LEWISTON — Rev. Catherine Sabine, commissioned healer and National Spiritualist teacher, will be the featured speaker at USM’s Lewiston/Auburn Senior College Food for Thought 11:30 luncheon on Friday, May 10. She will speak about the conflicts of being a Micmac Indian child living in a white community where there was an ongoing effort to assimilate Native Americans.

This resulted in her Micmac culture becoming socially invisible. This continued until Nov. 26, 1991, when the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians became federally recognized. Sabine is their tribal elder. She is a former tribal councilor and a former Big Cove First Nation Sun dancer. She continues to be a pipe carrier.

Her father, whose languages were Micmac and French, was born and raised at Eel River Bar First Nation, in New Brunswick, Canada. He crossed over on the foot bridge in Caribou in 1920. Her mother, who was Franco-American (she denied being half Micmac) was born in Waterville and French was her only language. They settled in Portland’s East Deering section. When other Canadian relatives arrived, they too settled in Portland, forming a small Indian community.

Sabine is the founder, president and pastor of the Spiritualist Church of Eternal Life in Sabattus. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in the Native American Leadership program with a master’s degree in education. She is a retired licensed clinical professional counselor and marriage and family therapist.

Senior College, now in its 14th year, presents the monthly 11:30 luncheon program in the Function Room 170 at USM LAC. The cost, which includes lunch, is $7 with advance reservation or $8 at the door. Reservations must be made by noon on May 9 by calling 753-6510. Any late callers will be considered “at the door.”