PLEASANT POINT, Maine — A $10.2 million settlement recently paid by the U.S. Department of the Interior to the Passamaquoddy tribe in Washington County will be distributed equally among approximately 3,500 tribal members, with checks going out later this week.
That’s roughly $2,900 and change per recipient, funds that are being disbursed after a six-year legal battle over claims of federal mismanagement of tribal assets. The total award was $11.4 million, but after legal expenses was diluted to $10.2 million.
The funds being shared among tribal members were recently awarded as a settlement of a lawsuit claiming asset mismanagement that was filed in 2006 by 60 Native American tribes from throughout the United States.
Among the Passamaquoddy assets was $13.5 million in federal funds allocated to the tribe in 1980 through the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, which was settled for $81.5 million.
Petitions had been circulating for months throughout the Washington County tribal communities of Indian Township and Pleasant Point, calling for equal distribution of 100 percent of the funds to those who meet the lineage, age and residency requirements used in compiling the tribe’s official census.
Passamaquoddy Tribal Governor and Chief Clayton Cleaves said Tuesday that more than 100 tribal members attended a meeting Monday night to discuss how to allocate the funds.
“The meeting wasn’t contentious, but there was debate about investing the funds locally versus allocating it as a family subsidy,” Cleaves said. “In the end, there was a motion made to divide 100 percent of the funds, and we expect that checks will be issued by Friday of this week.”
The current Passamaquoddy census shows 3,475 tribal members, including 1,369 at the Indian Township reservation and 2,106 at the Pleasant Point reservation, according to the tribe’s website.
Of the total awarded in the Claims Settlement Act, $54 million was spent to buy 300,000 acres of land in northern and eastern Maine. The Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes split $27 million, and much of the Passamaquoddy funds were invested in gold in 1991 and 1992.
Funds were invested in gold in 1991 and 1992. Good investment considering the price of gold today!
Where is every tax payers check for Government mismanagement?
Still waiting for that one…. guessing we will be waiting quite some time!
we lost lots of government money when angry old white guys got headstrong about voting for conservatives. tax cuts for the rich, endless wars in the middle east, bloated military budget. I think a little more then 10 million was wasted on those things
I wonder if Holywood Casino is sending out coupons to the Tribe members to Stay in their hotel for 50% off for a weekend?
No doubt there will be some wasting their money at the casino.
How do you know that any of these people have ever been to Hollywood Casino? Ignorant comment to say the least. ( I don’t want to get banned or I would comment further)
Please dont be angry….. But I bet one or two of them will go to the casino…..Just the way it is, some people get some money and they think they can make more off it but actually just lose it…
Stevey_Dee says he “bets” one or two will go to the casino? How much are you going to bet, perhaps as much as you suspect the Tribe members will bet??
I don’t know.. I was picking on the preditory fashion some businesses who might go in aquiring the Native Americans money. My intent was to put some humor on greedy businesses. I did not insult the Native Americans.
Because you live in the world of people being too sensitive, they take the comment the wrong way and flag it… Rediculous.
Just like you have the right to waste your money Stevey
I agree, but I wouldnt….
Its human nature to try to make quick easy money, but it usually doesnt happen
I agree, but I wouldnt….
Perhaps you could be standing in the street when the mail comes around. I’m sure you’d have the courage to insult them to their faces.
I didn’t insult them. I believe some business might try to attract that money in to their bank accounts by offering coupons. I was bashing certain businesses who prey on peoples good fortune not the Native Americans.
I wonder if the the Native Americans living in North America over the last 400 years sent coupons to the Europeans that came here and stole their land…….They got a 100% discount did they not?
They didn’t steal their land. It was won by right of conquest. Tough to be on the losing side but pretty much every group of people on this planet have been on the losing side of conquest at some point.
The history you learned in the 11th grade is not the straight scoop. Youy are correct in that many civilizations have been on the losing side-however they don’t all REMAIN on the losing side.
