Tribal members rally in Augusta, Maine. Photo by Kevin Miller / Portland Press Herald / Twitter

The Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe (Pleasant Point and Indian Township) held a rally at the state capital in Augusta, Maine, today after withdrawing their representatives from the Legislature.

Tribal leaders said their attempts to work with the state on a government-to-government basis were futile. The relationship -- while not always the most stable -- took a turn for the worse in the last couple of years amid disputes on fishing, water, jurisdiction and sovereignty issues.

“We have gone to great lengths to demonstrate good faith and cooperation, only to be lied to,” Pleasant Point Chief Fred Moore said at the rally, The Bangor Daily News reported.

“We have gotten on our knees for the last time,” added Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis, the paper reported. “From here on out, we are a self-governing organization, focused on a self-determining path.”

Rep. Wayne Mitchell was representing the Penobscot Nation and Rep. Matthew Dana II was representing the Passamaquoddy Tribe in the Legislature. They cannot vote on the House floor but can introduce bills and vote at the committee level.

The tribes have been sending representatives to Augusta since the early 1800s, the Daily News reported.

The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will maintain its representative in the Legislature.

Get the Story:
Tribal representatives withdraw from Maine Legislature (AP 5/26)
Passamaquoddy, Penobscot tribes withdraw from Maine Legislature (The Bangor Daily News 5/26)
Tribal representatives withdraw from Legislature as tensions with LePage grow (The Portland Press Herald 5/26)
MAINE TRIBES BOLDLY DECLARE THEIR SOVEREIGNTY (Native News Online 5/26)
Tribes Pull Reps from Maine Legislature as Sovereignty Issues Come to Boil (Maine Public Broadcasting Network 5/26)
Tribal bills address jurisdiction, history State’s past hidden from view (The Quoddy Tides 5/26)
Relations between Maine's Indian Tribes & Maine's Governor (NPR 5/25)

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