Archive
View our post archive below to find links to current and previous updates from the Wabanaki Alliance. We also track local, state and national news coverage of issues important to the Wabanaki tribes in Maine. Find a selection of that media coverage in our In the News list.
Understanding Tribal Sovereignty
Use this resource to learn more about tribal sovereignty and the Wabanaki Nations’ inherent right to self-governance and what you can do to support Wabanaki sovereignty.
Businesses for Wabanaki Sovereignty to Launch January 24
The Wabanaki Alliance will hold a launch event for “Businesses for Wabanaki Sovereignty” January 24 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Patagonia store at 100 Main Street in Freeport.
Honoring the legacy of MLK: Justice and self-determination for all
Read a guest op-ed by the Wabanaki Alliance Board in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Year in Review: A Look Back at 2023
Our Year in Review highlights the past year’s accomplishments, events, and actions undertaken by the Wabanaki Alliance and our Coalition of nearly 200 advocacy groups, businesses, and faith-based organizations.
Wabanaki Winter Market to Showcase Indigenous Artisans and Businesses
Find out how you can support Indigenous businesses and artisans this holiday season at the Wabanaki Winter Market Sunday, December 9 at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono.
Alliance Launches Video Project for Native American Heritage Month
As part of this year’s Native American Heritage Month in November, the Wabanaki Alliance will publish a series of short videos from Wabanaki citizens and supporters from around the state of Maine, talking about the importance of Wabanaki rights and self-determination.
Mainers Overwhelmingly Support Question 6
Maine voters overwhelmingly passed Question 6 yesterday, approving the amendment to the Maine Constitution with 74% of the vote. The Maine Constitution will now be printed in full for the first time since 1875.
“Yes on Question 6” on Maine’s Editorial Pages
Editorial pages in newspapers across the state are carrying editorials, guest op-eds, and letters in support of Question 6, demonstrating the broad support of the constitutional amendment to print all of Maine’s constitution, including original tribal treaties that have been omitted from printed versions for more than 100 years.
Help Pass Question 6 in November!
On November 7, Maine voters have an opportunity to Vote Yes on Question 6, a constitutional amendment that would require the state to print the full text of the Maine State Constitution, including a section about Maine’s original treaty obligations to the Wabanaki Nations. Find out what you can do to help the Wabanaki Alliance pass this important constitutional amendment.
More Than 200 Rally for Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Question 6
A rally and march in support of Question 6 that drew more than 200 Wabanaki citizens, Wabanaki Alliance Coalition members, state leaders and other allies garnered state and national media attention.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Rally October 9 In Support of Question 6
The Wabanaki Alliance will hold a rally for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Maine State House in Augusta on Monday, Oct. 9 to show support for Question 6, a constitutional amendment that will appear on the November 7 ballot.
Wabanaki Alliance Tribal Coalition Grows to More than 150 Members
The Wabanaki Alliance Tribal Coalition has grown to more than 150 members, as businesses, faith leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, and racial and social justice organizations choose to stand with Wabanaki as allies in the effort to recognize self-determination for the tribes in Maine.
2023 State House Legislative Victories
The Wabanaki Alliance set a number of legislative priorities for the 131st Maine Legislature, including three measures that are now law and one that advanced a constitutional amendment to the Nov. 7 ballot that was overwhelmingly approved by Maine voters.
Wabanaki Alliance Celebration Draws Hundreds of Supporters of Tribal Sovereignty
More than 200 friends and supporters gathered July 13th for the Wabanaki Alliance’s inaugural fundraiser Nihkaniyane: Let’s Go Forward Together in Freeport to celebrate the great strides the Alliance has made while advocating for recognition of the inherent sovereignty of Wabanaki Nations.
July 13 Event to Celebrate Alliances
The Wabanaki Alliance will hold “Nihkaniyane: Let’s Go Forward Together” Thursday, July 13 at the Mallet Barn in Freeport, Wolfe’s Neck Center, to celebrate the strong alliances we’ve built since our inception in 2020. Learn more and purchase your ticket here.
Governor Strong-Arms Legislators to Sustain her Veto of Tribal Sovereignty
The Maine House of Representatives has voted 84-57 to sustain Gov. Janet Mills’ veto of LD 2004, An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations. Read our statement.
