After a several-year hiatus, the Student Heritage Alliance Council (SHAC) is officially back. SHAC serves as an advisory board for several multicultural and multi-faith organizations on campus.

“Whenever we are hosting open events to the community, it’s a chance for people in SHAC or the multicultural or multi-faith organizations to get a chance to raise awareness, celebrate and share their culture with others that in part creates a more even platform,” said Taylor Ashley, advisor for SHAC and a coordinator for diversity and inclusion at Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).

On Nov. 16, SHAC partnered with ODI and the UMaine Student Government to host a Friends & Family Feast, where restaurants and student groups across Orono and Bangor cooked and baked dishes for the UMaine community to enjoy. A delicious spread of za’atar roasted vegetables, aloo matar, smoked turkey, fried spring rolls and more fed over 350 people.

“SHAC is more or less a platform for our groups to represent themselves together as a collective rather than just separate identities because right now we’re kind of all fighting for the same goal, which is representation on campus, getting our voices out there, getting our culture to be immersed within the campus community,” Jon Guzman, a second-year marketing and business student and president of SHAC, said. “The goal of bringing SHAC back was so we can come together as one to hear our thoughts, reflect on each other, support each other and then collectively put on these events like the Friends & Family Feast.”

Currently, SHAC has six members: Hillel, the Black Student Union, the Caribbean and Latinx Student Alliance, the Asian Student Association, the Spanish Club and the Japanese Club. The presidents of each of the clubs hold voting power on the advisory board. Guzman hopes to host a meeting by the end of this semester to vote in and represent other multicultural groups.

As the Multicultural Affairs Advisory Committee Chair for student government, Guzman’s main role was to revive SHAC. Guzman explained that the organization became inactive during the pandemic, and now that the organization is thriving once again, his position as multicultural affairs chair is dissolved. Guzman will now represent organizations that are part of SHAC as the president in weekly senate and cabinet meetings.

In the past, SHAC hosted an event during Diversity Week in the spring called “Mosaic.” Each multicultural organization would decorate a room in the Union, creating immersive experiences for the community through food and activities. Guzman and Ashley both hinted at the return of this exciting event. Additionally, ODI plans to partner with SHAC and other student organizations to host “Rivers, cultures and their cuisines,” a cooking and dining experience that explores the cultures across eight rivers worldwide, starting with the Penobscot River. Fifteen students will prepare a meal for 80 people and present on the food and related cultures.

For additional information about SHAC, visit their page or follow them on Instagram @shac.um.

The Food Drug and Administration approved over-the-counter sales of Narcan on March 29, 2023. As Maine struggles with the opioid crisis, many people at the University of Maine know or have known someone affected by substance abuse issues. 

Naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan, is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose when administered in time. Narcan comes in two forms: a nasal spray and an injectable. It is non-addictive and counteracts effects on the central nervous system and respiratory system that happen during an opioid overdose. 

“If you suspect someone is overdosing you can administer Narcan. Narcan has no negative effect on someone if they are not actually overdosing. Sometimes someone may appear like they are overdosing, and they have another medical situation going on,” explained Jennifer Sinclair, a harm reduction specialist at Healthy Equity Alliance. “Again, Narcan is safe regardless of if it is something else. Always give Narcan if you suspect an overdose.”

In 2023 alone, there were 1,577 overdoses in Maine, and over 1 million Americans have died of overdoses in the last two decades. 

“Due to the severe impact that generational substance use disorder has had on families over the past 100 years, the current population of local adolescents and young adults has had to deal with exponentially escalating effects of this opioid crisis in all realms of their lives: socially, emotionally, communally, personally, educationally — the list goes on,” Sinclair said. “There is no untouched community; unfortunately, there rarely are any families untouched by substance use, substance abuse, and the harmful outcomes of our current opioid crisis.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl contributes significantly to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. Other drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine can be laced with powdered fentanyl to resemble opioids. Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, and its difficulty to test without fentanyl strips make it difficult for people to know if their drug contains the substance.  

“College students are often living independently for the first times in their lives and may be experimenting with novel substances, or using substances to cope with the stress or trauma in their lives. So it’s incredibly important that students understand risks and get information and resources about how to minimize harm/risk and respond appropriately in crisis situations,” said Rob Glover, associate professor of political science and honors at UMaine. 

The approval will increase access to Narcan and contribute to reducing deaths related to opioid overdoses. 

