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Kihtahkomikumon (Our Land) - #IsLandBack in Passamaquoddy Territory

In 2021, by an act of humanism, solidarity, and reparation, the Passamaquoddy tribe has been reunited with 140 acres of their unceded Ancestral territory – part of the largest island in Kci Monosakom, (Big Lake) Maine. To the Passamaquoddy people, it’s more than land return; it is the return of a stolen family member. In this short film, we join Passamaquoddy community members who are finally able to reunite with their non-human Relative.

  • Mali Obomsawin
    Writer
  • Dawn Neptune Adams
    Producer
    The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory. Dawnland.
  • Meredith DeFrancesco
    Producer
    The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory.
  • Sunlight Media Collective
    Producer
    The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory.
  • Wayne A. Newell
    Key Cast
    "Himself, Passamaquoddy Tribal Elder, Teacher, Consultant"
  • Chris Newell
    Key Cast
    "Himself, Passamaquoddy Tribal Member, Executive Director of Abbe Museum"
  • Dwayne Tomah
    Key Cast
    "Himself, Passamaquoddy Language Keeper"
  • Donald Soctomah
    Key Cast
    "Himself, Passamaquoddy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer"
  • Natalie Dana Lolar
    Key Cast
    "Herself, Passamaquoddy & Penobscot Tribal Member, Bear Clan, Granddaughter of Joan Dana."
  • Niskapisuwin, Geo Soctomah Neptune
    Key Cast
    "Themself, Passamaquoddy Tribal Member, Two-Spirit, Master Basketmaker "
  • Brenda Dana Lozada
    Key Cast
    "Herself, Passamaquoddy Tribal Member, School Teacher, Bear Clan, Daughter of Joan Dana"
  • Annette Sockabasin
    Key Cast
    "Herself, Passamaquoddy Elder & Language Keeper"
  • William J. Nicholas Sr
    Key Cast
    "Himself, Chief of Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk"
  • Dawn Neptune Adams
    Narrator
    The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory. Dawnland.
  • Joanna Weaver
    Editor
    The Maker. Backsiders. The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory.
  • Lokotah Sanborn
    Graphic Design
  • Sierra Henries
    Production Assistants
  • Mali Obomsawin
    Production Assistants
  • Lokotah Sanborn
    Production Assistants
  • Annette Sockabasin
    Production Assistants
  • Donald Soctomah
    Historical & Cultural Advisor
  • Dwayne Tomah
    Passamaquoddy Language Advisor
  • Dawn Neptune Adams
    Videographers
    The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory. Dawnland.
  • Nolan Altvater
    Videographers
  • Bryan Wentzell
    Pilot
  • Sunlight Media Collective
    Director
    The Penobscot: Ancestral River, Contested Territory.
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Indigenous, Environmental, #LandBack, Passamaquoddy
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 22, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Other
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sunlight Media Collective

The Sunlight Media Collective is an organization of indigenous and non-indigenous media makers and activists, including Wabanaki tribal members, working to document and present stories affecting Wabanaki people and highlighting Wabanaki perspectives, with a particular emphasis on the intersection between environmental issues and tribal rights.

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Director Statement

We have found that current media representations often offer problematic narratives, rife with mistruths, prejudice, fear mongering and misunderstanding. This lack of understanding is a detriment to the Wabanaki Tribes' environmental health, cultural survival and sovereignty, and to Tribal-State relations. The goal of our work is to facilitate understanding, analysis and historical context, and to create and organize educational opportunities and events for alliance building and social change.