Maliseet
The Maliseet are a Native American tribe that lived along what is now the New England border between the United States and Canada. Their language and customs are similar to the neighboring Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes. They also shared some land with those tribes.In the Jay Treaty of 1794, the Maliseet were granted free travel between the United States and Canada because their territory spanned both sides of the border.
The Houlton Band of the Maliseet were incorporated shortly after 1970. That allowed them to be included in the Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980. In the settlement, they received federal recognition as well as funds for lands that were considered purchased.
The Houlton Band has more than 600 members. Related Maliseet bands in Canada have more than 3,000 members.