Maine Intertribal Group applies for State Recognition
A Maine group, which identifies itself as the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine has applied for state recognition.
The group, headed by Faith Little Dove and Bob Silver Eagle Brawn of Limerick, Maine are pictured below:
The Bill LD 115 reads as follows:
An Act To Recognize the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 30 MRSA c. 605 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 605
METIS EASTERN TRIBAL INDIAN SOCIETY OF MAINE RECOGNITION ACT
§ 8101. Short title
This chapter may be known and cited as “the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine Recognition Act.”
§ 8102. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. Laws of the State. "Laws of the State" means the Constitution of Maine and all laws and rules of the State and its political subdivisions and judicial interpretations thereof.
2. Metis. "Metis" means a person who:
A. Is of Metis Nation ancestry;
B. Self-identifies as Metis; and
C. Is a member of the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine.
3. Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine. "Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine" means the membership society of Metis people in this State.
4. Metis Nation. "Metis Nation" means the people who are:
A. Included within the definition of "aboriginal peoples of Canada" within section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 of Canada; and see Act below-reference
B. Descended from the historic aboriginal people then known as Metis who resided in the area of North America known as the historic Metis Nation homeland and used and occupied as the traditional territory of the Metis.
§ 8103. Recognition
The State recognizes the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine as a distinct aboriginal group.
§ 8104. Laws of the State
Nothing in this Act alters the application of the laws of the State to any person or entity or extends to any person or entity a legal status that augments or diminishes the person’s or entity’s rights, powers, privileges or immunities under the laws of the State. The Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine, Metis people and all property held by or for the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine or any Metis person are subject to the laws of the State and to the civil and criminal jurisdiction of the courts of the State to the same extent as any other person, entity or property.
summary
This bill extends state recognition to the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine as a distinct aboriginal group. This bill does not alter the application of the laws of the State to the Metis Eastern Tribal Indian Society of Maine or Metis people.
Constitution Acts of Canada 1867-1982 (reference)
LD 115 Summary - pdf file - download or open
The last action taken on LD115 was on March 6, 2007 when a vote was taken. The recommendation was ONTP (OUGHT NOT TO PASS).
Session - March 6, 2007
Metis of Maine Home Page
Maine is home to the recognized tribal nations of the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Micmac and Maliseet. At a time when these nations are fighting to establish a livable economy for their people, it muddies the waters for groups to attempt to give an image of being a recognized tribal nation and most non-natives do not understand the meaning of a sovereign nation and all its inherent rights, most of which remain to this very day, denied by the US Government in the form of the BIA.
People are often misled into believing that society groups are the real deal, when in fact, they are not and it only furthers the plan of genocide of the American Indian and First Nations People.
I have been asked and also told that this group will receive recognition as a tribal nation. For those who I have tried to explain that very strict criteria must apply for any state or federal recognition, there is disbelief or the mistaken assumption that I personally want to see this fail. At a time, when we have greed overunning some tribal nations in rejecting tribal members such as the Freedmen Cherokee as a most recent example, men and women who have been members of the Cherokee Nation for hundreds of years, the last thing we need to encourage is a mistaken belief that a society or intertribal social group is a recognized nation.
In this part of the country, all we have to do is look to Vermont and the long battle the Abenaki have endured to win back the recognition they deserve - in Massachusetts, the Mashpee Wampanoag have finally won their long battle to be recognized. These nations have had more than enough proof of their existence, but attempts to destroy these nations has failed and that is something to celebrate.
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March 2007 Reports
Last updated on March 06, 2007