Actually most have gone extinct and are totally gone. For instance, there aren’t any Visigoths walking around. Have you talked to any Carthaginians or Jutes lately? Gone and totally assimilated.
The French were run over by the Germans on a number of occasions. They are still around. The United States has spent billions improving lives all around the globe. You’d think we could have done a bit better by the our native Americans.
In my opinion, we need less hand outs and more hand ups. A good place to start would be giving clear title to the people so they can own their own private property. People are more likely to take care and improve their property if they actually own it. Separate but equal has always been a bad idea but it persists in the segregation within reservations.
As for the French, what are the French? The people of the French nation were many different competing tribes who were frequently at war with each other, and outsiders. They too are all gone, extinct and assimilated. Today we call them French.
“our native Americans” have been given far more than any other conquered people, not the least of which is the opportunity to be part of and benefit from the greatest society man has yet created, that of being an AMERICAN. Unfortunately, too many of “our native Americans” chose to set on reservations fraught with unemployment, violence and substance abuse instead of joining into the successful culture that surrounds them. Instead they choose to live as a separate nation within our boundaries but outside our laws and institutions.
The attitude of entitlement that pervades so many today, including the native American, is an artifact of the cult of victimization that has been popularized by liberal guilt for decades. The answer is not to criticize our culture for not doing “more”; it is take individual responsibility for being more. Take advantage of the opportunity to succeed on merit, not accident of birth; skin color; tribe; or family connections. Be AMERICAN first.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE LIVE LONG AND PROSPEROUS SO YOU CAN ENTERTAIN MORE……
Barf is right. wrap yourself in the ol flag. Only 18 Million or so native people murdered. Entire tribes lost. And guess what all at the hands of formal us policy. Boarding schools. Urban relocation. Scalp proclamations. Theft of millions of acres. Place is founded on genocide. Greatest society ever! Highest prisoner population. Crime rate. Lowest education level in developed countries. Economy (enough said). Trillions in debt. Drug addiction levels. Alcoholism. Killing our environment. War over oil. No innovation. But Strong military but that doesn’t make us great only the armed bully. Again barf. Just like you want Indians to be American. Get off the Rez. Knowing what I just mentioned should you leave? Conquerer has done a marvelous job!
you’re welcome to find your own utopia any where else you like.
Absolutely the very best response ever typed. So nice to see those archaic and long forgotten names again.
Conquest?? Are you kidding me? The Europeans brought diseases with them from Europe that wiped out 97% of the natives here in America. They didn’t stand a chance.
Unfortunately John what you describe is only partially true. Was land taken by ‘righ’t of conquest yes. Wheteher that was legal/moral etc is another question.
The money from the land claims was land that was stolen after treaties were signed. The Penopbscot and Passamaquoddies fought on the side of the colonies in the revolution. After the war of indepenence Congress stated that no more land could be taken without congressional appoval. Massachessetts / Maine did not heed that. They stole/ coerced/ annexed that lands they wanted. No right of conquest. Greed and power plain and simple. We probably got off cheap.
So, can we come to your house and “conquest” it? Address please??
I was not being rude to the Native Americans. I was making a statement on how someone in business world might try to captialize on their windfall… by no means did I intend to offend Native Americans… My comment has been flag do to business interest I presume
This makes me laugh. Native Americans, Irish Americans, African Americans, Jewish Americans, Spanish American, French Americans, etc. etc. etc. Why can’t we all just be Americans?
Cause we r not!
So, What are we?
The vast majority of these families can certainly use the extra $2900.00 per person for anything from school clothes to utility bills. However -if that $10,200,000.00 was wisely invested and returned an average of 6% over a number of years the benefits could be longer lasting to an even larger group of tribal members.
According to the article, that’s $2900 per tribal member. That means that families will receive double, triple, or quadruple(or more) the number stated(assuming that all children are tribal members).
Thanks-I corrected that.
They said PER PERSON. So your rant is nothing more then a rant.
The whole lot of you whining about it sound jealous
It is none of your beeswax what these people do with the money they receive.
Every penny they spend goes straight into Maine’s economy.
Property taxes?
I would think it prudent that the money be invested in the water bottling business the tribes have spoken about. That would pay profets and add jobs for the tribes. TO distribute it this way will only dump 10 million into the Washington county’s economy and be gone in two months. Leaving people right back where they are. Ashame 200 people decided for all .
Well, we did try for years to “invest” in the lucrative casino industry. But for years, the people AND the State voted not to allow the tribe’s that opportunity to be “independent” because gambling was bad for the State of Maine and it shouldn’t be allowed. Yet, gambling was allowed to occur by other interests in two parts of the State. You can’t teach a man to “fish” if you don’t allow him to have a fishing rod. So, we invested in gold instead and now have the proceeds of that investment. But, consider this: Virtually every nickel will be spent in the local economy. It will particularly be of great economic impact in Washington County, which is something the State has done very little of. Thank you for being concerned!
Good luck to them, I hope they spend it wisely.
These reservations are nothing more than poverty sink holes. The people should be given clear title to their own personal private property to use or sell as they please. Standard municipal government including all rights and responsibilities should be established. There is no separate but equal and should be no reservations.
If you read some of these comments through the eyes of a Tribal Member, would you desire to live among those who made these ignorant remarks? Even if you wanted to tough out the racism-would you subject your wife and kids to it?
Ride the public bus.
Can you go to the bank and give them that speech for me?
I AM RATHER TIRED OF SEEING NEGATIVE COMMENTS AND PERSONAL ATTACKS WHENEVER A MAINE TRIBE IS FEATURED IN THE NEWS. I AM HERE TO SAY I AM PASSAMAQUODDY AND VERY PROUD !!! THANK YOU
Although I see your point, I dont see it as a personal attack. It is people making a valid point such as Talktrash. I AM PROUD TO BE WHITE!! But doesn’t that have a different tone to it when it comes from a white person? Remember Amber..not sure your age but unless you are an elder or an older adult, then remember you never suffered at the hand of the “white man” …you are just be rewarded for what was wronged a long time ago.
I’m just proud to be me. You do have a point but I need to point out that we (Passamaquoddies and other Native Americans) are subject to racism to this day. I, for one, am tired of all the negativity out there about our tribes. What about the good things we do for each other and for other communities? I don’t see that in the news. This is only in the news because it’s such large sum of money.
We, along with other races, were wronged a long time ago. In all fairness, what happened to the tribes of North America was pretty brutal. Because of these “rewards” we are getting even more negativity.
I have the utmost respect for Native Americans and their culture. That being said isn’t it time to more forward and at some point the rewards should cease for all special groups. The Federal and State government has no money to give.
REALLY??? I GREW UP WITH A WHITE MOTHER AND A NATIVE FATHER WITH FAMILY ON BOTH SIDES…I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I RAN CROSS COUNTRY. I RAN A RACE IN PEMBROKE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET. CHILDREN FROM PEMBROKE TAUNTED ME AND SAID I WAS A “DIRTY LITTLE SKEEG” AND THEY WANTED ME TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM…HATE GETS PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS. AND AS FAR AS SAYING YOU ARE PROUD TO BE YOU….AS LONG AS YOU MEAN IT AND FEEL IT IN YOUR HEART…THEN GO FOR IT….TONE DOESNT COME INTO PLAY.
Ive been called worse and I’m not even Native American. Its time to stop blaming those who are still alive for something that was done by Ancestors. Cant we all just get along without it costing anyone any $$?
My son is 28. When he was playing soccer in Woodland in high school one of their players kept saying, “I did you mother last night n*gger.” He said it over and over. My son said he had all he could do to not hit him. He felt like he was dishonoring his mother and that the Woodland player was harassing him because of his race. I can only imagine what would have been done if he was the one verbally harassing the other player because they were white.
Some of the kids at his high school wrote n*gger in the dust on his car. Many still suffer at the hand of the white man. Look at these comments right here. So judgmental and unflattering.
