Wáhsehtəkʷ

Located in the heart of the Penobscot Nation’s territory, this land carries profound importance. It is referred to as Wáhsehtəkʷ, signifying the East Branch of the Penobscot River. The Penobscot people 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 partner with the Penobscot Nation to reconnect Wáhsehtəkʷ to the tribe, 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 Parks Service, the Penobscot Nation, and the regional community to return nearly 30,000 acres of land lost to the Nation in the nineteenth century. The move is one of 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 a critical puzzle piece in providing southern access to the monument from the towns of East Millinocket and Millinocket. As a result, the initiative also aspires to create new southern access to the Monument, benefiting the surrounding communities and boosting the outdoor recreation economy in the region.

Together in partnership, TPL and the Penobscot Nation have launched an effort to raise $32.5 million to protect Wáhsehtəkʷ. In doing so, the cultural significance and natural resources it provides will be forever protected and reconnected.