Illustration credit to Zoë Myers, @zoya_myers.
The Wabanaki Island Access Gathering took place, even amidst the rescheduling and contingency plans brought on by Hurricane Lee. There is more to share about this gathering, what we’re learning, and what might come next in the work to restore island access for Wabanaki people. More on this to come soon!
Update: With Hurricane Lee approaching, we are postponing this trip to Monday, September 18th through Wednesday, September 20th. The original details for the gathering are below.
This September, we’ll gather on the shores of Little Kennebec Bay for a long weekend dedicated to restoring access to important Wabanaki islands. This is an island access weekend, organized for Wabanaki people, by First Light, to acknowledge the history of island dispossession and erasure, and celebrate reconnection to these important places.
From September 14 – 17 of 2023, Wabanaki people and families are invited to join us at a beautiful encampment in Machiasport, adjacent to Passamaquoddy land. Every day, boat captains will ferry you and your family to different islands, including Roque, Halifax, Hickey, Hog, and Salt. We will also explore Englishmen Creek at Roque Bluffs State Park looking for Sweetgrass, and will explore the unusual tidal pond at Dickinson’s Reach. Back at the encampment, we’ll have terrific food cooked for you, and space to camp together in the heart of Passamaquoddy country.
Every family will be supported with $250 to ease the way to Machiasport.
Keep in mind that this is a gathering for Wabanaki and Indigenous people. If you are non-native, there may be ways for you to support this event other than participating.
Schedule & Locations:
Thursday, September 14 – Hog Island (Machias Bay)
Friday, September 15 – Roque Island
Saturday, September 16 – Englishman Creek and Estuary
Sunday, September 17 – Hickey Island and Halifax Island