Land & Place: In Conversation with North Woods

Daniel Mason's award-winning novel, North Woods, traces the lives of the inhabitants of a single home over 400 years, where the wilderness serves as both a source of healing and a reminder of what has been lost or displaced. It has inspired deep thinking and conversation on how landscapes hold layered histories - - stories of loss, resilience, and renewal - - alongside evolving perspectives on stewardship, settlement, and the region’s long human history.

On Monday, June 15, as part of our NEA Big Read series, Mechanics' Hall will present Land & Place, a conversation centered on North Woods through the lenses of history, literature, and lived experience. Joined by Maulian Bryant, Betsy Cook, Darren J. Ranco PhD, and Lucas St. Clair, we will consider how land shapes identity, how it has been cared for and contested over time, and how current efforts are expanding recognition of the thousands of years of complex and layered relationships connected to the North Woods.

Monday, June 15 at 7:00 PM (doors 6:30 PM), approximately 75 minutes with Q&A. Free to the public; donations encouraged.

All donations received for this event will be used for NEA matching funds for Mechanics' Hall.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS

Maulian Bryant (she/her) is a Penobscot Nation Tribal Citizen and is the Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy organization that seeks to educate on the need for the recognition of tribal sovereignty and self-determination. She has been with the Alliance since its founding in 2020, serving for four years as President of the Wabanaki Alliance Board before becoming the Executive Director in 2024.

Bryant served as the first Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador from 2017 to 2024, having been appointed by Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis. As Ambassador, Bryant acted as a representative of the Penobscot Nation and liaison for the Nation at the local, state, and federal levels of government. She cares deeply about truth, equity, and justice for Wabanaki people and all people in her homelands now called Maine.

As Trust for Public Land’s State Director for Maine, Betsy Cook (she/her) is committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to the outdoors. Betsy joined TPL in 2017 and during her time has worked with communities across the state to create new trails, parks, and open space. Previously, Betsy worked with the New England Forestry Foundation, Triangle Land Conservancy and Duke Forest. Betsy discovered the power of connection to land during her summers working in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s backcountry hut system. Betsy holds a BA from Cornell University and Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry from Duke University, where she completed her thesis on community forests. Betsy lives on Peaks Island and enjoys exploring all corners of Maine by cross-country skiing, hiking, and paddling with her spouse, Jesse, their two kids, Nora and Malcolm, and their energetic dog, Banjo.

Darren J. Ranco, PhD, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, is a Professor of Anthropology, Chair of Native American Programs, and Faculty Fellow at the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine. He has a Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School and a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard University. His research focuses on the ways in which Indigenous Nations resist environmental destruction by using Indigenous science and diplomacies to protect their natural and cultural resources. He has published extensively and teaches classes on Indigenous intellectual property rights, research ethics and methodology, environmental and climate justice, and tribal governance.

Lucas St. Clair is the president of Elliotsville Foundation where he works on land justice, rural economic development, and outdoor recreation infrastructure. Lucas chairs the National Board of the Trust for Public land and serves on the boards of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, Maine Conservation Voters, and the Heart’s of Pine Foundation. He is the father of two amazing children and is a lifelong Mainer.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Mechanics' Hall was selected to be part of the NEA Big Read. From October 2025 to July 2026. We are working with community partners to present a wide range of public programs inspired by Daniel Mason’s novel North Woods.

Events are centered on the theme "On Nature" and will focus on nature, resilience, and human connection. These activities highlight how Maine’s history of conservation and public land stewardship shows how our physical environment can foster hope, courage, and a sense of belonging, encouraging meaningful dialogue about nature’s role in strengthening community bonds.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

El proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

The Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by routes 1, 7, 8, and 9B.

Street Parking: Available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and nearby streets. Pay by meter or the Passport Parking App. Free after 6 PM, on Sundays, and between Parris and Alder Street. Some blocks may vary — look for posted signs.

Garages: The Arts District Garage (41 Brown St) has 250+ spaces, is open 24/7, and accepts credit card only, with entrances on Brown, Cumberland, and Casco. The Elm Street Garage (21 Elm St) is conveniently near the Portland Library. The Spring Street Garage is three blocks away at 45 Spring St.

ACCESSIBILITY

To enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step or use a modular ramp. There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator.

If you have a wheelchair or need accessibility accommodations/questions, please contact us at programming@mainemechanics.org or 207-773-8396.