Tekαkαpimək Rising: the Remarkable Story of Creating a Welcome Center at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Situated in the present and traditional homeland of the Penobscot Nation, Tekαkαpimək Contact Station is a stunning 7,900 square-foot building and 23-acre site located atop Lookout Mountain in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Tekαkαpimək (pronounced deh gah-gah bee mook) is a Penobscot language word for “as far as one can see.” Tekαkαpimək’s waysides and exhibits orient visitors to the monument, inspiring them to experience Katahdin Woods and Waters from its peaks, trails, and rivers to its ever-changing foliage, brilliant night sky, and abundant wildlife. Interpretation is through a Wabanaki lens in a contemporary context, honoring the past and showing vibrant communities moving sustainably into the future. All Wabanaki Cultural Knowledge and Intellectual Property shared within this project is owned by the Wabanaki Nations – the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Mi’kmaq Nation, Passamaquoddy Tribe, and Penobscot Nation.

Join us to hear from key individuals who have made this incredible project possible. We’ll be joined by Lucas St. Clair, President of Elliotsville Foundation; Dr. Jane Anderson, Associate Professor at NYU, co-founder of Local Contexts and intellectual and cultural property consultant; and James Eric Francis, Sr., Penobscot Nation’s Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation and member of the Wabanaki Advisory Board, as they share the story of bringing Tekαkαpimək to life.