Chief Kirk Frances, of the Penobscot Nation, and James Sappier, former chief and current Penobscot Elder Council member, sent a letter to three of the five Wiscasset selectmen Sept. 4 asking them to overturn the board’s decision allowing a private road in town be named Redskin’s Drive.
The letters were addressed to Selectmen Pam Dunning, Timothy Merry, and Jefferson Slack.
As of Sept. 22, Selectmen Ben Rines, William Barnes, Slack, and Merry said they had not seen the letters, but had received several calls from the news media regarding the letters. Selectman Pam Dunning could not be reached for comment.
Wiscasset Town Manager Marian Anderson said she received a copy of a letter from a newspaper reporter, but has had no discussion with the board regarding the letters.
On Wednesday, Sept. 24, Francis said during a telephone interview, he doesn’t understand why the Wiscasset selectmen did not receive the letters, which were sent by email and the U.S. Postal Service. “We will resend them to the town office by certified mail tomorrow,” Francis said.
“We are looking for a respectful resolution to this issue, one that will create a sense of decency and respect toward each other. It is important the selectmen know the negative impact their decision has on the native people.”
According to Francis, the Penobscot Nation is looking at a host of avenues, both federal and legal to eliminate the use of the word “Redskin” being used.
On Aug. 19, owners of property off Bradford Road asked the selectmen to approve a name of the road for 911 purposes. The two families on the road submitted five choices for the board’s consideration.
The choices were, in order, Redskin’s Drive, Winchester Drive, Shotgun Alley, Black Widow Lane, and Remington Drive.
Selectman Ben Rines made a motion to name the road Redskin’s Drive and the motion carried, 3-1-1. Dunning opposed the motion and Slack abstained. Rines, Barnes and Merry, all Wiscasset High School graduates, voted in favor of the motion.
For over half a century, the team name for Wiscasset High School was the Wiscasset Redskins. In 2011, the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 Board of Directors voted to drop the mascot, despite strong opposition from Wiscasset High School students, alumni, and members of the community. The school mascot was changed to the Wolverines.
In his letter to the selectmen, Francis said, “We remain grateful for the understanding and good will of those leaders demonstrated by changing the name of their mascot. We understand that change is difficult and people may feel nostalgic about certain aspects of their past, but we cannot quietly accept a sentimentality that hurts our people.
“Any use of this term, as the name of a sports team mascot or a road, with or without an apostrophe, is extremely offensive to the Penobscot Nation, and has a negative impact on the health and well-being of our children, families, and the tribe as a whole.”
Former Chief Sappier said in his letter, “The action taken by the town selectmen in naming the ‘Redskin’s Drive’ I now firmly believe is based on racism or the profound lack of knowing the true history.”
Selectman Barnes, during a telephone interview Sept. 22, said he has never meant any disrespect. It was with pride he referred to the Redskins mascot. “If it wasn’t for the Indians, the Americans would never of survived,” Barnes said.
Selectman Rines said as long as the property owners on Redskin’s Drive remain firm on keeping the road name, he will support their decision. “I believe that is their right,” he said.
(Ed. Note: This story has been updated to include comments by Chief Kirk Frances.)