Another barrier to access for the life-saving drug is stigma. Stigma often prevents pharmacies across the United States from distributing Narcan openly to those who request it as they do not want to be associated with people who use illicit substances. 

“Maine has the strongest ‘Good Samaritan’ protections in the country to protect individuals experiencing an overdose (or those seeking medical assistance) from criminal prosecution for minor, non-violent crimes. And we should all be working to fight back against stigma, creating spaces in which people feel empowered to be their whole selves, share their experiences with substance use, and seek help, support, and love when they need it,” Glover said. 

Sinclair explained that harm reduction are techniques that aim to decrease harm, and anyone can participate in showing compassion for all members of one’s community. 

 “Students can help by using language that is conducive to changing the narrative around the opioid crisis. Another way is by gaining more understanding around the legislation that is coming up and supporting Harm Reduction and Naloxboxes and better access to Narcan,” Sinclair said. 

Emergent BioSolutions, the producer of Narcan, has yet to announce the price for over-the-counter sales of the prescription. 

The University of Maine System Injury Prevention and Substance Use Disorder Research Collaboratives is hosting three webinars to discuss rural healthcare, focusing on substance use disorders. The first talk will be hosted this Thursday, April 13, at 11 a.m.   

On July 1, 2023, the University of Maine will officially join the rest of the University of Maine System in a partnership with Sodexo for campus dining and catering services. There has been considerable discussion among students, faculty and staff following a press release from Nov. 16, 2022 that announced an eight-year partnership with the controversial France-based food company. 

Currently, there are 91 employees and 21 management staff working across the UMaine campus with dining services. While the dining management has already transitioned their contracts under Sodexo, full-time staff and student workers are still employed with UMaine. The terms of a final agreement between Sodexo and UMaine will be settled this spring. 

Ashwini Kreigh-McNeal, a fourth-year food science student and student employee at York Dining, gave her perspective on the dining provider transition and its implications for staff. 

“No one is really happy about the switch, especially since Sodexo does not have a good reputation, both in regard to their food or how they treat their workers. So far, the recipes aren’t really better or worse than what the university made. Some of the food safety protocols are better and more thorough,” Kreigh-McNeal stated. “Overall, the attitude among the student workers is mixed; the full-time staff is very unhappy, and the management seems to have gotten a sweet deal and seems to be happy.” 

Maine Campus Media spoke with Sodexo Resident District Manager Tadd Stone and Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Richard Young about the partnership, the future of dining at UMaine and taking care of dining employees. 

“First off, I’d like to acknowledge that UMaine Dining was running a very good program prior to the partnership, so what we were hoping to bring in is [going] to complement their services to the next point. We have some capital that we can instill. We have technology that we can instill,” Stone said. 

Sodexo will provide UMaine with a $3 million signing bonus and a $7 million facility investment. A recent Maine Campus Media article outlines specific plans for dining hall renovations, expansion of menu options and the implementation of new, cutting-edge technology. Stone hopes the facility renovations will meet on-campus and off-campus students’ needs. 

Stone also discussed the detrimental effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the service industry. Most notably, he explained that dining services nationwide are struggling with a lack of workers. Ideally, Stone stated that they would like to employ between 300 to 400 student employees in the dining halls. 

“We’re looking for different, creative ways that we can drive student employment back with the program, whether that’s working with the International Office, internships, the Food Innovation Lab and looking for different ways that we can try to at least double the workforce that we have for students right now,” Stone explained. 

While improvements to dining facilities are an exciting endeavor, many UMaine community members have expressed concern for Sodexo’s treatment of its workers. The 91 dining employees who are represented by the Service and Maintenance Teamsters Union Local 340 workers’ union can negotiate paid time off, sick leave and other benefits at the bargaining table with the dining administration. 

“They’re impact bargaining right now, and impact bargaining is what the university and the union [are] going to negotiate for a deal,” Young said. Impact bargaining is the negotiation between a union and a school board’s educational policy decision when considering working conditions. Young explained that after negotiations with the university, workers will bargain with Sodexo separately. 

“While under Maine law a school board’s educational policy decision is not negotiable, the impact of that decision on employee working conditions may be a mandatory subject of collective bargaining, depending on the circumstances,” the Drummond Woodsum & MacMahon website stated. 

Many full-time dining hall employees declined to comment on the situation. 

