Maine Legislature vote expands sovereignty for Native American tribes

Story by By DAVID SHARP, Associated Press, June 22, 2023

"Native American tribes in #Maine took an important step toward greater sovereignty as the state Legislature voted to let most federal laws apply to #Wabanaki tribes, putting them on the same footing as other federally recognized tribes across the country.

"Both the Maine House and Senate approved the bill with enough support [from both Democrats and Republicans] Wednesday to overcome a potential veto of the bill [by Democrat Governor #JanetMills].

“Today signifies a landmark victory in the pursuit of Wabanaki self-determination," Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said Thursday in a statement. The Penobscot are one member of the Wabanaki Nations, which encompasses Indigenous peoples living in what is now Maine.

"Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has opposed the bill, sponsored by House Speaker #RachelTalbo Ross, expressing concerns that it could lead to confusion and lawsuits. Her office had no immediate comment on the legislative action.

"#Tribes in Maine are set apart from the other 570 federally recognized tribes across the country because of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, which stipulates they’re bound by state law and treats tribal reservations much like municipalities. That 1980 settlement for the #Passamaquoddy, #Penobscot and #Maliseet, along with a 1991 agreement for the Mi’kmaq, set the tribes apart from others in the country."

#NativeAmericanNews #Sovereignty #MaineSettlementAct #Mikmaq #FirstNations

Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/maine-legislature-vote-expands-sovereignty-for-native-american-tribes/ar-AA1cTsDB?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=a12572c5009845dbd3317f031419ff0a&ei=6