An Act to Restore Access to the Federal Laws Beneficial to Wabanaki Nations is 43 years overdue for our tribes in Maine. It would place the Wabanaki nations on equal footing with what all other federally recognized tribes have enjoyed for decades. This bill has bipartisan support and will hopefully be embraced by the whole Legislature.
L.D. 2004 changes a provision of the 1980 Maine Indian Settlement Claims Act that excessively burdens Maine tribes. Our tribes are currently required to lobby Congress to be included in relevant federal laws, a long and expensive process beyond their means.
The bill will allow our tribes to improve economic growth, public safety and self-determination, which will also help their non-Wabanaki neighbors thrive. This situation is a basic human rights embarrassment to the whole state. I strongly believe passing this bill is the right thing to do. Please ask our state legislators to support L.D. 2004.
Roberta B. Beavers
Democratic state representative, 2010-2016
South Berwick
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