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A Legacy of Disparity, a Vision for Justice

About Us

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations was established in 2019 as a bold step toward addressing the deep-rooted disparities caused by systemic racism in Maine. We recognize that our state's history, like our nation's, is marked by the stolen land and labor of Indigenous and Black people, and the exploitation of immigrant communities. This legacy continues to shape our present, manifesting in unequal outcomes in housing, income, education, health, and every aspect of daily life.

Our Mission: Dismantling Systemic Racism

We understand that dismantling systemic racism requires intentional action. It's about acknowledging the historical context of our institutions and policies, and working to transform them so they serve all Maine people well. We strive to build a bridge between state government and communities who have experienced generations of harm, centering their knowledge and lived experience.

Our Vision: A Maine Where Everyone Thrives

We envision a Maine where all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background, have the opportunity to thrive.  A Maine where our systems and institutions are just and equitable, and where everyone has the dignity, resources, and self-determination to live a fulfilling life.  This is the future we are working toward, together.

Our Approach: Empowering People and Their Communities

We center community: We believe that those most impacted by injustice must be at the forefront of change: nothing about us, without us.

We are data-driven and story-informed: We use both quantitative data and qualitative stories of lived experience to illuminate the complex reality of systemic racism.

We collaborate and build partnerships: We work with institutions and communities to build collective power and create lasting solutions.

We are honest about hard history: We acknowledge the painful truths of our past and work toward a future rooted in healing and justice.

We promote liberty and justice for all: We believe that addressing racial injustice benefits everyone, reinforcing our freedoms and creating a stronger and more vibrant Maine for all.

Annual reports

Charting Our Progress

Our annual reports tell the story of our ongoing work toward racial justice. They offer a transparent look at our initiatives, challenges, and the progress we're making together to create a Maine that truly works for everyone.

Guiding Principles

Shortly after it was established, the Permanent Commission identified seven guiding principles for addressing structural racism through public policy. These guiding principles remain central to the work:

Building awareness takes resources. Existing quantitative data show significant disparities in socioeconomic and health outcomes based on race, ethnicity, tribal citizenship, and immigration status. The Permanent Commission also recognizes the importance of qualitative data - the lived experience of people most harmed by systematic racism. This requires open dialogue, active listening, and respecting lived experience as valuable and valid data.

Awareness alone is not enough. Building awareness of disparities is a first and important step. Action needs to be taken to address root causes alongside a long-term commitment to listening and learning.

Financial and human resources must be allocated. To truly address the deep-rooted impacts of racism, we must demonstrate our commitment to change through the commitment of resources.

Policies that are ‘race-neutral’ will ultimately maintain existing disparities. The Permanent Commission advocates for the explicit consideration of race in the analysis of a policy’s impact. Only a fully-informed approach can build a foundation for fairer outcomes.

An adequate response requires a structural analysis. Specific bills and policies may help provide relief in the short-term, but it is necessary to take a systemic view to understand root causes.

Impacted communities should lead developing solutions. The Permanent Commission strongly believes that the most effective solutions will come from the communities most impacted.

Policies that affect tribal nations must be enacted in a government-to-government relationship that honors and respects sovereignty. Policies that impact tribal nations should be crafted and implemented in collaboration with tribal governments and their representatives.

Commissioners

The Permanent Commission is made up of dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared passion for justice. Get to know the Commissioners and staff who are working to build a more just Maine.

Commissioner Seat Appointing Authority
Co-Chair Maulian Bryant Penobscot Penobscot Nation
Co-Chair Amanda Comeau Housing & Homelessness Speaker of the House
Co-Chair Bruce King Historically Disadvantaged Population Speaker of the House
Amy Winston Community Development Financial Institution Speaker of the House
Senator Rachel Talbot Ross Racial Justice President of the Senate
James Myall Economic Policy President of the Senate
Dina Malual Public Benefit Policy President of the Senate
Sonja Thomas Higher Education President of the Senate
Jason Shedlock Labor President of the Senate
Rev. Kenneth Lewis Faith Governor
Reginald Parson Youth Governor
Vice Chief Richard Silliboy Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation
Juana Rodriguez-Vazquez Migrant Rights Permanent Commission
Theo Greene LGBTQ+ Permanent Commission

 

Staff

Name Position
Ariel Ricci Executive Director
Leeann Sullivan Research Specialist
Rae Sage Policy Coordinator
Morgan Pottle Urquhart Communications Coordinator
Aaron Hooks Wayman Operations Director
Billale Fulli Community Engagement Specialist