World Courant
The Passamaquoddy tribe at Sipayik has eliminated its chief for the fourth time in seven years, voting to recall Chief Rena Newell forward of a gathering proposed for subsequent month with Gov. Janet Mills.
The ouster occurred as leaders of the Penobscot, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq and Passamaquoddy take into account whether or not to fulfill the governor subsequent month on the Blaine Home for the primary “Tribal-State Summit” spelled out in current laws. Thus far, solely one of many chiefs, William Nicholas, from the Passamaquoddy’s Indian Township, has dedicated to attending, the governor’s workplace mentioned Tuesday.
The Nov. 17 assembly may very well be a chance for Native American leaders and the governor to clear the air earlier than lawmakers reconvene to take up a tribal sovereignty invoice within the new 12 months.
LANGUAGE REGARDING MAINE’S OBLIGATION TO NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES MAY BE ADDED BACK TO STATE’S CONSTITUTION
The tribes are offended at Mills as a result of she vetoed a invoice aimed toward making certain tribes get advantages from federal legal guidelines shifting ahead and opposed a earlier sovereignty proposal. In contrast to the remainder of the nation’s federally acknowledged tribes, Native People in Maine are ruled by a distinct land declare settlement, beneath which they’re handled very similar to municipalities, topic to state legislation.
The governor’s workplace contends it’s prepared to barter on future laws. Emails to the chiefs’ representatives weren’t instantly returned Tuesday.
“If the assembly does occur, I hope that there might be open hearts and minds — and that we will have a significant speak about upcoming laws,” Maulian Bryant, Penobscot Nation ambassador and president of the Wabanaki Alliance, mentioned Tuesday.
Former Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Rena Newell, left, is seen on the State Home in Augusta, Maine, April 12, 2022. (AP Photograph/Robert F. Bukaty, information)
This might be the primary annual assembly set out in a legislation accepted final 12 months. That legislation offered on-line sports activities betting income to the tribes and set forth a course of for normal contact between the 4 federally acknowledged tribes and state authorities companies.
Newell served lower than a 12 months earlier than being recalled the day after Indigenous Peoples Day, when a whole lot gathered exterior the State Home to rally help for a Nov. 7 vote to require tribal treaties and obligations to be restored to printed variations of the Maine Structure.
She beforehand served because the tribal consultant to the Maine Legislature when the sports activities betting proposal and one other invoice aimed toward making certain clear consuming water for the Sipayik reservation have been accepted. She additionally has been lively on Maine tribes’ efforts to realize higher sovereignty from the state.
MAINE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW NATIVE AMERICANS TO BENEFIT FROM FEDERAL LAWS DESPITE LAND SETTLEMENT
Bryant mentioned she counted Newell as a buddy, and mentioned she hopes for “therapeutic and peace” in her neighborhood. She mentioned she appeared ahead to working with the brand new chief.
Underneath the tribe’s structure, Vice Chief Amkuwiposohehs “Pos” Bassett is the chief-elect. However Bassett might select to stay vice chief, requiring an election.
A gathering is scheduled Wednesday to find out the management in Sipayik, an official mentioned.
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Earlier chiefs who have been recalled over a seven-year stretch have been Fred Moore III in 2016, Vera Francis in 2017 and Marla Dana in 2020. Newell had served in 2022.
Maine tribe recollects fourth chief in 7 years
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