A number of years ago, a Skowhegan High School history teacher asked me to speak to his classes about Tribal Court. After a lively give-and-take session, I was surprised at the wealth of knowledge possessed by the students respecting Native Americans.

I asked for a show of hands to show many students had “Indian blood.” I was amazed that many more than half the hands in the classes were raised. That number probably should not have surprised me, as it is well known that French settlers had intermarried with local Native Americans for hundreds of years and still do.

Before Barry Dana became governor of the Penobscot Nation, another beloved and respected Penobscot governor visited me in my Skowhegan home and told me that where the home sits, high above the Kennebec River across from Coburn Park, was very sacred ground.

I was told that long before the homes along Water Street ever existed, the entire area was covered with countless wooden drying racks laden with salmon that would feed the tribes over the long winter and for most of the year. I learned that the high river bluffs overlooking the river were a watching place for not only salmon, but also potential enemies coming up river and for other matters of tribal concern.

From my years with my Indian friends, I came to learn that the town where I lived was considered a mystical place with very good spiritual vibration. We know that the name of our beloved town is an Indian word meaning “watching place.” But wouldn’t it be silly to change the name of our town from “Skowhegan” to “Watching Place” to please the overly politically correct?

The Skowhegan Town Seal beautifully depicts a Native American spearing fish at the Skowhegan falls. This is not a “town mascot.” This is town history. Respecting and cherishing our heritage is not racism.

The town’s school sports teams are known as the “Skowhegan Indians.” These are not mascots. This is who we are. The Native Americans and non-Native Americans who interacted with each other, intermarried each other, and had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with each other are the fabric and history of our town.

We are the Skowhegan Indians.

Gregory J. Domareki, of Skowhegan, is former chief judge of the Penobscot Indian Nation and former appellate judge of the Passamaquoddy Indian Nation.

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