"Governor Mills Pays Tribute to Indigenous Peoples on Their Special Day"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Maine.gov
Governor Janet Mills of Maine issued a statement honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day and highlighting the historic progress made with the Wabanaki Nations during her administration. This progress includes establishing Indigenous Peoples' Day, signing significant tribal legislation, extending rights to the Mi'kmaq Nation, enshrining the Indian Child Welfare Act into state law, and providing more time for tribal nations to acquire land in trust. Other achievements include strengthening water quality standards for sustenance fishing, expanding tribal jurisdiction in domestic violence cases, returning culturally important land, and improving access to clean drinking water for the Passamaquoddy Tribe. Governor Mills has also increased tribal representation, prohibited Native American mascots in public schools, established commissions for racial and tribal populations, and granted a posthumous pardon for a deceased advocate for the Passamaquoddy Tribe.