AUGUSTA, Maine — A new report details the potential economic impacts of granting Maine’s four tribal nations full sovereignty.
The report by the Maine Center for Economic Policy projects a $330 million a year boost to the state economy if tribes are fully recognized by the state and federal governments.
The projection includes the creation of 2,700 new jobs and an additional $51 million per year in state and local tax revenues, according to the left-leaning center based in Augusta.
Garrett Martin, president and CEO of the policy center, said that, in addition to the economics, there are other considerations as well.
“There’s also just a historic legacy of the state not honoring its commitments to the tribes so there’s a moral obligation to engage that in terms of setting a fair and just future for all Maine people,” Martin said.
For years, Maine’s four tribes — the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and Mi’mkaq Nation — have lobbied state and federal lawmakers for sovereignty. Out of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S., the Wabanaki Tribes are the only ones not fully recognized.
The report calls for the Maine state government to “give up some of its power” to recognize the tribes and return land seized generations ago.
“Maine should also look at ways to make amends for past bad behavior, as other states have done,” the report states. “This could include transferring existing public lands to the Wabanaki Nations’ ownership, adopting co-stewardship models, or providing monetary reparations.”
Neither the Wabanaki Alliance nor the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission offered comments on the report Tuesday.
While there is bipartisan support in the Legislature for sovereignty, Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat whose term ends in January 2027, has said she prefers to address tribal issues on a case-by-case basis.
Part of those efforts include giving the tribes the power to offer online sports gambling in Maine, expanding tribal jurisdiction in domestic violence cases and returning a parcel of land in Meddybemps to the Passamaquoddy, according to the governor’s office.
Looking forward, Martin hopes the report helps answer questions some may have about sovereignty and continue to build momentum among state and federal lawmakers.
In 2026, Maine voters will choose a new governor, decide all 186 legislative races, elect two members of Congress and a U.S. senator.
“I think there’s a focus on making sure in the context of next year’s elections that all the candidates understand these issues and hopefully are in a better place when it comes to taking action in a place that reflects true partnership with the tribal communities,” Martin said.
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