Judd Esty-Kendall's talk at the 2023 Common Ground Fair revolves around the themes discussed in MITSC’s special report, SEA RUN, particularly focusing on the detrimental effects of colonial and modern policies on the quantity and quality of tribal fish stocks, sustenance fishing, and lifeways practices. He highlights the severe decline in fish populations due to dams, pollution, and overfishing, contrasting past abundant fish stocks with the current endangered status of many species. He also discusses efforts to restore fish populations, such as dam removals and improved fish passageways.
ViewMITSC regulates fishing on certain waters within and bordering Indian territory under the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980. You can find our current fishing rules here. We are in the process of updating them, so please check back for updates.
MITSC has recently completed and published a new special report, Sea Run, which addresses the impact of Maine policies and activity on the quality and quantity of traditional tribal fish stocks and sustenance lifeways practices, spanning from the time of first contact between Europeans and the Wabanaki Nations to the present day. This report provides a broad overview of actions and inactions by the State of Maine, whether those actions/inactions were based on express policy, informal policy, or on decisions simply not to have any policy at all. The report includes specific recommendations for implementation that are intended to promote discussion and cooperative action.
MITSC issues research reports and participates in collaborative Tribal-State Task Force efforts recommending mutually beneficial solutions to Settlement-related conflicts.
Track the implementation of the Maine Tribal-StateCollaboration Act.
Provide Wabanaki-focused cultural competency training to enhance tribal-state working relationships.
Create and maintain a comprehensive online library of resources concerning the Settlement Act.
Produce Tributaries — narrative journalism about the Wabanaki peoples, their history, and their concerns.
Support the implementation of the Wabanaki Studies Law of 2001.
Develop fishing rules that strike a balance between fisheries conservation and tribal sustenance rights.
Publish SEA RUN to inform about the impact of historical Maine policies on tribal fisheries and provide remedial recommendations.
Monitor environmental situations posing potential harm to Wabanaki lands and populations.
Promote Wabanaki inclusion in State land decision-making.
Multiply opportunities for Wabanaki culture and language to be preserved and shared.
Ensure proper repatriation of Wabanaki lands, remains, funerary objects, and items of cultural heritage.
Research and analyze the 151 federal laws beneficial to tribes and tribal citizens that have been passed since the enactment of the 1980 Settlement Act to determine which of them may affect or preempt the application of State of Maine laws to tribal lands.
Gather Wabanaki people together to share successes and barriers to doing business in Maine and develop strategies for future business development.
Monitor the outcome of the Wabanaki nations' foray into sports betting and make recommendations for operational improvements, if necessary.
Over the past few years PFAS have emerged as a growing contaminant of concern for the food supply in Maine as testing has revealed levels of contamination where land was spread with sludge containing PFAS (in most cases, decades ago).
More About Tribal-State Environmental IssuesIn 2001 the Wabanaki Studies Law (often referred to as LD 291) was enacted, requiring that Wabanaki Studies be taught in Maine public schools. Penobscot Rep. Donna Loring was the primary legislative sponsor, with Passamaquoddy Rep. Donald Soctomah as a co-sponsor.. MITSC was centrally involved in the creation and implementation of LD 291.
Learn more about Wabanaki Studies
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (often referred to as UNDRIP) was adopted by the United Nations on September 13th, 2007. The Declaration is a comprehensive statement addressing the human rights of indigenous peoples. The document includes 46 Articles that address the rights of indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures, and natural environments, and to pursue self-determined development, in keeping with their own needs and aspirations.
Read Our Brief History of UNDRIPA new documentary from Sunlight Media Collective about Penobscot Nation’s intrinsic kinship connection to the Penobscot River.
Tributaries is MITSC's newsletter where you can stay current on Tribal-State relations, legal developments, resources, and stories from our communities.
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