News from the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians

The Maliseet Domestic Violence Response Program with the support of Brenda Commander, tribal chief and tribal council is planning awareness and education events throughout the month of October.      On Oct. 5 the SACAP’s, Blue Moon Gallery will be opening the ‘Ksuwosun Akonutomakonol – Shawl Stories’ Display. The Shawl Stories will be on display thru Nov. 24. The Shawl Stories Project began last year as a way to honor Native American victims and survivors of domestic violence. Each shawl has been created by members of the native community; with each shawl color representing a facet of domestic violence.
Throughout the month of October, purple feather pins and car magnets will be available at tribal offices.
HBMI was recently awarded a $398,000 grant to tribal governments from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. This grant funds the Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program.
On Oct. 10, HBMI will be visited by the Deputy Director for Tribal Affairs from the Office on Violence Against Women, at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Oct. 10 is National Healthcares About Domestic Violence Day. To bring public awareness to the issue of domestic violence as a health issue; the staff at HBMI will be participating in wear purple to work day.
The voice of Chief Commander can be heard on WHOU speaking out against domestic violence and encouraging every member of every community to get involved, help a victim, and to be a role model for living violence free so that one day we may have a world in which every woman, man, and child is safe in their own home.
This marks the 10th year that the Maliseet Domestic Violence Response Program will be distributing homemade chocolate chip cookies as a token of appreciation to those who support the efforts to end domestic violence.
The 5th Annual Wabanaki Family Harmony Retreat was held this past weekend. The Retreat is facilitated by the Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response Program. There were 40 women who attended from all five tribal communities in Maine. The purpose of the retreat is to bring Native women of Maine together to celebrate a shared culture and tradition of family harmony and to explore paths to healing from family violence.
The Maliseet 10th annual candlelight vigil to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street in front of the Blue Moon Gallery. Everyone is invited and welcomed to attend the candlelight vigil, which will feature an opening by Maliseet Chief Commander, traditional ceremony led by Imelda Perley, drumming by the Maliseet women’s drum group — the Four Winds, candle lighting ceremony, candle walk and refreshments.
Maliseet Head Start program
The Maliseet Head Start would be grateful for donations of the following items: boys size 4-5: socks, underwear and jogging pants. Hats, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandaids and tissues. Your help and generosity would be appreciated. You may call the school for more information at 521-2410. Woliwon (thank you!)
Annual Health Fair
The annual health fair will be on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  It will be a great time to meet your neighbors and learn about some healthier ways of life.  There will be fingerprinting of children and a picture taken of your child done by our local HBMI police department.  There will be an HIV/AIDS information booth, cholesterol and glucose screening, emergency preparedness information, a walk and a run around noon.  We are asking everyone to please bring non-perishable foods to donate to the local food pantry.  The animal shelter is in need of supplies, so we are also  asking for donations of kitty litter, old towels and dry food; they would really appreciate it.  There will be door prizes, youth activities slide show, and much, much more.
Hunter Safety Course
A hunter safety course will be held at the Maliseet gym on the Foxcroft Road on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A lunch will be provided on Sunday.
For more information, or to register, call Valerie at 532-2240. There is no cost for the course, but donations will be accepted on behalf of the Maliseet Boys and Girls Club. You must be able to attend all the sessions in order to complete the course.