Education & Human Development

Selected News Release

Micmac's Visit Puts UMaine in New Light for Students
Released: October 29, 2006
Media Contact: Russ Van Arsdale, (207) 581-2761

David Slagger (second from left) and Roldena Nakai (right) pose with students and the Micmac tribal flag.

ORONO, Maine – Five teenagers from central Aroostook County may be viewing the University of Maine campus in a new light, following their daylong trip to the Orono campus recently.

The girls, who all attend schools in Presque Isle and Caribou, made the trip at the invitation of a group at the University who had visited the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in August. The group includes David Slagger, a member of the Aroostook Band and a student in the College of Education and Human Development. Slagger said he thinks the students have a better understanding of both program offerings and the welcoming climate on campus as a result of the visit.

"They’ve been inspired by seeing other members of our tribe go to college and have good careers," Slagger said following the visit. He estimated that, of the roughly 1,000 Micmacs in Maine, fewer than ten percent are college graduates.

The welcome they received from students, faculty and administrators was comforting to the teens, whose idea of a college campus had been based on informal visits to the smaller University of Maine-Presque Isle campus, Slagger added. "This [the Orono campus] is like a little city," Slagger said of UMaine. While its size may be intimidating at first, it means the campus can offer a number of student services that a smaller campus might not have so readily available, Slagger added.

The visit of about a dozen University of Maine representatives to Aroostook and the return visit by the Micmac students is part of a growing relationship. The College of Education and Human Development is seeking more cross-cultural experiences for its students, particularly as it prepares future teachers for more diverse classroom experiences. College officials hope to attract more members of the Micmacs and other native people, in addition to minorities from across the country, to become part of an increasingly diverse student body at UMaine. College and student representatives agree that giving visiting students a first-hand look at campus offerings is a vital first step in the process.

"I see the importance of it," said Victoria Higgins, acting chief of the Micmacs. "It is really important that they see what goes on," she said of the teens’ visit. She said she spoke with Roldena Nakai, who accompanied the teens and who told Higgins "they were all very positive about it."

"This visit was a great start in demonstrating what the University can offer to make higher education a reality for all Maine people," said O.J. Logue, Associate Dean of Academic Services at the College. Logue was among the group from the College and across campus who visited the Micmacs’ tribal administration offices and education center in central Aroostook County in August.

The teens – who ranged from grades 8 through 10 – made several stops on the Orono Campus, including the Canadian American Center, Northeast Folklife Center and Fogler Library. They may have been most keenly interested in the Anthropology Department exhibits, especially as the displays related to archeological digs in regions where their ancestors may have lived. The teens also spent time at the Wabanaki Center and the Office of Multicultural Programs for African, Latino, Asian and Native American students (ALANA Center).

John Maddaus, associate professor of education and a member of the College’s standing committee on diversity and difference, said the visits are important for mutual understanding. Teacher preparation programs have been revamped to reflect the wishes of Maine legislators who passed LD 291, a law requiring the teaching of native history and culture in all Maine schools. "Building strong relationships between the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and the University – in particular, its teacher education programs – will help to recognize and more fully appreciate the contributions of the Aroostook Band to the State of Maine."

"We have to make UMaine as supportive and welcoming a place as possible for Micmac students to pursue their education," Maddaus added. People in the University community have already done a lot to make native people feel welcome, according to student David Slagger. He was especially enthusiastic about the teens’ visit.

"They really felt embraced when they came here, and that is huge" Slagger said, noting that many in the Aroostook Band would like to see their young people be educated in Maine and remain here after graduation. "Now that they know this campus wants them here and values them, I think that will make a huge difference in where they go to school." Additional visits are being planned, Slagger said.