Bill Overview
Title: Advancing Equality for Wabanaki Nations Act
Description: This bill allows the Wabanaki Nations in Maine to access future federal laws that are passed by Congress for the benefit of Indian tribes. Four Indian tribes (Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy) make up the Wabanaki Nations. Currently, these tribes are unable to access certain federal laws and related benefits because such laws are preempted by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980.
Sponsors: Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Wabanaki Nations
Estimated Size: 13500
- The Wabanaki Nations is comprised of four tribes: Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy.
- These tribes are collectively based in the state of Maine, USA, which limits the geographic impact to this specific region.
- The goal of the bill is to allow these tribes to access benefits from federal laws that would otherwise apply to other Indian tribes across the USA.
- By removing the exclusion imposed by the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, there will be direct benefits to members of the Wabanaki Nations.
- Indirectly, increased federal recognition and benefits to these tribes could enhance their sovereignty, economic development, and quality of life.
- There may be secondary benefits that extend to broader community interactions in Maine, such as improved local economic conditions.
Reasoning
- The policy impacts a defined group primarily based in Maine, the target population of approximately 13,500 members of the Wabanaki Nations.
- Due to the limitations of the policy budget, the direct financial impact on the individuals will be relatively modest, potentially benefiting infrastructure and local services rather than providing direct monetary gains.
- Interview participants are drawn from within the Wabanaki tribes and outside, reflecting both direct and indirect consequences.
- Cost constraints mean we are examining benefits that may not immediately translate into high changes in individual Wellbeing scores but could accumulate over time.
- Some members of the tribes may not feel immediate benefits due to the initial focus on establishing access to new services and future legislative advantages.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Council Member (Penobscot Reservation, Maine)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will provide greater access to federal programs, which is crucial for our community development.
- Immediate changes might not be visible, but over time, this can be transformative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Health Coordinator (Micmac Territory, Maine)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to new healthcare programs will significantly impact our community's health outcomes.
- I'm optimistic about policy changes bringing more resources for health initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Activist (Portland, Maine)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an essential step towards justice for the tribes.
- Though I'm not directly affected, I foresee positive shifts in societal attitudes and support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Local Business Owner (Old Town, Maine)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better federal integration of tribal policies could boost the local economy.
- While I may not directly benefit, the overall community economic health could improve.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Fisherman (Passamaquoddy Reservation, Maine)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support from federal programs could enhance cultural programs and infrastructure.
- Hopeful for new opportunities for our youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Teacher (Maliseet Land, Maine)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy offers a promise of enhanced education opportunities.
- Important for protecting and promoting our cultural history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
College Student (Augusta, Maine)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might indirectly support environmental projects, an area I'm passionate about.
- It sets a precedent for governmental support of indigenous environmental stewardship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Lawyer specializing in Indigenous Rights (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy change is a corrective step towards equitable treatment under federal law.
- It will help in further legal battles for indigenous rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Social Worker (Bangor, Maine)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved tribal support might mean reduced social service pressure in the area.
- However, this depends on effective policy implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Environmental Scientist (Micmac Land, Maine)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal funding could lead to enhanced environmental management projects.
- Could be significant for preserving our natural heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $7000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $12000000 (Low: $8500000, High: $17000000)
Year 3: $13000000 (Low: $9500000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $16000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $22000000)
Year 10: $22000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $28000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $65000000)
Key Considerations
- This policy represents a new beginning for these tribes to access federal benefits that have wide-ranging potential impacts.
- A significant challenge is ensuring that the benefits and programs are effectively implemented and accessed by the tribes to foster positive growth.
- Potential cross-jurisdictional issues between federal and state laws given the historical context in Maine.