“The Doctrine of Discovery From an Indigenous Perspective” with Dr. Dwayne Tomah, Passamaquoddy Language Keeper

Camden Public Library welcomes Dr. Dwayne Tomah, Director and Curator of the Sipayik Museum and Passamaquoddy language specialist, for his presentation on the Doctrine of Discovery from an Indigenous perspective on Saturday, November 15, at 1:00 P.M. in the Picker Room. Light refreshments provided.

Tomah will share historical truth about this 15th century European concept, later incorporated into U.S. law, which has been used for centuries to justify colonization, oppression, and land theft. The program will include a screening of the film The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code.

Dwayne Tomah is a language keeper, director, and curator of the Sipayik Museum and teacher of the Passamaquoddy language and culture, He is the youngest fluent speaker of the Passamoquoddy Tribe and has served on the tribal council.

His life has been dedicated to working on language and culture preservation; he has edited the Passamaquoddy dictionary and helped create a Passamaquoddy language app for iOS. He shares Native legends through song and dance, and has worked with Animal Planet on a segment called “Winged Creatures,” highlighting the history of the thunderbird.

Tomah is currently working with the Library of Congress on translating the Passamaquoddy wax cylinders. Tomah has also been involved in repatriation and the Land Back movement.