YARMOUTH, Maine — A Maine town has removed a 90-year-old cemetery plaque that referred to Native Americans as "savage enemies."
Yarmouth Town Manager Nat Tupper says the historical marker was brought to his attention by residents who were preparing to make a presentation of the documentary "Dawnland" at the local library.
Tupper says the residents felt the marker was inconsistent with today's values, and it was removed from the cemetery Feb. 7.
Katie Worthing of the Yarmouth Historical Society says the sign will be archived for educational purposes.
"I'm planning to work it into some exhibit changes that we'll roll out over the next year or so," said Worthing. "The plaque is in good condition, so it actually shouldn't need much in the way of restoration. We'll need to spend some time researching it and reaching out to some partner organizations to help us better contextualize it."
"Context is an important part of learning from our past, and letting our past inform," said Jamie Rice, Director of Library Services for Maine Historical Society. "It's important not to necessarily view things from a 21st century perspective, but to understand the context in which things are created but also be aware that every generation thinks differently."
Maria Girouard with a Wabanaki advocacy group, Wabanaki REACH, says there are other signs with similar language around the state.
Girouard says that type of signage perpetuates stereotypes of violence, and she hopes other places will be inspired to remove it.
"We were thrilled that the plaque was removed so quickly and that it will now become an artifact for learning about the true Maine Wabanaki history," said Carla Hunt, a volunteer with Maine-Wabanaki REACH. "We are hopeful that community members throughout the state of Maine will be inspired to do the same."
Meanwhile, the team at the state's historical society is working with Wabanaki advisers to seek their perspectives on Maine history. It's part of a new exhibit launching in April called, "Holding up the Sky."