Representatives pose beneath the House roll call board with the newly added names of Maine’s tribal representatives. Pictured Left to Right: Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree, Rep. Donald Soctomah (Passamaquoddy Tribe), Rep. Richard Cleary (D- Houlton)

AUGUSTA – The Maine House of Representatives took a step to recognize the contributions of Maine’s tribal representatives by adding their names to the official roll call board on Wednesday. The move allows representatives of the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes to have their attendance at legislative sessions noted and entered into the Legislative record.

“It is an honor to finally see the names of Rep. Mitchell and Rep. Soctomah on the wall with the rest of the members of the House of Representatives,” said Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree. “They work very hard for their constituents and to communicate the interests of Maine’s native tribes to the Legislature. Today we are taking a small but overdue step toward recognizing their contributions.”

“This is a proud moment for me, but especially for the Passamaquoddy Tribe,” said Rep. Donald Soctomah of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. “To be recognized in this manner is a step in the right direction. Our first African-American president will be a reminder to countless children in America that their potential is endless. I am very proud that when tribal children visit the State House and see the name of a tribal member on the board, they will know that they have the potential to do big things as well.”

The new policy was brought forward by Rep. Peggy Pendleton (D- Scarborough) after reading a memoir of former Penobscot Tribe Representative Donna Loring.

“For too long we allowed our tribal representatives to remain invisible among us,” said Rep. Pendleton. “Having their name on the tote board with all of the other members is a visual reminder that they are here and we need to work with them.”

“We have had an historic couple of days,” said Rep. Wayne Mitchell of the Penobscot Tribe. “To have inaugurated Barack Obama on Tuesday and to follow it up with this gesture the next day is remarkable. This is a hallmark moment for our state. Today, I am reminded of my ancestors – my great-grandfather, my grandfather and my uncle – who were all tribal representatives. They were forced to stand in the hallways of the State House. I am deeply appreciative to the members of the House of Representatives for this recognition.”

According to Maine’s Legislative Law Library, Maine is the only state in the nation that seats representatives of its native tribes. Since Maine’s induction to the Union in the 1820’s there was a presence from the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes, but their official recognition and privileges have waxed and waned over the past 180 years. For a span of about 30 years the tribal representatives were barred from sitting in the House Chamber until they were reinstated in 1975. Since that time tribal representatives have been allowed to speak on any measure before the House, introduce legislation, sit on legislative committees and have their position noted on a committee vote. Because tribal representatives live in legislative districts and have an elected representative in the Legislature they are not allowed to vote in the House of Representatives. Tribal representatives are elected in a tribal election.