Support LD 2004: Tell Your Legislators to Override Mills’ Veto!
Maine legislators will hold a vote this week to override Gov. Mills’ veto of LD 2004. Join the Wabanaki Alliance at the State House on Thursday, July 6 and call your legislators and ask them to support Wabanaki sovereignty!
Governor Mills Continues Her Oppression of the Tribes in Maine
Gov. Janet Mills vetoed LD 2004, a bipartisan bill that would allow Maine tribes to access some federally beneficial Indian laws. Read the Wabanaki Alliance statement.
Take Action: Tell Gov. Mills to Sign LD 2004!
LD 2004 is on the Gov. Janet Mills’ desk! She hasn’t signed it yet even though there was overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans in the Maine Senate and House. We need the Governor to hear your voice to hopefully avert a veto. Read more to find out what actions you can take.
Maine Legislature Passes Landmark Wabanaki Legislation with Super Majorities
The Maine Legislature has passed LD 2004, a bill to modernize the Settlement Acts and ensure that the Wabanaki Nations are not excluded from federal legislation that applies to all federally recognized tribes. The legislation passed with supermajorities in both chambers, with broad bipartisan support.
Wabanaki Alliance Names Summer Fellow
Sage Phillips, a Penobscot Nation citizen and graduate student at the University of Connecticut, has joined the Wabanaki Alliance staff as a 2023 Summer Fellow.
Bipartisan Legislation Proposes Wabanaki Nations’ Equity with Other Tribes Nationally
Tribes and Group of Bipartisan Legislators ask to pass just 1 of the 22 recommendations from the 2019 Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act.
A Day in Photos: Historic State of the Tribes and Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day
On March 16, a joint session of the Maine Legislature convened for a State of the Tribes Address, only the second in the state’s history and the first to include all five Wabanaki chiefs. On the same day, nearly 200 Mainers came to the State House for the Wabanaki Alliance Lobby Day. Visit our media gallery for photos and videos from this historic day.
Wabanaki Nations Chiefs Address Maine Legislature In Historic Address
All five Wabanaki Nations Chiefs addressed a joint session of the Maine Legislature for a State of the Tribes address, only the second in the state’s history and the first in more than 20 years.
Wabanaki Nations Could Be ‘Economic Engines’ for Rural Maine, Harvard Report Co-Author Tells Legislature
A co-author of a Harvard report that found the Wabanaki Nations could become “economic engines” for rural Maine if the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act is modernized offered a briefing on the report to the Maine Legislature on March 9.
Article: Tribes in Maine Left Out of Native American Resurgence
An article in The Conversation, an independent news organization, highlights elements of a recent report from the Harvard Kennedy School that determined the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act has seriously limited the economic growth potential of the Wabanaki Nations, putting them well below the average for all other federally recognized tribes.
#NotYourMascot
Navigating discussions about Indian-themed mascots is notoriously difficult and time consuming, but communities that invest the time to listen and learn from Indigenous peoples invariably find their communities strengthened as a result. Wabanaki Alliance Coalition partner Suit Up Maine created this guide on how to talk about Indian-themed mascots with guidance from Penobscot Nation Ambassador Maulian Dana.
Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis Attends State of the Union Address
Reflecting the government-to-government relationship between the Penobscot Nation and the United States, Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis attended President Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress Tuesday night as a guest of Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME).
Widespread Media Coverage of Alliance Statement on Fate of Federal Legislation
State and national news media published numerous stories about a statement issued Dec. 20 by the Wabanaki Alliance on the fate of a measure that would have placed Wabanaki Nations in Maine on equal footing as all other federally recognized tribes with regard to future...
Speaker Talbot Ross Meets with Leaders of Wabanaki Nations
Maine Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross met recently with Chiefs Rena Newell, William Nicholas, Edward Peter-Paul, Kirk Francis, and other members of leadership at tribal offices, part of her ongoing legislative work to improve Maine’s relationship with its Tribal neighbors.
Sen. Angus King Blocks Beneficial Law for Maine
The Wabanaki Alliance released a statement in response to Sen. Angus King’s decision to block a bill that would have boosted economic development for rural Maine and Wabanaki Nations.
