A former leader of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine says the tribe is teetering on the "edge" of bankruptcy.

Former Lt. Gov. Eddie Bassett said money the tribe received as part of an $80 million land claims settlement over 20 years ago is "gone, no more." He said the only way the tribe can escape poverty is to use its Pleasant Point Reservation for a liquefied natural gas terminal

Bassett made the comments in a program that was aired on the tribe's cable network over the weekend. His commentary was peppered with audio and video from tribal meetings about the LNG terminal, an issue that has divided the tribe.

Bassett said opponents of the project are seeking to undermine tribal sovereignty. He accused them of declaring "jihad" against the tribe.

Get the Story:
Ex-Passamaquoddy leader says tribe broke (The Bangor Daily News 3/21)

Relevant Links:
Pasamaquoddy Tribe, Pleasant Point Reservation - http://www.wabanaki.com
Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township - http://www.passamaquoddy.com
Save Passamaquoddy Bay - http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org

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