The Penobscot Nation is a federally-recognized tribe located in the east central portion of Maine. It is the largest of the Abenaki tribes that occupied the central and southern portion of Maine prior to the European invasion. The Penobscot Reservation is located approximately 12 miles north of Bangor, the nearest urban area, and immediately adjacent to the city of Old Town.
The government of the Penobscot Nation consists of a Tribal Chief, Sub-Chief, and 12 Tribal Council members. This government is elected through a democratic process. Tribal elections are held every 2 years for the Tribal Chief, six council members, the representative to the State of Maine legislature, school board members and members of various other committees.
The primary community settlement within the land owned by the Penobscot Nation is Indian Island, which is comprised of 315 acres. The estimated 2008 population of Indian Island is 539, of which 402 are Penobscot Tribal members, 96 are non-Indians and 47 are from other Tribes. The total population of the Penobscot Nation is approximately 2,270.