New legislation would allow Maine tribes to benefit from federal laws

New legislation in Augusta would allow Maine tribes to benefit from federal laws.

Supporters claim it’s “righting a wrong” for Maine’s Native Americans.

Backers of the bill say Maine’s tribes are the only federally recognized tribes that are routinely denied the benefits of federal laws that help other tribes across the country prosper, including the right to open a casino without state permission.

Maine’s tribes actually gave up that right under the terms of the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, which paid the tribes more than $80 million, but this bill would restore access to more than 150 federal laws.