Restoring access to Sugar Island is another good example of what land back means, it means restoring relations to the land and along with that comes the restoration of cultural traditions and teachings. Sugar Island hosts many cultural activities and programming, such as medicinal plant teachings, place names and cultural history, how canoes and shelters are made from birch bark and more. Sugar Island is only accessible by canoe and for programs with youth or elders, having near shore access helps facilitate those gatherings, such as bringing materials over and or in the case of emergencies. Though the Penobscot Nation maintains ownership and manages islands in the Penobscot River north of Indian Island, like Sugar Island, riverfront properties retained by treaties were stolen, leaving shore access to support cultural programming reliant on landowner relationships. 

Without much notice, in the spring of 2024 the land that was currently providing access to Sugar Island was sold, potentially impacting programming already planned and established for summer and beyond. It became apparent why the relationship between the Wabanaki Commission and First Light is so significant because it provides people like Jennifer Neptune people to contact to look into situations like these. After finding out another parcel was going up for sale in the same area, Jennifer contacted Brett from First Light who was able to further research this opportunity and discovered that the owner was eager to sell. The owner was even more enthusiastic to learn that their property would help restore access and support cultural programming on Sugar Island. The land was purchased by First Light and officially returned back to the Penobscot nation without costs and without restrictions in June of 2024.