Wabanaki Alliance Legislative Testimony
In Support of LD 785: Recognizing Wabanaki Sovereignty
From testimony submitted February 19, 2026 by Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in support of LD 785, An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act
The task force recommendations referenced here are the result of nearly a half a year of intensive and collaborative work between tribal and state leaders that was rooted in respect, education, transparency and the hope for a new beginning. There has been great work done to advance some of these matters in the years since the consensus recommendations were released and turned into legislation. We have successfully advanced some of these matters and we want to continue to work in good faith. The remaining issues of jurisdictional control, stewardship of land and natural resources, and tribal self-determination are priorities for the Wabanaki Alliance. This bill would recognize our inherent tribal sovereignty rights and for our tribal governments and people to be able to operate in ways led by tribal policy and process, not under the state.
In Support of LD 785: Recognizing Tribal Sovereignty
From testimony submitted February 19, 2026 by Sage Phillips, Penobscot Nation citizen, communications and community engagement coordinator for the Wabanaki Alliance and co-leader of the Wabanaki Youth Policy Initiative, in support of LD 785, An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act.
Our people are excluded from the other 570 federally recognized tribes who have inherent self-governance and sovereignty. It is clear that per the 22 consensus recommendations put forward by the Task Force, the Wabanaki Nations deserve to make their own decisions that are not supervised under the state’s control. Our young Wabanaki people deserve to live in a world where their sovereignty is not questioned and their rights to self-governance do not waiver. Even as youth we understand that we must use our voices to take action that will benefit the future generations to follow in our footsteps,
just as our ancestors have done. We ask that you respectfully join us by supporting LD 785.
In Support of LD 395: Extending Federal Laws to Wabanaki Nations
From testimony submitted February 19, 2026 by Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in support of LD 395, An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations.
Today, I stand here with the support of over 335 businesses and organizations who believe in sovereignty. We have had such tremendous allies and progress. This bill for access to federal laws beneficial to Wabanaki Nations corrects an inequity in the Settlement Act from 1980. This bill is about fairness. Since 1980 there have been roughly 150 laws that have provisions for the benefit of federally recognized tribes. The blocking of Wabanaki tribes within Maine from accessing beneficial federal acts has cast a long shadow of inequity. Federal recognition was achieved by the Wabanaki Nations and we seek the same rights as the other 570 federally recognized tribes.
In Support of LD 395: Extending Federal Laws to Wabanaki Nations
From testimony submitted February 19, 2026 by Sage Phillips, Penobscot Nation citizen, communications and community engagement coordinator for the Wabanaki Alliance and co-leader of the Wabanaki Youth Policy Initiative, in support of LD 395, An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations.
Today, I stand alongside a group of youth who should not be advocating for change to the Settlement Act this many years later. We say kci woliwoni (many thanks) to the tribal leaders, advocates, partners, and state leaders who have worked tirelessly to make this change happen ahead of our time. In our communities we center our actions on providing a better future for the next seven generations and beyond and it is now our turn to step up and do so. As such I would like to urge the committee to do the same by respectfully supporting LD 395.
In Support of LD 2070: Blocking Landfill Expansions on Wetlands
From testimony submitted February 11, 2026 by Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in support of LD 2070: An Act to Prohibit Landfill Expansion into Wetlands.
The Wabanaki Alliance is supportive of the Penobscot Nation and the many organizations in their objections to the proposed expansion of the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town. This state-owned landfill has been the topic of many pieces of legislation in this committee and part of the constant discourse is the efforts of the Penobscot Nation who seek to protect the health and welfare of the people, the air, the waters, and wildlife in tribal territory (both currently recognized territory and historic). The landfill is a clear and present example of environmental injustice; it sits adjacent to Penobscot Nation’s primary community, filling the air and water with pollution and toxicity. Before any expansion is deliberated there should be adequate consultation with and consideration for the Penobscot Nation.
Photo credit: Sunlight Media Collective
In Support of LD 2070: Blocking Landfill Expansions on Wetlands
From testimony submitted February 11, 2026 by Sage Phillips, communications and community engagement coordinator for the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in support of LD 2070, An Act to Prohibit Landfill Expansion into Wetlands
As a young tribal citizen I have been raised to understand that our sacred Penobscot River is what gives our people life–it is through the sustenance that the river has graciously provided us with that we remain here today… The Penobscot River sits adjacent to the Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town on the homelands of the Penobscot Nation. As it currently stands, the landfill already poses threats to the wellbeing of our tribal citizens and surrounding communities through its pollution to the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the land in which our sustenance for life grows. LD 2070 would be a step forward to ensure that the landfill expansion proposal does not succeed at the cost of the health, well-being, and future of the Penobscot Nation.
Photo Credit: Jan Herbert
In Support of LD 958: Protect Wabanaki Land from Eminent Domain
From testimony submitted April 4, 2025 by Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in support of LD 958, “An Act to Prohibit Eminent Domain on Tribal Lands.”
Federal law protects most tribal nations from state-level eminent domain, but the 1980 Settlement Acts have resulted in the Wabanaki Nations in Maine being unfairly excluded from these federal protections. History shows the harm of eminent domain on Wabanaki lands. Maine Route 190, which cuts through the heart of the Passamaquoddy Reservation at Sipayik, was taken by eminent domain in 1925—a decision made without tribal input. LD 958 would ensure that no such action happens again without tribal consultation. This bill encourages collaboration, not conflict. If a project could truly benefit the public, the state, and the tribes, the state should work with tribal leaders to find a solution. This legislation is a protective measure to guarantee consultation and mutual agreement before any action is taken on tribal lands. It ensures the tribes have a voice.
In Opposition of LD 812 and LD 813: Efforts to Undermine Tribal Recognition Process
From testimony submitted March 12, 2025 by Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in opposition of LD 812, An Act to Provide State Recognition of the Kineo St. John Tribe, and LD 813, An Act Regarding State Recognition of Native American Tribes.
The Wabanaki Alliance is opposed to these bills and we ask this committee to stand with the Wabanaki Nations who are federally recognized. These attempt to bypass the federal recognition process. Wabanaki Tribes have all met the standard at the federal level and we believe this legislation could set a precedent that may lead to groups becoming tribes in ways that undermine the status of the existing federally recognized tribes. These bills would cause further confusion and set back notjust the progress we have made, but also, the great strides we have made in healing our relationship with the state government.
In support of LD 14: Access to State Parks
From testimony submitted March 11, 2025 by Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance and citizen of the Penobscot Nation, in opposition of LD 14, An Act to Provide Indigenous Peoples Free Access to State Parks.
LD 14 represents an aspect of the growing movement to recognize the Wabanaki relationship to the land and for governments and institutions to take steps to restore Wabanaki access and stewardship to our traditional territory. By removing the cost to access some of these lands we can help ensure that all Indigenous people can work towards restoring their connection and empowering their journey.
In Support of LD 247: Recommendations for Changing Place Names
From testimony submitted February 12, 2025 by Osihkiyol Crofton-Macdonald, President, Wabanaki Alliance and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Ambassador, in support of LD 247, An Act Regarding Recommendations for Changing Place Names. (Note: LD 247 was withdrawn by the sponsor. Read more here.)
In my time working for my nation, I have had a few examples of Wabanaki and Maine citizens wishing they had a say in changing problematic place names here in the state. There is a movement in the state now devoted to removing place names which memorialize slave owners, or place names built upon the oppression of marginalized peoples in other ways. It would be helpful to provide these citizens necessary support and resources. Yet there is a noticeable lack of policy here in the state to help these citizens. This bill creates helpful policy which is long overdue.