Henry John Bear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry John Bear
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| Member of the Maine House of Representatives for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians |
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| In office January 2013 – January 2019 |
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| Preceded by | David Slagger |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 Lewiston, Maine |
| Political party | Green Independent (since 2017) Democratic (before 2017) |
| Spouse | Violet |
| Children | Four |
| Residence | Houlton, Maine |
| Alma mater | University of Maine (L.L.M.) University of New Brunswick (J.D.) University of Maine (A.A.) |
| Occupation | Treaty & Economic Rights Advocate |
Henry John Bear is a politician from the Maliseet people in Maine. He made history in 2013 when he became the first elected representative for the Maliseet people in the Maine House of Representatives. He works to help his community and speak up for their rights.
Contents
Henry John Bear's Story
Early Life and Family
Henry John Bear was born in 1956 in Lewiston, Maine. He grew up in a family that faced many challenges. When he was 17, he joined the United States Coast Guard. This is where he met his wife, Violet Dotson.
Henry and Violet have four grown children and eight grandchildren. They live in Houlton, Maine. There, they run a special care center for Maliseet people. This center helps those who need extra support.
Becoming a Representative
In January 2013, Henry John Bear was sworn in as a member of the Maine House of Representatives. This was a big moment because he was the first elected representative for the Maliseet people. Before him, David Slagger was appointed to the role.
As a representative, Henry worked to make sure the voices of the Maliseet people were heard in the state government. He served in this role until January 2019.
Political Journey
Henry John Bear has been involved in politics for many years. In 2016, he ran as a candidate for the Democratic Party in his district. Later, in November 2017, he joined the Maine Green Independent Party.
In 2018, he tried to become a member of the United States House of Representatives. He ran for Maine's 2nd congressional district but was not successful. After his term ended in 2019, the Maliseet people decided not to send a delegate to the Maine House of Representatives for the next two years.
His Work as a Lawyer
Henry John Bear continued his education and earned a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law in May 2020. He then became a lawyer in Maine later that year.
Since becoming a lawyer, Henry has been working with different groups of First Nations people. He helps them with important legal cases. His work focuses on helping these groups protect their rights and address past issues.
