History, Sovereignty, and Civic Engagement

This week’s Faculty in Focus is Joe Hall, Associate Professor of History at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. 

Through his course, Wabanaki History in Maine, Professor Hall demonstrates the power of community-engaged education - bridging historical scholarship with civic impact. 

Although a 2001 state law mandates that Maine public schools teach Wabanaki history, many schools still lack the resources to fully implement it. “Wabanaki”-- meaning “People of the Dawnland”-- collectively refers to the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet (or Wolastoqiyik), Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki peoples, which are the Indigenous communities of present-day northern New England, southern Quebec, and Canadian Maritime provinces. Seeing this gap, Professor Hall saw an opportunity to take action. Partnering with Auburn Middle School and Maine Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) project, he and his students worked to develop accessible, high-quality educational materials that could help local schools integrate Wabanaki history into their curricula. 

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Over an intensive three-and-a-half-week course, Hall’s students partnered with eleven Wabanaki educators, deepening students’ understanding of Wabanaki history, sovereignty, and contemporary issues. These conversations exposed students to diverse perspectives and underscored the broader civic and political implications of historical narratives. 

Armed with this knowledge, students developed lesson plans tailored for middle schools, making it easier for educators to incorporate Wabanaku history into their classrooms. One group, inspired by discussions on citizenship and sovereignty, created a lesson specifically focused on contemporary Wabanaki issues. 

The course also welcomed guest speaker Jenna Dela Cruz Vendil, Associate Director of Democratic Engagement and Student Activism at Bates’ Harward Center for Community Partnerships, who emphasized the connection between education and informed civic action. Her insights encouraged students to see how historical understanding translates into present-day advocacy and engagement.

Reflecting on the course, Professor Hall shared, “The class was the most rewarding class that I have taught in 22 years at Bates. It was a product of an extraordinary group of students, so much credit to them… I think the strongest testimony of the Wabanakis' support for this work was that they still want to continue working with me. I take that as an indication that I don't waste their time. It's a trust I take very seriously.”

More than an academic exercise, Professor Hall’s course demonstrates the transformative power of experiential learning. By engaging directly with community partners, students not only gained a deeper understanding of history but also contributed to lasting educational resources that will benefit Maine schools for years to come. This work reflects the essence of civic engagement- leveraging scholarship to create meaningful change.