"First Dawn" Maine Truth & Reconciliation Commission film

First Light, the new independent documentary film that explores the historic Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC), is making its world debut today on Indian Country Today Media Network. According to the film’s directors, Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip, the short documentary film examines the historic collaboration between the five Wabanaki tribes and the state of Maine in response to the past abuses within the state’s child welfare system.

The first of its kind in U.S. History, the Maine TRC was established in 2012 in an agreement between Governor Paul LePage and chiefs from the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians, the Penobscot Indian Nation, and the Passamaquoddy at Sipayik and Indian Township. According to the state-tribal Mandate, the commission’s objective was threefold: To uncover and acknowledge the truth; create opportunities to heal and learn; and to collaborate in creating best practices for Wabanaki children within their respective communities.


Read more at https://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/10/12/ictmn-exclusive-new-film-documents-maines-child-welfare-truth-and-reconciliation

"A minimum of 25 percent of all Indian children are either in foster care, adoptive homes, &/or boarding schools."
Senator James Abourezk 1977 Senate Hearings

1978 President Jimmy Cater signs Indian Child Welfare Act into law.

Maine Truth & Reconciliation Commission finding:

From 2002-2013 Native American children are still entering foster care at a rate of 5 times non-native rates.

Final finding of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission 2015:

"It is hard to fathom for many in Maine that genocide occurred here,

much less that it continues to occur in a cultural form."

First In Canada, now Maine, USA? Where are you as a country?