Janice "Rene" Attean

INDIAN ISLAND—Janice Irene “Rene” Attean, 68, died unexpectedly August 5, 2011 at her residence on Indian Island. She was born on Indian island May 26, 1943.

Rene was active in Boy Scouts of America and the Boys and Girls Club of Bridgeport, CT. She was very involved in Native American Issue politically, spiritually, and culturally. She was the founder of the Penobscot Indian Nation Museum, Co-founder of Penobscot Indian Nation Judiciary Advisory Committee, and a founding member of the Indian Island hospice. Rene participated on many Penobscot Nation committees and boards including IRATE as well as Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance. She was an accomplished author of Native American Curriculum. She graduated from the University of Maine with a MA in education and then graduated from Harvard University with a her second Masters in Curriculum Development. She was a strong advocate for migrant workers.

She is survived by her children Philip, William, Teri, Janice, and Scott; two foster children Darlene and Zelda; grandchildren Danica, Maya, Joseph, Louis, Seneca, Taletha, Domekin, Dina, Dan, Dustin, Jasmine, Dan, Tomekin, Tristan, Cheyne, Allie, Nicole, Taya; 20 great grandchildren; Godchildren David and Cheryl; a brother Gary Attean and sisters Ruth Johnson and Constance Fazio; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her father Elmer N. Attean; her mother Eunice Lewey Crowley; brothers and sisters Leroy, Sharon, Alice, Priscilla and Brian and a great grandson U-Neeq Francis.

A visitation will be held in her home 15 Bear Ridge Rd, Indian Island on Monday between the hours of 9AM and 7PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indian Island Hospice 23 Wabanaki Way Indian Island 04468 Notes of condolence may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com