Maine town’s chamber of commerce apologizes after planning ‘Hunt for the Indian’ promotion

The Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce has apologized and canceled a holiday business promotion named “Hunt for the Indian” after an outpouring of criticism on social media, according to the Portland Press Herald.

The chamber announced the promotion last weekend, inviting members to place a small “Indian” figurine based on the town’s landmark statue inside their businesses for shoppers to find. Those who found the figurine would receive discounts on merchandise.

There was swift backlash on social media following the annoucement, with many deeming the effort “racially insensitive,” the newspaper reported.

The chamber posted an apology on its Facebook page Sunday, writing, “Never were we so wrong in thinking that this latest promotion involving the Chamber’s Skowhegan Indian statue would be a good idea.”

https://www.facebook.com/SkowheganChamber/posts/10154812288561784

“Because of the outpouring of objections, we are working to schedule and host community meetings to discuss this very important issue,” the post continued.

Chamber Executive Director Jason Gayne told the Bangor Daily News that the business promotion was meant to “honor the [town’s] heritage.” He also said the chamber would no longer sell figurines and Christmas ornaments modeled after the town’s Native American statue.

As with many New England towns, Skowhegan — the site of the 1724 Norridgewock Abenaki massacre by white settlers — has had a controversial record with preserving Native American history.

In 2016, the local school district voted to keep the Skowhegan Indian mascot despite opposition from Maine tribes.

Maulian Dana, an ambassador for the Penobscot Nation who led the “Not Your Mascot” campaign, told the Daily News she “isn’t really surprised” by the chamber’s promotion idea. However, she commended the chamber for its swift response to criticism and for pledging to host community events to discuss the surrounding issues.

“I think [the chamber’s idea] could be a really good trigger for some change,” she said.