The Wabanaki Nations have lost their final opportunity under Gov. Janet Mills to secure long-sought reforms that would allow them to govern themselves in a manner similar to the other 571 federally recognized tribes in the U.S.
Sweeping changes to Maine’s decades-old land claims settlement implementing act — more widely known as sovereignty legislation — were scuttled during the last legislative session of Mills’ eight-year tenure. Those proposals will have to wait until a new governor and Legislature take office next year.