That is unfortunate what happened to your son but ALL races can be racist (not an opinion held by the libs, but it is true, nonetheless).
I am a liberal minded person and I believe that it is true. Why must you say something demeaning about liberal minded people?
what the heck does your sons unfortunate incident have to do with my post nothing. So you hate the today’s white man because of what happened soooo long ago. My point, be proud of who you are by being a good person, provide for your family, respect society as a whole. But when a white man says he is proud to be white it sounds racist and that that he should look like a skin head. But when a native american says he/she is proud to be Native then it is a since of pride. Why cant it be both ways.
You really don’t get it do you?
You said: “Remember Amber..not sure your age but unless you are an elder or an older adult, then remember you never suffered at the hand of the “white man” …you are just be rewarded for what was wronged a long time ago.”
I was explaining that Native people still suffer to some degree today. Some more than others. They are harrassed, discriminated against and hated just because of who there are and where they come from. People still make assumptions and accusations based on the stereotypes from fifty years ago, yet they blame tribal members for staying in the past.
I don’t hate today’s white man or white men from the past, although I do hold great deal of resentment for my white grandfather who refused to have any part of “that black bastard’s baby” so I was ripped from my white mother’s arms, and away from my father’s cultural heritage and sent away. It was all because of my white grandfather’s shame and disgust. I was raised on an island and abused by my adopted white father. If I hate anyone I guess it would be those two men. I have spent a life time trying to come to terms with it all and find my place in this world.
I was always native at heart even though I wasn’t connected to the members of my native culture. I missed out on a lot during the first 25 years of my life, but these past 23 years have been an amazing ride coming to know who I am as a Passamaquoddy person.
I am a college graduate, own a large home on 10+acres. I have a fulfilling career, pay my bills and I respect others as long as they are respectful to me. I will not tolerate bigotry or marginalizing members of our society so I cannot respect society as a whole if that means respecting bigots and those wishing to take away the rights and freedoms of others.
I am half white. I was raised thinking I was white. All of my adopted family is white. My best friends in this world are white. After all of the times I have been mistreated because of my skin color, why would I hate anyone because of the color of their skin? Why would I hate white people?
I can see that you are making the assumption and upholding the stereotype that Natives hate white people. Most of us don’t hate anyone, we just want to be treated with respect and dignity and not mistreated because of our skin color or cultural heritage.
I believe that everyone should be proud of their heritage and try to preserve it. We are a country of many cultures and that is what makes it an amazing place to live. People from all over the world have come here for this American experience. It’s important that all cultures are embraced and preserved.
Fist let me say thank you. But remember I too have had bad experiences with Native Americans who treat me like trash because I am white. I left this area for almost 30 years and served in the miliatry with all racist and never felt the racism there like I do here. Not sure why. I guess maybe there should be more like you and alot less of the ones that act the way the do towards me.
That’s the funny thing, it’s not recognized on our behalf though, because notice (PaleShadows) comment “you don;t get it do you”, the thing is we do!!! We’re trying to prove a point too, that the racismn goes both ways here!!!
True Native–These incidents are horrible and should never be tolerated. It’s too bad your son couldn’t have kicked that kid’s butt. But I need to correct you. Your son and his friends did NOT suffer “at the hand of the white man.” They suffered at the hand of a few white bigots. When you ascribe the hatred of a few to all whites, you are participating in ongoing racism yourself. If I had to bet, I’d bet that you are not a racist–so don’t participate in it.
I merely relayed an experience that natives are still being verbally and in some cases physically abused by people from the white race. It still exists today.
Just because we share our stories of what is happening today doesn’t mean that we hate anyone or that we think all people from a race should be hated or that they all hate. We are merely sharing what is still happening today and you can draw your own conclusions.
After all of the times that I was mistreated because of my dark skin why would I hate anyone else because of the color of their skin? Why would I hate white people? Or why would I think that all white people hate natives. My husband was white. I am half white. I was raised thinking I was white. All of my adopted family is white. My best friends in this world are white.
Most of us don’t hate anyone, we just want to be treated with respect and dignity and not mistreated because of our skin color or cultural heritage.
Amber is proud to be Passamaquoddy, she knows exactly what she is and that’s good for her.
“Black pride,” I think, is unspecific because the descendants of slaves don’t know what part of Africa they came from, so they’re just proud of their descent from that continent.
White pride, on the other hand, I don’t get. We ought to be able to figure out which part(s) of Europe our people came from, and European history is well recorded. That history is full of wars between different groups of whites. If you’re proud to be of German descent, or Irish descent, or English descent, or even Celt or Saxon if you’re a mutt, I can understand that, but recognize that those ethnic groups have never gotten along (they tend to start blowing each other up every few decades). Being proud to be white is about as vague as being proud to be human, without the grace of being all inclusive.
I agree with you “almost” that she never suffered at the hand of the “white man” of course she did if she is Native American and her Great Grandparents lost what would have been handed down the generations to her…such as land and artifacts and so on.
Are you saying age holds relevance with racism? That the young natives or other minorities today don’t experience racism because they didn’t suffer the same as they’re elders? Seriously? Ignorance and implicit racism is still racism no matter how you slice it. Proud to be white? That is almost laughable that anyone could claim that with a straight face. Honestly, it baffles me that so many white males have no concept for how they’ve benefited from the opression of minorities or that society has been constructed around race and their position in it.
No what I am saying, the money that you or the tribe well deserve are from action from a long time ago…. Not the action from me, my father or my fathers father. No I dont think that any young person subect to racism from today youth deserve a penny, just like when I am call a white mother F—– should not been compensated. That is what the police are for. So you think it is laughable that I am white. Is that you being a racist? I think so.
IAM AMERICAN AND PROUD TOO!
The Tribe is always talking about being independent. Why not use these funds to buy or start a business that will create recurring sources of income for the Tribe i.e. give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish feed him for life. This money could do so much more than pay each member $3,000.
The people of the Passamaquoddy tribe are skeptical about investing money into the tribe because of past incidents of fraud and embezzlement, along with other poor money management decisions. It is upsetting that this money cannot be used to help future generations and build a more stable community. What is even more sad though is some of the comments being said on here. People need to look at things from a different perspective before they quickly judge. They have no idea how the trauma that was brought upon the Passamaquoddy’s was passed on from generation to generation and is still present today. The suffering of the people means the community suffers too. I wish everyone would look at the big picture of the history between indigenous people and Americans. There are many lessons to be learned about Native American history, and most people have a misconstrued view on it. Genocide, Assimilation, and colonization from American people’s ancestors have made the Passamaquoddy tribe and all Native American’s the way they are. So upsetting that American’s cannot admit to what they did wrong and how it is affecting Natives today. Instead many are quick to judge and assume without any actual knowledge. Overall I just wish people were not so hateful, jealous, and outright racist over money that the tribe is getting for mismanagement of the tribes money from the settlement of THEIR land. Yes, if you are a Maine resident you pay land taxes. Makes sense to pay for the land that the state of Maine settled. It may not be the typical “American” way of doing things but it make sense to pay for something you bought.
Well, we did try for years to “invest” in the lucrative casino industry. But for years, the people AND the State voted not to allow the tribe’s that opportunity to be “independent” because gambling was bad for the State of Maine and it shouldn’t be allowed. Yet, gambling was allowed to occur by other interests in two parts of the State. You can’t teach a man to “fish” if you don’t allow him to have a fishing rod. So, we invested in gold instead and now have the proceeds of that investment. But, consider this: Virtually every nickel will be spent in the local economy. It will particularly be of great economic impact in Washington County, which is something the State has done very little of. Thank you for being a ConcernedMainer!
You should be! You are good people!!!!
