Latest news with #NationalMonument
Washington Post
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Commercial fishing in a vast Pacific nature area is halted after a judge blocks a Trump order
HONOLULU — Commercial fishing that recently resumed in a vast protected area of the Pacific Ocean must halt once again, after a judge in Hawaii sided this week with environmentalists challenging a Trump administration rollback of federal ocean protections. The remote Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument is home to turtles, marine mammals and seabirds, which environmental groups say will get snagged by longline fishing, an industrial method involving baited hooks from lines 60 miles (about 100 kilometers) or longer.
The Independent
19-07-2025
- The Independent
How a federal monument's new welcome center in Maine honors Native Americans
The founder of Burt's Bees envisioned a tribute to Henry David Thoreau when she began buying thousands of acres of logging company land to donate for what would become the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. But there was a major pivot: The monument's new welcome center tells its story not from the perspective of the famed naturalist but through the eyes of the Wabanaki tribes who were the land's original inhabitants. Roxanne Quimby's family collaborated with four tribal nations, private entities and federal officials to create the $35 million center that the National Park Service opened to the public on June 21, providing a focal point for the 87,500-acre (354 square kilometer) monument. Dubbed "Tekαkαpimək' (pronounced duh gah-gah bee mook), which means 'as far as the eye can see' in the Penobscot language, the contemporary wood-clad structure atop Lookout Mountain provides a stunning view of Katahdin, a mountain of key importance to Penobscot Nation, one of four Wabanaki Confederacy tribes in present-day Maine. 'It's a sacred mountain. For Penobscot people, it's really the heart of our homeland,' said Jennifer Neptune, a Penobscot who contributed artwork and written interpretations for the exhibits. Reflecting the land's Native stewards Philanthropic funds covered the construction costs and land purchases for the monument, which is now now maintained by the park service. Tekαkαpimək donors included L.L. Bean, Burt's Bees and the National Park Foundation, funneled through the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, along with the Quimby family. Quimby sold Burt's Bees, maker of lip balm and other products, as she turned her attention to philanthropy. Off the grid and reachable only by unpaved roads, the center features an amphitheater and eastward lookout for sunrise ceremonies led by the Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes, known collectively as the 'people of the dawn.' The vista stretches over land the tribes traversed for thousands of years. The other side faces Katahdin, which at 5,269 feet (1,606 meters) is Maine's tallest peak. Inside, exhibits and artwork teach visitors about birch bark canoes, ancient fishing techniques, the night sky and local wildlife, with translations in Wabanaki languages. Floor tiles reveal an intricate map of tributaries to the Penobscot River, which flows past the island home of the Penobscot reservation to the ocean. The welcome center has opened amid President Donald Trump 's campaign to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives nationwide, including by issuing an executive order aimed at 'restoring truth and sanity to American history' that prompted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to order a review of signs, memorials and statues. While the Trump administration's moves have created some unease, a formal management agreement between the federal government and the tribal nations involved should protect the center's focus on the Native Americans who were stewards of this land for centuries, said Quimby's son, Lucas St. Clair, who marshaled his mother's effort to have the land donated to the National Park Service. 'We can do better about teaching the real history of the United States," and the welcome center attempts that, he said. "It's not an insult to America. We're not trying to talk badly about America,' he said. Pivoting the focus When Quimby began buying the land in the 1990s, she was inspired by Thoreau's travels through the region, which included an 1857 journey led by a Penobscot guide, Joe Polis, that he chronicled in 'The Maine Woods.' But the focus began to shift in 2014 when her son joined a group led by tribal leaders that retraced Thoreau's lengthy travels on the 150th anniversary of that book's publication. St. Clair realized there was a richer story to tell. St. Clair began consulting with the tribes, only to be humbled two years later, after President Barack Obama's interior secretary traveled to Maine to celebrate the land's designation as a national monument. A tribal leader chided St. Clair because no tribal members were invited to speak. The omission had revealed a cultural blind spot: 'It just felt like, oh my gosh, I missed the boat on this one,' St. Clair recounted. Another pivotal moment came after the unveiling of the first welcome center design, which Neptune said was inspired by a New England farmhouse-style structure that once served loggers in the area. Tribal representatives felt the design smacked of colonialism and oppression, Neptune said. Lawyers were brought in to protect tribal heritage and intellectual property, while the non-natives involved made deeper efforts to understand Wabanaki culture, and the architect collaborated with an expanded tribal advisory board on a new design evoking a moose's antlers, inspired by a story of a tribal hero. James Francis, the Penobscot Nation's tribal historian, hopes this collaboration serves as a template for future projects involving Native Americans. 'The real achievement of this project was the connection to Maine and how it was done — bringing in the Wabanaki people and giving them a voice,' he said. Would Thoreau approve? Quimby said the original design was beautiful, but the discussions with tribal members were eye-opening. 'The more we went along with it, the more we realized that they could make an enormous contribution,' Quimby said. According to the tribe, Thoreau made a major contribution to Penobscot history by documenting their place names, and once wrote in a journal that 'the Indian language reveals another wholly new life to us.' Thoreau would approve of Quimby's steps to conserve land for future generations, said Will Shafroth, former president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, which raises money to assist the National Park Service. 'You have to believe that Thoreau would basically sit on the side of the river and thank God she and her family did this,' Shafroth said.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
City employee charged in Holocaust Memorial vandalism
An employee with the City of Ottawa has been charged in connection with the vandalism at the National Holocaust Monument. CTV's Josh Marano reports.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
City of Ottawa lawyer charged with defacing National Holocaust Monument has been fired, mayor says
