Maine's Indian lawmakers have been a part of the state Legislature as far back as the 1820s but it wasn't until this year that their positions became more official.

The Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe (Pleasant Point | Indian Township) each send a representative to the Legislature. But the Indian lawmakers never got a seat on the floor or their names on the roll call board.

That changed last week with the passing of legislation to treat the Indian lawmakers the same as all others. “Today is a monumental step,” said Passamaquoddy Rep. Donald Soctomah, The Ellsworth American reported. . “We are no longer invisible.”

“We’re worthy of having our name put up there, especially during the same week that Barack Obama became the first black president,” Soctomah added. “I’m hoping that when young native children see the name of the tribal representatives up there, it gives them the same hope.”

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Tribal Representatives Added To Legislative Roll Call (The Ellsworth American 1/27)