Wabanaki Alliance Legislative Testimony
In Support of LD 78 and LD 578: Amending Article X
From testimony submitted March 7, 2023 by John Dieffenbacher-Krall, Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance, in support of LD 78, RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to Article X of the Constitution of Maine Regarding the Publication of Maine Indian Treaty Obligations, and LD 578 RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Concerning the Publication of Maine Indian Treaty Obligations.
Omitting the printing of Article X, Section V of the Maine Constitution deprives people from knowing that the State of Maine pledged as a condition of statehood to “assume and perform all the duties and obligations of this Commonwealth, towards the Indians within said District of Maine, whether the same arise from treaties, or otherwise;.” At the most basic level, these bills would make our Maine Constitution more transparent increasing the likelihood current and future residents of this state do understand the obligations of the State of Maine to the Wabanaki Nations.
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In Support of LD 25: Access to State Parks
From testimony submitted January 25, 2023 by John Dieffenbacher-Krall, Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance, in support of LD 25, An Act to Provide Indigenous Peoples Free Access to State Parks.
The Wabanaki Alliance perceives this bill as recognizing that historical reality and in some small but meaningful way having Maine State Government acknowledge the Wabanaki connection to creation, in this context state-owned parks or historic sites managed by the State. Honoring the Wabanaki connection to creation, to all of the Wabanaki’s relations, signifies Maine State Government’s respect for the Wabanaki worldview and the unique connection that the Wabanaki have to this place called Maine.
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In Support of LD 294: Baxter State Park Authority
From testimony submitted February 13, 2023 by Maulian Dana, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador of President of Wabanaki Alliance in support of LD 294, An Act to Include a Tribal Member in the Baxter State Park Authority.
Over the last few years we have seen tribal state relations make a lot of progress. Good progress. We have some work to do still to have all aspects of our sovereignty recognized and understood but we have come a long way. Part of that progress has been efforts to increase collaboration between the state and tribal nations and have seats on various boards and commissions for tribal citizens. I see this bill as another step in the right direction and following this trend. The Baxter State Park Authority is a very natural fit for Indigenous wisdom, life experience, stewardship mindset, and the sacred responsibility that we feel when making decisions in our homeland.
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