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At the University of Maine, there are about six people who belong to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. This Native American tribe, along with the Houlton band of Maliseets, is the smallest and most unrecognized tribe in the state of Maine and on campus.
David Slagger, a third-year UMaine student, is trying to change that.
“I want people to get a better understanding of our culture, and to start building a relationship with my tribe, so I am trying to create more awareness for them,” Slagger said. Slagger is currently pursuing a major in education this semester, but will be switching his studies to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He will be the first person with a major in Wabanaki studies.
His goal is to get the faculty and students involved with his tribe and to show Native American youths what UMaine has to offer. Slagger has taken the initiative to take some of them on a tour of the university.
“It was a really good trip for the students, and it has inspired the people of my tribe to come to Orono,” he said. Slagger has organized about four trips so far, each bringing more departments to sponsor.
Slagger is also on the planning committee to have the chief of his tribe meet with President Kennedy. This would be the first time in UMaine history that a president has met with a Micmac chief. Micmac Jessica Sillyboy loves the idea of the meeting.
“It’s amazing that we are moving forward, and it is about time,” she said. “I am not very involved with my culture at college, but I love how they are trying to have an opportunity to.”
“Now I am hoping to get involved, because we are not very well represented on campus,” she said.
Ana Rapp is also a Penobscot attending UMaine. The Penobscot tribe is one of the largest tribes in attendance here. She came to UMaine not only for her interest in marine biology, but because of the free tuition she receives because she is half Penobscot. She and her mother are active members in the tribe.
Students who are at least one-eighth Native American can receive free tuition from UMaine.
“I think it is an honor to get free tuition, I just feel really lucky to be who I am,” she said.
There has also been talk about a Wabanaki day at the university to promote Native American culture, though there have been no specific plans made.
“I haven’t heard of events of Native Americans getting together, so I think this is a great opportunity to show our culture to people, and to show that we are important too,” Rapp said. “It is good that people are taking initiative to help [Micmacs], and show them that they too have a place here at UMaine,” she said.
Bangor Daily News