Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., The First Congregational Church of Camden will host the showing of the award-winning film Dawnland, a documentary about cultural survival and stolen children - the story of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

"In Maine, a historic investigation—the first government-sanctioned truth and reconciliation commission in the United States—begins a bold journey," said Adam Mazo, of Ben Pender-Cudlip, filmmakers. "For over two years, Native and non-Native commissioners travel across Maine. They gather testimony and bear witness to the devastating impact of the state’s child welfare practices on families in Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribal communities. Collectively, these tribes make up the Wabanaki people."       

The feature-length documentary Dawnland follows the TRC to contemporary Wabanaki communities to witness intimate, sacred moments of truth-telling and healing. With exclusive access to this groundbreaking process and never-before-seen footage, the film reveals the untold narrative of Indigenous child removal in the United States. 

A discussion will follow the film and will include Esther Anne, Passamaquoddy and Penthea Burns, non-Native. Both are among the founders of the truth commission and Wabanaki REACH. Carol Wishcamper, who was the co-chair of the truth commission will also join the panel discussion. 

"If we can work together in that good way [for the truth commission], in a system of mutual respect, to work for our children, then I think we can work together in anything because nothing is more sacred than our children," said Esther Anne, founder, Wabanaki REACH.

View the Dawnland trailer: https://vimeo.com/227346667.

The First Congregational Church UCC is located at 55 Elm Street, Camden, Maine.

Ample onsite parking is available at the rear of the church. 

Please RSVP if you are attending to: becky@camdenucc.org.

Wabanaki REACH is a non-profit organization that works towards a future when Wabanaki and Maine people join together to acknowledge truth and work collectively toward equity, healing, and positive change through our community education programs. Wabanaki REACH promotes Wabanaki wellbeing and deeply believes in the natural strength and beauty of Wabanaki culture, language and ways of being. www.wabanakireach.org