We began the day with a welcome song and by honoring our community Elders. We had drum groups from all Wabanaki communities, many wonderful vendors and Indigenous artists, and delicious food cooked and served by our Community & Land Wellness team.

There was so much dancing, singing, and joy that was shared throughout the day. We want to thank everyone who made this event possible including our MC Chris Newell, our Community Healing team, WPHW team and volunteers, our youth volunteers, our vendors, and the Penobscot Nation for providing the space to host the event.

We also wanted share our appreciation for all of you that joined us in celebrating the 26th Annual Wabanaki Spring Social in April!  Woliwon, Wə̀liwəni, Wela’lin! Thank You!

Click here to view our photo gallery from the 2024 Wabanaki Spring Social.

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Let’s carry this feeling forward, remembering that in every moment, magic is waiting to be discovered.

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On the morning of race day, WPHW team members, Cyril Francis, recited a traditional prayer and Damon Galipeau and Nyle Sockbeson sang an opening song. Our WPHW volunteers were cheering and supporting from Mile Marker 1 throughout the rainy day. We opened our Healing Lodge as a warming center and provided some comfort to the runners with warm drinks and friendly faces.

We want to congratulate our Team Wabanaki runners who ran the Millinocket Marathon & Half – including our Co-CEO, Lisa Sockabasin and our Co-Senior Director, Saige Purser! We also wanted to extend our gratitude for our staff volunteers who supported the efforts throughout the weekend. We are already looking forward to the Marathon next year!

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Lauren Stevens, our Director of Culture, Connection & Support Services opened with the welcome song, which was followed by a walk along the sacred Penobscot River led by Saige Purser, our Co-Director for the Center of Wabanaki Public Health. 

Please See Our Photo Gallery From the Ceremony Below:

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The event was the beginning of a month-long series of events designed to celebrate the indigenous peoples of this area. For a full calendar of events this month, you can view those on our calendar here.

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https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/disaster-types/incidents-mass-violence

Incidents of Mass Violence

The violent act that occurred in Lewiston has been deeply distressing for so many. As we start to see the personal and heartfelt stories of the victims it is normal to experience emotional distress. Feelings such as overwhelming anxiety, trouble sleeping, and other depression-like symptoms are common responses to incidents of mass violence. Other signs of emotional distress related to incidents of mass violence may include:

• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Having unexplained aches and pains, such as constant stomachaches or headaches
• Constant worrying; feeling guilty but not sure why
• Feeling like you must keep busy
• Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs – including prescribed medications

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/warning-signs-risk-factors

Who is at Risk for Emotional Distress?

People at risk for emotional distress because of incidents of mass violence include:

• Survivors. Injured victims as well as bystanders near the event are especially at risk for emotional distress.
• Friends and loved ones. It is normal for friends and family members located outside the impacted area to feel anxious about people who are in direct proximity to an incident of mass violence.
• First responders and recovery workers. These individuals may experience prolonged separation from loved ones during the incident and show signs of mental fatigue.
• Community members. People who live the area surrounding the event may experience emotional distress.

If a terror alert, lockdown notice, or other warning is issued via television, radio, social media, or text alert systems, the risk for emotional distress becomes greater. It is normal to feel scared, unprepared, overwhelmed, or confused.

If you have experienced the death of a friend or loved one—or if you or a loved one has been exposed to community violence—feelings of grief and anger are a normal reaction. If these feelings become too difficult there is help available.

The Wabanaki Care Line is available 24/7 – Call or Text 1-844-844-2622

Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990EXT: TalkWithUs to 66746

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Toll-Free: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

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We had the opportunity to hear from five of our community’s talented writers and storytellers during our Writing the Stories of Our Past and Weaving the Stories of Our Future panel, moderated by WPHW summer health intern Kaya Lolar. This panel focused on the experiences of the authors as well as advice for young people looking to start their writing journeys.

“One of the most important parts that I took from today is remembering to have your own power,” said Kaya, “within the colonized system we live in today, remembering to stick up for yourself and hold your ground when it comes to living your individuality and representing your culture and your community is important. I’m so grateful that all the storytellers were here today so that our community can see how talented our people are and how much we have to share.” 

