I support the passage of L.D. 1626 to restore the Wabanaki tribes’ inherent rights to self-governance.

When the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act was passed in 1980, I was beginning my law practice, focused on civil rights. Before passage, I read newspaper articles and had discussions with friends and colleagues about a potential settlement between the state and the tribes.

Jimmy Carter was president. Many people believed Ronald Reagan was going to be the next president. He indicated that, if elected, he would terminate the tribes’ federal claims. The tribes wanted to settle with the state before the election.

In the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, the tribes gave up claims to millions of acres of land. In return they received a cash settlement that would allow them to buy land, build homes, go to college, establish health clinics and relearn their native language. Some sections of the settlement have been interpreted to consider the tribes as municipalities and not as sovereign nations.

Since 1980, more than 150 federal laws have passed that benefit other tribes, but courts have found that these laws do not apply to the Wabanaki tribes because of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act . A task force formed to review the implementation and consequences of the settlement has recommended restoring tribal sovereignty over prosecution of crimes, regulation of fishing and hunting and other natural resources and gaming on tribal lands. L.D. 1626 would do that.

Kim Matthews
Westbrook

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