Three of Maine's four Indian tribes are no longer recognizing the authority of state officials, lawmakers, and courts to "define ... sovereignty or culture or interfere with ... self-governing rights."
Leaders of the Penobscot, Micmac and Passamquaoddy tribes signed a document Wednesday declaring their effort to self-govern one day after they withdrew representatives from the Legislature. The tribal leaders acknowledged that the move is largely symbolic.
The Portland Press Herald reports that the tribes have called on the federal government to intervene in disputes with Gov. Paul LePage over the meaning of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980.
LePage's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
