Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians facts for kids
| Metaksonekiyak Wolastoqewiyik | |
|---|---|
Maliseet Indian Wooden Hut Interior,
watercolor by Robert Petley, ca. 1850 |
|
| Total population | |
| 869 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( Maine) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Malecite-Passamaquoddy | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Maliseet people |
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians of Maine (Malecite-Passamaquoddy: Metaksonekiyak Wolastoqewiyik) is a Native American tribe. They are officially recognized by the United States government. Their traditional lands are found along the Meduxnekeag River in Maine. The tribe's main office is in Littleton, Maine, within Aroostook County.
This tribe is closely related to the larger Maliseet First Nations. These groups live in New Brunswick, Canada. The Maliseet people have historically lived along the Saint John River valley. This includes the Meduxnekeag River, which is a branch of the Saint John River.
When the United States and Great Britain set up a border in 1794, it split the Maliseet lands. This border was created by the Jay Treaty. However, the treaty gave the Maliseet people a special right. They could freely cross the border into Canada. This was because the land on both sides was part of their family's traditional territory.
In 2013, the Houlton Band of Maliseet was invited to join the Maine Legislature. They were given a non-voting seat. This meant they could share their views and concerns.
The Maliseet language belongs to the Algonquian languages family. Today, most people in the Houlton Band of Maliseet speak English as their main language. They make up almost 6% of the people living in Houlton.
Economic Activities
The Houlton Maliseet tribe works to support its community. They grow different crops on their tribal lands. These crops include potatoes, barley, and clover. The tribe also owns a fun roller skating rink. It is called Rollerama.
