Maine tribal leaders deliver State of the Tribes address at State House

AUGUSTA (WGME) -- State lawmakers and leaders of Maine’s five Wabanaki tribes gathered at the State House Thursday.

Five tribal leaders spoke at what is only the second State of the Tribes address in Maine's history.

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The first happened in 2002.

The chiefs promised to continue to work with state leaders and called for expanded sovereignty rights.

"We are not like some corporate entity that will shut down and move out of state when there's no more profits to be made. We have forever been here, and we will forever remain here,” Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said. "We want to work with our neighbors and with you to find ways to make all of Maine prosper."

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The chiefs also showed support for a bill that would strengthen Maine's 2001 law requiring Wabanaki history be taught in Maine schools.