Show Up for Wabanaki Nations
Sen. King Blocks Beneficial Law for Maine
"According to staff in the U.S. Senate, the reason for this omission was Sen. Angus King’s (I-ME) active opposition to the legislative language. Wabanaki leaders strongly question why Sen. King continues to block Wabanaki economic development and turn his back on rural Maine."
Read the rest of the Wabanaki Alliance's press release below...
Tell Sen. King to Support Wabanaki Nations
If the State of Maine and Sen. Kind continue affirming Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act's (MICSA) restrictions; they are willfully holding back the Wabanaki people from higher incomes, improved health, greater opportunities for education and employment. Sign the petition to tell Sen. King to support Wabanaki nations.
Read the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development's report on the Economic and Social Impacts of Restrictions on the Applicability of Federal Indian Policies to the Wabanaki Nations in Maine.
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Read about how MICSA's 40-year legacy has led to lagging economic growth for Wabanaki Nations and rural Maine in the Maine Beacon
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Harvard study finds sovereignty constrains on Maine tribes caused them enormous economic damage in the Portland Press Herald
We are Being Called to Action
MYCJ recognizes that tribal sovereignty must be at the heart of a successful environmental justice movement. For this reason, we prioritized supporting tribal sovereignty legislation at the State House last legislative session, as members of the Wabanaki Alliance Legislative Coalition. Unfortunately, despite passing the State House and the Senate with overwhelming public support, the tribal sovereignty bill, LD 1626, died in the Appropriations Committee under threat of a veto from Governor Mills.
Because this state-level tribal legislation failed, U.S. Representatives are now attempting to accomplish the same goal at the federal level. HR 6707 (sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden, co-sponsored by Rep. Chellie Pingree) is legislation that would amend the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act so that the Wabanaki tribes can benefit from future federal laws that apply to other federally recognized tribes. HR 6707 has already passed the US House of Representatives. Now the Wabanaki Alliance and other tribal allies are encouraging Sen. Collins and Sen. King to support the bill in the U.S. Senate.
The Wabanaki Alliance has created a TOOLKIT so that you can write a letter to your senators, or write a Letter to the Editor in support of HR 6706. Get your letter submitted as soon as possible, Congress is set to vote on this by December 23rd!