Let's Build a More Just Maine.

Permanent Commission seal

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations is an independent, nonpartisan commission, established in 2019 by Maine law. There are 17 seats on the commission that reflect expertise in areas of life that are most impacted by systemic injustice, from poverty and economic development to civil rights, tribal sovereignty, and workers' rights. Members of the Permanent Commission are appointed by the presiding officers of the Maine Legislature, the Governor, the tribal governments of the Wabanaki Nations, and the commission itself.

Mission

The Permanent Commission advances racial equity and tribal sovereignty by bridging communities and state government. We provide evidence-based guidance to government and partner with communities to further their priorities.

Vision

A Maine where all communities, no matter our race or where we're from, have the power and resources to thrive. The inherent sovereignty of Wabanaki Nations is honored and respected.

What We Do

  1. Research how systemic injustice shapes life in Maine, using both data and what we hear from communities, and other experts.
  2. Build public awareness of injustice, and of where opportunity is and isn't reaching people, through reports, tools, and community events.
  3. Coordinate and support work that meets community-identified needs through grant programs.
  4. Advocate for policy change by advising all three branches of government.

Featured Resources

Everyone in Maine, regardless of race, income, or zip code, deserves the chance to live a full and healthy life. But today, our reality is still shaped by systems that were never designed for all of us to live the way life should be. The Permanent Commission’s featured resources can help you explore why.

How does the past shape the inequality of our present? What are the connections between racial disparities and the gaps we see between rural communities and cities? Why do these gaps exist? What stories reveal how these barriers compound across generations? And why are the rules of the game still written to benefit the few instead of the many?

The Social Drivers of Health Dashboard and the State of Racial Disparities report are tools we’ve published to help ask those questions. The Data Justice report tells us that data can reveal patterns, but data alone doesn’t tell the full story. The missing context is lived experience — where history, policy, and power come into focus.