Dear John,
April in Maine is a season of contrasts—muddy trails and the first spring flowers, warm afternoons and surprise snow flurries. As we embrace the beauty and unpredictability of this month, it also serves to highlight the transitions we face, confronting both the weight of the past and the urgent needs of the present.
This month, our Lunch & Learns will explore two issues that reflect this balance. We’ll start with a deep dive into Maine’s history and its lasting impact on the Wabanaki Nations, examining the state’s legacy of systemic injustice and the path toward accountability. Then, we’ll turn to a pressing environmental challenge: how Maine can modernize its wastewater systems to protect our waters, communities, and future. I hope you’ll join us for these important conversations.
See you online! —Maggie |
|
|
Friday, April 4, 12-1 PM: A Remonstrance and the 1942 Transcripts
The relationship between the Wabanaki Nations and the state of Maine has been shaped by centuries of legal and political maneuvering, often to the detriment of the Wabanaki Nations and their inherent sovereignty. For this program, we will be joined by Hon. Donna Loring, an elder and former council member of the Penobscot Nation. She served as the Nation's representative in the Maine Legislature for over a decade and as Senior Advisor on Tribal Affairs to Governor Janet Mills. Additionally, she is a Vietnam veteran, an author, and the host of Wabanaki Windows on WERU Community Radio.
Alongside her, Hon. Eric Mehnert, the Chief Judge of the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court since 2008, will share insights from their report, One Nation, Under Fraud: A Remonstrance. Issued by the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations, the report examines Maine's long history of systemic fraud against the Wabanaki, highlights the significance of the 1942 transcripts, and offers a framework for justice and reconciliation. Their article, published in the Maine Law Review (Vol. 75.2), was also the primary paper for the first annual Indian Law and History Lecture Series at the University of Maine School of Law.
Join us for this in-depth conversation about historical accountability and the path forward. |
|
|
Friday, April 11, 12-1 PM: No Lunch & Learn |
|
|
Friday, April 18, 12-1 PM: Wastewater 101 | The Issues and Opportunities of Biosolids
Maine's wastewater treatment plants process polluted water, reducing waste and eliminating pollutants before discharging cleaner water into the state's rivers and coastal areas. Much of the infrastructure supporting these operations was initially installed under the Clean Water Act and is over 50 years old, requiring substantial investment for upgrades and maintenance. Now, these plants face a new challenge: The sludge generated during the treatment process contains PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) and can no longer be spread on farms. The only remaining disposal option is a landfill, which is costly to transport and difficult to manage.
To address this growing issue, a proposed state bond (LD 25) would help fund critical wastewater infrastructure upgrades, including sludge treatment technologies that reduce landfill strain and protect Maine’s water and communities. Advocating for this bond is key to ensuring sustainable waste management solutions.
Join Ivy Frignoca, Casco Baykeeper for Friends of Casco Bay; Brian Kavanah, Director of the Bureau of Water Quality at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection; and Dan Marks, Wastewater Superintendent for the Town of Falmouth and Government Affairs Co-Chair of the Maine Water Environment Association as they discuss wastewater systems, solutions on the horizon to address the sludge problem, and how you can get involved in supporting smarter, more sustainable waste management for Maine.
|
Friday, April 25, 12-1 PM: No Lunch & Learn |
|
|
© 2025 Maine Conservation Voters 320 Water St., Floor 2 Augusta, ME 04330 United States unsubscribe |
|
|
|