Isn’t that way too steep of buying back your land 300,000 acres for 54 million when is rightfully “FIRST NATIONS” land.You tell me if thats “APPROPRIATE”. There’s another” LAW SUIT” that could be exploited right there….just saying
If it was Indian land they wouldn’t have had to buy it back.
Also, if it was Indian land, then who did they conquer and owe for it since they were not the first on this continent either. It seems we only like to trace history as far back as it suits our need huh?
i think your question can only be answered by your personal beliefs. if your a christian, god seperated all men at the tower of babel, made them speak differant languages to ensure that man wouldn’t be as powerful are him. we are all black. traced back to mesopatamia. put that in your pie and smoke it all you racists. as per the land, natives were here first. as if that matters, everyone seems to think they know everything there is to know about… well everything. where did this money come from again? and why can’t natives decide how to spend their money? if they want to go on a raging bender, i’m sure they will. not the smartest move on their part, but they aren’t making that choice based on their heritage. just as there will be others who use it to get out of debt, invest, build a business. where’s the praise for those people. i think it’s all jealousy, just like the damn eels.
Don’t look now folks…but I am glad to say …The ignorance of the statements made by the people here ,just goes to show how these racists like to think. The Jealousy is coming through, and it’s the ignorant that show it by their comments. People who have an understanding of what has happened more that a couple of centuries ago ,are in complete acceptance of the little pay back that the natives are now gettting and feel that it is due. And it is only right. And finally, I am proud to say I am one of these Natives. So, your comments don’t bother me in the least.Continue with your ignorance.
Corvette or Mustang?
You have the right attitude Carol. When I see my mom who is almost 70 still picking sweetgrass to earn extra money, and Clara Keezer & others like her still working to support themselves & their families by making baskets, beadwork & other crafts, that is what I think of when I think of the Passamaquoddy people. The ignorant do not warrant replies..But hey, if we thought the way some of these people do, we would be taxing all the non-natives that live here for water, sewer, trash pickup, etc..That is not who we are, because if it was we would be like them. We do not need to stoop to their level.
I would have hoped that prior to disbursing the funds the Tribe would have paid some of their past due bills to the non native entities. But guess that is a little much to ask….
LOL. Hey they deserve it. Well, at least thier ancestors. Who if where still around would be to proud of who they are and where they came from would honorably decline.
Wish i was a drug dealer!!!
Why do you wish you were a drug dealer ?
I think he/she was insinuating that drug dealers were about to get a $10.2 million payday and they wished they were going to get a cut. But I think you knew what they were getting at. I’m sure there will be a party or two. But it’s your money, enjoy it.
I have 3 children. I have a non-native husband that works a full time job and has 2
small businesses. We do what we can to help out our community, though my
children take priority. I’m clean, sober and an active, stay-at-home
parent with strict discipline. I was recently accepted into UMM to
pursue a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology.
Regardless
of my husband’s job and businesses, we struggle. We can get by on a
day-to-day basis. We have the basics. As of today, I have not been able
to pay my electric bill in 2 months because we needed to fix our car so
Tristan (my husband) can keep his job. We have one vehicle which leaves
me without one while I am home with my children. We have been unable to
pay our phone/internet bill for that same reason. I do not have a cell
phone. Without the disbursement of all the settlement funds, I will not
be able to get school clothes for my children, I will not be able to
have enough cushion to provide Christmas gifts to my children, I will
not be able to have internet so I can attend my online classes, and I
will put bills on the back burner to buy diapers for the baby. With the
money, I will be able to catch up and pay ahead so when we hit a hard
time again, we won’t suffer so badly. I will buy a car so I won’t be
stranded at home when my little ones have an appointment that I cannot
get to. We will replace our current car so Tristan has more reliable
transportation.
I know some of you will wonder “why
doesn’t she work?” First, I would LOVE to work. In order to do that, I
need reliable transportation and childcare. I do not get TANF, but I do
get foodstamps and Mainecare. The job I would get would have to pay
enough to compensate for all of that. That is why decided to go back to
school. I cannot get a job that can compensate for all of that without
an education.
