Monday was the 25th anniversary of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, the law that settled the land claims of three tribes.

On October 10, 1980, then-President Jimmy Carter signed the act into law. The Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe were each awarded $26.8 million to buy land, plus 13.5 million each in trust accounts. The Houlton Band of Maliseets received $900,000 to acquire land.

The law subjected tribal land to state criminal and civil jurisdiction. The courts have ruled that the tribes, when they act as governments, must submit to state laws as well. When dealing solely with internal matters, the tribes are subject to their own laws.

The tribe left out of the deal was the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians. The omission has been a blessing in disguise, as the tribe's sovereignty hasn't been limited in any way.

Get the Story:
Tribes' deal hits 25-year mark (AP 10/11)
Land claims revisited (The Bangor Daily News 10/10)
Left out of 1980 deal, Micmac able to 'taste freedom' (The Bangor Daily News 10/10)

Relevant Documents:
Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1990

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