Maine Veteran Service Agencies Co-Host Wabanaki Cultural Awareness Training
On Thursday, December 5, 2019, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) and the VA Maine Healthcare System co-hosted the state’s first-ever Wabanaki cultural awareness training focusing on the service of Maine’s Native American veterans and service members.
As part of the presentation, Donald Soctomah, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Passamaquoddy Tribe spoke on the topic of Maine Native American History and the role Native American veterans have had in the United States Military.
“The Bureau’s mission is to serve all of Maine’s veterans,” said Sarah Sherman, Director of Strategic Partnerships for MBVS. “It’s our hope that by providing cultural awareness training to our community partners, we will be better able to serve our Native American veterans. We hope to use this event as an opportunity to give voice to a group of veterans that has proudly served their country.”
Over the past few months, MBVS has forged new partnerships with Native American tribes across the State of Maine in an effort to improve services and collaborate at veterans’ events.
MBVS and VA Maine are committed to providing quality care and service to all veterans. It is the Bureau’s mission to ensure that each and every veteran who walks through the door receives the attention and assistance they deserve.
The training was held on December 5, 2019. Following Mr. Soctomah’s presentation, there was a screening of “Underground Cities – The Secrets of World War I,” a film recounting the early part of WWI and the Yankee Division of New England. A brief question and answer session was held after the film.
To learn more about available resources for Veterans and their families, please contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services at 207-430-6035 or visit their website www.maine.gov/Veterans.
Contact Melissa Willette, Director of Communications, Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services at Melissa.Willette@maine.gov or 207-430-6004 or Jonathan Barczyk, Acting Public Affairs Officer, VA Maine Healthcare System at Jonathan.Barczyk@va.gov or 207-623-8411 ext. 2969 for more information or to learn about upcoming training sessions.
Melissa Willette
Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services
207-430-6004
melissa.willette@m
