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Maulian Bryant is a Penobscot Nation tribal citizen and executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance.
What a busy month it has been for those of us walking the long road toward justice in Maine. Legislative hearings on two priority sovereignty bills have recently concluded, and as we await the final votes, the air feels different. While the bills currently on the table have been amended from their original form — now featuring a new tribal representative for the Mi’kmaq Nation, increased tax provisions, and a task force created to study restoring access to beneficial federal laws from which the Wabanaki have been essentially blocked for 46 years.
For decades, the Wabanaki Nations have navigated unique legal barriers. We have seen progress stalled by vetoes and bogged down in the technicalities of the 1980 Settlement Act. But this year, we stand with a renewed sense of determination for our self-determination. We are looking to the future with genuine optimism.
This optimism was on full display last month in the Wolastoqey lands where the Wabanaki Alliance hosted a historic gubernatorial forum. It was a profound milestone. For the first time, those seeking the highest office in the state came directly to our community to answer to Wabanaki citizens.
During the forum, hosted by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the energy in the room was electric. Candidates were asked a fundamental question: If a sovereignty bill reached their desk as governor, would they sign it? The response from the eight candidates in attendance — including Democrats Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Hannah Pingree, Nirav Shah, and Angus King III and independents John Glowa and Derek LeVassuer — was a resounding “yes.”
Our work, however, is not confined to the governor’s office. Throughout this year, the Wabanaki Alliance will continue to host forums to ensure that every level of government understands our vision. Our next event is scheduled for April 16, hosted by the Penobscot Nation, focusing on the U.S. Senate race.
Why does a federal race matter so much to a tribal community in Maine? Because we know that we need partners in Congress to ensure the Wabanaki Nations have access to the federal laws that benefit more than 570 other tribes across the country. Currently, because of the 1980 Act, the Wabanaki are often excluded from federal legislation unless we are explicitly named. This isn’t just a “tribal issue” — it is an economic issue for all of Maine.
When Wabanaki Nations thrive, Maine thrives. We see this clearly in Houlton, where the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians has worked closely with the town to create economic development that benefits the entire region. From health care services to infrastructure, the success of the tribe is woven into the success of the rural community that surrounds it. By unlocking the full potential of tribal sovereignty, we aren’t just helping our own people; we are bringing resources and opportunities to some of the most underserved parts of our state.
The support from our coalition partners and allies along with the turnout in Houlton prove that our voices are growing stronger and our supporters are growing more numerous.
We look to the future not with the weariness of the past, but optimism for the future. We are ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with Maine. The question is no longer if sovereignty will be recognized, but when. And based on what we saw recently, that “when” feels closer than ever.
