Tribal News

From Chief Kirk Francis

Dear Community Member,

We have been having discussions with the Tribal Council on the check point and the protocols around it. We feel that it is important for the community to also weigh in.

Please take a moment to participate in the poll by clicking the button below.

Take Survey

PENOBSCOT NATION YOUTH PROGRAM

RE-OPENING INFORMATION

We are pleased to announce that the Penobscot Nation Youth Program will be opening on July 6^th! The hours will be from 7:30am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

We will have protocols and safety measures in place before we begin welcoming the youth back into our Program. This is an ongoing process and we will advise all parents and caregivers if and when any changes take place.

More Info

FOR SALE

BY

SEALED BIDS

The Penobscot Nation is accepting bids for the following vehicle:

2008 Toyota Rav 4

Mileage 78, 084

Minimum Bid: $2,500

Inspected until March 2022. Needs repairs.

As is, where is.

(May be seen at Tribal Court)

* * *

Sealed bids can be submitted to:

Grants & Contracts Office

12 Wabanaki Way

Indian Island, Maine 04468

BIDS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY Wednesday, July 14, 2021

COMMUNITY NOTICE

Dear Community Members,

This Notice is to inform you there is currently a Program through Q Link. This Program can help you with getting a cell phone for free monthly or very low monthly rates, discounts on internet and a free tablet for $10.00 to pay for shipping.

Internet Discounts and the Tablets are through the EBB Program from Federal Funds due to Covid 19. Discounts for Internet for People living on Tribal Lands is $ 75.00 dollars a month for those who qualify.

Tablets are 1 per household. Exceptions if multiple families live in the Household.

To Qualify you must receive at least one of the following:

SNAP (Food Stamps)

Medicaid (Maine Care)

VA Benefits

TANF

SSI/SSD

Go to www.QLink.com to see if you qualify. Documents will need to be sent in for verification.

Any Questions Please Contact

Heather Lincoln at the Health Dept.

207-817-7480

Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available

On 5/10/21, the Food & Drug Administration approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for use in pediatric patients age 12-18. The Penobscot Nation Health Department currently has Pfizer vaccine available for any 12 years or older member of a federally-recognized AI/AN tribe, member of a tribal household, or tribal employee. Please call the main line at (207) 817-7400 to schedule an appointment for vaccination or if you have questions regarding the service.

Pfizer vaccine will also be available at the Drive-Thru Community Vaccination Event from 10 am - 2 pm on Saturday, May 22. No appointment is necessary for this event.

Take care and stay safe!

Candy Henderly

Hello Everyone-

Spring is upon us and that means the ticks are out. It’s looking like this season is going to be a bad tick year (conditions must be right for them). I wanted to send out this pamphlet with some information on ticks and Lyme disease. This info will help you protect yourself while you are spending time outside.

-Avoid tick-infested areas. Walk in center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter at trail edges.

-Use insect repellent. Spray repellent containing a 20% concentration of DEET on your clothes (especially pants, socks, and shoes).

-Perform daily tick checks. Always check for ticks after being outdoors, even in your own yard.

As someone who spends a lot of time in the woods I feel that doing those daily tick checks is most important. Ticks need to be attached to your skin for at least 24 hours before they transmit any bacteria so you have time to remove them.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Stay safe and enjoy the outdoors,

Ben Simpson

Tribal Wildlife Biologist

Information Pamphlet

COVID-19 INFORMATION

The Penobscot Nation Health Dept. will be holding a mass drive-thru vaccine clinic on Saturday, May 22 from 10 am - 2 pm. Moderna vaccine will be available to any member of a federally recognized tribe or non-native members of a native household 18 years or older. No appointment is necessary. A second clinic will be held Saturday, June 19 to administer second doses.

Please contact the Health Director, Candy Henderly, at (207) 817-7440 with any questions

Emergency Rental Assistance (updated 3/15/2021)

The Penobscot Nation has received Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the Department of Treasury to operate a 12 month rental assistance program for eligible households impacted by Covid-19.

