Representatives of the Passamaquoddy Tribe planned to set up an educational display Monday evening on the Bucksport waterfront near where a controversial Christopher Columbus replica ship is docked.

The educational display is the latest response to the arrival of the Nao Santa Maria, which came to Maine on Friday for a bicentennial event in Bangor organized by the Maritime Heritage Association. The Nao Santa Maria, which is owned by a Spanish nonprofit, is a replica of one of the ships Columbus sailed on to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Spain in 1492.

Tribal leaders in Maine criticized the Maritime Heritage Association last week, saying the Penobscot River tour disrespected tribal land and overlooked Columbus’ history of committing atrocities against indigenous people.

Dick Campbell, president of the Maritime Heritage Association, announced Saturday that he was canceling the ship’s visit to Bangor after several people called to express “discomfort” with the ship’s association with Columbus.

Dwayne Tomah, a Passamaquoddy language keeper, will be among the tribal representatives presenting the display, which includes a video. The event will take place from 6-7 p.m.

“Their purpose is to have constructive dialogue and provide historical information,” town officials said in a Facebook post.

The ship docked in Bucksport on Friday during a rainstorm caused by Tropical Storm Elsa. The town council issued a docking permit and permits for other waterfront activities connected to the state bicentennial celebration several weeks ago, but did not realize at the time that the Columbus replica ship would be among the vessels, Town Manager Sue Lessard said.

She said thousands of people toured the ship over the weekend. The tours will continue through 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The ship is scheduled to leave Bucksport at 7 a.m. Wednesday, when its docking permit expires. Lessard said Sunday that the town attorney told her that the ship cannot be forced to leave before Wednesday when the permit expires.

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