Winter 2005

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W e are currently handling three cases on behalf of Native Americans alleging discrimination. Two of our clients are members of the Micmac Nation and one is a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation. Two of the cases are pending before the Maine Human Rights Commission. In one case, our client was terminated from her employment at a fast food restaurant. She alleges that she was fired because she is a Native American. In another case, our client is alleging public accommodation discrimination against another fast food restaurant for two separate incidents: one for refusing to serve him, and a second for serving another person ahead of him when he was clearly next in line. The third case alleges discrimination by the State Department of Human Services for discriminatory comments disparaging Native people that were made by a DHS caseworker in the course of an investigation.

If you believe you have been discriminated against because you are Native American, whether in housing, employment, public service, education, credit, or in some other area, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 1-800-879-7463. You have rights under both state and federal laws that protect you from being discriminated against, and you may be entitled to money damages and other relief for such discrimination!

Pine Tree also handled a housing case where the client, who was receiving a housing subsidy payment from Rural Housing Development Corporation (RHDC), was served an eviction notice that did not comply with RHDC regulations. Pine Tree made a Motion to Dismiss on procedural grounds and it was granted. The client, who has always been a good tenant and was current on rent, is still there. The rural housing development corporation has specific regulations, which must be followed by landlords accepting this federal money