The Share the Plate recipient for May is Wabanaki REACH.

Wabanaki REACH supports the self-determination of Wabanaki people through education, truth-telling, restorative justice, and restorative practices in Wabanaki and Maine communities.

The organization was originally born out of a 1999 workgroup assembled to bring Maine in compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act. Eventually in 2008 this group established a commission called: Maine-Wabanaki REACH: Reconciliation, Engagement, Advocacy, Change, and Healing. This commission was seated in 2013, then grew into an independent non-profit in 2018. The “R” now stands for “Restoration”, and their simplified tagline now emphasizes Truth, Healing, & Change.

Wabanaki REACH uses the power of education and engagement to help people more deeply understand what happened in these communities. They provide educational programs, online resources, and host periodic events, such as a community-devised play centering Wabanakik and the Maine Indian land claims and truth & reconciliation sessions. They put on various programs to support Wabanaki wellbeing including community gatherings, youth & incarcerated inmate engagement, and food sovereignty programs.

Nominated by Emily O’Neill.

To make an offering online, you can give via Breeze and choose “Give to Plate”.