(TFC) Augusta, ME – Due to Governor Paul LePage launching direct political and environmental attacks against the Penobscot, Micmac and Passamaquoddy tribes of Maine, leaders of those tribes have recalled their representatives from the state legislature and are asserting their sovereignty from the State of Maine. ‘The Maine Indian Land claims Settlement act has failed and we cannot allow ourselves to continue down the path,’ Chief Francis said. ‘We’re saying it’s a failed social experiment.’
In August of 2011, Governor LePage signed an Executive Order recognizing a ‘special relationship’ between the sovereign State of Maine, and the sovereign tribes within the State. In this order, the Governor instructed all State agencies to include a tribal liaison, whose role would be to facilitate communication and direct policy in all areas of State jurisdiction in such a way as to include the voice and interest of native peoples. The Order instructs that ‘the State and Tribes should work together as one,’ and Tribal interests should be heeded when developing policies and procedures ‘on matters that significantly or uniquely affect those tribes.’
In April of this year, LePage rescinded that Order. The new Order maintains that native tribes in Maine retain their sovereignty, but holds that they now have a ‘relationship between equals with its own set of responsibilities,’ yet declares that tribal lands, forms of tribal governance and natural resources controlled by the native tribes are subject to the laws and jurisdiction of the State of Maine. The takeover of lands was prompted by an EPA letter to the State, and claims that lack of Tribal participation in ‘the State’s interests’ required the usurpation of Tribal sovereignty.
This post was published at Lew Rockwell on June 2, 2015.
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