“Why doesn’t Tristan’s income cover
everything?” We are fortunate to live on reservation and have low rent.
Off reservation, it wouldn’t be possible to even make it day-to-day.
Tristan has 2 businesses, one of which generates $45-$50 every once in a
while because he fixes computers. The other is a starter business that
needs to build before it can provide any stable income. He has a full
time job but has to travel back and forth to Machias every day.
What
I am trying to say, I didn’t want this money out of greed. I didn’t want
this money so I can buy lavish things like designer clothes/accessories.
I do not want to buy drugs or alcohol. I do not want to go out to
dinner every weekend. I do want to have a cushion, a boost,
enough to get us what we need and then stay in our account to get us
through the future struggles. It’s not going to get easier for us until I get my education. I want to have 1 small staycation with my children
where I don’t have to say “no, we can’t afford that.” So, am I thankful for this? Yes.
I’m one proud Passamaquoddy woman that is a good Mom and dedicated wife. I made mistakes in my past, I had children too early but I didn’t let it destroy my life or theirs.
I like your story an hope you get your money soon.. I am proud to see people who understand that hard work will pay off in the long run.. As of your choice of psychology as a major, I hope you enjoy it because there is no money in it.. It’s a hard club to get in, to make the big money… Good Luck in the future, you deserve it.
Thank you! I’m not getting into psychology for the big bucks but because it’s a passion of mine. I can at least make a living and have that 2nd income my family needs.
There is a glut of people out there with psychology degrees. Even with a Masters degree it will be tough to get employment in the field. That it is a passion of yours is not a good basis for making a serious financial and time commitment. Especially considering the financial and personal situation you have described.
I’ll keep that in mind. :)
I’ve been looking into career paths. What sad is that even those with nursing or medical office degrees don’t find work. It’s tough for everyone. But I’ll come through!
I know this sounds like I am pouring cold water on your dreams but reality often is a b1tch.
The value of a college degree has been pushed by progressives for decades now as the “magic” answer to poverty and problems. The reality is that college degrees have been over sold. In many fields, especially social sciences, law, etc, there are now far more graduates with degrees than there are jobs requiring those degrees. What is worse is that many of those getting degrees are deep in debt.
I wish you and your family the best, and luck. But reality is that perseverance, hard work, and good life choices will have more to do with success than anything else.
I know you’re just trying to keep my feet on the ground. Everything you’re saying isn’t news to me. I see people with degrees struggle everyday because they still cannot find work. Psychology is the right choice for me, WHEN I get into a career in that field, I won’t regret my choice or feel like I’m at a dead end. Once I get my degree, if I don’t find work n that field right away, I’ll work at freaking McDonald’s if need be until I do find a place that will suite my education, who knows, maybe getting into Human Resources by working at Mickey D’s. :)
I won’t give up.
Punuwon,
Don’t let that guy deter you! Any degree is better than no degree and there are a growing number of social services jobs downeast that a psych degree will get you…
Why do you feel the need to ” explain ” yourself ? We, as Natives don’t have to explain ourselves, we don’t have to answer to anyone. We don’t need validation from anyone that we’re the sober, clean ones. I live my life, answer to no one, & take care of my family. Natives or not, we don’t need anyone else’s approval as how we spend money, get to work, ect ect ect ….
I don’t feel the need to “explain” myself. Just another point of view that a lot of people don’t see very often. No anger toward anyone or any group. I appreciate what I have and I’m not afraid to say “hey, look at my story too”.
I agree with you and it’s up to each person individually what they want out there and how they want to spend their money. I want people to know that not all of it is negative and there are families that do good things but are in need.
I am certainly not asking for approval. I’m showing love and compassion.
If you are on the tribal roster (excuse me if that is not the term), your tuition and books (and room & board if you were not doing an online program) would be completely free at a public school. I assume you have looked into that?? Good luck with your education.
