In the Shadow of the Eagle: A Tribal Representative in Maine Donna M. Loring Paperback, $20, ISBN 978-0-88448-302-1 6 x 9, 224 pages, photographs Biography / Native American / Maine

"If a library has a Maine history and government collection, it must own this book...A brief history A brief history of tribal representation, a list of the representatives, and an index enhance this book's educational value. Essential for Maine collections, it belongs in larger Native American and women's studies collections as well."
—Multicultural Review

"Loring takes the reader on a rare tour of the hallways and basement meeting rooms where laws are really made. . . . Loring's book should be on the shelf of every political science professor and student, legislator and tribal leader."
—Native Peoples

". . . rich, insightful, and challenging. . . . Loring is by any measure a remarkable citizen who has served two nations with skill and distinction. . . . Legislators rarely, if ever, publish their thoughts of the history of their term, even when they are no longer active. That is what makes Loring's report and commentary (for it is enjoyable to read) such a good civics lesson . . . a book every concerned Mainer should read and think about. . . ."
—Maine Sunday Telegram

"When I finished this book I remembered a Rwandan woman psychologist whose speech closed a Maine conference about survivors. She introduced a Rwandan dance group of young people and the whole, very serious audience, including survivors, got up to dance, too. The speaker said at the end of this dance, 'People ask, why dance, when there is such a serious topic? I say, what better than for the people who expected to see you disappear, see you not only survive, but dance?' This book is Representative Loring dancing, in the cool light of dawn, but on fire."
—Victoria Mares-Hershey, writer, playwright

"Donna Loring has committed a brave and generous act in sharing her thoughts and observations as the representative of the Penobscot Indian Nation in the Maine legislature. Written with unflinching honesty, Loring's diary not only throws light on the legislative process, but also holds up a mirror to the dominant society's entrenched thought patterns that have allowed the members of Maine tribal nations to remain 'invisible in plain sight.' Loring's belief that understanding and communication through education will foster new harmonious relationships is the hope of indigenous peoples everywhere. In the Shadow of the Eagle places Maine's Indian tribes clearly within the global struggle of all indigenous peoples for their inherent rights of sovereignty, self-determination, human rights, and human dignity. It should be required reading for all legislators and throughout the state's school system."
—Gale Courey Toensing, reporter, Indian Country Today

"Loring's diary provides a fascinating insider's look at Maine's legislative process—in particular at the unique role tribal representatives have had in the legislature since the state's founding in 1820. Written with remarkable candor, grace, grit, and wit, it conveys her conviction that mutual education is the only acceptable means to establishing both the common good and justice for her people."
—Bunny McBride, author of Molly Spotted Elk: A Penobscot in Paris

Maine is the only state in the nation to have tribal representatives seated in its legislative body, a practice that began in the 1820s. Although the representatives from the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe don't have voting power on the house floor, they serve on committees and may chair committees. Donna's first session as representative of the Penobscot Nation was a difficult one—a personal struggle to have a "voice," but also because of the issues: changing offensive names, teaching Native American history in Maine schools, casinos and racinos, and the interpretation of sovereign rights for tribes. Some of the struggles and issues remain as she continues to serve, and the perspective she offers—as a Native American and as a legislator—is both valuable and fascinating.

Donna Loring grew up on Indian Island and graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a BA in Political Science. Donna is also a Vietnam veteran who served in the communications center at Long Binh Army Base located approximately thirty miles northeast of Saigon. It was her job to process all the casualty reports for Southeast Asia. She was stationed in Vietnam from November of 1967 to November of 1968 and served during the TET Offensive. Her professional background is in law enforcement and she is a graduate of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. She was the first woman police academy graduate to become police chief in the state of Maine and served as the police chief for the Penobscot Nation from 1984-90. In 1992 she became the first woman director of security at Bowdoin College, a position she held until March of 1997. Donna was appointed aide de camp to then-governor Angus King on March 17, 1999, and was commissioned with the rank of colonel by the governor. She was advisor to former Governor King on women veterans' affairs. On November 4, 1999, Donna received the Mary Ann Hartman Award from the University of Maine's Women in Curriculum and Women's Studies Program. The award recognizes outstanding Maine women for their accomplishments in the arts, politics, business, education, and community service. She served in the Maine State Legislature as the tribal representative of the Penobscot Nation from 1998-2004 and 2005-2008.