Great Falls Forum / Chief Kirk Francis, Penobscot Nation

On Thurs., Nov. 19 at 12 noon in LPL’s Callahan Hall, Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis will be addressing the Great Falls Forum on “Penobscot Tribal Sovereignty and the Maine Environment.”

Chief Francis has been leading the Penobscot Nation since 2006, having been twice re-elected to his post by the 2,398 tribal citizens. His leadership has overseen the continued economic development of the Nation, however it has also been marked by clashes with both the LePage administration and with Maine Attorney General Janet Mills over sustenance fishing rights – most notably over access to the lucrative glass eel, or elver, fishery.

In addition, the Penobscot Nation is locked in a power struggle with the Governor over water-quality standards in the Penobscot River. Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sided with the tribe and ordered the LePage administration to craft stricter water quality standards to better protect sustenance fishing on the reservation, or else face federal intervention.

The ongoing discord and lack of respect shown the tribe over the last few years led Chief Francis in May of this year to join in with the Maine Passamaquoddy tribe in removing their tribal representatives from the Maine Legislature. At his Nov. 19 Great Falls Forum talk the Chief is expected to address this rift and the related environmental issues.

The Great Falls Forum is a monthly, brown-bag speaker series featuring statewide and regional leaders in public policy, business, academia and the arts. The programs are free, open to all and no reservations are required. Coffee, tea and bottled water are provided for a donation at the event. The Forum is a co-sponsorship of the Sun Journal, Bates College and LPL.

Click here for a 2015-2016 GFF Season Schedule. For more information, contact LPL Adult & Teen Services at (207) 513-3135 or LPLReference@Gmail.com