All of that said, I think “big picture,” the $3000 or so per tribal member might be looked at to create some type of business etc so the tribe could truly prosper. While you will use the money to help you progress, I am sure there are many tribal members (and heck, there would be many people anywhere) who would blow through $3000 and have nothing to show for it, but the tribe can do with the money as they wish. It just seems like it could be quite an opportunity for the tribe.
It would be quite an opportunity if we could come together on it. Sadly, in the past, when we have invested in things, we lost out. We were taken advantage of many times. So, our trust in where money goes is limited.
I would’ve been ok with anything they gave us, 100% was the goal but anything would have helped.
A try at some Humor here.. Target marketing sees a big pot of gold here in this settlement… Do you think that the greedy businesses will flood the mail boxes on the reservations??
Successful culture all around you! You don’t get out much
The tribe decided what to do with their money, and it’s done. They have a government who listens to their people. I’m jealous. I think they could have spent the money to get their bottling plant off the ground or invest in a little industry to help the tribe thrive, but it’s not my money. I’m not sure how much a $2900 check can change anyone’s life for the better, but I bet a $10 Million dollar investment into a business could have netted them a whole lot more. But I’m sure they’ll all enjoy the rest of the summer without much financial stress.
I am glad to be who I am. I was raise to actually respect people instead of having negative comments about our tribe & on what they do. I’m just a proud Passamaquoddy.. We have people who actually work for their money instead always tryin to get free money. Why don’t people have a little respect. If you can’t deal with us getting this part of the settlement, then why bother tryin to prove a point with negative thoughts. You sounds like kids..
N A T I VE P R I D E! & Very happy to be :)<3 YOLO…
Why is it that non-native people like to bring us down??We are no different than they are,we attend the same schools as them and yet we are bullied,we work and are still looked down upon,to me am very proud of who I am and where I came from!!!All I can say to the all the biggots is…Get a life and leave us and our children alone
What upsets me the most here is how everything is blamed on racism. I grew up in Eastport and i’m not Native American but I personally was bullied by native Americans. To me it goes to show you that it can be recieved on the other end as well. I was brought up not to treat people different whether your black white, gay, straight, and i’ve always tried to treat people equally. I could care less about money but i’m SO sick and tired of listening to the racismn cards because in Washington County in 100% goes both ways!!!
The money is due to them because the Fed mismanaged Native funds. End of story. Tribes all over the country have been financially screwed for generations because of the actions of the BIA and Bureau of Land Management/Dept Interior. This settlement is just a drop in the bucket of what Native people are owed for their assets — let’s not even go into issues about boarding schools (aka state sanctioned kidnapping), forced sterilization, etc.
The first thing that bitter people do is point fingers, whine, and make assumptions.
Another reason this administration needs to go
The country is in a recession and is handing out this kind of money we don`t have.
Don`t forget to report this cash influx to DHHS and unemployment.
The state needs to check the list of peoplegetting check against their state aide data banks
I wonder if the BDN thinks it would get more people to read the article if the headline stated “millions” for the Native Americans instead of $2900 each?
The Passamaquoddies need not apologize for their recent success. And, inasmuch as there are no clothing stores, supermarkets, dealerships, restaurants etc. on the reservations, the local economy is bound to get a $10 million dollar boost. I’m sure no one told Bill Gates how to spend his money.
Its a shame that most of this money will be wasted on booze and other mind altering ‘party chemicals’.. I agree with washingtoncntyboy… Most of the recipients are very young and have no personal recollection of wrong doing. Many who receive these funds do not live and have not lived with there tribe for years … But when they get a check in the mail they claim how proud they are.
Do you know anyone from the Passamaquoddy Tribe? I bet not…
You lose that bet!!!
There will be alot of traffic from downeast too Bangor Hollywood Slots and Casino. When them checks hit the mail boxes.
Too bad you didn’t get some money too, that way you could go to school and learn how to write properly.
So at what point in this country’s future are we going to stop these payouts? How many centuries are people like me supposed to pay for things that happened so long ago? Time to shut off the tap, no one is any more native than anyone else any more.