To the editor:
In 2019, state Sen. Mike Carpenter led a bipartisan task force with members representing the state of Maine and the Wabanaki tribes. They came up with 22 recommendations to improve relations between the state and the tribes.
In January, the Maine Legislature will have the opportunity to act on those recommendations by passing LD 1626, “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Implementing Act.”
This new agreement would give our Maliseet neighbors, as well as the Penobscot Nation, Micmac Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe, rights and access to resources equal to the other 570 federally recognized tribes across the United States. I believe that this is only fair and would also benefit our entire community.
I urge readers to contact our legislators and Gov. Janet Mills and ask them to support LD 1626.
Mary Beth DiMarco
Houlton
