The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations

Review\n"The Gatherings is an unusual book in the powerful authenticity of feeling it expresses." -- Dana White ― OFF RADAR, centralmaine.com\n"The Gatherings: Reimaging Indigenous-Settler Relations offers eye-opening information that is beautifully tied together with thought-provoking and insightful stories from individuals who have initiated the work that needs to be done to end the fragile relationships between Indigenous peoples and settlers." -- Carly Smith ― Cloud Lake Literary\n"Calling themselves collectively 'Mawopiyane,' a Passamaquoddy word meaning 'let us sit together,' they spent several years piecing together this simply framed, but profoundly encouraging book." -- Dana Wilde, National Book Critics Circle ― The Working Waterfront\n"The Gatherings: Reimaging Indigenous-Settler Relations offers eye-opening information that is beautifully tied together with thought-provoking and insightful stories from individuals who have initiated the work that needs to be done to end the fragile relationships between Indigenous peoples and settlers." -- Carly Smith ― Cloud Lake Literary\n"The authors share the insights they have gained on how Natives and non-Natives can work well together by acknowledging First Peoples, honoring agreements, understanding their worldviews, and being in conversation with one another." -- David Etheridge ― Friends Journal\n"Very impressive. The contributions of these men and women are noteworthy and deserve to be read and available to all persons who are interested and want to learn from them." -- The Hon. Graydon Nicholas, Chancellor and Endowed Chair in Native Studies, St. Thomas University, and Former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick\n"Shirley N. Hager’s gentle and affirming spirit shines through as she introduces the reader to this unique, collective experience. I felt so much gratitude for each participant, opening themselves to let strangers in." -- Beth Clifford, Curriculum Coordinator, Maine Indian Education\n"In this book, White Americans and Native Americans speak from different perspectives of their experience in the circle as they patiently forge a transforming experience across difference." -- Terry Chadsey, Former Executive Director, Center for Courage & Renewal\n"I had intended to only take a quick look at the book and come back to it later, but once I started reading I couldn’t stop. The Gatherings is a very well-constructed book of great importance both as a cultural document and as a tool for teaching and learning." -- Keith Helmuth, Founding Trustee of Quaker Institute for the Future and Author of Tracking Down Ecological Guidance: Presence, Beauty, Survival\n"This book brings together voices and perspectives, rarely shared so openly and bluntly, on the long road and commitment needed to cultivate understanding across cultures, and particularly across Native/non-Native communities." -- Holly Wilkinson, Executive Director, WholeHeart, Inc.\n“The Gatherings calls me back to the deepest roots of my own faith tradition. Several times it brought me to tears. There is deep healing here, and truth, and an even deeper love.” -- Noah Merrill, Secretary, New England Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)\nIn a world that requires knowledge and wisdom to address developing crises around us, The Gatherings shows how Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can come together to create meaningful and lasting relationships.
Thirty years ago, in Wabanaki territory – a region encompassing the state of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes – a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals came together to explore some of the most pressing questions at the heart of Truth and Healing efforts in the United States and Canada. Meeting over several years in long-weekend gatherings, in a Wabanaki-led traditional Council format, assumptions were challenged, perspectives upended, and stereotypes shattered. Alliances and friendships were formed that endure to this