“Only time will tell if Sodexo lives up to its reputation or does better,” Kreigh-McNeal said. 

Students can anonymously give dining administration feedback by texting “umainediningvision” to 82257. In addition, students may participate in the Community Culinary Council, a group of students and dining staff that share feedback and ideas and test menu options. The final meeting of the semester will be held in Bear’s Den Pub on April 13 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

03/26

At 11:03 a.m. the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) received a report of theft from Androscoggin Hall. An estimated $500 worth of clothing was stolen from a washing machine.

At 2:21 p.m. officers arrived at Theta Chi Fraternity House on College Avenue after someone reported their cell phone was stolen. Using Find My iPhone, the fraternity brother located the phone near Patch Hall, and officers successfully retrieved the phone.

At 11:47 p.m. UMPD responded to Cumberland Hall after someone reported smelling marijuana.

03/27

At 10 a.m. officers received a report of theft at Gannett Hall. Someone stole a bicycle.

At 3:42 p.m. UMPD arrived at Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity House on College Avenue for a complaint of loud music. When officers arrived, the fraternity brothers complied and turned down the music.

03/28

At 1:02 p.m. UMPD responded to Dunn Hall after someone called in about a backpack in the bathroom smelling like marijuana. Assuming the backpack had marijuana, the officers brought it back to the UMaine Police Department. However, they found no illegal substances, and a student coincidentally called moments later to report their backpack stolen from the bathroom.

03/17

At 9:30 a.m. the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) received a report of a stolen bike in University Park. The bike is valued at $200.

At 11 a.m. officers responded to the Alfond Arena for a fire alarm. However, there was no fire.

At 8:40 p.m. officers spoke with two people skateboarding inside the Field House and told them that skateboarding was not permitted in the building.

03/19

At 1:20 p.m. UMPD arrived at a fraternity house on College Ave for a scam report.

03/20

At 4:50 p.m. UMPD and the University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC) responded to Knox Hall for a medical call. The student was sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

At 5:36 p.m. officers arrived at MLK Plaza for a disturbance between a man with a controversial display table and a small group of students.

03/21

At 9:27 p.m. UMPD and UVAC responded to a medical call from Knox Hall. UVAC evaluated the individual, and they were not transported to a hospital.

03/22

At 2 p.m. UMPD and UVAC arrived at Donald P. Corbett Hall for a medical call. The student was transported to the hospital.

At 9:44 p.m. UMPD and UVAC received another medical call at Cumberland Hall. The individual was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

03/23

At 8 p.m. officers arrived at Knox Hall after someone vandalized the washing machines by cutting the electrical cords on them.

02/20

At 4:13 p.m. the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) arrived at the New Balance Student Recreation Center after receiving a theft report. Someone stole a Columbia jacket and AirPods from the changing rooms.

Officers responded near Cutler Health Center after someone reported an individual smoking marijuana. However, the person was gone upon the officer’s arrival.

02/21

At 9:30 a.m. UMPD received a report of misplaced property after an individual lost their equipment two years ago.

At 2:50 p.m. officers responded to the New Balance Student Recreation Center for a property damage incident. There were minor damages to vehicles and no injuries.

At 5:45 p.m. UMPD received a report of a stolen wallet from the Memorial Gym.

At 5:54 p.m. officers arrived at the Buchanan Alumni Hall for a property damage report.

At 11:30 p.m. UMPD and the University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC) responded to Cumberland Hall after receiving a medical call. The individual refused transport.

02/23

At 8:30 p.m. UMPD received a report via Campus Eyes from the second floor of Cumberland Hall describing loud noise and possible underage drinking. However, the concerns were unfounded, and no one was charged.

02/25

At 12:30 a.m. officers arrived at Somerset Hall for a report of criminal mischief and underage drinking. A student was referred to student conduct.

At 2:30 a.m. UMPD and UVAC responded to Knox Hall for a medical call, and the individual was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

At 5:39 p.m. officers received a report of an aggressive person at Fogler Library. The individual was bothering staff and was ordered to leave the library, which they did without any further problems.

At 10:50 p.m. UMPD arrived on the second floor at Gannett Hall for a loud noise complaint. The RA handled the situation and there was no need for police involvement.

02/26

At 8:39 p.m. UMPD and UVAC responded to the first floor of Knox Hall for a medical emergency. The individual was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

02/27

At 7:21 a.m. officers responded to a property damage accident at the intersection of Sebec Road and Schoodic Road. There were minor vehicle damages and no injuries.

