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Wabanaki Alliance

Maine legislators will consider a number of bills during the 131st Legislature that involve issues related to the Wabanaki Nations. The Wabanaki Alliance has put together a bill tracker which provides details on many of those bills and actions you can take to stand with the Wabanaki. Follow the tracker here.

In June of 2020 the tribes in Maine (Mi’kmaq Nation, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Passamaquoddy Tribe and Penobscot Nation) formed the Wabanaki Alliance. The Wabanaki Alliance was formed to educate people of Maine about the need for securing sovereignty of the tribes in Maine.

KEY:

= top priority bill

2023 TESTIMONY

Status:

Public hearing in Committee

Work session in Committee: Divided Report

Last Action in House

Last Action in Senate

Last Governor Action

Signed into Law

 

Official Bill Title: RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to Article X of the Constitution of Maine Regarding the Publication of Maine Indian Treaty Obligations

Summary: Constitutional Amendment to require text pertaining to Maine Indian treaty obligations be included in any printing of the Constitution.

Our position: Support

 

Status:

Public hearing in Committee

Work session in Committee:

Last Action in House

Last Action in Senate

Last Governor Action

Signed into Law

 

Official Bill Title: An Act to Address Legislative Salaries

Summary: Beginning in the 132nd session, legislator's salary increasing to $25,000 (current $10,815) in the first session and $20,000 (current $7,725) in the second session.

Our position: Support

 

Status:

Public hearing in Committee

Work session in Committee: Reported as "Ought not to pass"

Last Action in House

Last Action in Senate

Last Governor Action

Signed into Law

 

Official Bill Title:An Act to Eliminate Critical Race Theory, Social and Emotional Learning and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from School Curricula

Summary: Prohibits, in any curriculum, study of Critical Race Theory, social and emotional learning and diversity, and equity and inclusion.

Our position: Oppose

 

Status:

Public hearing in Committee

Work session in Committee

Last Action in House

Last Action in Senate

Last Governor Action

Signed into Law

 

Official Bill Title: An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations

Summary:This bill would allow Wabanaki peoples to benefit from future federal legislation for tribes. Unlike every other federally recognized tribe in the United States, Wabanaki tribes are currently excluded from such legislation unless they are explicitly written into it. LD 2004 would rectify this unequal treatment by changing a provision of the 1980 Settlement Act.

Our position: Supports

 

Status:

Public hearing in Committee

Work session in Committee

Last Action in House

Last Action in Senate

Last Governor Action

Signed into Law

 

Official Bill Title: An Act to Advance Self-determination for Wabanaki Nations

Summary: TBD

Our position: Supports