Announcement UPDATED 5/5/21

View PDF

ERA Cover Letter updated 6/9/21

View PDF

ERA Program Eligibility Criteria

View PDF

ERA Income Guidelines

View PDF

ERA Regulation

View PDF

ERA Application

View PDF

ERA Fillable Application

View PDF

COVID-19 UPDATE (updated 3/17/21)

Due to a substantial recent increase in COVID-19 vaccines for the Penobscot Community, the Health Department is announcing OPEN ADULT VACCINATION for any 18 and older member of a Federally recognized AI/AN tribe OR a non-native member of an eligible native household.

Postcards will be mailed next week to notify off-line community members.

If you have questions or to schedule, please call (207) 817-7400.

Take care and stay safe!

Candy Henderly

Director

Penobscot Nation Health Department

23 Wabanaki Way

Indian Island, ME 04468

Office: (207) 817-7440

Cell: (207) 659-1106

Fax: (207) 817-7459

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To support transparency and informed decision-making regarding vaccination, the Penobscot Nation Health Dept. will be releasing information about the new COVID-19 vaccines as it is received. Please feel free to reach out to the Health Department at (207) 817-7400 with any questions or concerns about COVID-19 vaccination or the posted information.

CDC VSAFE APP MODERNA Cove Study Slides PFIZER Complete EUA

PFIZER Fact Sheet PFIZER Pharmacy Update PFIZER Safety Information

MODERNA EUA Administration MODERNA EUA Recipients MODERNA EUA Storage

We are also asking community members to complete the following survey regarding COVID-19 vaccination to help inform the process and estimate community needs:

TAKE SURVEY

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 5/28/21

kirk

Dear Tribal Citizens,

I hope you are all well. I am pleased to announce that after working with our health officials and other staff to develop a plan the Tribe will be re-opening on Monday, June 7th. We are very excited to be re-opening, but we will proceed with caution. The following protocols will be in place at least through the initial stages of our plan. It is important that everyone adhere to these protocols in order to avoid any potential setbacks. It is our hope that by following this phased approach we can safely get back to a more normal working environment. Below are the protocols for our offices in this initial phase.

Prevention:
All members of the staff and public will continue to be required to wear masks while present in tribal facilities.
Public access to tribal departments will be by appointment only, except Public Safety and the Health Department. All appointments will be contactless whenever possible.
A kiosk will be set up in the Administration building lobby to screen people coming into the building in order to minimize contact between staff and the public.
Drop-boxes will be installed in the following departments: Education, Trust Services, Finance and Housing.
Public Safety will install an intercom system to communicate with the public.
Housing Maintenance activities will focus on activities that do not require direct entry into the unit, e.g. outdoor painting and repairs, lawn and landscaping, etc.
Housing inspections will be conducted on-time, as required.
Tribal offices will be fitted with half doors and plexiglass shields, where appropriate, to provide barriers to direct contact.
Tribal facilities will be disinfected multiple times daily.
Disease Surveillance:
Anyone entering a public building by appointment will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and asked to submit to a touchless temperature check.
The tribal declaration allowing the treatment of non-native community members for COVID-related symptoms will remain in effect.
The Health Department will continue to evaluate potential COVID-19 cases in the isolation trailer.

Staffing Levels:
Departments will return to normal staffing levels.
Staff will be required to practice good hand hygiene, observe social distancing rules while working, and self-report any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Lunch breaks will be staggered to minimize contact between staff.
Allowable Activities:
The Travel ban will remain in effect.
No public meetings will be held.
In-person meetings internally should be limited.
The Daycare and the Youth programs will be opening on July 6th with reduced availability.
The Education Department Computer Lab and Library will remained closed.
Services from the Health Department, Medical and Behavioral Health will continue to be delivered via telehealth. The Dental Department will open for limited services in addition to emergencies.
Delivery of Prescriptions, Senior Meals, and the Food Pantry will continue.
The NOLI Home will be open to outside visitation with PPE.
The Health Department Patient and Aftercare transportation will remain closed.

I want to thank you all for your support and diligence during this very trying year. Despite the challenges, our community came together and we have done very well. I must reiterate that we need to continue to be diligent in order to avoid any setbacks that could result in a return to closures or delays in the implementation of our re-opening plan.

We will continue to provide necessary support. Please continue to check our website for details on specific departmental plans. Thank you all again and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to my office at 207-817-7349.

In Brotherhood,

Kirk E. Francis, Chief

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