February Teach-In for Youth
This teach-in covered two of MYCJ’s 2024 Legislative Priorities: Wabanaki Self-Determination (LD 2007) and Wabanaki Studies in Maine Public Schools (LD 1642). We were joined by Amara Ifeji, Policy Director with Maine Environmental Education Association, and Jasmine Lamb, PhD student at the University of Maine and Passamaquoddy citizen. Scroll down for calls to action!
Jasmine Lamb is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point and a current PhD Student at the University of Maine. Jasmine has worked in the space of environmental justice for Wabanaki communities since 2021 and founded the Sipayik Resilience Committee to increase tribal members' access to energy efficiency and renewable energy technology and to increase climate resilience.
Amara Ifeji is a National Geographic Young Explorer and internationally awarded non-profit leader in climate and environmental justice. As the Director of Policy with the Maine Environmental Education Association, she leverages grassroots advocacy to advance state and federal policy solutions. She served as the lead coordinator for Maine's first Climate Education Summit, mobilized a youth-led movement that spearheaded Maine's $2+ million climate education program, and serves on the Maine Climate Council as the governor-appointed Youth Representative.
Calls to Action
From the Wabanaki Alliance:
On February 26 at 10am, the Maine Legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on LD 2007 — the bill to restore the Wabanaki Nations’ inherent rights to self-determination.
In order to right the State of Maine’s denial of Wabanaki sovereignty, we are asking for your help. The Wabanaki Alliance is gathering as much written testimony as possible in support of this bill. Demonstrating robust support throughout Maine will make an impact on the legislators we need to sway, without drawing out the hearing for too long with hours of in-person testimony.
Will you write testimony in support of fairness and justice for the Wabanaki? It could take just a few minutes and we’ll walk you through the process.
Click here to pledge to submit written testimony in support of LD 2007. We’ll email you again to make sure you have what you need to submit your testimony, and answer any questions you may have along the way. In the meantime, check out our LD 2007 Take Action Toolkit!
MYCJ is hosting a Letter Writing Party on March 5th at 6pm!
Join MYCJ and youth across the State as we draft Letters-to-the-Editor in support of the Wabanaki Self-Determination Bill (LD 2007). Any Mainer under the age of 30 is welcome! During this writing party, we'll provide context and talking points to help us draft our letters, then we will turn on some music and do some writing! MYCJ staff will be there to help answer any questions you have while you draft your letter!
We will then walk through submitting our letters to our local papers.
Bring your friends! Register here!
