Since the settlement was reached, Francis says, Congress has passed more than a 100 laws "for the benefit of Native Americans that tribes in Maine have not been able to access in a way that other tribes do across the country."
Should Native American tribes in Maine benefit from future federal laws?
A House committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that would allow Native American tribes in Maine to benefit from future federal laws, despite a state land claims settlement. Wabanaki tribes in Maine are governed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 that stipulates they’re bound by state law.
How much did the Maine Indian Claims Act pay?
President Jimmy Carter signs the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. Maine tribes, including the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Penobscot, receive an out-of-court settlement of $81.5 million in reparation for land taken from tribes.
How many Native American tribes are there in Maine?
Unlike more than 550 federally recognized tribes, Maine's Native Americans are currently governed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 that stipulates they're bound by state law.
What is the law in Maine for the Wabanaki tribe?
Wabanaki tribes in Maine are governed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 that stipulates they’re bound by state law. That sets them apart from the other 570 federally recognized tribes.
What was the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act?
Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 - Declares that Congress approves and ratifies any transfer of land or other natural resource located anywhere within the United States from, by, or on behalf of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or any of their members.
In what year did the indigenous peoples of Maine become recognized as having tribal rights by the state and federal governments?
1976: After Morton decision becomes final, Federal government acknowledges Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes as federally recognized tribes.
Who were the first Native Americans in Maine?
Known today as Abenaki, Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot, these tribes are collectively called the Wabanaki. Wabanaki people developed alliances with European traders who arrived on Maine's shores.
How many Native American reservations are in Maine?
Maine's four Indian tribes are the Micmac, Maliseet, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy, which, in June 2020, formed the collective Wabanaki Alliance to promote tribal sovereignty.
When did Native Americans come to Maine?
around 13,000 years agoArchaeological evidence tells us that Native Americans first arrived in Maine beginning around 13,000 years ago, after the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreated. Waterways were their “roads,” and therefore they settled along coastlines, rivers, lakes and streams; and used both dugout and birchbark canoes for transportation.
How long have Native Americans lived in Maine?
12,000 yearsNative American peoples have inhabited the land we now call Maine for 12,000 years. Today people from the four tribes—the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot—collectively known as the Wabanaki, or “People of the Dawnland” live throughout the state of Maine.
Are there Native American reservations in Maine?
They received U.S. federal recognition in 1991. The Passamaquoddy tribe is located in eastern Maine in Washington County. There are two reservations, one at Sipayik (Pleasant Point) in Perry and the other in Indian Township, which includes the villages of Motahkomiqkuk (Peter Dana Point) and Odeneg in Princeton.
When did the Abenaki tribe start?
The Abenaki settled in the Sillery region of Quebec between 1676 and 1680, and subsequently, for about twenty years, lived on the banks of the Chaudière River near the falls, before settling in Odanak and Wôlinak in the early eighteenth century.
What is the Maine Implementing Act?
Provides that trust or restricted land or natural resources within the Passamaquoddy or Penobscot Indian Reservations and trust lands outside such reservations may be condemned for public purposes in accordance with the Maine Implementing Act. Requires the United States to be a party to any such condemnation proceedings. Directs that any proceeds from such proceedings be deposited into the Land Acquisition Fund.
What is the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act?
Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 - Declares that Congress approves and ratifies any transfer of land or other natural resource located anywhere within the United States from, by, or on behalf of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, or any of their members.
What act authorizes the tribe, nation, and band to adopt a written document to govern their affairs?
Authorizes the Tribe, Nation, and Band to adopt a written document to govern their affairs consistent with the Maine Implementation Act and this Act.
Which tribes are directed to give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of each other?
Directs the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the State of Maine to give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of each other.
Which state declares all Indians subject to the civil and criminal laws?
Subjects the Tribe and Nation to the jurisdiction of the State to the extent provided by the Maine Implementing Act. Declares that Congress approves, ratifies, and confirms such Act.
Which tribes are authorized to exercise jurisdiction in Maine?
Authorizes such Indians to exercise jurisdiction, separate and distinct from the civil and criminal jurisdiction of Maine, to the extent authorized by such Act. Directs the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the State of Maine to give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of each other.
What is the prohibition on expending settlement funds?
Prohibits the Secretary from expending any monies from the Settlement or Acquisition Funds until the Tribe, Nation, or Band has relinquished all claims necessary under this Act.
What is tribal business news?
Tribal Business News publishes thoroughly reported and well-crafted stories about Native businesses and entrepreneurs, growth and expansion strategies, best practices, economic data, government policy and other relevant business news. Tribal Business News is required reading for tribal council members and leaders of Native businesses, as well as state and federal legislators, policymakers, economic developers, entrepreneurs, bankers, lawyers and anyone interested in doing business in Indian Country.
Who is Jenna Kunze?
Jenna Kunze is a reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Kunze’s bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Smithsonian Magazine and Anchorage Daily News. In 2020, she was one of 16 U.S. journalists selected by the Pulitzer Center to report on the effects of climate change in the Alaskan Arctic region. Prior to that, she served as lead reporter at the Chilkat Valley News in Haines, Alaska. Kunze is based in New York.
Who is the Quaker advocate for Wabanki rights?
Another ally in the push for Wabanki rights is Friends Committee on Maine Public Policy, a Quaker advocacy group. Member Shirley Hager, who chairs a tribal-state advocacy group under the umbrella of the committee, said that about 95 percent of the group’s focus is on improving tribal-state relations.
