ASSOCIATED PRESS • March 16, 2023
Tribal leaders in Maine, who have long sparred with state leaders over the issue of sovereignty for Native American tribes, used their first address to the Maine Legislature in 21 years to call for greater autonomy. The tribes hope to alter the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980. All five tribal speakers said the tribes need more autonomy from state government. On Thursday, Gov. Janet Mills invited the tribal chiefs to meet with her “to continue the communication, collaboration, and compromise that formed the basis for progress in previous legislative sessions.”