Law
Maine's highest court upholds tribal sovereignty


The Maine Supreme Court on Monday blocked two newspapers from the documents and records of the Passamaquoddy Tribe.

The Bangor Daily News and The Quoddy Tides sought access to information about the tribe's proposed $500 million liquefied natural gas terminal. They filed a state Freedom of Access Act lawsuit after being blocked from council meetings.

In the decision yesterday, the Supreme Court said the tribe isn't subject to the act when it is acting in a business capacity. Previously, the court ruled that the tribe is subject to the act when acting as a municipality.

Get the Story:
Tribe's LNG meetings remain closed, court rules (The Bangor Daily News 5/9)

Court Decision:
Winifred B. French Corp. et al. v. Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation (May 8, 2006)

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

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