Two American Indian tribes are pulling their representatives from the Maine Legislature in protest over their treatment by the state.
Wayne Mitchell, of Penobscot Nation, and Matthew Dana, of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, said Tuesday that they will no longer serve in the Maine House of Representatives.
Tribal representatives are not allowed to vote in the House but can vote at the committee level and introduce bills.
The tribes have clashed with Republican Gov. Paul LePage's administration over a variety of issues, including fishing quotas and gambling.
Last month, LePage rescinded an executive order that sought to promote cooperation between the state and the tribes, saying that efforts to do so have proved unproductive.
The LePage administration issued a statement Tuesday afternoon saying, "The governor had hoped his 2011 executive order would have improved the relationship between the state and the tribes. Since then, the tribes have had difficulty working together, and they have not been cooperative in working with the state."
Dana said Tuesday that he can no longer participate in a system that "perpetuates a paternalistic attitude."
Maliseet Rep. Henry Bear said while their tribe fully supports the Penobscot and Passamaquaoddy tribes, they are taking a different course of action and will remain in the Legislature.
The Maliseet chief is scheduled to meet with LePage on Friday, Bear said.
A spokeswoman for Speaker of the House Mark Eves said the tribes' withdrawal was very unexpected.
Spokeswoman Jodi Quintero said Eves is concerned by the tribes' actions and will work to convince the tribes to return to the Legislature.
Posted originally by WMTW8 News.
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