Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pleasant Point
Sipayik
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| Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation | |
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| Tribe | Passamaquoddy |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Washington |
| Government | |
| • Type | Tribal Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.6 km2 (0.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 16 m (53 ft) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 692 |
| • Density | 433/km2 (1,150/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST |
| Website | https://www.wabanaki.com |
Pleasant Point, also known as Sipayik in the Passamaquoddy language, is a special place for the Passamaquoddy tribe. It's one of two reservations where the tribe lives in Washington County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 692 people lived here. The Passamaquoddy tribe also has another reservation called the Indian Township Reservation.
Contents
Where is Pleasant Point?
Sipayik is located in Washington County, Maine. It's on a piece of land that sticks out into the water, like a peninsula. To the east, you'll find the Little River and Passamaquoddy Bay. To the west is Cobscook Bay.
The reservation shares borders with the towns of Eastport and Perry. The total area of Sipayik is about 0.6 square miles (1.6 square kilometers).
Who Lives in Pleasant Point?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 307 | — | |
| 1980 | 549 | 78.8% | |
| 1990 | 572 | 4.2% | |
| 2000 | 640 | 11.9% | |
| 2010 | 749 | 17.0% | |
| 2020 | 692 | −7.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2019, about 683 people lived in Sipayik. Most residents, around 84%, are Native American. About 12% are white, and others are from different backgrounds.
The average income for a household in 2019 was about $26,429. Some families and people, especially those under 18, had incomes below the poverty line.
Challenges with Drinking Water
For many years, the people of Sipayik have faced problems with their drinking water. This water comes from the Passamaquoddy Water District (PWD).
What is the Passamaquoddy Water District?
The PWD provides water to Sipayik and nearby towns like Perry and Eastport. Even though "Passamaquoddy" is in its name, the PWD is not run by the tribe. It's a separate organization created by the state of Maine.
The PWD gets its water from the Boyden Reservoir in Perry. This reservoir is quite shallow, only about 10-11 feet deep. Because it's a shallow surface water source, the water naturally contains a lot of organic material. This material increases during bad weather or when the system is being worked on.
Why is the Water a Problem?
When chlorine is used to clean water with a lot of organic material, a chemical called trihalomethane (THM) can form. High levels of THMs can cause health issues over time.
Since the 1970s, tests have shown high levels of THMs in the PWD water. Even with upgrades to the water treatment facility, high THM levels were still recorded in recent years. The water level in the Boyden Reservoir is also getting lower. This means more organic material and more chlorine are needed, which can lead to more THMs.
How Does This Affect Residents?
Since 2000, people in Sipayik have received many notices about their water quality. These notices often warned about unsafe levels of THMs and other chemicals. They also stated that these chemicals could lead to "liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems and an increased risk of cancer.”
The water often looks discolored and smells bad. It can even run black, brown, or green, especially during storms or maintenance. Most residents do not drink the tap water. However, THMs can turn into vapor at room temperature. This means people might still be exposed to them by breathing them in or absorbing them through their skin while bathing or cleaning.
Why is it Hard to Fix?
The Passamaquoddy Tribe faces challenges in solving the water crisis. Maine laws do not allow tribes to manage their own water resources independently from the state. This makes it harder for the tribe to make changes quickly.
Also, the PWD is the only public water company in Maine that has to pay taxes. This, along with a small number of customers, means they don't have enough money for all the repairs needed to improve water quality.
Efforts to find new water sources, like drilling wells, have also met problems. In 2014, the tribe drilled a well, but local rules stopped the project. In 2020, state rules also prevented the tribe from testing a well for a new school on their own. However, the tribe was able to dig a hand-pumped well in 2020. People can now fill jugs with clean drinking water from this well.
Working Towards Solutions
In November 2019, the Passamaquoddy Tribe received a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This money is helping them study the water, do more testing, and plan how to fix the problem. The EPA is also helping with more regular water testing.
In early 2020, Passamaquoddy leaders brought together different groups to find solutions. This group includes tribal leaders, PWD leaders, state water officials, and EPA representatives. They want to understand exactly what is in the water. They also want more regular testing to happen directly in Sipayik.
By late 2020, the state of Maine recognized the water problem as a public health crisis. They promised to help find solutions. A state grant program was announced to address urgent health threats. The PWD will use the first grant for a one-year project to install a new water purification system. The tribe is also waiting for state permits to install a roadside well using special funding.
Notable People
- Melvin Francis (1945–2006), a former governor of the reservation.
