The Penobscot River Paddling Trail’s Board of Directors hosted its annual meeting on Aug. 23, 2025.

Our team started the day with an 8-mile paddle from Howland to Nibezun. After lunch at the campsite, Nick Bear and Gabe Paul began the annual meeting by presenting their work on the Penobscot River History Project. Gabe has had 22 years of experience with Penobscot language study. The large display they showed us has Penobscot names spelled in the Penobscot alphabet.

Welamanessitekw is “stream of the red ochre quarry,” in close proximity to the campsite where we were sitting. The history of the area goes back to the Red Ochre People, ancestors of the Penobscot people. The sign also gives a brief history and purpose of Nibezun, representing the present and future of Wabanaki people. Gabe and Nick spoke of the successful collaboration of our groups.

After installation at the Nibezun campsite, Nick and Gabe will choose two more sites for signage and develop the research, language, and art for them. The board members and other trail members present were deeply impressed with the authentic research done by the two creators, and by the beautiful art and historic photos on the sign. We are thrilled to be collaborating on the project.

After other business items were discussed, and we adjourned at 3 pm.