Friday, March 7, 2008

IN THE SHADOW OF THE EAGLE; A TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVE IN MAINE

In the shadow of the Eagle is the title of my new book coming out this April. It is about my experiences in the Maine State Legislature. It is the first book ever written by a Maine Indian Representative about this unique legislative experience.

I kept a Journal for four years of my early legislative experience. The book covers my journal during that time but also covers the continuing struggles that Maine Native people face. The book is being published by Tilbury House. Below I have printed the Tilbury catalog information.
You may order a copy or copies by calling 1-800-582-1899

In the Shadow of the Eagle: A Tribal Representative in Maine
Donna M. Loring
Available: April 2008
Paperback, $20
ISBN 978-0-88448-302-1
6 x 9, 224 pages, photographs
Biography / Native American / Maine
Maine is the only state in the nation to have tribal representatives seated in its legislative body, a practice that began in the 1820s. Although the representatives from the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe don't have voting power on the house floor, they serve on committees and may chair study committees. Donna's first session as representative of the Penobscot Nation was a difficult one—a personal struggle to have a "voice," but also because of the issues: changing offensive names, teaching Native American history in Maine schools, casinos and racinos, and the interpretation of sovereign rights for tribes. Some of the struggles and issues remain as she continues to serve, and the perspective she offers—as a Native American and as a legislator—is both valuable and fascinating.
Donna Loring grew up on Indian Island and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a BA in Political Science. Donna is also a Vietnam veteran who served in the communications center at Long Binh Army Base located approximately thirty miles northeast of Saigon. It was her job to process all the casualty reports for Southeast Asia. She was stationed in Vietnam from November of 1967 to November of 1968 and served during the TET Offensive. Her professional background is in law enforcement and she is a graduate of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. She was the first woman police academy graduate to become police chief in the state of Maine and served as the police chief for the Penobscot Nation from 1984?90. In 1992 she became the first woman director of security at Bowdoin College, a position she held until March of 1997. Donna was appointed aide de camp to then-governor Angus King on March 17, 1999, and was commissioned with the rank of colonel by the governor. She was advisor to former Governor King on women veterans' affairs. On November 4, 1999, Donna received the Mary Ann Hartman Award from the University of Maine's Women in Curriculum and Women's Studies Program. The award recognizes outstanding Maine women for their accomplishments in the arts, politics, business, education, and community service. She has served in the Maine State Legislature as the tribal representative of the Penobscot Nation from 1998?2004, and 2005 to the present.

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