Town supports Maliseet effort to self govern

By Ben Austin
Staff Writer
    LITTLETON – The Houlton Band of Maliseets announced last week that they are one big step closer to completing their goal of complete autonomy for their tribe.
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
    Maliseet Chief Brenda Commander shows her excitement about the town of Houlton’s support during a press conference in Littleton Friday.  The Maliseet tribe now must take their case back to the Maine State Legislature next year to once again have their autonomy to be made official. The tribe is also contemplating a name change in the near future.
    The announcement came last week after the town of Houlton decided to back the Maliseets in their quest for self-government. Originally Houlton, along with Littleton and Caribou, opposed the Maliseets wishes to become self-governing.
    "If they want a more independent government structure then they should have that. It should be a clean break,” explained Houlton Town Manager Doug Hazlett.
    The town’s original decision not to support autonomy for the Maliseets came because of the wording of LD 2221, a very confusing bill within the state legislature that would only partly separate the tribe and the town, causing a messy hybrid system between the town and the tribe.
    “[LD 2221] was very badly crafted, it would have created a quasi-independence of the tribe. Basically it would continue Houlton involved in some things that they do, but not all, and that just would have been a quagmire,” explained Hazlett.
    The letter from the town states that, if indeed the band does receive autonomy, the town of Houlton will claim no authority over the tribe or its land. The town will also refrain from providing municipal services on the tribe's territory, unless the band agreed to receive these services through a contract.
    Chief Brenda Commander was very happy with the town's change of heart, as she feels her tribe is on its way, and still working toward, being able to sustain and grow living by its own laws. The primary goals of the tribe are to have the ability for their tribal council as their governing body, create their own hunting and fishing laws, as well as their own zoning laws. Even with the town's support of the tribe’s independence no direct action will take place anytime soon.
    "We're tied to our land. We're going to be here forever, our future generations will continue on where we may leave off, and we'll continue to grow,” explained Commander.
    The Maliseet tribe has been looking to organize itself enough to gain some independence from federal laws for nearly 30 years, when the first legislation of this kind appeared. At the time, the Maliseets did not have nearly the same infrastructure and were unable to work together on such a large project, according to Commander. The tribe did, however, make an effort for autonomy throughout the last few years and was not supported by the town, due to the wording of the legislation, which slowed down their pace for self-government.
    Chief Commander, along with the Maliseet tribe leaders, stresses the fact that they are not looking for complete separation from the towns of Houlton or Littleton.
    "We want to work with our neighbors. We get along with them very fine. We try to help them when we can, economically, and I'm sure they appreciate everything we've done," explained tribal council leader Linda Raymond.
    The letter of approval from the town of Houlton seems to have come a little later than some of the tribe members had hoped. Because of the timing, the tribe will need to wait until the next state legislative session in order to get state recognition and have their issue taken up once again.
    "I thank the town for coming around. I do wish it was sooner, before the legislation ended. It's kind of like a day late and a dollar short," stated Raymond.
    The next action for the tribe itself is to draft a constitution. The tribe has worked with a professor at UCLA, and will be working with the professor and law students at UCLA to draft their new proposed constitution.
    "I don't think we're asking for anymore than just the autonomy of government, rule over our own people and give them all the services we can. I think it's been great of Houlton to come around," summed up Raymond.