Donna Loring

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Penobscot

PANEL: Honoring 250 Years of Wabanaki Veterans

BIOGRAPHY:
Donna M. Loring is a Penobscot Nation Tribal Elder, author, and veteran of the U.S. Army Women’s Army Corps. She served during the Vietnam War as a communications specialist, including during the Tet Offensive. Loring later served as the Penobscot Nation Tribal Representative to the Maine State Legislature and is a longtime advocate for Wabanaki sovereignty, education, and cultural preservation. She is the author of In the Shadow of the Eagle and continues her work through writing, public speaking, and cultural leadership.

Darren Ripley

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkmikuk

PANEL: Honoring 250 Years of Wabanaki Veterans

BIOGRAPHY
Darren Ripley is combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom II from the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkmikuk, and fifth-generation Purple Heart recipient, having served in the U.S. Army. He also graduated from Husson University in 2016 with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Prior to working with veterans, he primarily spent his time in the criminal justice and social services fields. For the last four years, he has worked as an advocate for our Wabanaki veterans, has brought Veteran Service Officers from the Dept. of VA and Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services to our rural tribal communities for veterans to enroll in VA healthcare, file claims related to service-connected injuries, as well as other benefits and programs the veterans may qualify for. He has also been researching and documenting our Wabanaki veterans’ military experiences and stories, working to preserve their history within our tribal communities, and share their contributions and sacrifices to a larger audience outside our communities, because Indigenous history is American history. In his free time, he enjoys canoeing, camping, traveling to concerts and music festivals across the country, playing guitar and bass, training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and coaching wrestling.

Shane A. Hill

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Mi’kmaq Nation

PANEL: Honoring 250 Years of Wabanaki Veterans

BIOGRAPHY
Hello my name is Shane A. Hill. I am a Tribal Elder and a proud combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps. I am also a devoted family man, father to four adult children and husband to my wife, Stephanie, for over 21 years. In my spare time, I enjoy fishing, hunting, trapping and I take great pride in teaching these traditions to younger generations.

My commitment to service has taken me overseas as one of the few tribal members to actively participate in combat operations. During my time in the military, I deployed as part of UNISOM forces in support of Operation United Shield, serving in Mogadishu, Somalia, within a special operations command. In that high-risk combat environment, I earned a Combat Action award for directly engaging hostile forces, an experience that reflects my dedication to mission accomplishment, professionalism, and resilience.

After my military service, I continued serving veterans at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery, where I first served as Manager and later became Superintendent. I then went on to serve as Superintendent of Cemeteries for the Bureau of Veterans’ Services. In these roles, I ensured the highest standards of honor and dignity for those laid to rest and their families. My work was formally recognized by Senator Susan Collins after our cemetery system received a near-perfect score through the National Cemetery Administration evaluation process. That recognition reflects my strong attention to detail, integrity, and deep respect for fellow veterans. I remain a committed advocate for veterans and their families, working to ensure they receive the recognition, resources, and support they deserve.

Today, I serve as Facilities Manager for the Mi'kmaq Nation, where I take pride in being a proactive and hands-on leader. I focus on improving infrastructure, strengthening operations, and supporting the evolving needs of our community. As a Tribal Elder, I am dedicated to preserving our cultural traditions, sharing our history, and offering guidance grounded in my life experiences, service, and leadership.

Donald Soctomah

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Passamaquoddy

PANEL: Honoring 250 Years of Wabanaki Veterans

BIOGRAPHY
Donald Soctomah is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, Native American historian, author, teacher, filmmaker, lecturer, and storyteller. He received a Forestry Bachelor degree and a Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Maine system. He serves as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Passamaquoddy Tribal communities, and received a Presidential appointment to the board of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission. Donald works on the protection of culturally significant sites, artifacts and knowledge. He has written several books about Passamaquoddy history, as well as co-authored two children’s books, Remember Me: Tomah Joseph’s Gift to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and The Canoe Maker. Donald has appeared on National Public Television, Maine Public Television, Canadian Broadcasting, Animal Planet and is a frequent consultant to the Smithsonian Institution, US Library of Congress, and Maine State Museum.