Imagine the your ancestors took away someone’s home with no clear title. Now the descendants find out they have a legitimate claim on their ancestral home. They go to court and force negotiations. You pay them pennies on the dollar and “allow” them to buy some of their home back. But only if the current occupants agree. Then you tax them on the parts they got back and regulate how they use it. much like a landlord.

If this seems unjust, it is. That is in essence what the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act did. And the state just can’t see past the money.

 

David Hendren

Randolph

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