AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Members of a task force that proposed recommendations about tribal sovereignty in Maine said they were surprised when Gov. Janet Mills criticized the proposal.
Mills, a Democrat, has said she’s concerned about the “sweeping nature” of the proposal. The proposal’s intended to restore sovereignty to four federally recognized tribes in Maine.
Task force members said they didn’t know how she felt about the proposal until last week despite working with her administration for months, the Bangor Daily News reported. Mills has voiced concerns about issues such as what the changes would mean for local governments and how federal laws would apply to tribal lands.
The task force has issued 22 recommendations that would mean major changes to state laws. Passamaquoddy Vice Chief Maggie Dana told the Bangor Daily News that Mills’ reaction to the proposal was like a “punch in the gut.”
The Mills administration has tried to prioritize improving Maine’s relations with indigenous groups. That has led to changes such as the adoption of Indigenous People’s Day in the state.
A spokesperson for Mills issued a statement that said the administration followed proceedings and is going to try to work through some of the governor’s concerns with the task force group.
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