Action alert! Support Wabanaki Studies and African American Studies in Maine social studies standards
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting public comments via email on the proposed revisions to the Maine social studies standards from now through December 6th at 5pm.
We are asking for support from our network to send a short letter by this Friday by 5pm to the Maine DOE about the importance of Wabanaki studies and African American studies for students across what is now called Maine. Comments can be submitted via email to Laura Cyr, Federal and State Legislative Specialist at laura.cyr@maine.gov before 5pm on December 6th.
At the bottom of this post, there is a draft letter template you can use to write your public comment.
What are the revised social studies standards?
The proposed revisions to the social studies standards will open space for deeper learning, critical thinking, and civil discourse for students by including Wabanaki studies, African American studies, and the history of genocide including the Holocaust as part of their social studies education. At MEEA, we see the importance of including these subjects in education for students because they promote unity through communities on a local and state level. We recognize the Wabanaki as the first peoples of this land that we care for today that is now called Maine.
Why are the social studies standards being revised?
During the Second Regular Session of the Maine Legislature, the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee declined to authorize the proposed social studies content standards of the Maine Learning Results which included changes to incorporate Wabanaki studies, African American studies, and the history of genocide, including the Holocaust. On May 3, the Department of Education convened the Steering Committee to begin the revision process for the state’s social studies standards. This committee was composed of representatives from across what is now called Maine, including educators, district administrators, university faculty, and Wabanaki knowledge sharers who have contributed to the vast array of Wabanaki studies materials available today. The Steering Committee, after a day of productive discussion, opted to move forward with the initially proposed standards, honoring the work that was done during the summer of 2023 by practicing teachers and knowledge sharers over four full days of meaningful relationship building.
If you are so compelled, we encourage you to send in your written comments in support of the proposed standards. Comments can be submitted via email to Laura Cyr, Federal and State Legislative Specialist at laura.cyr@maine.gov before 5pm on December 6th. Scroll down for a template letter you can use to write your public comment at the bottom of this email. Even just a paragraph or two can go a long way!
Examples of legislative testimony provided by the Wabanaki Alliance can be found here. You can read MEEA Executive Director Olivia Griset’s public comment here, and former MEEA Fellow and Panawahpskek citizen Kaya Lolar’s public comment here.
READ MEEA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S PUBLIC COMMENT HERE.
READ KAYA LOLAR, PANAWAHPSKEK CITIZEN AND FORMER MEEA FELLOW, PUBLIC COMMENT HERE.
TEMPLATE TO DRAFT YOUR LETTER
(Insert Date)
Maine DOE Legislative Team
State House Station #23
Augusta, Maine 04333
Dear Laura Cyr,
My name is (insert name), and I am (describe who you are and what you work on).
I am submitting public comment today in full support of the proposed rules and changes to the social studies standards as detailed in Chapter 132.
(Describe why it is important to you for the new revised social studies standards to include Wabanaki studies, African American studies, and the history of genocide, including the Holocaust.)
I am grateful for the immense time and energy educators put into the work of revising the standards, and I recommend that these revised standards become the new social studies standards for the state of Maine.
Thank you for your work advancing education and for your consideration of my comments on this important issue.
Sincerely,
(insert name)
(title/role if relevant)
(school or institution if relevant)
Potential points to include:
LD 291, a landmark law requiring the teaching of Wabanaki studies in all Maine schools, was signed in 2001. Since the majority of Maine schools still have not yet implemented a sufficient Wabanaki studies curriculum, it is clear that further scaffolding and guidance is needed, which these proposed standards would provide.
If you have/had any Wabanaki students, you could potentially include a piece about how these refreshed standards have helped you to feel more confident in your support of them.
We/I have had the opportunity to attend a series of Wabanaki studies workshops made available to educators by Maine Environmental Education Association.
The DOE’s Wabanaki Studies Specialist has made so many great materials available over the past two years, and as educators, we are more well supported in Wabanaki studies than ever before.
Any specific connections regarding whose traditional lands your school/organization is built on (interactive map can be found here) and how the proposed standards would support your teaching/recognition of the land’s history
Any brief experiences you’ve had in your work that demonstrates why/how Wabanaki studies is needed in the social studies standards
