Eastport couple criticized for role in LNG dispute

PLEASANT POINT – Has an Eastport couple tried to “hijack” the culture of the Passamaquoddy Tribe by being spokesmen on issues related to the tribe and LNG?

Bob and Linda Godfrey say no.

Their critics say yes.

Controversy over a proposal to build a multimillion-dollar liquefied natural gas facility at Split Rock on tribal land has developed into allegations that the Godfreys have overstepped their bounds by speaking about tribal culture, history and spiritual issues when talking about the impact LNG will have on the reservation.

“They are hijacking the Passamaquoddy culture and using it to achieve their end,” a former tribal councilor, who asked not to be identified, said Wednesday.

Tribal Councilor Eddie Bassett agrees. “The correlation I think you can draw is – do I, as a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, have the right to speak on behalf of the Jewish culture, the Muslim people … or any creed or nation that has a spirituality associated with it?” Bassett said. “No, I don’t have the right, nor do I have the right to speak on their behalf.”

The Godfreys, who are non-tribal members, Wednesday rejected the notion that they speak on behalf of the tribe. “Anything that I speak about related to the Passamaquoddy people I do out of a reverence and respect for them,” Linda Godfrey said. “I think they are a people of great tradition, great capacity and great potential.”

Last year, the tribe entered into an agreement with Oklahoma-based Quoddy Bay LNG to build an LNG facility that would include a pier, an underground pipeline and three storage tanks. The tank farm would be built in nearby Perry.

The announcement led to the formation of an opposition group called Save Passamaquoddy Bay, a three-nation alliance. The three nations are composed of opponents from the Passamaquoddys, the United States and Canada, because of the impact on that neighboring country. The Godfreys helped establish the group.

One issue is a letter Robert Godfrey wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that will rule on the proposal.

In his letter to FERC, Godfrey wrote “Quoddy Bay LLC’s proposed project at Split Rock brings up religious freedom and safety and security concerns that haven’t been adequately addressed publicly.” Godfrey then asked FERC several questions about the tribe’s full moon ceremony held at Split Rock including how the tribal members would be able to practice their ceremony if the project were built.

Godfrey said Wednesday that he was asking questions of the agency and not representing himself on behalf of the tribe. “We’re not speaking for the tribe, we’re echoing concerns that other tribal members have made,” he said.

Linda Godfrey said she’d been invited to attend many of the Split Rock full moon ceremonies. At one time, Godfrey worked for the tribe as a planner. She pointed out that she also has many friends and colleagues on the reservation. “I never think of myself nor do I ever speak for the tribe,” she said. “I speak about the tribe and their strengths and their traditions because it is my belief that the tribal people have the ability to speak for and build their own lives.”

But their critics disagree. “Whenever I think about what the Godfreys are doing, I think of the Boston Tea Party,” the former tribal councilor said. “Because a bunch of locals went and dressed up as Indians and caused all kinds of havoc and that’s what they’re trying to do.”

Also at issue is whether the Godfreys made statements about the tribe’s culture, tradition and spirituality during a recent radio interview.

“All I hear from the Godfreys is please protect ‘these’ people from themselves. It is sad to see people with such a mentality when they publicly state that they know better than the Indians do what is good for the Indians,” the former tribal councilor said.

But the Godfreys denied they were doing that. “I have absolute belief in [Pleasant Point Gov.] Rick Doyle’s ability to speak as a tribal leader,” Linda Godfrey responded. “I believe in [tribal Councilor] Hilda Lewis’ ability to speak as a tribal leader. I believe in anyone’s right to speak as a tribal member to tell their stories and raise their concerns. And I have absolute belief that the leaders of We Protect Our Homeland speak for their people on tribal traditions and tribal realities.” The We Protect Our Homeland group was created by tribal members opposed to LNG.

Asked if he might ask the tribal council to pass a resolution asking the Godfreys not to speak on tribal cultural issues, Bassett said, “Whether the tribal council has the political will to pass that kind of resolution is another story. I think that most likely in the minds of every council member they are wrong for doing what they are doing.”

Although the resolution would have no legal weight, the former tribal councilor said it would carry symbolic weight.