Houlton Band representative works on legislative priorities

Wednesday, February 1, 2012  

David Slagger, a member of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, hopes to propose a bill to protect authentic Indian arts and crafts.

Slagger is his tribe's first representative in the Maine Legislature. He says people are trying to pass off their goods as Indian-made.

“It is difficult when people are out there profiting off a tribe and they aren’t even a member of the tribe,” Slagger told The Bangor Daily News. “Its offensive.”

Slagger, who is a non-voting member of the House, also wants to create a repository for bird feathers that Indian artists can use.

Get the Story:
First Maliseet legislator focusing on new role at State House (The Bangor Daily News 2/1)

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Duane Champagne: Maine tribes send leaders to Legislature (1/26)
Editorial: Houlton Band gets a voice in the Maine Legislature (01/09)
MBPN: David Slagger, Maliseet, is sworn in to Maine Legislature (1/5)
Houlton Band sends first representative to Maine Legislature (1/3)