Capstone Final Essay

For my project I have worked on forming a cohesive essay/resource that’s purpose is to highlight and provide suggestions for how and why the Penobscot Tribal Nation in Maine needs to be heard and respected in state government and the importance of that. This is an expansion from the work that I did in my Indigenous Film and Literature course where I focused on how the Penobscot Tribe has been misrepresented in state government by essentially ignoring the tribes viewpoint on the matter of creating a tribal gaming industry in the state. Currently the Penobscot people are locked in a fight trying to obtain rights that they should not have to argue for. They want something that other tribal nations in the country have the ability to do. That being a considered sovereign nation and having the full rights and ability for the tribe to handle their affairs internally without interference from the state. 

 In Indigenous Film and Literature I focused on the topic of the need to respect indigenous peoples’ voices for my final project and essay. I wanted to understand why this is important and how everyday citizens help in making that happen. A large component of this project was the connection between the works of literature read and the advocacy work of Donna M. Loring, a long time tribal ambassador for the Penobscot Nation.  Her mission along with the current mission of the tribe is to ensure that the Penobscot tribe receives a seat at the table. Unfortunately, the fight for that seat is ongoing and one that is currently being highlighted is the court battle of the Penobscot Nation working to receive their rights to self govern and be recognized as a sovereign nation. Through this past work I was able to use the library to access the Maine Women Writers Collection and within that folders of documents saved or written by Donna Loring herself. During this time I found  primary documents which spoke about the Penobscot Nations plan in building and operating a Racino in 2002. The state government did not even allow the opportunity for a representative to come and speak about the proposal, and ultimately denied the request. This was an example of a time in which indigenous peoples voices has not been listened to and has led to the continued system in society where these groups are disrespected and misrepresented. Today the focus on the tribal issues of water quality and sustenance fishing connect back to the government still not recognizing tribal sovereignty and the cultural importance of this. 

Looking at the process that I have undertaken to get to this final version of my project a lot has changed but I am ultimately happy with what I have been able to create. Starting with the reflection process of my past work I almost had forgotten how unique my work in Indigenous Film and Literature had been and the impact that it had on laying the foundation of my knowledge of the larger social issue which is indigenous groups throughout the world still having to endure discrimination and mistreatment in society. Newstok’s chapter “Of Conversation” helped me gain an understanding of why creating a resource that works an educational tool is important in creating “productive argument” that helps “you articulate and understand where you stand and where to go from there” (Newstok 102). This is exactly what I feel as though I accomplished with my project. I presented the factual basis of the argument that ongoing issues such as the Penobscot Nation’s fight in obtaining tribal sovereignty but I also examined why I and others believe that tribes have not received adequate representation and how that must change. Through this work and taking stock of everything I have completed in the area of the arts and humanities has allowed me to not only see the value in that but also provide me with the chance to contribute as well (Newstok 109). Without the assessment of my past work and reflecting on that knowledge it would have been difficult to “process more knowledge” (Newstok 110) and create something useful. 

I am thankful for this opportunity to reflect and take stock of what I have done in my four years at UNE. This project allowed me to incorporate more of my interests and knowledge that I have gained and add more then was originally in my final essay for that course. I combined my interests of marine affairs with the research I conducted on the conversation over water quality and the impact it has in protecting the sustenance fishing rights of the Penobscot Nation. I was also able to reflect back on the documents I had collected from the Maine Women Writers Collection and see that they are still relevant and connect back to the newer issues that the tribes are facing today. I was able to go back to Indigenous Film and Literature and have a more central focus on this more current tribal issue I would have so I am glad to have this capstone provide me with that opportunity.