Ntulankeyutmonen Nkihtaqmikon Responds To
Savvy, Inc., Et al.
By Vera Francis
Within Wabanaki societies it has long been understood that it's not the
financial status of any nation that determines its social condition; it's the
status of women and children that measure its wealth. Mary Bassett, a
Passamaquoddy great-grandmother, explains that, "traditionally and historically
native women's values determined the course of leadership for the welfare of
the entire community. In some native communities this is still the norm where
this practice is adhered. Before European contact, women decided how food from
the hunt would be distributed; after contact, marriage was instituted in Native
society to ensure that male rule prevailed."
On June 22nd 2004, during a marketing meeting at Pleasant Point with state
officials for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), several Passamaquoddy women and
elders, whose words in our language expressed much more eloquently than I could
ever write, turned the tide for me. Using Passamaquoddy cultural/spiritual
concepts about the bay, land, and relationships, these women spoke pointedly
about the inappropriateness and thoughtlessness of LNG. English words cannot
carry the same precision that their expressions conveyed that day, but the
audacity of tribal Governor Melvin Francis for allowing this life-altering news
to be delivered by "outsiders" and "strangers", while still expecting tribal
members to speak openly in their presence about its impact, was ludicrous.
Witnessing them, one after another appeal and reason with people refusing to
listen, with people unable to understand the depth and breadth of their wisdom
was the pivotal moment that motivated my opposition to LNG. Suffice it to say
that even with farsighted vision like theirs, Quoddy Bay LLC (an Oklahoma based
energy company), with its recent public relations blitz, continues its
totalitarian corporate influence.
My biggest concern about LNG is that we don't really know what the
spiritual/cultural impacts will be for Passamaquoddy membership. What we do
know is that our concerns/questions about Quoddy Bay LLC and LNG have neither
been premature nor exaggerated; our concerns are legitimate and need to be
expressed. After all, denial and avoidance are not particularly healthy or
useful practices. But let's not take our focus off the real question. Is LNG or
any heavy industrial destructive development complex even necessary?
Some might say that this question really has no direct bearing on me. The fact
remains that LNG has already had an immeasurable amount of social impact in
Maine's coastal communities. Simply stating that LNG won't come in implies you
don't have to do anything to stop it. Worse still -- saying that LNG won't be
here for another six years is code for don't even bother because LNG is not on a
fast track. Saying LNG cannot come in is an entirely different posture because
it implies you will do something to stop it from coming into Passamaquoddy Bay
or anyplace along Maine's coast.
Much like the non-binding referendum held on August 17, 2004 at Pleasant Point,
which concerned a question asking Sipayik members whether or not to host a LNG
terminal, the casino no vote (2003) was a false positive. Meaning, inflating one
fact while ignoring critical information only bolsters one's position, overly
relying on it doesn't change reality - it only skews it. You have only to look
as far as Maine's racino referendum result to begin to understand this truth.
During the Casino NO! 2003 campaign, Savvy, Inc. got way too much credit for
something that was already in the cards.
Make no mistake -- it wasn't Savvy, Inc. or their outrageous fees that
guaranteed a victory for the opponents to an Indian casino. But it was the
absence of Native women's voices in the critical decision-making leading up to
the casino effort that tribal leaders have to now re-evaluate, and contend with
as their principal miscalculation. Our survival as indigenous people has always
rested upon the shoulders, backs, and hearts of Native women -- the sooner
Savvy, Inc., Et al. accept this simple fact - the sooner the LNG problem gets
resolved, and the sooner it will be realized that LNG type industrial complexes
are in conflict with the cultural and spiritual values of the Passamaquoddy
people.
9 mos. Later: after an agreement was signed and money exchanged a few hands
The marriage between Quoddy Bay LLC and Savvy, Inc.
emerges as a gross twist and mockery of wills. After all, the previous work of
Savvy Inc. not only capitalized on indigenous struggle, its primary aim was to
disrupt the autonomy of Native people. Yet, even after being denied twice by
tribal council for employment to handle its LNG marketing machine (October 15 &
December 7, 2004), Savvy, Inc. secures the job for shoring up support for LNG
anyway. What does this tell us? If the majority of those opposed to LNG locally
are Native women, and their families, exactly who is Savvy, Inc. going to fight
this time?
It's a dynamic that we cannot for a moment pretend is all about economic
development. This time Savvy, Inc. has moved indigenous struggle for
independence into a repulsive realm. It's clearly a reflection of the magnitude
of things to come, of what can emerge from LNG in Maine. Is it more about
genocide than about LNG? Is it more about genocide of cultural, spiritual values
of minds and hearts of native people or genocide of the Passamaquoddy people
themselves and their surrounding neighbors in Washington County? While I believe
LNG in Maine to be another grand manipulation, there doesn't seem to be any lack
of opportunists managing to cash in on our economic woes.
According to a recent focus on economic growth for Native Americans aired on
Maine Watch (PBS, January 7, 2005) and Maine Things Considered (MPR, January 4,
2005), those who had previously vigorously opposed Maine tribes in 2003, which
include Savvy, Inc. and Maine's Council of Churches, are now promising something
new. Something about this change in sentiment appears
to be more like the waters off Head Harbor Passage, confused. Besides making
light of his adversarial history with the Passamaquoddy tribe, Dennis Bailey,
President of Savvy, Inc., admitted on PBS that he was "not all that familiar in
the ways that the tribes operate." At the same time, Bailey expressed certainty
about LNG being a good deal for the Passamaquoddy tribe.
Even more perplexing, during a news broadcast on MPR, it was reported that
Maine's Council of Churches are raising money intended to lend a hand in tribal
initiatives, which include housing projects, and a LNG terminal. Deanna Francis,
a tribal elder opposing LNG states, "While these people may be concerned about
souls and money, we are concerned about our safety, our
souls, and our land."
Against the recent swell of corporate backed lobbying and PBS coverage for
Quoddy Bay LLC, those who might want to "grow" our economy, without first
supporting our struggle for sustainable development, need to stop describing us
in exaggerated, broken terms. If investors or Maine's Council of Churches now
want to ally with indigenous independence, put the money (being raised for LNG)
and goodwill directly into Native women's lives and Native people will have
prosperity. Accomplish that, and we will come to see economic equity and
environmental justice. After all, the displacement of Native women from their
traditional roles was no accident. Like LNG, it was another ill-thought
development scheme. Once again it is genocide of a way of life.
Because hidden systems of benefit and privilege are also at play here, question
Bailey's downplay of his "lack of knowledge" of Passamaquoddy protocol and glib
claims denying that any previous power of influence used against the
Passamaquoddy mitigates his current role for Quoddy Bay LLC.
Because it's a gamble of the worst possible kind, write to Governor Baldacci or
your congressional delegation and let them know: NO DICE FOR LNG. If nothing
else let all those now posturing to profit at our expense know that, Maine's
coast will not become the national sacrifice zone. Address:
Office of Governor, #1 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333.
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