At 9:18 a.m. UMPD received a report of loud music at Coburn Hall. When officers arrived, they did not hear any music.

At 2:07 p.m. a motorist was experiencing mechanical problems and was blocking traffic on Rangeley Road. Officers were able to provide vehicle assistance.

02/28

At 10:40 a.m. officers responded to a medical call from Witter Farm. A person was injured and transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

At 1:30 p.m. UMPD took a report of a clothing theft from a dryer in Kennebec Hall.

At 4:03 p.m. UMPD assisted the Orono Fire Department for an alarm going off in Ferland Hall. A mechanical error caused the alarm to go off.

At 4:50 p.m. officers arrived at Witter Farm after employees reported they found a firearm. However, officers determined the object was a farming tool and not a gun.

03/01

At 7:07 p.m. officers investigated a property damage accident in the parking lot near Somerset Hall. There was minor damage and no injuries.

At 10:44 a.m. UMPD assisted the Orono Police Department to locate a student in Somerset Hall.

03/02

At 2:03 p.m. officers responded to the Collins Center for the Arts parking lot for a motor vehicle crash.

At 2:54 p.m. someone reported two people smoking marijuana near the York Hall loading zone. The individuals were gone upon officers’ arrival.

At 4 p.m. officers received a report of six groundhogs near the bike trail that runs from the Versant Astronomy to Route 2. Warden Services were contacted, and they advised to let nature to take its course.

At 5 p.m. a drone was reported flying over Witter Farm. When officers arrived, the drone was gone. It is illegal to fly a drone over UMaine without permission.

At 5:34 p.m. UMPD received a theft report from the Woodsman Club. Someone had stolen a crosscut saw.

03/03

At 1:37 a.m. UMPD and UVAC arrived at the Bear’s Den for someone who had fallen. The person was treated onsite and given a ride back to their dorm.

On Feb. 3, 2023, 38 train cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, several of which were carrying hazardous chemicals. Shortly after the collision, a massive fire broke out and residents were advised to evacuate but told there were no adverse health effects.

Three days later, officials conducted a controlled burn of the toxic chemicals to prevent the remaining train cargo from imploding.

Five of the train cars that caught fire were carrying 115,580 gallons of vinyl chloride, a colorless, odorless gas used to produce various plastic products from kitchen ware to wire coatings to vehicle interiors. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, vinyl chloride can increase the risk of liver cancer, brain and lung cancers and leukemia. It takes between seven and 11 years for the chemicals to begin breaking down in humans and animals and is typically ingested by breathing in contaminated air.

Other train cars were carrying ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene, all carcinogens to the human body in high doses.

According to an investigation update from the National Transportation Safety Board, a wheel bearing was in the final stages of overheating. While examination of the disaster is ongoing, officials have determined that mechanical failure is one of the causes of the derailment.

Despite government officials deeming it safe to return to their homes, East Palestine residents are hesitant to make their way back to the area. Locals who have returned home have reported experiencing headaches, nausea and rashes.

“The Norfolk Southern train derailment has upended the lives of East Palestine families, and EPA’s order will ensure the company is held accountable for jeopardizing the health and safety of this community,” said Michael S. Regan, administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Health and environmental concerns plague locals and those across the nation. Concerns of water and air contamination are being vocalized across social media platforms. In a TikTok video posted by Ohio resident @nicolettte_lynn, she shows the dense amount of film that floats to the top of a glass of tap water.

Dead aquatic life was reported floating downstream from the mouth of the Mississippi River and across various waterways and tributaries.

University of Maine associate professor in the Department of Chemistry William Gramlich spoke with WABI-TV about the Ohio derailment.

“Rails, from my understanding, are a pretty common way to ship chemicals. It tends to be safer than trucks,” Gramlich said. “One would hope they’ve developed a safe way to transport through that.”

While the situation is varied, the state of Maine and Canada experienced a similar catastrophe several years ago. The Lac-Mégantic rail disaster occurred on July 6, 2013, after a 73-car train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Mégantic, Canada. Ultimately, this derailment caused a massive explosion, killing 47 people and destroying much of the downtown. The catastrophe on the Montreal, Maine, and Atlantic railroad echoes the demand for regulation and safety concerns expressed during the Ohio train derailment.

