Bill > LD813

This bill establishes a comprehensive process for state recognition of Native American Indian tribes in Maine, creating the Maine Commission on Native American Indian Affairs, a 5-member expert panel appointed by the Governor. The commission will review and make recommendations on tribal recognition applications, focusing on verifying the historical, cultural, and genealogical credentials of applicant tribes. Applicants must demonstrate a significant kinship group with ties to Maine's indigenous populations, an organized community structure, ongoing cultural preservation efforts, and no prior recognition by other states. The bill requires a rigorous application process including public hearings, review by a specialized panel of academic experts, and detailed documentation of tribal heritage. While state recognition can be granted by legislative approval or legislative inaction, the bill explicitly states that recognized tribes remain subject to state laws and that recognition does not confer rights to land claims or gambling activities. The commission is also tasked with facilitating communication between recognized tribes and state agencies to help tribes access technical assistance, grant funding, and resources related to social services, education, employment, healthcare, and cultural development.

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https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=813&snum=132