h e P i n e s G r i l l w a s

i n t r o d u c e d t o t h e c o m m u n i t y , o f f e r i n g b u r g e r s , p i z z a , w i n g s a n d

o t h e r s p e c i a l t y d i s h e s f o r b o t h c a m p g r o u n d c u s t o m e r s , a s w e l l a s

t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c !

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