Maine House advances plan to give state tribes sovereignty

The Maine Legislature has taken the first vote in giving the state’s tribes the same rights enjoyed by federally recognized tribes across the country

AUGUSTA, Maine -- The Maine House voted Thursday to give the state’s tribes the same rights enjoyed by Native Americans elsewhere across the country, a first step in an effort to uphold the tribes’ sovereignty.

The 81-55 tally marked the first legislative vote in the process of restoring rights forfeited in the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, which made the tribes subject to state law.

The vote, which tribal leaders watched from the gallery, followed emotional testimony from supporters who said the change was long overdue.

“The time to change this is now, for the Wabanaki tribes rightly deserve and should enjoy the same rights, privileges, power and immunities as other federally recognized tribes,” said Rep. Rena Newell, a nonvoting Passamaquoddy representative to the Legislature.