ICYMI Video of the May 20 Meeting | Tribal Sovereignty and Special State Committee Elections

The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) held its monthly meeting on May 20, 2021, via Zoom. The video of our guest speakers is below.

Congratulations! We elected Ina Demers of Wiscasset, Kelli Whitlock Burton Waldoboro, and Bruce Rockwood of Damariscotta to the State Platform Committee and Marilyn Buhyoff of Bristol to the State Convention Credentials Committee.

Our Guest Speakers were Maulian Dana, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador and President of the Wabanaki Alliance, and Toby McGrath, a political and government relations consultant who works with the Wabanaki Alliance, a political advocacy group formed to educate the people of Maine about the need for restoring tribal sovereignty in Maine. They welcome questions and comments: https://wabanakialliance.com/contact/.

Members of the Committee would like to work on a resolution to show support of the Tribal Sovereignty legislation that is pending. Watch for a separate email from Kelli Whitlock Burton and Jamie Dalgleish who are taking the lead on this.

Local elections! Good luck to all Democrats making a difference in town government. Last night we heard from the following who are all running for Select Board positions: David Levesque of Newcastle, Jeff Tarbox of Westport Island, and Chris Johnson of Somerville.

As a reminder, we are keeping this page up to date with ideas for social media posts, talking points with friends, family and neighbors and for letters to the editor including tips and contact info for local papers. https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/lte.

And finally, below the video, are some of the notes from the chat during the meeting with some great resources including some important announcements. Note that the video has been edited to show only Ambassador Dana’s and Mr. McGrath’s portions. We have not included the LCDC business meeting and the Democracy Discussion was not recorded in order for attendees to share freely.

The next meeting will take place on June 17.

Resources Shared During the Meeting

Kelli Whitlock Burton: A link to LD 1626 “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”
http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280080665

Kelli Whitlock Burton: Learn more about the Wabanaki Alliance:
https://wabanakialliance.com/

Kelli Whitlock Burton: A link to LD 554, the gaming bill that Ambassador Dana mentioned.
http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280078960

Toby McGrath: Here is where the tribal lands in Maine are located. But please understand the HUGE green block of land in the middle of the map is not tribal lands. It’s Baxter State Park. https://wabanakialliance.com/tribal-lands-in-maine/

Kelli Whitlock Burton: Wabanaki Reach is another wonderful resource for learning more about the history of all of these issues here in Maine.
https://www.mainewabanakireach.org/

Bruce Rockwood: The book is out in hardback and kindle now, will be in July in paperback: All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinsons (One World publishers, 2020). Many useful essays including diverse voices.

Rep. Allison Hepler: This was great. Nice to see everyone also! allison

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Wednesday, May 26, is set to host a Community Conversation with Historian Heather Cox Richardson. More info: https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/filibuster
Submit questions: https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/questions
Members of our email list will receive a Zoom link early next week for the first 300 participants. Overflow audience members may watch the livestream on through YouTube here: https://lincolncountydemocrats.com/filibuster

Sunday, Aug 8, is set for the LCDC Family Fun Day Lobster Bake at Cider Hill Farm, Waldoboro, where we draw our raffle prize winners.

TREAT FOR TWO RAFFLE! Win two tickets with round-trip transportation to the Turner Farm Barn Supper for Thursday, August 19, 2021. Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased in person or by mail by contacting Valarie Johnson at valariesmithjohnson@gmail.com or 207-549-3358.