National
Ex-Leader: Passamaquoddy Tribe almost bankrupt


A former leader of the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine says the tribe is teetering on the "edge" of bankruptcy.

Former Lt. Gov. Eddie Bassett said money the tribe received as part of an $80 million land claims settlement over 20 years ago is "gone, no more." He said the only way the tribe can escape poverty is to use its Pleasant Point Reservation for a liquefied natural gas terminal

Bassett made the comments in a program that was aired on the tribe's cable network over the weekend. His commentary was peppered with audio and video from tribal meetings about the LNG terminal, an issue that has divided the tribe.

Bassett said opponents of the project are seeking to undermine tribal sovereignty. He accused them of declaring "jihad" against the tribe.

Get the Story:
Ex-Passamaquoddy leader says tribe broke (The Bangor Daily News 3/21)

Relevant Links:
Pasamaquoddy Tribe, Pleasant Point Reservation - http://www.wabanaki.com
Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township - http://www.passamaquoddy.com
Save Passamaquoddy Bay - http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org

Related Stories:
Passamaquoddy Tribe seeks former naval base (02/16)
Lawsuit challenges Passamaquoddy sovereignty (11/30)
BIA sued over Passamaquoddy natural gas deal (11/03)
BIA challenged on approval of natural gas terminal (07/12)
BIA approves Passamaquoddy Tribe's gas terminal deal (07/07)
BIA asked to waive appraisal for gas terminal site (06/01)
Passamaquoddy Tribe agrees to new gas terminal site (05/20)
Passamaquoddy Tribe to weigh new gas terminal site (5/13)
Passamaquoddy Tribe won't stop gas terminal talks (5/6)
Passamaquoddy Tribe asked to end 'lopsided' deal (04/20)
Town votes against tribe's natural gas terminal (03/29)
Passamaquoddy Tribe seeks support for gas terminal (03/08)
Passamaquoddy Tribe divided over gas terminal (02/23)
Group fights Maine tribe's natural gas terminal (12/01)
Town wants say in tribe's natural gas terminal (10/26)
Passamquoddy Tribe asked to stop development (10/06)
Passamaquoddy woman fights natural gas terminal (09/09)
Passamaquoddy Tribe votes for natural gas terminal (08/18)
Passamaquoddy Tribe to vote on natural gas terminal (8/12)
Passamaquoddy Tribe puts gas terminal to vote (08/05)
Passamaquoddy members oppose gas terminal (07/21)
Natural gas terminal planned on Passamaquoddy land (06/09)