To the editor:
This is in response to a letter to the editor in the Bangor Daily News, dated May 6, 2008 by Marilyn Carlton, and to provide some facts regarding the most recent Micmac Tribal Election, and its outcome. To begin with, Ms. Carlton is incorrect when she stated that the Aroostook Band of Micmacs withdrew from the MITSC and talks regarding the proposed LD 2221 “because of the tribes internal governing instability.” The truth of the matter is that the Tribes’ leadership decided that it would not be in the best interest of the tribe to kowtow to the state because it feels that the state is not interested in helping or working collaboratively with Maine’s First Peoples.
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs never agreed to cede its’ Sovereignty over to the State of Maine, and said as much in 1991 by refusing to ratify/certify the Maine Implementing Act which would have placed the tribe under the jurisdiction of the state of Maine. The federal act stated that the Maine Micmac Settlement Act would only become effective if ratified or certified (by the Tribe) within the 60 day period that the Legislature was in session; … it never happened.
The second factual error that Ms. Carlton espouses is that of a “record number of voters.” To begin with, the Tribe has 1,100 members, 600-700 are eligible voters. We do not feel that 150-180 voters constitutes a “record number” or a majority of voters, as she is so wont to bellow.
Thirdly, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs has chosen a Democratic participatory form of government, and is governed by a set of bylaws. Within the bylaws is a section dealing with Elections, and how to deal with challenges to the election. It states that if there is a challenge to an election, an Elders Council (consisting of any elder 55 years or older) volunteers to hear any challenges to said election within 96 hours of an election. The challenges are presented, weighed and an outcome is rendered as to the validity of the challenges.
In the election she refers to, there were votes cast by non-Micmac people in violation of the Tribes bylaws, so the election was declared invalid. There is no dispute that Ms. Carlton received a good number of votes, but the decision to nullify was based on the mechanics of the election. Lastly, the Tribe’s attorney does not have influence over one group or another within the tribe, he remains objective and neutral, and only gives opinion on interpretations of Tribal/U.S. Government issues. Furthermore, the BIA also remains neutral and objective, and agreed with the current administration that the election was invalid and that the Elders Council acted in accordance with the tribes bylaws in deciding on the challenges to the election. What Ms. Carlton is proposing is rule by the mob and anarchy, and the tribe rejects this Paleolithic form of self-governance.
Finally, there has been a plethora of gossip, rumor and speculation about the tribes “internal instability,” and we find this ironic when compared to say, the stepping down of Alphonso Jackson, director of HUD under allegations of financial impropriety, or the sudden departure of Assistant Secretary of the BIA, Carl Artman after being grilled by the Chair of the Indian Affairs Committee – Sen. Byron Dorgan, about why it is taking so long to place Indian properties into trust status with the D.O.I. One can also attend any city or town council meeting in Maine and witness just as much “instability” or disputes, so why, when it occurs within Indian Tribes is it suddenly spectacular news?
president Native American Church of Maine
Monticello
