From the Web - "Conversations About Aging: Wayne Newell, 77"

/

Wayne Newell is the father of our Executive Director and Senior Partner to the Wabanaki Nations, Chris Newell. Below we are sharing a podcast episode that presents a conversation between Wayne and Diane Atwood of "Catching Health with Diane Atwood" about his life and about aging.

Referenced in the discussion is the first volume of his edited works, which is due to be published later this year. We're all looking forward to it!

From Chris:

“My father, Wayne Newell, grew up in Sipayik (Pleasant Point, ME) with no electricity, no running water and only speaking Passamaquoddy in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. It wasn’t until he enrolled himself in the nun’s school that he learned how to speak, read and write English. He went straight from life on the reservation to college in Boston and later Houlton where he struggled so badly with the culture shock he flunked out of both schools. After encouragement from some key players, he made a case for the Harvard Graduate School of Education and emotionally tells how he got in and succeeded with a master’s degree. He’s part of a group Harvard calls the “original 11” as they were the first Natives accepted as part of Harvard’s re-commitment to Native education.

These are some of the stories I’ve heard all my life from my number one mentor in everything I’ve done. I’m so proud to be his son and follow his example and philosophy of life.

He’s the first Native American trustee for the University of Maine system, twice appointed by presidents Carter and Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education and given the distinction by the Department of the Interior as a national living treasure among other honors. He won’t tell you all that because he’s still humble and still lives the same life he always did working to help others, so we, as his children do that for him as he deserves the recognition for his life’s work.

This is an honest conversation about his life and about aging and I encourage you all to listen. It’s a great story. Enjoy.”