{"id":434,"date":"2019-07-24T18:30:40","date_gmt":"2019-07-24T18:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/library.une.edu\/mwwc\/?page_id=434"},"modified":"2026-02-25T10:00:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:00:52","slug":"donna-m-loring-lecture-series","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/library.une.edu\/mwwc\/home\/workshops-events\/donna-m-loring-lecture-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Donna M. Loring Lecture Series"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Donna M. Loring Lecture Series is a space for education, dialogue, and reflection on issues that matter. Through lectures, book readings, and plays, the series explores Indigenous rights, civil rights, social justice, environmental issues, and human rights\u2014bringing both historical insight and fresh perspective to today\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 Lecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 lecture speaker will be poet Mihku Paul (Wolastoqey). More details to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 Lecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Truth in the Present Tense: Wabanaki Voices, Museums, and the Struggle against Erasure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This event explored how museums can serve as critical spaces for truth-telling, cultural continuity, and Indigenous sovereignty in an era where historical erasure and political backlash threaten to silence marginalized voices. Speakers discussed how museums can shift from colonial institutions to living sites of collaboration, accountability, and cultural futurism. How do we ensure that Wabanaki perspectives shape the narratives\u2014not as artifacts of the past, but as powerful voices in the present and future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, October 28, 2025
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. 
St. Francis Room, Ketchum Library, UNE Biddeford Campus
Free and open to the public.<\/strong>
Watch the lecture online.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speakers<\/h4>\n\n\n
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Jennifer Neptune (Penobscot Nation) is the Director of the Penobscot Nation Museum on Indian Island, Maine, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Wabanaki people. She is also a master basketmaker, beadworker, and Maine guide, who recently served as the exhibit writer for the Tek\u03b1k\u03b1pim\u0259k Contact Station at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The recipient of many national awards and grants for her basketmaking, she has worked to preserve and adapt traditions of ash and sweetgrass basketry and to mentor other artists. She holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Maine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Betsy Richards (Cherokee Nation) is the Executive Director of the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine, dedicated to illuminating and advancing greater understanding and support for Wabanaki Nations\u2019 heritage, living cultures, and homelands. She has over 25 years of experience in the arts, museums, philanthropy, and social impact including roles at the Ford Foundation, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, and The Opportunity Agenda. She is also Board Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, a Commissioner for the U.S. Interior Department\u2019s Indian Arts & Crafts Board, and serves on the Maine Arts Commission. Betsy holds degrees from NYU and Yale University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Join our email list<\/p>\n\t\n

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Past Lectures<\/polyline><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/h2>
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October 1, 2024<\/dt>\n
A Salute to Cpt. Joanne Murphy and the Women Who Served in Vietnam<\/a><\/dd>\n
October 5, 2023<\/dt>\n
A Reading by Morgan Talty, author of\u00a0Night of the Living Rez<\/em><\/a><\/dd>\n
October 12, 2022<\/dt>\n
One Nation, Under Fraud: A Remonstrance<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 6, 2021<\/dt>\n
Racial Justice in Maine State Policy: Understanding the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 27, 2020<\/dt>\n
Racial Health Disparities and COVID-19 in Maine: Shining a Light on Systemic Inequality<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 8, 2019<\/dt>\n
Teaching Wabanaki History and Culture in Maine: Challenges and Opportunities<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 1, 2018<\/dt>\n
Wabanaki Basketmaking Traditions Under Threat? Art, Culture, and the Future of Maine Indian Basketmaking<\/a><\/dd>\n
MARCH 19, 2018<\/dt>\n
Penobscot Nation v. Janet Mills: A Case of Cultural Identity and Tribal Stewardship<\/a><\/dd>\n
April 6, 2017<\/dt>\n
“Mary and Molly: In the Spirit of the Ancestors” a play by Donna M. Loring<\/dd>\n
NOVEMBER 12, 2015<\/dt>\n
Racism in Maine: Beyond Black and White<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 28, 2014<\/dt>\n
The Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission: New Opportunities for Understanding Post-Colonialism<\/dd>\n
NOVEMBER 7, 2013<\/dt>\n
Listening with Fifteen Hearts: Life Stories of Women across Cultures<\/a><\/dd>\n
NOVEMBER 8, 2012<\/dt>\n
Winona LaDuke: Environmental Justice from a Native Perspective<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 11, 2011<\/dt>\n
Truth and Reconciliation in Maine: a Model of Collaboration and Process of Decolonization<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 12, 2010<\/dt>\n
Out of the Depths: A personal account of a residential school experience and the effects of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology many years later<\/a><\/dd>\n
OCTOBER 1, 2009<\/dt>\n
Weaving Waponahki Policy toward Decolonization<\/a><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Support the Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your support helps keep these vital conversations going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Donna M. Loring Lecture is made possible by two funds. The Donna Loring Endowed Fund was started with generous gifts from Cpt. Joanne Murphy, Donna\u2019s commanding officer during the Vietnam War; the Maine Community Foundation; and other committed donors. The Donna Loring Annual Fund was established in 2026 as another way for donors to support the work of the lecture. With your help, we can continue to grow the reach and impact of this important work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Donate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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By Check<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Make payable to: UNE
Memo line: Specify which fund – Donna Loring Endowed Fund or Donna Loring Annual Fund<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mail to:
University of New England
Office of Institutional Advancement
716 Stevens Avenue
Portland, ME 04103<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Go to the UNE Online Giving Form<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n