Passamaquoddy leaders thank Chavez for heating oil program

Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Governor Mark Altvater was among a group of Americans who traveled recently to Venezuela to express their gratitude to President Hugo Chavez for a discounted heating oil program that helped tribal members this past winter. Also making the trip were tribal councillor Dale Mitchell and Altvater's wife Monica, along with representatives from the Penobscot Nation and the Micmac and Maliseet tribes.

Citgo Petroleum Corp., a subsidiary of Venezuela's state-run oil company, sold millions of gallons of heating oil at a 40% discount in northeastern states this year. Along with benefiting the four tribes in Maine, Altvater notes that the program has helped the inner city poor in places such as Boston, Philadelphia and the Bronx. On April 8 in the Bronx, some of the recipients gathered to express their thanks to the president of Citgo and the Venezuelan ambassador, telling them how the program had helped them pay their bills over the winter. "Everybody was thanking Citgo and asked them to continue it next year," says Altvater. They were then invited to fly to Venezuela, with Citgo paying for the trip. Altvater says 73 people took the three-day trip, leaving on April 22.

Altvater recalls that there were events from 8 in the morning to 11 at night, and the local media were everywhere, covering the events. On the last night of the trip, the group met with Chavez and the heads of the government departments.

"I actually had a walking stick that my son and Peter Moore of Indian Township carved," relates Altvater. His son Mark is an apprentice of Moore. The walking stick, which he presented to Chavez, has seven turtles and dragonflies burned into the wood. The Passamaquoddy governor says he explained the significance of the seven turtles, as they represent the Native belief that each new generation is responsible to ensure the survival of the seventh generation. He and Chavez then hugged and shook hands.

Altvater notes that former Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy, president of Citizens Energy Corp. of Boston, spoke during the gathering. Citizens Energy also offers an oil heating program for the poor and elderly in Massachusetts.

Reportedly, Venezuela will expand the oil assistance program for New England next winter, with Altvater understanding it may include a job creation aspect. Half of the funding paid by recipients will be returned to the communities to be used for programs ranging from the redevelopment of poor neighborhoods to literacy education and health care.

Some Republicans have charged that the heating assistance program is intended to score political points for Chavez, since he is a harsh critic of President Bush, and relations between the U.S. and Venezuela are tense. Chavez has denied that the assistance program has a political agenda.