Tribal scholars: Indian Land Claims Act of 1980 inappropriately interpreted by state

[eShirl]

http://bangordailynews.com/2014/03/21/politics/tense-relationship-between-wabanaki-tribes-state-of-maine-dissected-by-scholars-during-panel-at-umaine/

ORONO, Maine — The Indian Land Claims Act of 1980 has been inappropriately interpreted by the state of Maine to restrict the sovereignty of Wabanaki tribes, said speakers at a panel discussion Thursday night at the University of Maine.

About 80 people attended the conversation about the history of Wabanaki treaty-making with American governing bodies and the implications in today’s debates about fishing and gaming rights. Tribal scholars likened the land claims act to a modern-day treaty. The Wabanaki tribes are the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot and Passamaquoddy.

As a result of the Settlement Act, Maine tribes received $81.5 million, some of which was designated to buy back land. But the state and the tribes have interpreted the terms of the agreement differently, particularly fishing rights.

"They call this something we gave up, and we say we never gave it up,” said Vera Francis, referring to the salt water fishery. Francis is the Passamaquoddy economic development planner and also participated at Thursday night’s panel.