Community, water, and Passamaquoddy history
Indian Township Reservation, also known as Motahkomikuk, is one of two Passamaquoddy communities in Maine. The other is Pleasant Point, or Sipayik.
Indian Township lies in Washington County. Peter Dana Point, at the southwest side of the township, is a central village area for the Passamaquoddy community. Another concentration of community facilities stands along U.S. Route 1 near Lewey Lake and the boundary with Princeton.
Big Lake and Lewey Lake
Big Lake covers 10,305 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 70 feet. Its island-dotted waters form part of the West Branch of the St. Croix River system. Smallmouth bass, white perch, pickerel, and landlocked salmon support the lake’s recreational fishery, alongside a varied community of smaller fish.
Lewey Lake covers approximately 469 acres. Together, these waters help define the township’s landscape, travel routes, outdoor activity, and ecological context.
Historical population
The figures below preserve the historical census sequence presented for the township. They should not be confused with tribal enrollment, which is a distinct measure and can include members living elsewhere.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 293 |
| 1980 | 423 |
| 1990 | 617 |
| 2000 | 676 |
| 2010 | 718 |
Land administration and settlement
Maine created the Office of Land Agent in 1824 to oversee public lands, including lands then administered by the state as Indian lands. In 1929, state law assigned administration concerning the tribes to the Department of Forestry. Archival forestry records include material about lumbering and the sale of lots in Indian Township between 1890 and 1918.
The 1980 Maine Indian Lands Claims Settlement changed the legal and territorial framework affecting tribal lands. The subject is significant and complex; the linked entry provides a starting point for its broader historical context.
Tribal government and representation
The community’s elected governing body establishes policy for the Passamaquoddy people of Indian Township. Its structure includes executive leadership and a council. Because officeholders and administrative details change, this entry does not identify individuals as current leaders.
A Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative may introduce legislation and speak in debates in the Maine House of Representatives, while the role does not include voting on legislation. Representation has historically alternated between Indian Township and Pleasant Point, with voters in both communities participating.
Peter Dana Point and Route 1
Peter Dana Point is closely associated with homes, education, community services, religious life, and views across Big Lake. Along U.S. Route 1, development near Lewey Lake connects Indian Township with neighboring Princeton and the regional road network.
Additional resources
- Maine Forestry Department, Forestry Department Indian Records, 1929–1933, Maine State Archives.
- Maine Department of Indian Affairs, Passamaquoddy Tribal Census, records covering selected years from 1970 through 1979.
- Maine Department of Indian Affairs, 1970–1979, University of Maine, Raymond H. Fogler Library, Special Collections.