Maine Tribes

Published
July 25, 2023

Maine voters to decide whether to restore 19th century tribal obligations to the constitution

The proposal would restore language that has always applied, but was removed from printed versions of the Maine Constitution in 1876.
Published
July 6, 2023

Maine lawmakers fail to override governor’s veto of tribal bill

The House voted 84-57 in favor of overriding Gov. Janet Mills' veto, which falls 10 votes short of the two-thirds support needed and sustains the veto.
Published
June 16, 2023

Spirit of Life: Making time to be better neighbors
Published
June 15, 2023

Legislative committee endorses Maine tribal rights bill

The 10-4 vote to allow the state's Indigenous tribes to benefit from more federal laws comes despite a likely veto from Gov. Janet Mills.
Published
June 6, 2023

Lawmakers work on bill to let Wabanaki tribes benefit from federal laws

The bill would grant the Wabanaki tribes in Maine to federal laws that benefit the nation's 570 other federally recognized tribes.

Published
May 30, 2023

Last-minute bill would allow Maine tribes to benefit from federal laws

Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said the measure, which would not allow Indigenous tribes to operate a casino without special permission from the state, is a top priority for the legislative session that is nearing an end.
Published
May 18, 2023

Gambling director optimistic Maine sports betting could go live by November

A revised set of rules governing sports gambling in the state was published Wednesday. Barring significant public comment, they could be sent to the attorney general's office for approval by June.
Published
May 16, 2023

Lawmakers to consider new tribal casino bill

Rep. Ben Collings of Portland introduced the bill as a placeholder intended to keep a tribal gambling proposal in the wings after state lawmakers act on a tribal sovereignty bill expected to come out in the next few weeks.
Published
March 16, 2023

Tribal leaders call for expanded rights in rare appearance before joint session of Maine Legislature

The second formal State of the Tribes Address in the state's history comes as lawmakers in both parties appear to be working on a tribal sovereignty bill that could survive a potential veto from Gov. Janet Mills.
Published
March 7, 2023

Gov. Mills, lawmakers clash over printing tribal treaty language in Maine Constitution

Supporters of House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross' bill say it is a powerful truth-seeking measure,' while the governor's office dismisses it as 'a misguided attempt to right a historical wrong that never occurred.'