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PENOBSCOT NATION
PROCEDURES DURING SHUT-DOWN

Updated 10/16/2020

Information Regarding the November 3, 2020 State of Maine General Election

The State of Maine General Election will be held Tuesday, November 03, 2020. At this time, both in-person and absentee voting is available for this election. For in-person, voting will take place on November 03, 2020 at the Nicholas H. Sapiel Building.

• Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• PPE will be worn by every election worker
• Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies are available and will be utilized
• Voters will take the pen used while voting
• Social distancing will be monitored with only 2 voters allowed in the polling place at one time
• Voters are required to wear face masks, they will be made available for anyone who does not have one
• Gloves will be made available for voters if they wish to use them

Voters may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person. To minimize interaction with others during this public health pandemic (COVID-19), some voters may prefer voting by absentee ballot. Casting an absentee ballot is convenient and secure. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot by phone, written request or electronically is Thursday, October 29, 2020. The deadline for in-person absentee voting is Friday, October 30, 2020.

You can request an absentee ballot by calling the Tribal Clerk’s office at 817-7351 or you can request an absentee ballot online or by mail from the Secretary of State's website https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl?c=1

Ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk no later than 8:00 pm on Election Day.

Ranked Choice Explaned

Penobscot Nation Department of Public Safety Community Safety Poll

Over the past few months, I have been proud to be a part of the Community Safety Collaborative, a partnership of invested community advocates working to create a safer future for us all.

Today, I need your help to continue the mission of this important work. Please consider sharing your perspective in the Community Safety Poll. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MBZK5XS

With your input, we hope to create a messaging platform that inspires everyone to accept a shared responsibility in the reduction of violent crime.

Thanks for your help!

Bob Bryant

FLU SEASON UPDATES

FLU SEASON IS STARTING SOON!

The Penobscot Nation Health Dept. will be holding drive thru flu shot clinics several times each week until the end of October.

As a reminder, ALL Penobscot Nation employees and ALL members of native households are currently eligible for flu shots, regardless of tribal status.

Please reach out to the Health Department with any questions: (207) 817-7400

October Schedule

Dear Wabanaki Artist,

This year's Wabanaki Holiday Market at the Hudson Museum will be virtual due to COVID-19. To help artists find markets and engage with customers, the Hudson Museum will create a directory of Wabanaki Artists on our website with your contact information. The listing is FREE, but you need to tell us what you want included in your listing.

Please fill out and return the form by November 1st. The sooner you return the form, the earlier your entry will go on-line on the website. You may ask for multiple listings. For example, if you are a basket maker, who also is willing to demonstrate and do programs in schools or at events, please let us know that.

If you have questions, please call Gretchen at 207-852-6490. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wabanaki Artist Directory Form

PENOBSCOT NATION

SENIOR SNOWPLOWING NOTICE FOR 2020 ~ 2021

Application Download

Applications for Emergency Economic Support Payments and Business Interruption Grants for Penobscot Citizens affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic are now available.

To submit an application electronically or to submit questions about these applications, please email the Nation’s Finance department at the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Full details on the submission process will be announced within the next few days, including a number you can call for questions and how to submit an application physically. We will be starting review of all submitted applications on Friday, August 21^st.

Cover Letter

PN COVID 19 Guidelines

Penobscot Nation COVID-19 Emergency Application

Dependant Citizen Form

PN Business Guidlines

Business Application

PENOBSCOT NATION
Health and Safety Checkpoint Protocol

Document Link

Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation COVID 19

Reopening Plan Tribal Council

Document Link

TRIBAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATION

The Penobscot Tribal Administration has been made aware of several cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the state of Maine.

At this time, we have determined that this outbreak presents a clear hazard to the health and well-being of our people.

We, the Penobscot Nation Chief and Tribal Council, the duly elected representatives of our sovereign nation, do hereby declare a Public Health Emergency in our community.

With this proclamation, we activate all previously established emergency management and infectious disease containment plans. All of the resources at our disposal will be made available to minimize the impact of this threat and to restore the operations of our government to normal function as quickly as possible.

We direct our employees, representatives, and volunteers to exercise the utmost diligence in execution of their duties. We call upon all Tribal Citizens to comply with any necessary emergency measures and to cooperate with Public Health Officials in order to safeguard the health of our people.

Our thoughts and well wishes are with all the sick and we hope for their quick recovery. During this difficult time, we must pull together and strive for the safety and well-being of all.

Kirk E. Francis, Chief (and on behalf of the Tribal Council)

Penobscot Indian Nation

03.16.2020

NOTICE FROM USET Leadership:

“In response to COVID-19, both USET and USET SPF are working diligently to do all we can in support of members, our org partners, and Indian country overall. Additionally, we are taking the necessary USET/USET SPF internal org specific steps and actions. As you have likely seen already, the majority of our information and communication is being centralized via this site:

https://www.usetinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-Disease-LB.pdf

SMS Alert

CHIEF'S MESSAGE updated 10/22/20

kirk

Dear Tribal Citizen,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I am writing to update you on a few issues.

First, at the most recent Tribal Council meeting, it was decided to suspend all residency and visitation applications until further notice in light of the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases statewide. We understand that this is an inconvenience, but firmly believe this decision is in the best interest of the community. It is imperative that we remain diligent and keep ourselves and each other healthy and safe.

Community and workplace restrictions are still in effect and those providing an essential service are still allowed through the checkpoint. Within the next few days, we will post to the tribal website a comprehensive list of what constitutes an essential service.

We continue to have discussions with our federal partners about vaccine distribution and have learned that it is likely to be months before these vaccinations will be available to everyone.

It will be challenging but necessary to follow social distancing guidelines during the holidays that usually bring family and friends together. Health experts are advising people not to gather with anyone who lives in a different household and not to travel, but to stay home. This will be a holiday season to remember as we find creative ways to celebrate and stay connected while staying safe.

We want to make Halloween as joyful, memorable, and safe as we possibly can for the children, who look forward to this fun holiday so we will be offering various activities, which we will post to the website in the next few days. We do not support or encourage trick-or-treating or any type of gathering, these activities go against safety guidelines and community restrictions; the risks are just too great.

It was wonderful to see many of you at the drive through health fair and meal, I was especially proud to see staff and the public wearing masks, which are required while in any tribal facility and while participating in any tribal activity.

I apologize for the delay in holding our town hall video conference and promise to schedule it soon. We have been extremely busy and we are still working to figure out the best way to utilize CARES Act funding to benefit our community. Thank you to those that have provided valuable, creative input.

We are grateful for all your cooperation and diligence in keeping our community safe. I realize this situation is frustrating, and I notice and appreciate all your efforts, please know that you are having a positive impact.

All the best to each of you and your families. I look forward to talking with you soon.

In Brotherhood,

Kirk E. Francis, Chief.

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