HOULTON, Maine — October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians held their 15th annual “Domestic Violence Vigil” candlelight vigil Oct. 9 to raise awareness for the cause. More than 100 women, men and children attended the ceremony.
Tribal Chief Brenda Commander thanked those for attending and paying attention to this serious issue.
“The program has really made its impact upon our community and it is because of all of your support that we are able to come together to support domestic violence awareness and end the cycle,” she said.
Commander also recognized the Tribal Council, along with Jane Root and her staff — Cathy St. John and Susie Fink — for their support to the program for the last 15 years.
During the vigil, a slideshow depicting the early days of the program played.
At the end of August in 1998, Root resigned her position at the Battered Women’s Project where she had worked as an advocate for nine years to start a new domestic violence adovcacy program for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians.
“The program started in a cubby hole office in the old housing department,” said Root, who is the director of the tribe’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Center. “There was nothing there when I arrived except four walls. Dave Lindsay scouted around and got an old desk and a bookcase for me. I went to Walmart and bought a computer and the program was born.”
Root directed the program by herself for 10 years.
“I was court advocate, I was support group facilitator, I was the hotline 24/7 every day, I was the crisis intervention person, the trainer, the educator, the producer of materials and it was a lonely job,” she said. “I am thankful to the Violence Against Women’s Act of 2005 when they doubled the amount of money that became available for tribes.
“We were able to add a lot more programming and then fortunately, acquired the FEMA trailers and with the help of John (Flewelling) we were able to get those up and running. Those trailers, not just the funding, helped us expand the program.”
Root explained that even though she ran the program on her own, she wasn’t alone.
“I had Sue Tortello and Heidi Kelly who did a lot of volunteer work,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The first candlelight vigil was held one month after Root was hired by the tribe.
“We were a novelty,” said Root. “We were the only candlelight vigil being held in a native American community in Maine and probably all of New England.”
Root said there were “interesting times” the first few years.
During the candle-lighting portion of the ceremony, guests were able to light a candle for someone they knew who suffers from domestic violence, or for themselves.
“This marks the 16th candlelighting ceremony,” said Root. “And each and every time we have one of these candlelight vigils, they are special in their own way.”
In 2008, the Maliseets opened their emergency shelter for victims of domestic or sexual violence. The tribe also offered transitional housing.
“I have had many sad, but wonderful moments in the last 15 years,” explained Root. “I have worked with amazing and courageous survivors. I have also witnessed those who have gone back to be abused again. This work is very difficult, but also very rewarding and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
Root is proud of the services that they provide and the “impact on so many women and children’s lives” locally, regionally and across Indian country.
“Our advocacy center has become a model,” said Root. “One that is called upon often to give technical assistance and program development.”
Root thanked Tribal Chief Commander for her “unfailing support” through the years.
The Houlton Band of Maliseets have a dual program to help those affected by domestic violence or sexual assault, along with the many services offered to the tribal community.
A moment of silence was offered for program supporters Gloria Tomah, June Joseph and Sally Joseph, who have passed away.
“These were strong, wonderful Maliseet women, who are mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers and aunties to many here tonight,” added Root.
As the candlelight vigil began, Root asked those in attendance to remember those in their lives — those who have experienced domestic violence — as they came to light a candle.
Root started the ceremony by lighting a candle in memory of Betty, a local woman who was repeatedly abused. When she sought intervention, a judge denied her request for a protection order. In 1992, she was raped and strangled with an electric cord.
To change domestic abuse, it takes revolutionary action — admitting you’ve been abused; standing up for someone who is being abused or even pointing someone to those who can help. Many individuals may not even be aware they are victims of domestic assault, because they have not been physically assaulted. Domestic violence can also be verbal or mental anguish.
During a Meditation on Violence, Root read, “Some of us are responsible for being violent to others. Needing to control rather than respect others. Wanting power over others instead of mutuality. Abusing rather than loving those closest to us.
“Some of us are bystanders … neither abusing nor being abused … but knowing that violence exists around us. Knowing that we have ‘not wanted to interfere,’ not wanted to ‘get involved.’ May we forgive ourselves for not speaking up … we each yearn to be better people than we are … we need one another.”
The children and adults released balloons into the night sky and watched them float away.
The Maliseets program offers unconditional/confidential support; crisis intervention; safety planning; emergency shelter and related assistance; support group; hospital accompaniment; court advocacy; assistance in filing for orders of protection from abuse; assistance in filing for divorce and parental rights/custody; legal assistance; information and referrals; and education and training.
Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault can call the Maliseet hotline at 532-6401 for assistance.
