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June Sapiel
Born
Penobscot Reservation, Maine
Nationality Penobscot Nation, American
Occupation Activist, public speaker
Known for NoDAPL activism

June Sapiel is an important Native American activist and speaker. She is a member of the Penobscot Nation from Maine. She works to protect the rights of Indigenous people and their lands.

Who is June Sapiel?

June Sapiel grew up on the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation. This place is also known as Indian Island. Her uncle, John "Sam" Sapiel, was a well-known Indigenous activist. He passed away in 2017.

Fighting for Rights

June Sapiel focuses her work on several important areas. She champions Indigenous rights, which means supporting the rights of Native American people. She also works for land and water rights. This involves protecting the natural resources that are important to Indigenous communities. In addition, she supports women's rights.

Sapiel has spoken at many events. She was a speaker at the 2018 National Day of Mourning (United States protest). She also spoke at the 2017 Augusta 2017 Women's March in Maine. She was an active member and speaker during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. She has also marched for women's rights. She strongly supports changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Protecting Water and Land: The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

On September 17, 2016, June Sapiel spoke at a protest in Portland, Maine. This protest was against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Members of the Penobscot Nation and climate activists came together. They asked President Barack Obama to stop a large oil pipeline project. This pipeline was planned for South Dakota.

On October 28, 2016, June Sapiel's son, David Demo, joined the protests against the oil pipeline in North Dakota. June Sapiel spoke about the ongoing fight for water rights. This fight is between the state of Maine and the Penobscot people. Sapiel and other Penobscot Nation members organized candlelight vigils. These vigils were held in Bangor and Portland, Maine. They wanted to "stand in solidarity" with the protesters. This means showing strong support and unity.

In January 2017, Sapiel helped organize another protest. This protest was in Bangor, Maine, outside TD Bank. Protesters demanded that the bank stop funding the Dakota Access Pipeline. Other groups also asked people to move their money from TD Bank. They did this to show support for the cause. Sapiel also traveled to North Dakota many times. She joined the protests there. She spoke to the news from Standing Rock in February 2017.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Besides the pipeline protests, June Sapiel has worked on another important issue. She has represented the Penobscot Nation in discussions about changing Columbus Day. She wants it to be replaced with Indigenous Peoples Day. She attended a meeting with Orono, Maine, councilors. She shared the Penobscot people's views on this name change. The Orono town councilors voted 6-0 to change the name in their town. In March 2019, the Maine House voted to change Columbus Day statewide. This change is now waiting for a vote in the state senate.

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