The logo of the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission

The Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission called on the state of Maine to come to the table and resolve a fishing rights dispute with the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

The state has claimed jurisdiction over tribal fishing activities and the Maine Legislature passed laws affecting the tribe's fishing rights despite a lack of authority in the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, the commission said in a new report. Those actions were taken without the consent of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point and the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, the report said.

"We conclude that open dialogue, negotiations, and formal agreements are mechanisms that are both pragmatic and constructive, and have value for all of the people of Maine," the commission said.

The tribes were negotiating a fishing deal earlier this year until the state pulled out of discussions. Attorney General Janet Mills issued a letter that claims the state has authority over the tribes, prompting lawmakers to pass a bill that places limits on tribal fishing.

“The Passamaquoddy People view saltwater fishing as an inherent right," Chief Reuben Cleaves of Pleasant Point said in a press release. "This right was not given to us by the State of Maine or any other state. We have always said that right was never discussed during the Settlement Act negotiations therefore it is retained."

“This report sheds light on some hard truths, some very disturbing truths, about the relationship between the Passamaquoddy and the state of Maine," added Chief Joseph Socobasin of Indian Township.

The report comes amid a lengthy series from The Portland Press Herald about the state's interactions with the Passamaquoddy and other tribes. Unsettled is being published in chapters.

Get the Story:
Panel finds Maine Legislature erred in passing laws on tribal fishing rights, calls parties back to negotiating table (The Bangor Daily News 7/12)
State Failed To Work With Tribe In Marine Fish Laws, Says Report (Maine Public Broadcasting News 7/12)
Chapter 18: Land claims settlement bears a powerful curse (The Portland Press Herald 7/16)

Related Stories:
Maine asserts jurisdiction over tribal waters in case against EPA (07/09)
MPBN: State tries to place fish limits on Passamaquoddy Tribe (02/21)
Maine tribes criticize state for pulling out of fishing agreement (02/19)
Jamie Bissonette Lewey: Maine must keep promise to tribes (02/03)
Passamaquoddy Tribe makes progress on state fishing talks (01/30)