Passamaquoddy Tribe has 3,464 tribal members with 2,106 listed in Pleasant Point (Sipayik) and 1,369 listed in Indian Township (Motahkomikuk). They are sister reservations that are about 52 miles apart one resides by fresh water while the other resides by the ocean. Together they make up the Passamaquoddy (Peskotomuhkati - pollock spearer or those of the place where pollock are plentiful) tribe of Maine. The Passamaquoddy dispersed and hunted inland in the winter and in the summer they gathered more closely together on the coast and islands; primarily harvesting seafood. They have reservation lands, trust lands, and fee lands in different locations in the state.
The Passamaquoddy also live in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, and maintain active land claims but have no legal status in Canada as a First Nation. Some Passamaquoddy continue to seek the return of territory now comprised in St. Andrews, New Brunswick which they claim as Qonasqamkuk, a Passamaquoddy ancestral capital and burial ground.
The Penobscot (Panawahpskek) Indian Nation is located in Old Town Maine and has 2,365 tribal members enrolled on their census. Panawapskewi means "rocky part" or "descending ledges" and originally referred the portion of the Penobscot River between Old Town and Bangor. They established an intimate relationship with the land, particularly the Penobscot River. Evidence shows people living along the river for at least 9000 years. Yet they were originally not limited to one area, instead they lived and traveled by waterways all over the state. The main form of transportation was the birch bark canoe and even today they are built in teachings so the skill will not be lost. They too have reservation land, trust land, and fee lands all over the state of Maine.
The Penobscot Nation is led by an elected Chief, Vice Chief, and twelve members of tribal council. Together they are responsible to all tribal members and represent their interests in all areas of concern.
