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Donna Loring is a Penobscot Nation Tribal Elder. She formerly served as a Penobscot Nation tribal representative to the Maine Legislature and advisor to Gov. Angus King and Gov. Janet Mills.
In recent years, many institutions have embraced Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a framework for addressing historical and systemic inequities. These efforts can foster meaningful dialogue and create space for underrepresented voices. They have value. But for tribal nations, and especially for the Wabanaki, DEI should not be confused with sovereignty.
Sovereignty is something far older and more fundamental than inclusion within existing systems. It is the inherent right of a people to govern themselves, to protect their lands and cultures, and to make decisions based on their own values and priorities. For tribal nations, sovereignty is not something we ask for — it is something we have always had, even when it has not been respected.
In my earlier work, including articles on tribal-state relations, I emphasize that tribal nations have a government-to-government relationship with the federal government, not a subordinate relationship. That relationship is the foundation of tribal sovereignty, and it’s distinct from efforts aimed at increasing representation or diversity within state structures. DEI, while important, does not and cannot replace that foundation.
The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, along with the Maine Implementing Act, put the Wabanaki Tribes in a unique and challenging legal position. Unlike other federally recognized tribes, we are not fully covered by federal Indian law. Instead, we are bound by state law in ways that limit our ability to exercise true self-governance. That is the central issue — not a lack of inclusion, but a restriction of rights.
DEI efforts can create opportunities for more Indigenous voices to be heard within institutions, and that’s a good thing. But if those institutions still hold all the power — if they are still the ones making decisions about our lands, our waters, our children — then inclusion becomes symbolic rather than substantive. Sovereignty means shifting that power, not just sharing it.
Historically, Maine’s approach to tribal relations has reflected a paternalistic mindset. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the state appointed Indian Agents to oversee our affairs, making decisions about our communities without our full participation. These practices treated us not as partners, but as wards of the state. That legacy has not been fully dismantled, and we see its effects today in the legal and political challenges that still limit our tribal authority.
I say this not to criticize DEI initiatives, but to highlight their limitations. They can play a valuable role in fostering understanding and promoting respect. But they cannot take the place of what we truly need: the full recognition of Wabanaki sovereignty.
For us, sovereignty is about more than politics — it is about survival, dignity, and continuity. It is about protecting the Penobscot River, which is central to who we are. It is about ensuring our children grow up with their language, history, and traditions intact. It is about making our own decisions, in our own way, for the benefit of our people and future generations.
When I served in the Maine Legislature, I worked hard to advance bills that would restore our jurisdiction and affirm our inherent rights. That work was not about asking for inclusion, it was about asserting our existence and our place as sovereign nations. It was about honoring the responsibilities that come with self-determination.
To those involved in DEI work: I appreciate the efforts being made. They matter. They open doors and start conversations. But I encourage you to consider the deeper work of structural change. Recognizing tribal sovereignty means moving beyond symbolic gestures. It means respecting the government-to-government relationship that exists between tribal nations and the federal government and acknowledging that state law should not be used to limit that relationship.
True partnership requires listening, learning, and a willingness to make space — not just for our voices, but for our governance, our laws, and our ways of being. Sovereignty is not an obstacle to progress, it is a path to justice and balance.
If we can move forward with that understanding, then we can build a future where DEI and sovereignty each have their place, working in harmony — not in confusion — with one another.
