ORONO — The University of Maine Native American Programs, in partnership with the Penobscot Nation, has launched a website to accompany bilingual English and Penobscot signage on campus. The new website includes audio recordings of the Penobscot language translations by language master Gabe Paul, a Penobscot pronunciation guide, and maps of the signs across campus.

“The use and recognition of Penobscot language connects everyone in the University of Maine community to a deeper connection to this place where we learn and build community,” says Darren Ranco, chair of Native American Programs, in a news release. “It has made our Native students feel more welcome and recognized, and created many more pathways for cross-cultural dialogues on the importance of place, naming, and language.”

The next steps include having QR codes for each sign connected to the web pages with the audio translations, according to Ranco.

“We are committed to adding to this integration of Penobscot language over the next several years to other buildings, street signs and campus entrance signs as a welcome to everyone who visits here,” said Ranco.

Ranco adds that a similar website for bilingual English and Pasamaquoddy signs at UMaine Machias is underway, with translations by Passamaquoddy language master Newell Lewey. 

About the University of Maine: The University of Maine, founded in Orono in 1865, is the state's land grant, sea grant and space grant university, with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. UMaine is located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation. UMaine Machias is located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation. As Maine's flagship public university, UMaine has a statewide mission of teaching, research and economic development, and community service. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution. It attracts students from all 50 states and 86 countries. UMaine currently enrolls 11,571 undergraduate and graduate students, and UMaine Machias enrolls 763 undergraduates. Our students have opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research with world-class scholars. UMaine offers 77 bachelor's degrees and six undergraduate certificates, as well as more than 100 degree programs through which students can earn doctoral or master's degrees, professional master's degrees, and graduate certificates. UMaine Machias offers 18 associate and bachelor's degrees, and 14 undergraduate certificates. The university promotes environmental stewardship, with substantial efforts campuswide to conserve energy, recycle and adhere to green building standards in new construction. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu and machias.edu.