US ‘paternalistic attitude’ forces two native tribes out of Maine House

‘Two Native American tribes have pulled out their representatives from the Maine House due to the US “paternalistic attitude”, saying they will not return until “recognized” and “valued”.

The two, the Penobscot Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe, abandoned seats at the Maine legislature on Tuesday amid a row with Governor Paul LePage, the Guardian reported.

The Native tribes are only allowed to vote at the committee level and not in the full House.

The Penobscots have had envoys at the Maine legislature since at least 1823 and the Passamaquoddies since 1842, apart from the 20 years they were removed in the middle of the 20th century.’

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