On Dec. 16, U.S. District Court Judge George Singal ruled that the Penobscot Nation does not include the waters of their river.
As a citizen of Maine, I believe this ruling to be an egregious, disrespectful continuation of the assault on indigenous sovereignty that began with white settlers hundreds of years ago. The heritage and culture of the native peoples of Maine need protection and respect, not continued assault and limitations.
The Penobscot people are the best stewards for the river’s health, ensuring that it can be enjoyed for generations. While the ruling says the Penobscot have permission to fish in their river, allowing fishing rights while taking away sovereignty of river management denies the connection between maintaining a healthy river ecosystem and having fish available to harvest.
As Mark Chavaree, Penobscot Nation’s former staff attorney, explained: “We live within the river. It was our highway, it was our grocery store, it provided for all of our needs. If we don’t have the authority, if it’s taken away from us, then obviously we lose the ability to protect our communities, protect our people, and ultimately our unique culture. And before you know it, we are no longer Penobscot.”
The state of Maine needs to change its ruling that the Penobscot Nation does not include its ancestral waterways – to not break the 1831 Supreme Court decision that Native American tribes retain all their sovereign powers; and the 1988 Maine recognition of the Penobscot River as reservation waters.
Mainers, it’s up to us to demand Penobscot sovereignty of their river. Many of us live in the places we do because of forcible taking of indigenous territory committed by those before us. Now, we can choose to not repeat history – or support legalized cultural destruction with our silence.
Rocky Coastlines
Whitefield
Send questions/comments to the editors.
