HOULTON, Maine – Tribal buildings at the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, as well as local law enforcement, are now aglow with purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On Tuesday, October 1, the Maliseet Advocacy Center placed Trees adorned with purple lights were placed in front of the Houlton Police Department and Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the HBMI administrative building, Housing Authority and Maliseet Health and Wellness Center.
Also Tuesday evening, the Maliseet Advocacy Center held a tree-lighting ceremony to kick off the month-long celebration. Other events planned for the month of October to raise awareness include a Paint and Sip event at 5 p.m. Thursday, October 17, at the Maliseet Community Center (568 Foxcroft Road); and the 27 th annual Candlelight Vigil and Meal at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 24, also at the Community Center.
“The purpose of the purple-lit trees is to raise awareness for domestic violence and honoring all of those individuals who have lost their lives,” said Allison Sabattis, shelter-transitional housing
coordinator/advocate.
The tree-lighting ceremony was held in conjunction with the tribe’s sister sites at Mi’kmaq Nation
Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocacy Center; Indian Township Advocacy Center; Passamaquoddy Peaceful Relations; and Penobscot Nation Advocacy Center.
“Tonight, we gather around this tree decorated with purple lights to symbolize our support of survivors; in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to domestic violence; and unity in the mission to end domestic violence in this Maliseet community,” said Tawoma Martinez, community educator/advocate. “We are gathered in unity with our Wabanaki relatives to acknowledge that many of our people are living lives impacted by domestic violence.”
