Generations later, Mainers confront a genocide that still remains overlooked
“Dawn Neptune Adams dreams of being hunted.
For much of her life, the nightmare remained the same: Adams runs in the woods, chased by unseen captors.
“It is intergenerational trauma,” Adams explained, “from my ancestors being hunted and tortured.”
Adams is a member of the Penobscot Nation and the bounty that was placed on her Indigenous ancestors more than 250 years ago still torments her sleep and her waking hours.”
“Dawn Neptune Adams dreams of being hunted.
For much of her life, the nightmare remained the same: Adams runs in the woods, chased by unseen captors.
“It is intergenerational trauma,” Adams explained, “from my ancestors being hunted and tortured.”
Adams is a member of the Penobscot Nation and the bounty that was placed on her Indigenous ancestors more than 250 years ago still torments her sleep and her waking hours.
In November 1755, Lt. Governor Spencer Phips of Massachusetts Bay Colony offered rewards for hunting, killing and scalping Penobscot men, women and children living in what is now known as New England.
The brutal murders of her people, Adams said, runs through her blood and the blood of many other tribal members. The trauma of one generation, she said, is passed onto the next.”
Continue reading at The Maine Monitor.
Imagine Studios to present 'Dawnland' on March 30
A screening of Dawnland with a panel Q&A is being hosted on 3/30/2022 by The First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist Church, Congregation Ahavas Achim, Unity on the River, Theater in the Open, and Imagine Studios as part of the Newburyport Indigenous Peoples’ Day Initiative.
“Did you know that for decades, child welfare authorities were removing Native American children from their homes to “save them from being Indian?” It didn’t happen long ago and far away, but in the state of Maine in the late 20th century. Find out more about it when Imagine Studios presents a free screening of Upstander Project’s documentary “Dawnland” streamed online on Wednesday, March 30, from 7 to 9 p.m.
“This is an opportunity for people to see the film,” said Kristine Malpica, executive director of Imagine Studios. “It’s about the legacy of what happened to the native peoples of Maine. The screening is one piece of a larger collaborative Indigenous Peoples’ Day Initiative to bring cultural awareness through education, arts and music events.’”
Continue reading at Wicked Local.
Maulian Dana interviewed on Downton with Rich Kimball
Listen to filmmaker Maulian Dana talk with Rich Kimball about Bounty and other Upstander Project films.
“Maulian Dana joined us on today’s show to discuss the new documentary, BOUNTY.”
Listen at WZON.
The People of the Dawn
“DAWNLAND - An untold story of Native American child removal, the stakes of family separation policy are no less than cultural survival.”
“DAWNLAND - An untold story of Native American child removal, the stakes of family separation policy are no less than cultural survival.
They were forced to assimilate into white society: children ripped away from their families, depriving them of their culture and erasing their identities. Can reconciliation help heal the scars from childhoods lost? Dawnland is the untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation's first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission, which investigated the devastating impact of Maineís child welfare practices on the Wabanaki people. The Wabanaki are the people who are there to greet the light, "the people of the dawn," in the upper Northeast. For decades, Maineís child welfare system placed Wabanaki children in foster or adoptive homes under the presumption that assimilating into white society would improve their quality of life and give them a better future. Many children in the system suffered untold physical and psychological abuse. Their story brings to light how getting to the heart of the truth can offer a flicker of hope.”
Continue reading at WJCT News.
ICTMN Exclusive: New Film Documents Maine’s Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission
“First Light, the new documentary film that explores the historic Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare TRC, is making its world debut today on ICTMN.”
“First Light, the new independent documentary film that explores the historic Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC), is making its world debut today on Indian Country Today Media Network. According to the film’s directors, Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip, the short documentary film examines the historic collaboration between the five Wabanaki tribes and the state of Maine in response to the past abuses within the state’s child welfare system.
The first of its kind in U.S. History, the Maine TRC was established in 2012 in an agreement between Governor Paul LePage and chiefs from the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians, the Penobscot Indian Nation, and the Passamaquoddy at Sipayik and Indian Township.”
Continue reading at Indian Country Today.
Interview With Directors Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip On Their New Film, “Dawnland”
Learn about the forces that drove Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip to make the film Dawnland.
“Boston-based filmmaker Adam Mazo is quick to admit that he knew little about Native populations growing up in Minnesota.
He’s committed to changing that for future generations with “Dawnland,” the 90-minute documentary premiering this month at the Cleveland International Film Festival. The film centers on the decades of government policy that forced Native children from their families and into adoptive homes, foster care and boarding schools. The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards will sponsor three screenings.
The idea for “Dawnland” was sparked from Mazo’s work on another film, “Coexist,” about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. “We were talking about how it felt wrong to not be teaching about genocide in this country’s history,” he said.”
Continue reading at Anisfield Book Awards.
Teaching about Cultural Genocide
Conversation between Upstander Project’s Adam Mazo and Dr. Mishy Lesser with Education Talk Radio’s Larry Jacobs.
Upstander Project was featured today on Education Talk Radio. Thanks to Larry Jacobs for the coverage. Listen to the archived show here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edutalk/2016/12/12/teaching-about-cultural-genocide
Upstander Academy Registration Now Open
We hope you plan to join us for the Upstander Academy and take advantage of the discounted registration fee before space runs out.
We hope you plan to join us for the Upstander Academy and take advantage of the discounted registration fee before space runs out.
The Upstander Project and the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut are proud to present an inquiry-based professional development opportunity for secondary teachers using genocide and human rights education to address complex historical and current issues. Middle and high school teachers helped design the Academy to ensure its relevancy.
Teachers interested in themes such as post-genocide Rwanda and cultural genocide against Native Americans are encouraged to join us. These content areas provide a helpful framework for strengthening social emotional competencies and learning about the importance of upstanders.
Early Registration Deadline: Monday, February 15th
Upstander Academy 2016
Monday, August 1st - Friday, August 5th
Dodd Center at the University of Connecticut
To register click here. A $25 deposit is required to secure your spot. The $100 balance is due on or before June 30th.