The Penobscot Nation of Maine welcomed state lawmakers to the reservation on Wednesday in hopes of educating them about the tribe's needs.
Chief Kirk Francis said he wants to show lawmakers how political decisions affect the tribe.
"This is about the effect that tribal government is having on real lives," he said, The Bangor Daily News reported.
The tribe and the state have struggled with gaming, sovereignty, environmental and other issues. Part of the dispute can be traced to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, which subjected some tribal activities to state laws.
Lawmakers said the visit was positive. "By understanding the current state, the past state and the potential for the tribe we can better help them," Rep. Emily Cain, a Democrat, told the paper.
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