Despite the tragedy in Lac-Mégantic, there has been little regulation on train safety in Canada and the United States.

“Rail companies have spent millions of dollars to oppose common-sense safety regulations. And it’s worked,” United States President Joe Biden tweeted on Feb. 21. “This is more than a train derailment or a toxic waste spill – it’s years of opposition to safety measures coming home to roost.”

Three weeks after the initial disaster, officials continue to monitor the air and waterways. Investigation of the derailment is ongoing.

02/05

At 1 a.m. the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) and Orono Fire Department responded to FIJI fraternity house on College Avenue after a pipe burst. The Housing Administration was contacted for repairs.

At 10:29 a.m. UMPD and Orono Fire Department arrived at Lambda fraternity house for a water leak. The Housing Administration was contacted for repairs.

At 3:26 p.m. officers responded to Cumberland Hall after receiving a complaint of criminal mischief. A door with glass was kicked in, shattering the glass across the floor. Maintenance was contacted for clean up.

At 4:36 p.m. UMPD and Orono Fire Department arrived at Crossland Hall for water damage after a pipe burst.

At 4:40 p.m. UMPD and Orono Fire Department responded to Doris Twitchell Allen Village after a pipe burst.

02/06

At 6:30 a.m. UMPD and Orono Fire Department arrived at Jenness Hall after a steam pipe burst.

At 8:45 a.m. officers received a report of a vehicle that was rummaged through in Hilltop Lot.

At 11:03 a.m. UMPD received a criminal mischief report from Androscoggin Hall. A car door had been dented, and there was $500 in damages.

At 9:40 p.m. officers recorded a report of bike theft from Gannett Hall.

01/24

The University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) received a complaint from someone at the Doris Twitchell Allen Village. An individual acted in a disorderly manner after seeing their car was being towed. However, the person was gone upon an officer’s arrival.

Officers took a motor vehicle damage report from the Memorial Gym Lot.

UMPD received a report of a stolen laptop from the Rec Center. The laptop is valued at $1,400.

In Aroostook Hall, a woman approached a man and demanded he pay her money or his nude photographs would be leaked. The investigation is ongoing.

01/25

UMPD responded to Androscoggin Hall for a report of disruptive behavior. When officers arrived, no one was located regarding this matter.

Officers arrived at the Rec Center to remove a person from the premises. The individual was issued a criminal trespass warning.

Officers received a tip about underage drinking at the Theta Chi Fraternity house. When officers arrived, the fraternity brothers denied ever seeing the intoxicated individuals and the officers went on their way.

01/26

Officers arrived at Knox Hall for a report of criminal mischief. Exit signs on one of the floors were missing.

UMPD received a report of someone smoking marijuana at Cumberland Hall. The individual was referred to conduct.

UMPD and the University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC) responded to Hilltop after a person rolled their ankle. The individual refused transportation.

01/27

A parent contacted UMPD for a welfare check on their child. When officers responded, they found the individual asleep.

UMPD received another report of an individual being threatened to pay a large sum or have their explicit photographs leaked. The person threatened was scammed $300.

During a routine inspection, officers at Knox Hall saw girls under 21 with alcohol in their hands. The officers referred all of them to student conduct.

01/28

UMPD arrived at Androscoggin Hall after receiving a report that someone was smoking marijuana. The individual did not have a medical marijuana card, and all of the drugs were confiscated. The student was referred to conduct.

Officers received multiple reports of someone falling into the snow banks. UVAC was also called in, but the person was gone upon arrival.

Officers responded to Penobscot Hall for an intoxicated girl who denied she was drinking. The person was referred to conduct. UMPD later returned to Penobscot Hall for a report of a male and female verbal dispute. The girl was the same one from this entry, and the male was asked to leave the premises.

UMPD received a report from Stuart Commons about damage to the camera system. It was reported to be a mechanical error.

Officers arrived at Cumberland Hall for a report of a trespassing individual. The person was not a student and was escorted off campus.

01/29

UMPD responded to the third floor of Somerset Hall after receiving a damage report to the exit signs.

01/30

An individual reported their $650 bike was stolen near Boardman Hall.

UMPD received a report of harassment and blackmail. If the individual who reported the incident did not send $1,000 to the accused, then their explicit photographs would be leaked. Investigation is ongoing.

01/31

Officers responded to Knox Hall after exit signs were reported to be smashed.