The words 'FEED ME' are seen painted in red on the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS) The City of Ottawa lawyer charged in connection to vandalism at the National Holocaust Monument earlier this month has been fired, according to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. Red paint was discovered on the monument just west of downtown Ottawa on June 9. A photo sent to CTV News Ottawa showed the words 'Feed Me' painted in large red letters on the monument. The Ottawa Police Service announced Friday a 46-year-old man was charged with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. Police did not release the name of the suspect, but court documents identify him as Iain Aspenlieder. According to the Ontario Salary Disclosure list, Aspenlieder was a 'Legal Counsel' with the City of Ottawa. In a post on social media Saturday evening, Sutcliffe said the suspect was a city employee. 'While it's encouraging to see that the police investigation into the incident at the National Holocaust Monument has progressed, I'm very disturbed to learn that the person charged is a city employee who was on leave,' Sutcliffe said. 'As a community and as an employer, the actions at the Monument do not represent our values. I've asked city officials to take all appropriate action in light of these developments.' The suspect was scheduled to appear in court on Saturday. On Sunday, Sutcliffe said the employee has been terminated. 'The city's legal department has confirmed that the individual charged, who was on leave at the time of the incident, is no longer employed by the City of Ottawa,' Sutcliffe said in a post on X. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Monday, interim City Solicitor Stuart Huxley said the man charged was 'on leave at the time of the incident and is no longer employed by the City.' 'The recent act affecting the National Holocaust Monument was deplorable and is counter to the values we seek to uphold in our community,' Huxley said. 'We extend our deepest sympathies to members of our community impacted by this disgraceful act. As the matter is the subject of a police investigation and is before the courts, the City will provide no further comment.' While it's encouraging to see that the police investigation into the incident at the National Holocaust Monument has progressed, I'm very disturbed to learn that the person charged is a city employee who was on leave. As a community and as an employer, the actions at the Monument… — Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) June 28, 2025 The Ottawa Police Service says anyone with information is asked to contact investigators with the Hate and Bias Crime Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5625. 'The OPS treats incidents of this nature seriously and recognizes their profound impact on the community,' police said in a media release on Friday. 'We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences such incidents to report them to police. Reporting hate-motivated incidents is an important step in stopping cycles of hatred.' According to the National Holocaust Monument website, the monument in Ottawa commemorates the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, and the millions of other victims of Nazi Germany and its collaborators. The monument was inaugurated by former prime minister Justin Trudeau in September 2017.
Zawya
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Seychelles: President Ramkalawan Presided over the Launching of National Monument Honouring Citizens Illegally Incarcerated at Union Vale Prison
In a ceremony steeped in profound reverence and national healing, President Wavel Ramkalawan presided over the official launching of the National Monument honouring citizens illegally incarcerated at Union Vale Prison. Accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, the President led the nation in a solemn tribute that transformed a site of past suffering into a beacon of justice, memory, and hope. The historic ceremony brought together survivors, families of victims, distinguished guests, and citizens united in their commitment to preserving the truth of Seychelles' journey towards democracy and freedom. "As we commemorate those illegally incarcerated in our country, we would like to say thank you to the victims and families of those illegally incarcerated in our country, because of your suffering, we live today as a free nation," declared President Ramkalawan, his words carrying the weight of national gratitude and solemn commitment. The President vowed that no child of this land would endure the same turmoil that marked the darker chapters of the nation's history. "As Seychellois continue to prosper, may this day be the day when Seychelles embraces the spirit of freedom, justice, and love for each other," the President continued, painting a vision of a nation transformed by the courage of those who suffered for democracy. President Ramkalawan had the honour of presenting the National Monument, competition winner Ms. Tanisha Elizabeth with a certification of appreciation. The monument is a masterpiece with its structure rising on an elevated base one metre above the ground, symbolizing a platform where grief transforms into peace. From its foundation to the sculpted prison cell at its core, each corner bears the names of those who endured imprisonment for democracy and freedom. The prison cell's stark design serves as an unflinching reminder of their suffering, honouring the struggles faced by Seychellois citizens in their fight for democratic ideals. At the monument's pinnacle, a pair of hands releases a white-tailed tropicbird the 'Payanke' into the sky, creating a powerful representation of liberation and the triumph of freedom over oppression. Above this, the form of the sun radiates light, love, and unity, heralding hope for a brighter future. The ceremony was profoundly enriched by the courageous testimony of Mr. Jean-Marc Fostel, a victim who had been illegally imprisoned and whose voice carried the echoes of many who suffered. With remarkable strength and deep emotion, Mr. Fostel shared his personal testimony, retracing the nation's sad history while demonstrating extraordinary resilience and dignity. His testimony served as a stark reminder that the monument represents not just a structure, but a living symbol of justice, memory, and hope. Mr. Fostel urged the people to "find sense as human beings without repeating the same history, to look for ways to take care of our people," his words resonating as both a warning from the past and a guide for the future. The National Monument now stands as an eternal guardian of memory at the Union Vale site, ensuring that the experiences of those illegally incarcerated will never be forgotten or denied. It transforms what was once a site of suffering into a place of national reflection and renewal. It stands as tangible proof that from the depths of injustice can emerge a nation stronger in its commitment to truth, more vigilant in protecting human dignity, and more determined to ensure such violations never occur again. The National Monument serves as a permanent reminder that a nation's true strength lies not in denying its past, but in confronting it with courage, learning from it with wisdom, and ensuring that the sacrifices of the innocent were not made in vain. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
