Also in this issue.
The long legal battle between Pamela Francis and the Pleasant Point Housing Authority is on its way to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court for the fifth time. The remaining question is: should this legal dispute be decided in a state court or in tribal court?(Full Article)
Almost two years ago, on November 24, 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security adopted new rules to control how people could enter the United States at an airport. These rules now require that every person must present a passport, if they wish to enter the United States at an airport.(Full Article)
The Maine Indian Claims Settlement has not lived up to its original potential to improve conditions for Indian people living in poverty in Maine's tribal communities. The Settlement was intended to create a flexible and effective relationship between the Tribes and the State.(Full Article)
We here at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc. are strongly committed to providing assistance to Native Americans in a broad variety of cases. Since Pine Tree opened its doors in the 1960's, it has always viewed safe and affordable housing as a right. We work hard to help individuals and families who are experiencing difficulty finding and keeping safe and affordable housing.(Full Article)
The Native American Unit of Pine Tree Legal Assistance frequently represents tenants in tribal housing who are faced with eviction complaints in Tribal Court. There is very little private housing available in the tribal communities. As a practical matter, an eviction order can amount to being excluded from living in one's tribal community.(Full Article)
Last year we settled a case in which we represented a student who claimed she was the victim of discrimination by the coach of one of her school's athletic teams. The terms of the settlement are confidential but the student received a monetary payment, an apology from the coach, and the athletic staff of the school was required to participate in racial sensitivity training.
(Full Article)