 five Commissioners are from both indigenous and non-indigenous backgrounds: Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap; gkisedtanamoogk of the Wampanog tribe; educator Carol Wishcamper; Dr. Gail Werrbach, Director of the University of Maine School of Social Work; and Sandra White Hawk, Founder & Director of First Nations Repatriation Institute, and member of the Lakota Sioux.
Since being seated, the five Commissioners have been meeting regularly with Wabanaki communities, Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, and non-native community members. Performance and oral storytelling, as integral parts of Wabanaki history and culture, are essential components of the tribal-led TRC process.
The incorporation of indigenous heritage into the TRC enables the Wabanaki to use their culture to empower the community and facilitate the healing process.
In November, the TRC held its first community listening session at Sipayik. Denise Altvater, Passamaquoddy tribal member and Youth Outreach and Education Coordinator at Maine-Wabanaki REACH, was taken from her family at age 7 along with her five sisters and placed in a non-tribal home where she was repeatedly abused. Altvater participated in the Sipayik event, and believes that testimonies can help to deconstruct the historical trauma and heal communities.
The work of the TRC is particularly significant given the historical context of indigenous nations as among the most marginalized populations in the world, whose experiences are compounded by existing structural violence. Though the Commission is focused with investigating only one aspect of the experience of Maine’s indigenous nations, its contribution can be significant beyond an examination of the child welfare system, encouraging future efforts to look into structural, historical wrongs.
The Commission faces significant challenges ahead, which will require not just their own efforts, but increased support from government and civil society in Maine. In the time that remains, they must reach out effectively to all persons and institutions that can contribute, as well as educate all citizens of Maine on the importance of this endeavor. Throughout this process, they will also have to engage tribal and non-tribal Mainers in a productive dialogue on where they would like to take their relationship in the future.
Time is also a notable challenge, as the TRC has just over a year remaining to fulfill their mandate. According to TRC Executive Director Heather Martin, the approaching deadline gives the Commission an undeniable sense of urgency, yet expectations remain high.
Commissioner Matt Dunlap agrees. "It is a remarkable group," he said. "We have a lot to do, but certainly the right people to do it."
ICTJ works with the Maine TRC through our Truth and Memory program. ICTJ’s engagement with the Maine TRC is one of several ways ICTJ is working to provide assistance to indigenous groups engaging with transitional justice measures.The 2016 Dodge Challenger in Miami is the most powerful Challenger ever produced. More than that, it’s also the strongest muscle car ever. This is quite an impressive feat for Dodge, and this successful revamp of an icon is placing the brand first in the muscle car competition. Maybe not first on the official charts – the Challenger is still behind the Camaro and Mustang even after some incredible sales growth – but who cares? Dodge certainly doesn’t, and neither do Challenger fans. The 2016 Challenger is strong enough to wipe the track with both the Camaro and Mustang at the same time, and still have some horsepower left over. Not to mention, it’s also got the legendary look that’s associated with the old-school muscle cars.
Let’s breakdown the 2016 Challenger, then gleefully look at how it stomps the current competition.
Breakdown of the Challenger
The 2016 Dodge Challenger is one of those timeless vehicles. Therefore, Dodge made sure it had a timeless design to match. Even better, this timeless design is matched by performance that’s legendary in the muscle car world, which means this Challenger has already been inducted into the hall of fame – at least in the eyes of muscle car enthusiasts. (Except Mustang and Camaro owners, of course. And they’re just jealous that their ponies aren’t as wild as this beast).
Look at Those Muscles!
For the 2015 redesign (which is the same design used on the 2016 model), Dodge really did resurrect an icon. They took the classic look of the Challenger, which was one of the best looking muscle cars, in my opinion, and added a modern flair to it.
The reason I call it a “modern flair” is because Dodge didn’t mess with the original shape of the car. It still has the same powerful and wide hood and aggressive stance, and the windshield and roof are essentially the same design. The sides still have powerful muscular contours, and the back still sits in that famous muscle car, Challenger stance: jacked up and angry looking.
What was revised with a contemporary edge, however, was the front-end design. It now sits lower than the old-school model, and the headlights and daytime running lights are slightly smaller than those on the original model. But, that’s okay because they look better this way. Also, the split-grille was broadened and now has a new crosshatch pattern slapped on it.
As you go up in trim and power, and add on more packages, the look only improves. Thankfully, Dodge was smart enough not to add too many bells and whistles. If they did, it would take away from the original iconic design.
Overall, the redesign was a huge success. The large amount of Challengers sold in 2015 and beginning of 2016 are a testament to that. But, I’m sure the earth-crushing performance had something to do with the increase in sales, too…
Raw, Unbridled Power
If I could use three words to describe the Challenger, particularly the SRT Hellcat, I’d use: Raw. Unbridled. Power. But before we jump into the Hellcat’s engine, let’s take a quick look at the other engines leading up to it.
3.6-liter Pentastar V6
The first engine is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which comes in at a solid 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. Not bad, especially considering it gets up to 30 mpg highway. It’s the perfect engine if you want to make the tires squeak just a little bit, and still enjoy a coastal cruise.
5.7-liter Hemi V8
After the base engine, Dodge wasted no time jumping right into providing buyers some powerful options under the hood. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is just as iconic as the Challenger, and delivers 375 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Only two engines in, and the Challenger is already closing in on the performance of the 2016 Camaro SS.
6.4-liter Hemi V8
The 6.4-liter Hemi V8 is the engine that surpasses the 2016 Camaro SS (and most 2016 Mustang models), so why does the Challenger need a fourth engine? Simple, because it hasn’t quite beaten all the Mustang’s engines. The 6.4-liter V8 comes in at 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, which is a staggering amount. But, wait! You ain’t seen nothing yet…
Supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi SRT Hellcat V8
Ah yes, the SRT Hellcat V8. Surely an engine that will go down in history as a landmark in muscle car performance. This supercharged beast pumps out 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, which is completely unnecessary and absolutely awesome! This crushing beast puts the 2016 Challenger at the front of the steroid-induced market with a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds, and a top speed of 199 mph.
Dodge understands that not everyone might want a Challenger that can do 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is why they have other engine options spread across ten different trim levels. That way, there’s something for everyone. But, for those who do want an SRT Hellcat, you’ll be happy to know this supercharged performance is putting the current competition to shame.
Compared to the Competition
First, let’s take a look at the engines of the competitors. The 2016 Camaro SS has an impressive engine – a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine – but it’s annihilated by the Challenger’s third engine option. The Camaro SS engine only puts out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, and doesn’t even come close to touching the Hellcat. Even the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 on the 2015 Camaro ZL1 is no match for the Hellcat, only coming in at a measly 580 horsepower and 556 lb-ft of torque.
But, enough about the Camaro. Let’s look at how the Challenger obliterates the Mustang! The Mustang does even worse than the Camaro ZL1, and the top-of-the-line Shelby GT350 has a 5.2-liter engine that only produces 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque.
The size of these engines also determines how fast these cars pound down the track, and the Challenger beats both of them.
0-60 and