HOULTON, Maine — Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald, tribal ambassador for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, will talk about the history of the relationship between the Maliseet Indians and Houlton-area settlers at the Church of the Good Shepherd on May 23.
“The Episcopal Diocese of Maine is making a concerted effort to work with the Wabanaki in Maine,” said Mary Beth DiMarco, chair of the Church of the Good Shepherd vestry. “And since one of the communities is right here we want to begin to build relationships.”
Crofton-Macdonald has spent his life advocating for Native rights in the United States and Canada. He serves as one of the board members for the Wabanaki Alliance and as tribal co-commissioner for the Houlton Band on the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission.
Crofton-Macdonald will talk about Wolastoqey rights, the larger preferred name for the Maliseets that includes Canada and northern Maine, and opportunities for better relationships with the community, DiMarco said.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to get to know our neighbors and understand the history and begin to form better relations,” DiMarco said, adding that the presentation is an academic presentation and there is no religious connection to the discussion.
Crofton-Macdonald has asked that his honorarium be donated to the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Food Pantry, she said, adding that while the presentation is free and open to the public, people might want to bring an item to donate to the food bank.
The event is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23.
