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Tribe to sever ties with state17 April 2008MAINE -- As reported by the Bangor Daily News: "The governor's veto of the bill to allow the Penobscot Nation to operate slot machines at its Indian Island high-stakes beano facility and the Legislature's failure to overturn that decision was 'the last nail in the coffin' for tribal officials. Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis said Wednesday that he's ready to dissolve the Penobscots' relationship with the state in order to move forward in the tribe's best interest. "'This relationship's brought nothing but disappointment,' Francis said. 'We're going to go through our tribal process and legislate our own future. I'm not going to spend any more time in Augusta talking about these issues to an administration that quite frankly just doesn't care.' "Francis is attending a conference in Texas, but said by phone Wednesday that he and the Penobscot Tribal Council and other leaders will review the tribe's position when he returns. The Penobscots are considered a sovereign nation that has control over its internal tribal matters. "LD 701 would have allowed the Penobscot Nation to operate 100 slot machines at its Indian Island beano operation during beano events. "...'I'm not shocked that he vetoed the bill. I'm just shocked with the kind of dirty pool that happens after that to make sure that the veto's upheld,' Francis said, referring to lobbying and compromises that he said were made on bills to ensure that representatives voted in favor of the governor's decision..." |