Rena Newell

American politician

Rena Newell

Member of the Maine House of Representatives from the Passamaquoddy Tribe
In office December 5, 2018 (2018-December-05) – October 1, 2022 (2022-October-01)
Preceded by	Matthew Dana
Succeeded by	Aaron Dana

Personal details
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Leslie West
Children	2
Residence	Perry, Maine
Alma mater	University of Maine (B.S.)

Rena D. Newell was the Passamaquoddy tribal representative to the Maine House of Representatives during the 129th and 130th legislatures. During her two terms, she was the only tribal representative in the Maine House.

Maine House of Representatives

Newell identifies as a political independent.^[1] While in office, she served on the Judiciary Committee.^[2] Since the Penobscot and Maliseet tribes have opted not to send representatives to the legislature as of 2017 and 2019, respectively, Newell was the only tribal representative as of the 129th and 130th Maine Legislatures.^[3] Tribal representatives do not have a vote but can introduce and co-sponsor legislation relating to their tribes.

Newell advocated in favor of ending the use of Native Americans as mascots in Maine, and in May 2019 Governor Janet Mills signed a bill banning the use of Native American mascots in Maine public schools into law. Newell described the new law as a step toward "promoting cultural diversity and awareness” that would help Maine residents remember to treat each other as equals.^[4]

In January 2020, Newell stood beside Mills as Mills announced a posthumous pardon for long-time tribal attorney Don Gellers.^[5]

In a December 2020 Maine Beacon piece highlighting positive events throughout the calendar year, Newell praised the formation of the Wabenaki Alliance, a group "dedicated to building political power and educating Mainers about the need for full recognition of tribal sovereignty." She explained that the policymaking, especially in the continued efforts of Maine's indigenous tribes to pursue tribal sovereignty, was a positive step for tribal relations with the state.^[6]

Newell has supported tribal sovereignty legislation as a step toward securing clean water for Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation; or Sipayik in the Malecite-Passamaquoddy language, whose drinking water has frequently contained unsafe levels of trihalomethanes since 1974.^[7]

In February 2021, Newell introduced a proposal that would establish a permanent Wabanaki representative on the advisory council of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.^[8] She also testified in support of LD 2, "An Act To Require the Inclusion of Racial Impact Statements in the Legislative Process" in Maine, stating


“From flooding our land to build dams, to killing our fisheries to build roads or cutting our lumber to put in state coffers, the historical record shows Maine government has a long history of enacting laws without regard to the cost of such policy in the communities I stand to represent.” Rena Newell, February 2021^[9]

Personal life

Newell has a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Maine at Machias and was the Passamaquoddy tribal education director. She has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.^[2]

References

^ Shepherd, Michael (4 January 2019). "Recently re-elected Maine lawmaker quits Republican Party". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Member Profile: Rena D. Newell". The Maine House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
^ "Tribal Representatives to the Maine Legislature, 1823 -". Maine State Legislature. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
^ Daugherty, Owen (16 May 2019). "Maine becomes first state to ban use of Native American mascots at public schools". The Hill. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
^ Sharon, Susan (8 January 2020). "Passamaquoddy Tribe Applauds Mills' Posthumous Pardon Of Don Gellers". Maine Public. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021.
^ Popp, Evan (30 December 2020). "2020 was a bad year. Here are some good things that happened". Maine Beacon. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
^ Lewis-Nash, Robby (20 September 2020). "Tribal leaders seek to end decades-long ordeal, bring clean water to Pleasant Point". Maine Beacon. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
^ "Maine tribal rep seeks permanent voice on wildlife panel". Associated Press. 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
^ Carrigan, Don (3 February 2021). "Lawmakers asked to consider racial impact of new bills". News Center Maine. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.