The Bangor Daily News reported on Sept. 13 that the newspaper, in conjunction with the Quoddy Tides in Eastport, has filed a lawsuit in Washington County Superior Court against the Passamaquoddy tribal government at Pleasant Point under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The newspapers’ complaint allege that the publications have been denied access to tribal records on the proposed LNG site at Sipayik and that reporters Diana Graettinger of the BDN and Marie Holmes of the QT were denied access to tribal council meetings.
The publications maintain that the tribe is acting as a municipal authority in proposing the LNG facility and is therefore subject to the provisions of the FOIA. The tribe, asserting sovereignty, maintains that tribal business is for tribal members only.