(gentle music) - The exhibit tells a story through art, through basketry.

The title of the exhibit is after my book, "In the Shadow of the Eagle," that I wrote when I was a tribal representative for the Penobscot Nation, and in the Maine State Legislature.

During that time, I was able to get a first-hand view of the tribal state relations.

They didn't see the sovereignty.

They never did, even from the first treaty, 1818 treaty.

They came to that treaty saying, "This is really a document of surrender for the Penobscot."

And the Penobscot came to the table thinking, "This is a way to preserve our trust lands and our sovereignty."

So there were two different perspectives right from the very beginning, and really, it set us on a course of litigation for the next couple hundred years.

And the symbolism of the eagle is really important as well, because to the Wabanaki, the eagle represents a sacred communication between human beings, between us and the spirit, our creator.

They see us through the eyes of the eagle, and the eagle appears at certain times when we really are looking for spiritual guidance.

So the eagle is really important in our lives, and the meaning that it has for us is not the same meaning that it has for the United States government or the state government.

To them, the eagle is a symbol of power and control, and it's a majestic bird, it's a bird of prey.

Totally different vision, but, you know, Maine tribes, the Wabanaki people have always pushed in court, and anywhere else they could, for the state to recognize our sovereignty.

- Well, I think the Abbe has a really important role of helping to amplify Wabanaki voices.

So thinking about the arts and cultures of these communities, both in the past and present, I think it's just a really important part of Maine story, the Northeastern story, and also, you know, the story of what's now the United States and Canada.

- Stories are important, and I don't care how you tell your stories, whether it's in a book, whether it's on TV, in the newspaper, on the radio, stories are important, and this is one aspect of, in one way, of telling our story, - Our story is more complicated, and the story of this place is much older than the formation of the United States, and that how Wabanaki people see the United States is not always negative, not always positive, but is a subtle story, a powerful story, about their own persistence, resilience, and that they're still here and they will still be here.

- I hope people walk away with a new understanding of who Wabanaki people are and the fact that we are still here and we've lived here through these centuries of attempting to erase us, and it's really a miracle that we're still here.

"It is up to us to overcome our invisibility.

It is up to us to use our voices to tell our stories.

It is up to us to rise from the ashes of genocide and proclaim that we are still here.

It is up to us.

So we will tell our own story with our own voice so you can hear us, so we can shine a light on those dark deeds that were done to us.

It is up to us to tell our own story, not to change history, but to be seen and heard.

It is up to us to set our goals to enlighten others.

It is up to us to tell our historic truth.

If this results in change of any kind, it will be more than we have hoped for.

It is up to us."

The poem says it all, you know, it's time for us to tell our stories.

Hopefully people will actually listen to the stories and learn something.

And I have this saying, it's called communication and education equals understanding.

Now we may not all agree, but we can certainly understand each other.

(tribal chanting) (drums banging)