First Light

22 Wabanaki and Non-native leaders sit together in discussion. they are inside a spacious room with a view of a bright landscape showing trees in the foreground with Katahdin and other mountains in the distance.

This work needs all of us. 

First Light is a collective of non-native land-oriented organizations across Wabanaki homelands working to relearn the stories of these lands, recenter Wabanaki voices, and return land, money, and decision-making authority to Wabanaki communities. Collaboration within the non-native community and building relationships over time across the Wabanaki communities allows us to move forward together with trust and the momentum to build systemic change.

First Light organization chart: Wabanaki Commission in the center, then First Light Community in next outer layer, followed by First Light Delegation, and with other organizations preparing for this work in the outermost ring
A group of non-native conservation leaders sit together on a shaded deck in a circle of adirondack chairs, discussing and sharing ideas.

Events

  • Returning to Roque Island

    Returning to Roque Island

    Join us for a day trip to Roque Island for Wabanaki community members. Followed by a traditional lobster bake at Roque Bluffs for Wabanaki & First Light folks.

    We are coordinating boat travel out to Roque Island. Please reach out to ellie@firstlightmaine.org if you'd like to attend.

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  • photo of canoer in the mist overlaid with "First Light Summit", short description, link to reserve tickets, and logo for First Light and Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness. Relevant text is in text block below.

    First Light Summit 2024

    Save the date for a community celebration around the ongoing work of return. The day will begin at the Penobscot Theater, then travel to the Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness center, both in downtown Bangor. More details on program and audience to come.

    communitygathering