BY SUSAN M. COVER

Staff Writer

The Penobscot Nation will have a new tribal representative when the Legislature reconvenes on Dec. 3, and his goal is to promote better relations between the tribe and the state.

Wayne Mitchell, 56, defeated Rep. Donna Loring in an election in September to take over the seat. Loring had served 12 years as the tribal representative to the Legislature.

Mitchell, who has served on many tribal boards and committees, said he's ready to work with the state on economic development.

"One of the biggest things facing the tribe and the state is the total breakdown in communication," he said.

Maine is the only state in the country to include tribal representatives in a legislative body. Two of the tribes in Maine -- the Penobscots and the Passamaquoddy -- each have one person representing them in the Maine House of Representatives.

The tribal representatives do not vote on legislation because their land is included in legislative districts that are represented by state lawmakers who will be elected in November.

But tribal representatives do get to sponsor bills, speak on legislation and represent the interests of their tribes in the Legislature.

Mitchell, who has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Maine, said few people in the public or state government understand the status of the federally recognized tribes in Maine.

He said term limits imposed on legislators have made it hard for the tribes to get work done.

"We just get legislators up to speed to understand this complex legal document and they're termed out," he said.

One example of his frustration with the legislative process stems from a bill passed last year that sought to establish a tribal and state study group.

Once it got through the legislative process, it was much different than what had been agreed to by the tribes and several state officials, he said.

"We'll have to revisit that issue," he said.

Mitchell, who said there are 1,600 Penobscots in Maine, also wants to give the public a better understanding of their contribution to the culture and history of the state.

"The negative image of the tribes is gambling and business failures and that's it," he said.

On the eve of Columbus Day, Mitchell said he strives for better understanding among all peoples.

Mitchell said Columbus coined the term "indian" because thought he was in the West Indies when he sailed to America.

But Mitchell said "First Nations People" or "People of the Dawn" are more appropriate ways to refer to native people.

"We don't celebrate Columbus Day," he said. "He didn't discover anything. He encountered it."

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com