Historical threats of overfishing and pollution have diminished but dams still plague restoration efforts. Atlantic salmon is an important species to the Penobscot Nation.
The nomination of a Native American to lead the Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, comes as Maine's four tribes advocate in the Legislature for restoration of their sovereignty, which was largely stripped in 1980.
The federal government's economic stimulus package includes $1.3 million in housing funds for five Wabanaki communities, part of $8 billion for native populations across the country.
Lawmakers and Gov. Janet Mills agreed on emergency legislation focused on businesses and residents who may lose money during the crisis, as well as town meetings, elections and more.