WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Leaders of four Indigenous tribes in Maine traveled to Washington to testify in favor of a bill that would allow them to benefit from future federal laws despite a state land claims settlement.
Unlike more than 550 federally recognized tribes, the four tribes in Maine are governed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, which stipulates they're bound by state law.
Testifying in favor of the bill Thursday before a House Natural Resources subcommittee were Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis, Passamaquoddy Indian Township Chief William Nicholas, Micmac Chief Peter Paul, and Chief Clarissa Sabattis of the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
Sabattis said Congress has given other tribes tools to protect citizens, create economic opportunities and provide health care.
“We are only asking for the same equal access to these future programs as the other 570 federally recognized tribes have,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Jared Golden sponsored the bill that would update federal law to put Maine’s Wabanaki tribes on equal footing with other tribes moving forward.
A fellow Democrat, Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, is a co-sponsor.
Golden said the bill would “cut through unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic efforts” to ensure federal laws in the future would apply to all tribes, including those in Maine.
“For the last 30 years, we are the only federally recognized tribe in the State of Maine that continues to be fully subject to state law,” Mi’kmaq Nation Chief Edward Peter Paul said. “For 30 years, we have not been able to build our legal infrastructure (police department, court system, etc.). This current bill, H.R. 6707, if enacted, marks the first time that our Nation would be able to assume jurisdiction over our most precious resource, our children.”
It was the first time leaders of the four tribes appeared together in Washington to testify on the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement in four decades, Golden spokesperson Nick Zeller said.
Nicholas agreed tribes in Maine should benefit from federal laws in an “era of self-determination.”
“There is no reason why the Wabanaki nations and their citizens should not benefit from those laws,” he said.
“Since 1970, the federal government’s policy with respect to Indian affairs has been focused on self-determination,” Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said. “The continued passage of federal laws to benefit Indian Country shows that the policy of self-determination is working. It is working for tribal nations but also for those surrounding communities. The Wabanaki Nations only seek through H.R. 6707 the opportunity to benefit from any future federal laws intended to benefit Indian country."
In Maine, a proposal in the Legislature to amend the land claims settlement act will be voted on later this month. If approved, it faces a possible veto by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills.
