Maine Is In Mourning And Mad
A Maineiac's reflections on yesterday, October 25, 2023.
Some of you may have realized as news was breaking yesterday, I live in Maine.
I am safe. My family is safe. I don't have answers today, only disappointment, anger and sadness.
Lewiston, Maine—where a mass shooter killed at least 18 people Wednesday with a large magazine assault weapon—is in Southern Maine, about 6 hours south of where I live.
The population of our state is only about 1 million people, a fraction of the population of New York City. In all of 2021 there were 21 murders in Maine. In 2022 there were 29 murders in our state. Wednesday one man with a gun murdered at least 18 people.
I live in the rural, forested, sparsely populated area of Northern Maine along the Canadian border.
The picture above is about a 10 minute drive from my home. The one below is about 2 hours south of my home.
Almost everyone I grew up with owns guns for hunting which is still a way people feed their families here where many live at or below the poverty line.
But guns here aren't toys or flexes—they're deadly tools we're taught to respect. You don't strap one onto your body to get a cup of coffee and a donut.
The gun used to murder people Wednesday was designed for hunting only one type of prey—humans.
Unlimited access for everyone for every type of gun needs to change.
There are steps that can be taken, but that will require electing members of Congress that are open to change. Members that don't wear assault rifle pins.
In November, vote BLUE up and down the ballot.
Tókhel mitȟáwačhiŋ kiŋ owáglake! I will speak my mind!
Wíuŋničiyukčaŋpi kte šni. Éeye wíič’iglukčaŋ yo. We can't decide things for you. Decide things for yourself.
Uŋčí Makȟá kiŋ tȟokáta wičhóuŋčhaǧe kiŋ uŋkíčikpataŋpi kte héčha. Tuŋkášila yuwákáŋ po. We have to save Grandmother Earth for future generations. Grandfather Spirit take action.
Aŋpétu wašté yuhá pe. Have a good day.
Čhaŋtóčhignake, I cherish you.
Nikakwaho'tá':'ah Wá’tsik/Šung'mánitu Ápé
⬆️Auntie Mavis’ Indigenous name in my maternal then paternal languages—my Substack photos are a clue to what my name is
Grieving with you and my home state💔
Heartbroken 💔 for the people of Maine, where I was born, grew up, and raised our daughter 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