Harvard Report: MICSA Severely Restricts Wabanaki Nations’ Economic Growth
A new report from the Harvard Kennedy School found that the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act has seriously limited the economic growth potential of the Wabanaki Nations, putting them well below the average for all other federally recognized tribes.
Support Measure to Extend Future Federal Indian Laws to Wabanaki Nations
HR 6707 would amend the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act so that the Wabanaki tribes can benefit from future federal laws that apply to other federally recognized tribes. Learn how you can help pass this bill!
Report Finds Issues with Wabanaki Studies Law Enforcement
A new study finds that despite a 21-year-old law requiring all Maine K-12 schools to teach students about the Wabanaki Tribes school districts across the state, school districts have failed to include Wabanaki Studies consistently and appropriately in their curriculum and that the law is not being meaningfully enforced.
Panel on Wabanaki Studies Law Set for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
An online panel discussion set for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 10, will explore the implementation of the 2001 Wabanaki Studies Law and include discussion of a new report examining the law’s effectiveness. The event is hosted by the Abbe Museum, ACLU of Maine, Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission and Wabanaki Alliance.
Recent Tribal Elections and Appointments
The Passamaquoddy Tribes and Penobscot Nation have elected new leaders and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has appointed the Tribe’s first Tribal Ambassador.
2022 Candidate Endorsements and Legislative Scorecard
The Wabanaki Alliance today announced their endorsements of candidates for the Maine Legislature and their legislative scorecard for the 130th Maine Legislature. They also announced their decision not to endorse a candidate for Governor of Maine.
Join the Wabanaki Alliance staff!
The Wabanaki Alliance is hiring a Voter Engagement Coordinator and a Digital Content Manager. Learn more about the positions and how to join the Wabanaki Alliance staff!
Wabanaki Nations’ Statement on LD 1626
Leaders of the Wabanaki Nations offered a statement regarding the Maine Legislature’s work on restoring tribal sovereignty. Read that statement and learn more about the issue.
LD 1626 passes House and Senate and awaits final action
LD 1626 would restore tribal self-governance to the Wabanaki tribes in Maine. Learn more about the bill and find out how you can support it!
Support LD 906: Clean water for Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik
UPDATED 4/21: LD 906 has been signed into law! The legislation that will finally bring clean drinking water to the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik after a 40-year struggle to address contamination in the water supply from the Passamaquoddy Water District.
Sipayik Citizens Rally in Support of Clean Drinking Water
Hundreds of Sipayik citizens and allies rallied at the Maine State House in support of LD 906 and clean drinking water and called on Gov. Mills to drop her opposition to the bill.
LD 1626: Submit testimony at the public hearing
Legislators will hold a public hearing at 9 am Tuesday, Feb. 15 on LD 1626, and they need to hear from you! Read more to learn how to submit testimony and testify at the hearing.
Wabanaki Alliance Hires First Full-Time Executive Director
The Wabanaki Alliance has hired John Dieffenbacher-Krall, a veteran community organizer and longtime advocate for the Wabanaki tribes in Maine, as its first executive director.
Wabanaki Alliance Executive Director speaks at Jan. 6 vigil
Many people who watched the events unfold in the nation’s capital on January 6, 2021 were shocked as some Americans attempted to block the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another. Wabanaki citizens were repulsed by the acts of violence and the attempt to thwart the will of 81 million voters.
Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission Seeks New Chairperson
The Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission is recruiting people to be considered for the position of Chair. Learn more about the position and how to apply.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day rally calls for systemic change
Tribal and legislative leaders held a press conference at the State House for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Virtual Rally for Wabanaki rights.
Guest editorial: Without self-government, Indigenous Peoples Day does not honor Maine’s Wabanaki tribes
In this guest editorial in the Bangor Daily News on Oct. 8, 2021, Chief Clarissa Sabattis of the Houlton Band of Maliseets and Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation share why passing LD 1626 is the only way to truly honor Wabanaki tribes.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Virtual Rally for Wabanaki Rights
Join the Wabanaki Alliance and partners for the Rally for Wabanaki Rights: A Virtual Rally for Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 11! more>>
LD 1626: Frequently asked questions
What is LD 1626? Why do tribes in Maine support it? Why should I ask my legislators to pass it? We answer these and other questions in our LD 1626 FAQ.