Newell is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and currently serves as the Culture, Language and Education Division Manager for Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness. In this capacity, Newell teaches Passamaquoddy language and culture and collaborates with other tribes to discuss best practices for language learning and teaching. Prior to this role, Newell taught an introductory Passamaquoddy language, culture and history course for two semesters at the University of Maine in Machias. He worked at the Passamaquoddy Language Immersion Pre-School as a fluent language comprehender/teacher.He has served Wabanaki communities for over 20 years, with a diverse background in computer systems management, community and health planning, grant writing and budgeting, linguistics. Newell also served two terms on tribal council for the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik.Newell is dedicated to supporting Indigenous peoples in building their relationships with wellness by integrating cultural teachings with wellness and fitness, he had mentored Native youth participating in the North American Indigenous Games, helped organize and participated in more than 10 sacred runs to unite Wabanaki people, and volunteered at the Maine Correctional Institution to support Native Americans in recovery. Newell has been in recovery and following Passamaquoddy traditional ways for over 35 years.