Commission Meeting

April 15, 2015

Sipayik Tribal Court/Tribal Council Chambers

Approved at the 7/22/15 meeting

Commissioners in attendance:  Jamie Bissonette Lewey (Chair), Roy Partridge (State), Bert Polchies (Penobscot), John Banks (Penobscot), Steven Holmes (Passamaquoddy – Sipayik)Regrets: Linda Raymond, Brian Reynolds, Matt Dana, Dick Gould, Joan NassOthers in attendance: Gail Dana-Sacco, Deborah Soctomah Doll, Sipayik Councilor Christine Downing, Vice-Chief Vera Francis, Maria Girouard, Sipayik Councilor Newell Lewey, Jim Matlack, Chief Fred Moore, Sipayik Councilor Madonna Soctomah, April Tomah Minutes recorded by John Dieffenbacher-Krall.The meeting took place with a quorum as provided under MITSC Bylaw I.F.

Agenda review

Jamie Bissonette Lewey reviewed the agenda with the Commission.  John Banks asked that at the next meeting the Commission consider the proposed rule change for Mountain Catcher Pond.

Consideration of minutes for the 3/25/15 meeting

John Banks moved, Bert Polchies seconded to accept the 3/25/15 minutes as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

Executive Director report

John Dieffenbacher-Krall reviewed the income/expense statement prepared for the meeting.  As of April 8, the Commission has received $89,141 and spent $65,268 in FY 2015 for a balance of $23,875.  Adding the FY 2015 balance to the cash remaining from FY 2014 yields a total of approximately $32,536. John Dieffenbacher-Krall reported on a recent conversation he had with Michael Hersey, Director, Boards and Commissions, for Governor LePage.  The Governor’s Office is aware of the three State vacancies on the Commission.  Michael Hersey pledged to be in contact with John in two weeks with an update on the status of potential appointees to the Commission.

Legislative Subcommittee report

Jamie Bissonette Lewey complimented the dedication of Commissioners who convene every Friday morning at 8:30 am to participate in the weekly conference call. Steve Holmes provided an update on a meeting he is attempting to organize between the Wabanaki Commissioners serving on the MITSC and Wabanaki leaders. The Commission then reviewed testimony on bills pending before the Maine Legislature.LD 888 An Act To Recognize and Provide for the Right To Hunt for Sustenance in Aroostook County for Maliseet and Micmac Tribal MembersCommissioners offered comments on the testimony that had been drafted.LD 1262 An Act To Authorize Tribal-state Memoranda in the Eel and Elver Fisheries Commissioners offered comments on the testimony that had been drafted.LD 1297 An Act To Amend Marine Resources Licensing Restrictions for Wabanaki Tribal MembersSeveral Commissioners expressed concerns about the legislation.  John Dieffenbacher-Krall was asked to check on the bill’s status and confirm that it had been withdrawn.Discussion of May 12, 2015 Judiciary Committee PresentationThe thinking behind the scheduling of the May 12 Judiciary Committee public hearing for several tribal-state related bills was explained.  The Judiciary Committee Chairs intend to group all of the tribal-state related bills in one public hearing to avoid requiring people to travel to Augusta multiple times to testify on the bills if they were scheduled on different days.

MITSC Financial matters

Jamie Bissonette Lewey reported that the Maine Legislature enacted LD 236 that included an additional $22,500 for the Commission.  She brought up a cost of living increase for John Dieffenbacher-Krall and renewing his contract through October 2015.  Jamie also raised the desirability of hiring someone to conduct an evaluation of the Chair and Executive Director positions noting the amount of time and degree of involvement both by her and Paul Bisulca is not a realistic expectation or desirable in all instances.  She also advocated that MITSC have a financial assessment done, one step below an audit. John Banks suggested the creation of an administrative subcommittee to examine these issues.  Jamie asked for volunteers.  Roy Partridge, John Banks, Steve Holmes, and Jamie volunteered to serve on the Administrative Subcommittee. Roy Partridge moved to extend Executive Director John Dieffenbacher-Krall’s contract through October 2015 and to include a cost of living adjustment back to July 1, 2014.  Bert Polchies seconded the motion.  It passed unanimously.

Native American & Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) Presentation @ the 7th Annual Meeting June 4 – 6, 2015

Jamie Bissonette Lewey said that the MITSC proposal concerning the Saltwater Fishing Report was accepted for presentation at the NAISA Annual Meeting.  The MITSC presentation time is set for June 5.  Commissioners expressed interest in watching the presentation if it is live streamed.  Jamie asked Commissioners what they would like to see come out of the presentation.  Education was mentioned as one goal.  Another suggested goal is encouraging other scholars to do more research in the same area.  Other tribes also affected by the status of tribal-state relations were identified as a potential audience and beneficiary of this work. Jamie stated we should identify some of the future areas for research.

LD 1027 An Act To Create an Elver Exporter's License

Newell Lewey asked about a bill, LD 1027, An Act To Create an Elver Exporter's License.  The Commission was unfamiliar with the bill.  Commissioners agreed that the MITSC should obtain the text of bill.

Summary of presentation from Dr. Gail Dana-Sacco on her research analyzing the impact of tribal-state relations on Passamaquoddy health disparities in

Gail Dana-Sacco announced she will be presenting her research to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in June.  It will be public information.  She is still doing the analysis of the extensive amount of information that she gathered.  Her challenge is how to distill the information to the page while retaining all of its richness.  Jamie Bissonette Lewey suggested the MITSC schedule an all-day meeting just to focus on Gail’s research.  She added that the Commission should map the skill sets of each Commissioner.  Gail stated that if there is a bottom line to what I’ve seen so far it is that institution building is key to the continuity of MITSC.  She added in order to build institutions that will be strong over time they need to be built from the ground up.  Gail asked what needs to be in place to make MITSC highly effective?  Jamie asked what is MITSC’s theory of change?  Gail recommended an evaluation process be built into the MITSC strategic planning process.

Scheduling

John Dieffenbacher-Krall was asked to send out a scheduling poll to determine Commissioners availability for a fourth Wednesday of the month meeting in May to be held in Augusta.

4th Annual Tribal Career Expo, May 27-28, 2015, at the Wabanaki Culture Center in Calais, Maine

Jamie Bissonette Lewey told Commissioners about event.  It is intended to offer junior high, high school, and college students the opportunity to interact with professionals, and aims to promote positive and lively conversations regarding career fields, training, and higher education. She asked if any Commissioners want to join John D-K for tabling on May 28.

Maine Capitol Police’s guidelines/regulations for conduct of public events in outdoor areas under their jurisdiction

Jamie Bissonette Lewey reported on a demonstration that took place outside the State House on April 6 concerning Penobscot Nation Water and Fishing Rights. Maria Girouard, one of the organizers of the event, emailed the Penobscot Commissioners expressing concerns about how the demonstrators were treated.  Organizers of the event were especially concerned that they were told that they could not drum inside the State House.  Jamie said she wants to build on the good relationship that MITSC has with the Capitol Police.  When a group has been discriminated against the Office of the Attorney General has responsibility for their protection.  The Commission plans to meet with Maine Capitol Police Chief Russell Gauvin on April 17. Jamie stated people organizing and participating in demonstrations/protests could benefit from a know your rights training.

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