Nov 19 2009
Native Americans in Maine
There are currently a couple of great shops in both the Maine Mall in Southern Maine, as well as the Bangor Mall in central Maine, where local Native Americans in Maine own and sell goods in an impressive mall storefront.
What’s most impressive about these stores isn’t so much that they are well designed or that the decor is astonishing or flashy like so many other mall stores. What’s so impressive about them is the products, the goods - many of which members of the various Native American tribes in Maine created.
Just browsing through these stores instantly remind you that there are Native Americans in Maine who are part of an ancient civilization and part of tribes with such a long heritage that it’s really difficult to fathom. Sure, you may find a few trinkets or jewelry that’s Made in China - products that they use to fill out the shelves with as much product as possible - but if you look carefully you’ll come across hand-made products that the owners of the stores, or members of their tribe, created.
Observing Local Tradition of Native Americans in Maine
One of the things that I think about often while hiking throughout Maine or New Hampshire is how the Native Americans in the area managed to survive off the land so successfully. The point of my post here, today, is to reflect a bit on the traditions and history of not only the Native Americans in Maine, but those all across the country.
When you’re hiking with the family or on your next nature excursion, stop and take a good look around and imagine what life would be like if all you have to survive are the tools you can create from nature, the food you can harvest or hunt from the wild, and the shelter you can create from whatever the wilderness offers.
The one thing that I keep coming back to when I imagine this is how cold the winters are in this part of the country, and how difficult it must have been for these tribes to survive the harsh conditions.
One of the things that I’m sure gave strength to the tribe is their spiritual beliefs and practices, which essentially incorporated the land - their lives were completely integrated with the Earth and the environment. It’s difficult for Europeans to understand how completely opposite the two cultures are.
White Europeans strive to use science and technology to conquer nature and put it under the control of mankind, while the Native Americans found a way to coexist with the Earth in ways that provided nourishment and support for both the tribe, and for the Earth.
I would like to dedicate this post as a reflection upon the wonderful spirituality and heritage of the Penobscot Nation - the largest Native American tribe in Maine, and one with a very long and compelling history in this part of the country. The following video are members of the tribe performing “The Traveler” in Millinocket, Maine in 2009.
As you listen to the tribal music, I suggest you sit back and close your eyes. You’ll find that the sound of the drums serves as a tremendous soothing tone, while the chant takes you into a realm that you probably never imagined possible. Please take the time to listen to this wonderful performance, and share your opinion about the experience in the comments section below.
