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Track Bills in the 131st Maine Legislature
We’re tracking state legislation on tribal issues in the 131st Maine Legislature. Check out our Bill Tracker to learn more about these bills, see where they are in the legislative process and find out how you can take action to Stand with the Wabanaki!
Tribal Issues In the News
Check out Tribal Issues in the News for an editorial in the Bangor Daily News by local elected officials in Penobscot and Waldo counties in response to misleading information about federal legislation that would have placed the Wabanaki Nations on similar footing in terms of future federal legislation as the other 570 federally recognized tribes in the U.S.
A Day in Photos: Historic State of the Tribes and Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day
On March 16, a joint session of the Maine Legislature convened for a State of the Tribes Address, only the second in the state’s history and the first to include all five Wabanaki chiefs. On the same day, nearly 200 Mainers came to the State House for the Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day. Visit our media gallery for photos and videos from this historic day.
Wabanaki Nations’ Chiefs Address Maine Legislature In Historic Address
All five Wabanaki Nations Chiefs addressed a joint session of the Maine Legislature for a State of the Tribes address, only the second in the state’s history and the first in more than 20 years.
Wabanaki Nations Could Be ‘Economic Engines’ for Rural Maine, Harvard Report Co-Author Tells Legislature
A co-author of a Harvard report that found the Wabanaki Nations could become “economic engines” for rural Maine if the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act is modernized offered a briefing on the report to the Maine Legislature on March 9.
Article: Tribes in Maine Left Out of Native American Resurgence
An article in The Conversation, an independent news organization, highlights elements of a recent report from the Harvard Kennedy School that determined the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act has seriously limited the economic growth potential of the Wabanaki Nations, putting them well below the average for all other federally recognized tribes.
#NotYourMascot
Navigating discussions about Indian-themed mascots is notoriously difficult and time consuming, but communities that invest the time to listen and learn from Indigenous peoples invariably find their communities strengthened as a result. Wabanaki Alliance Coalition partner Suit Up Maine created this guide on how to talk about Indian-themed mascots with guidance from Penobscot Nation Ambassador Maulian Dana.
Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis Attends State of the Union Address
Reflecting the government-to-government relationship between the Penobscot Nation and the United States, Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis attended President Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress Tuesday night as a guest of Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME).