In honor of Native American Heritage Month and UMA’s academic theme of Indigeneity, UMA’s DEI Council will host a film screening and panel discussion for “Mary and Molly,” with Penobscot Nation Tribal elder and filmmaker Donna Loring. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, starting at noon in Jewett Hall Room 180 and on Zoom. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free.
Presented by SPEEDWELL Contemporary https://www.speedwellprojects.com/, “Mary and Molly” is a short (27 minutes) animated film adaptation based on the 2016 play of the same title written by noted Penobscot Nation Tribal Elder, activist and author, Donna Loring.
“The fascinating piece to this film is Molly Molasses taking Mary back in time to Bangor in the 1800s and teaching her about her Penobscot heritage. The film is about the taking of Indian children from their homes by the state but is also about identity and whether Mary will recognize her Penobscot heritage,” said Loring.
The film screening of “Mary and Molly” and panel discussion is one of the opportunities the President’s DEI council at UMA is organizing to encourage UMA community members to critically reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous people in Maine and the collective responsibilities we share to address historical oppressions. Nora Tyeklar, post-doctoral scholar for DEI initiatives at UMA shared, “By participating in this event, UMA community members will have an opportunity to engage with this year’s academic theme of Indigeneity and learn from the lived experiences of citizens of the Wabanaki Nations in our area.”
Event Details:
- What: Screening of the short animated film “Mary and Molly”
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, at noon
- Where: UMA, 46 University Dr, Augusta, Jewett Hall, room 180 and via Zoom at https://maine.zoom.us/j/83408799945
- Refreshments will be provided for those attending in-person
About the Film:
Watch the trailer for the film here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhbQVCGTUQs.
For more information about the film visit https://www.speedwellprojects.com/mary-and-molly.
For more information contact:
Nora Tyeklar
Post-Doctoral Scholar for DEI Initiatives
207-621-3282
nora.tyeklar@maine.edu