Advancing Equality for Wabanaki Nations Act Receives Hearing Before House Indigenous Peoples Subcommittee

Statement

Four chiefs of Wabanaki tribes in Maine appeared today before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples to testify on behalf of H.R. 6707, the Advancing Equality for Wabanaki Nations Act. The bill would update federal law to give Wabanaki tribes the same access to future beneficial federal laws as nearly every other federally recognized tribe in America.

"H.R. 6707 would ensure that our Nations receive equal treatment -- with more than 550 other federally recognized tribes nationwide -- under future laws passed by Congress for the benefit of Indians. This is a small request, but it is an incredibly important one… Each year Congress enacts legislation that gives tribal governments new tools to protect our citizens, create jobs and economic opportunities, and provide health care, housing, and other essential services to our tribal communities and non-Indian neighbors," said Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Chief Clarissa Sabattis. "We are only asking for the same equal access to these future programs as the other 570 federally recognized tribes have, so that we can continue to rebuild our Wabanaki communities, preserve our unique culture and traditions, and protect our natural resources."

"Since 1970, the federal government's policy with respect to Indian affairs has been focused on self-determination," said Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis. "The continued passage of federal laws to benefit Indian Country shows that the policy of self-determination is working; it is working for tribal nations but also for those surrounding communities. The Wabanaki Nations only seek through H.R. 6707 the opportunity to benefit from any future federal laws intended to benefit Indian country.

"For the first time since 1980… we would be able to benefit from laws passed by Congress on equal footing with other tribes," said Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk Chief William Nicholas. "In this era of tribal self-determination, one can only hope that future legislation will aim to improve the wellbeing of Tribal Nations, their lands, and their citizens. There is no reason why the Wabanaki Nations and their citizens should not benefit from those laws. Please support H.R. 6707 and support equality for the Wabanaki Nations."

"For the last 30 years, we are the only federally recognized tribe in the State of Maine that continues to be fully subject to state law," said Mi'kmaq Nation Chief Edward Peter Paul."For 30 years, we have not been able to build our legal infrastructure (police department, court system, etc.). This current bill, H.R. 6707, if enacted, marks the first time that our Nation would be able to assume jurisdiction over our most precious resource, our children."

The bill was introduced by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and is cosponsored by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03). It has also been endorsed by the National Indian Child Welfare Association.

"This bill will cut through unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic efforts to block the Wabanaki tribes from benefiting from federal laws passed for their benefit and create future opportunities for improved standards of living and economic growth," said Golden."What these tribes want is what all communities in my district want -- economic opportunity for their families and safer and healthier communities."

"It's long overdue for Maine's Tribes to have the same access to federal programs and protections as every other federally recognized tribe in the nation. This bill will ensure that Tribal nations covered under the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act will be included in future beneficial laws passed by Congress. Just recently, I advocated for special provisions in the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization to specifically include Maine tribes -- a fight that won't be necessary in future legislation under this bill," said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01). "Quite simply, it's a matter of fairness. I'm proud to work alongside Congressman Jared Golden on this important effort to finally fix a 40-year-old disparity in the law."

Currently, the Wabanaki tribes in Maine are excluded from many beneficial federal laws that apply to nearly every other federally recognized tribe in the country. Examples of laws that MICSA has prevented from applying to the Wabanaki tribes in the past include the Violence Against Women Act, which allows tribes to prosecute non-Indian defendants for domestic violence crimes against tribal members; the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which allows tribes to employ much-needed medical professionals who are licensed in another state; and the Stafford Act, which allows tribes to directly seek federal disaster relief and emergency assistance.

H.R. 6707 would address this exclusion by amending the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act (MICSA) to allow the Wabanaki tribes to benefit from future laws enacted to benefit Indian tribes.

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