Wáhsehtəkʷ

Located in the heart of the Penobscot Nation’s territory, this land carries profound importance for the nation. It is referred to as Wáhsehtəkʷ, signifying the East Branch of the Penobscot River. The Penobscot people, being a riverine tribe, rely heavily on the river, which they consider a valued member of their tribal community.

When this 31,367-acre parcel of land in the Katahdin region became available for sale, TPL acted quickly to step in as a temporary owner. Our goal? To reconnect Wáhsehtəkʷ (pronounced “WAH-seh-teg”) with the Penobscot Nation, while creating much needed southern access to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

In the months and years to come, TPL will work in close partnership with the National Park Service, the Penobscot Nation, and the regional community to return nearly 30,000 acres of land lost to the Penobscot Nation in the nineteenth century. The move is the largest collaborative land returns between a U.S.-based nonprofit and a tribal nation in recent history.

Adjacent to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, some of these acres are also a critical puzzle piece in providing much needed southern public access to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument from the towns of East Millinocket and Millinocket. As a result, the effort also aspires to transfer key roadways to the National Park Service, creating southern access that will benefit the surrounding communities and enhance the outdoor recreation economy in the region.

Together in partnership, TPL and the Penobscot Nation have launched an effort to raise $32 million to protect Wáhsehtəkʷ . By doing so, the cultural significance and natural resources it provides will be protected forever.