Micmacs to testify in Washington

Four members of the Aroostook Micmac Council and a group of supporters will testify Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs regarding the tribe’s quest for public recognition and redress for the Aroostook Band of Micmacs.

The tribe was omitted from the Maine Indians Claims Settlement Act in 1980.

Testimony also will be given Thursday on the House version of the bill.

In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Sens. William S. Cohen and George J. Mitchell. U.S. Reps. Olympia J. Snowe and Joseph E. Brennan are sponsoring the House bill.

Speaking for the Aroostook band will be Mary Philbrook, council president; Wilfred Sanipass, vice president; Mary Shaw, elderly council member; and David Sanipass, youth coordinator and past president.

Anthropologists representing the Micmac claims are Harald Prins of Bowdoin College, Jack Campisicq, a research consultant from New York, and Alvin Nan Health of Augusta, the tribe’s attorney, and consultant Carole McBride of Hallowell will be in attendance.

Two students from Winthrop High School, Rebecca Yturretgui and Reed Dyer, will show their support in Washington.