BY SUSAN M. COVER

Staff Writer

The Penobscot Nation will have a new tribal representative when the Legislature reconvenes 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 U.S. state to include tribal representatives in a legislative body. Two of Maine's tribes -- the Penobscots and the Passamaquoddys -- each have a delegate 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.

Tribal representatives do get to sponsor bills, speak on legislation and represent their tribes' interests, however.

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 also 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 from what the tribes and several state officials had agreed to, he said.

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

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

"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. He 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