Five people were named to the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The commission was established by Gov. Paul LePage (R). Its goal is to “acknowledge the truth, create opportunities to heal and learn from that truth, and collaborate to operate the best child welfare system possible for Wabanaki children.”

The five members will spend three years listening and taking information from tribes, families, adoptees and survivors. “This work represents the possibilities of putting the relationship with the state and Wabanaki Nations on a footing that should have been the relationship all along — as partners,” commissioner Gkisedtanamoogk, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, told The Bangor Daily News.

Joining Gkisedtanamoogk on the commission are: Matt Dunlap, Gail Werrbach, Sandra White Hawk and Carol Wishcamper.

Get the Story:
5 picked for group to examine child welfare practices that split Native American families (The Bangor Daily News 12/19)

An Opinion
Editorial: A step toward better care for Wabanaki children, community healing (The Bangor Daily News 12/19)

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