02/01

UMPD arrived at York South Lot for a report of criminal mischief. An individual had damage to their car, but officers could not determine the cause.

02/02

UMPD responded to the Advanced Structures and Composites Center after a faculty member reported a disorderly person in the building. The individual was issued a criminal trespassing warrant at the university.

Current Governor Janet Mills visited the University of Maine campus on Tuesday to rally the student body to vote in the upcoming election.

The Maine Campus had the opportunity to ask Mills a few brief questions. Mills reflected on immigration into Maine, what her administration is doing to keep young people in the state and improving the state’s relationship with the Wabanaki people.

Last spring, the legislature halted LD 1626, a bill that would reinforce tribal sovereignty and grant the Wabanaki tribes’ full decision to regulate hunting, fishing and land use on their territory.

The following questions are a collection of concerns expressed by the student body.

Q: What are you doing to promote immigration into the state and retain the young population?

Mills: Well, first of all, we [the state] have the seventh highest in-migration rate in the country. We talk about the rain drain all the time. We have talked about it for decades, but people actually are coming here. The Boomerangs (Boomers) are coming back, and people are moving here, not just to be closer to their grandchildren. It’s young families and younger people who are excited about the green economy and want clean energy jobs and people raising their families here. I’ve met many of them, and I’m excited about that.

When it comes to immigration from other countries, we have got to change the rules; change congressional legislation to allow people, asylum seekers here illegally, to become eligible for work at a much earlier time. I think our congressional delegation and I are all singing the same tune to Congress and Federal Immigration and Customs. Let these people work within 30 days. Don’t make them wait for months and months and years and years before their application is finally filed and ruled upon. We need them, they need us. They come here through hell and high waters. Literally, jungles and mountains and viscous conditions to escape violence and persecution. They have work experience, certifications and degrees that are valuable to us. We need them to be here, work here. They are here to appreciate our democracy and to contribute their skills to our economy. We need them.

[The Opportunity Tax Credit] is a big deal. It’s one of the most generous student loan forgiveness programs in the country. We worked across the aisle to do that and put it in the budget and enacted it. People should look into that. No matter where they got a degree or what subject they got a degree in, whether it was in-state or out-of-state, if they are paying income taxes in Maine, they get the credit. It’s pretty streamlined now and broadened to be more generous. That’s one thing.

I think Maine has gotten branded in the last few years as being a safe and welcoming state. I want us to stay there. I don’t want to be a state of hatred and bigotry.

Q: What is your administration doing to improve its relationship with the Wabanaki people?

Mills:  First, at their request, we changed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Then, I issued a pardon of Don Geller’s. Thirdly, we spent two years revising the clean water standards and putting legislation through the Maine Legislature to establish some of the highest water quality standards in the country for those waterways in parts of the Penobscot River that have special value to the Wabanaki tribal members for sustenance fishing. That was a long haul, much more complicated than I’m making it sound and controversial. Fourthly, we spent several years drafting a bill and revising a bill to allow tribal courts to prosecute non-tribal members who commit domestic violence on tribal lands against tribal members.

Plus, I put some really good people on the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, which is designed to have a free flow of information between tribal representatives and state representatives to talk about fish and wildlife rules and economic developments.

We sat down with the tribes this past year and drafted a bill that does require collaboration and communication between the tribes and state government, all departments of state government. It gives them some income tax benefits for tribal businesses, which was a big thing for them. It also allocates to the tribes the ability to do online sports gaming, which is quite controversial and something they very much wanted.

I think my administration has done more to repair the relationship with the roughly 8,000 members of the four Wabanaki tribes than all previous four governors in the last couple decades.

Q: Will your administration be re-addressing LD 1626?

Mills: I’ll see what it looks like. I submitted testimony on that bill before. Others did as well. People have raised a lot of objections to the bill. It’s 44 pages long and addresses gambling in a way that’s inconsistent. I did not want to sign the bill in the current draft this past year. I raised my objections about having territories — big chunks of land in Maine and waters —  that have inconsistent regulations, rules and laws. We breathe the same air. We drink the same water. We use the same waterways, mountains, hills, streams and ocean coastlines.

We got to work together and live together in a compatible way. My problem with that bill, as then drafted this past year, is it will create more conflict and confrontation in litigation. I don’t believe in confrontation. I believe in collaboration and communication.