BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 8, 2026
The Penobscot River is our oldest citizen. It is our heart. As the original stewards, our connection to this water is our identity. Our sovereignty is rooted in the health of this river; without the ability to safely practice our sustenance rights, to fish and gather as our ancestors did, our self-determination is unrealized. On May 15, 2023, a massive fire erupted at the Juniper Ridge Landfill, just a few miles from where my three daughters sleep. We saw the smoke. We felt the heavy, acrid weight in the air. But on the Island, we were left in the dark. We are ready for a partnership built on true consultation, not just notification. We envision an administration that understands that protecting the Penobscot River is not a burden to the economy, but a foundational duty to the people. We look forward to working with leaders who recognize that Wabanaki sovereignty and environmental health are two sides of the same coin. ~ Maulian Bryant, Wabanaki Alliance