THE COUNTY • March 20, 2026
Gubernatorial candidates attending the first ever Wabanaki forum on Thursday in Houlton each said they support tribal sovereignty. About 150 people attended the over-two-hour session that explored candidate views on issues related to restoring access to federal laws for tribes, teaching Wabanaki studies in Maine schools, eminent domain over tribal lands, and sovereignty. During the question and answer forum, hosted by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, Democratic and independent candidates agreed that tribal sovereignty is long overdue and already should have happened. Maine is the only state that does not recognize the tribes as sovereign nations. As a result, the tribes do not receive the federal money and benefits that the other 570 nations in other states receive.