UMPI honors American Indians Culture focus of daylong event

PRESQUE ISLE – Native American Appreciation Day at the University of Maine at Presque Isle lasted approximately 12 hours, but organizers said Saturday that the level of education and heightened cultural awareness gained at the session will leave a lasting impression on participants.

The event, which was a partnership between the university and the American Indian community, offered an opportunity to students, faculty and staff at UMPI, and the public to learn about and help celebrate the Micmac and Maliseet cultures.

Attendees took part Saturday in a number of sessions geared toward honoring the history, culture and heritage of the region’s native population.

Activities were divided into four main themes: Honoring Our Ancestors, Honoring Our Seventh Generation, Honoring Our Elders and Songs and Dances for Our Ancestors.

Throughout the day, children and adults filtered in and out of UMPI’s Campus Center, listening to speeches, participating in discussions, and learning the histories of local American Indian tribes.

Keynote addresses were delivered in Maliseet and Micmac, and the afternoon session also featured a talking circle by tribal elders. The event included a traditional feast followed by traditional and social dancing.

Planning for the event got under way this fall, involving members of the American Indian community and UMPI students and staff.

Imelda Perley, a Maliseet Indian from Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, and a lecturer at the University of New Brunswick and at UMPI, was one of the planners of the event. She said Saturday afternoon that she was thrilled to see such a good turnout.

“This room was full this morning, and people have been coming in and out all day,” she said. “What is especially great is to see all of the children here. It is a blessing whenever you see children at these events. They could be out sliding or inside watching television, but they are here to take part in this and to learn.”

In a room adjacent to the main venue, Maliseet and Micmac craftspeople staffed booths showcasing native crafts. While visitors pored over the wares, children sat at a table across the room molding objects out of clay. As part of a language exercise, the children received cards with the name of an object – such as a fish – written in the Maliseet or Micmac language. The children then learned the word and sculpted the object.

Lisa Leduc of Presque Isle brought her daughter, Sedona Lucas, 9, and a friend, 9-year-old Alison Bell, also of Presque Isle, to the event. Leduc, who is an assistant professor of criminal justice at UMPI, said she wanted to bring the youngsters to hear the music and participate in the craft sessions.

“It is nice for them to do something different and be exposed to something new,” she said. “This time of year is usually the time that you do a lot of shopping and spend time at the mall. Here, they are learning about history and hearing different music and different language. They have really enjoyed the music.”

Perley said everyone who took part in the Awareness Day left with more knowledge than they entered with.

“Events such as this help forge understanding between our cultures,” she said. “It is good to see.”

Jen Lynds can be reached at jlbdn@ainop.com or 768-5681.