Wayne A Newell

WAYNE A. NEWELL grew up at Sipayik with Passamaquoddy as his first language. He has been active for more than 50 years in promoting and revitalizing the Passamaquoddy language. He created and directed the first Native bilingual education program at Motahkomikuk in the 1970s, and has also served the community as health director, member of the tribal council, and president for 27 years of the tribe's Northeast Blueberry Company. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Southern Maine...See more

WAYNE A. NEWELL grew up at Sipayik with Passamaquoddy as his first language. He has been active for more than 50 years in promoting and revitalizing the Passamaquoddy language. He created and directed the first Native bilingual education program at Motahkomikuk in the 1970s, and has also served the community as health director, member of the tribal council, and president for 27 years of the tribe's Northeast Blueberry Company. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Southern Maine. Newell is the first Native person to be appointed to the University of Maine Board of Trustees, and was also appointed by presidents Carter and Obama to serve as a member of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. He lives at Motahkomikuk with his wife Sandra, four children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. See less