As an intern, Kaya created a 6-week, 6-session young storytelling program that will work with writers looking to write their own stories and publish their own books.

“I’m hoping to implement it on Indian Island first and then hopefully extend it to our other communities so we can get our stories out there and maybe even beyond our communities,” said Kaya.

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Youth Council members from all FIVE (5) tribal territories returned from attending the 2023 United National Indigenous Tribal Youth Conference in Washington D.C. from June 28th to July 5th! ⁠They have prepared for months by meeting regularly, making regalia, and fundraising to make this trip a reality.

 

The conference allowed our Youth

Council the time to experience the history on display in D.C. They also visited the Native American Museum, the Botanical Gardens, as well as the Holocaust Museum, and the Natural History Museum.

 

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Co-CEO Lisa Sockabasin and members of the WPHW family walked alongside the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance during the Bangor Pride Parade 2023 to show their support of cultural acceptance, inclusivity, and love of those in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Tiana Aurelio, who is on our Communications Team, gave the opening speech to start the festivities!

Click Here to go back to our Stories.

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WPHW team members have been offered a wonderful opportunity to visit Greenland alongside the University of Southern Maine’s Tourism and Hospitality class through May 7th!

Our Division Directors, Andrea Sockabasin, Saige Purser, and Lauren Stevens, along with our Communications Projects Specialist, Tiana Aurelio, began this exciting journey. WPHW welcomed a group from Greenland and Alaska to our Millinocket properties last summer, which began fostering these meaningful connections. We look forward to continuing these connections, building relationships, and further guiding this valuable work.

 

Date: April 26, 2023

Our WPHW team members and our USM TAH friends are on day five of their journey. They will arrive at the Campus Kujalleq today to work with Greenlandic service management and guide students sharing culture, language, and foods. Our WPHW team will continue to share more updates regarding the trip soon! We thank you for the support!

Date: April 29, 2023

Narsarsuaaraq | WPHW team members and USM tourism & hospitality students visited Qassiarsuk, the South Greenland UNESCO world heritage site. This site was deeply meaningful to our team, who learned so much.

 

Qassiarsuk has been a camp site for the Inuit and the Norse ruins of Erik the Red. Our team completed a tourism site assessment, which supports the local community in their future planning. Our team is grateful for this expanded knowledge.

Date: May 2, 2023

Our WPHW travel team and USM friends are continuing to work with Greenlandic Service Management and Guide students to conduct tourism site assessments, share the significance of culture and language, and to learn from one another. Sharing our culture and traditional foods allows for deeper connection to Mother Earth and all our relations.

Date: May 8, 2023

Our WPHW travel team and USM friends are collaborating on a Taste of Two Worlds cookbook with the Inuili Culinary School, Narsaq, Greenland. They had the opportunity to prepare traditional recipes together and share them with community at an amazing food event.

While in Narsaq, the team worked with Inuili culinary students and staff, as well as local friends, toured the community and shared food, history and culture. WPHW looks forward to continuing our relationship with the school, and our USM friends to complete the cookbook and more!

Click Here to go back to our Stories.

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We began the day with a welcome song and by honoring our community Elders. We had drum groups from all Wabanaki communities, many wonderful vendors and Indigenous artists, and delicious food cooked and served by our Community & Land Wellness team.

There was so much dancing, singing, and joy that was shared throughout the day. We want to thank everyone who made this event possible including our MC’s Chris Newell, Roger Paul & John Dennis, our Culture, Connection and Support team, WPHW team and volunteers, our youth volunteers, our vendors, and the Penobscot Nation for providing the space to host the event.

We also wanted share our appreciate for all of you that joined us in celebrating the 25th Annual Wabanaki Spring Social in April!  Woliwon, Wə̀liwəni, Wela’lin! Thank You!

Click here to view our photo gallery from the 2023 Wabanaki Spring Social.

Source: CBC Radio Canada, April 16, 2023

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