Recognition

1. Mission Statement

2. S.117 Vermont State Recognition

3. May 3rd, 2006; S.117 Becomes Law

4. Native American Culture Week

5. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

 Mission Statement

The Koasek Traditional Band seeks official recognition by both the State of Vermont and the State of New Hampshire, as well as the United States Government.

 

 S.117 Vermont State Recognition

Herein below the law that was passed granting minority state recognition of the Abenaki People as a whole.

 

BILL AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE 2005-2006

S.117

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE RECOGNITION OF THE ABENAKI PEOPLE

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

Sec. 1. 1 V.S.A. chapter 23 is added to read:

CHAPTER 23. ABENAKI PEOPLE

§ 851. FINDINGS

The general assembly finds that:

(1) At least 1,700 Vermonters claim to be direct descendants of the several indigenous Native American peoples, now known as Western Abenaki tribes, who originally inhabited all of Vermont and New Hampshire, parts of western Maine, parts of southern Quebec, and parts of upstate New York for hundreds of years, beginning long before the arrival of Europeans.

(2) There is ample archaeological evidence that demonstrates that the Missisquoi Abenaki were indigenous to and farmed the river floodplains of Vermont at least as far back as the 1100s A.D.

(3) The Western Abenaki, including the Missisquoi, have a very definite and carefully maintained oral tradition that consistently references the Champlain valley in western Vermont.

(4) Many contemporary Abenaki families continue to produce traditional crafts and intend to continue to pass on these indigenous traditions to the younger generations. In order to create and sell Abenaki crafts that may be labeled as Indian- or Native American-produced, the Abenaki must be recognized by the state of Vermont.

(5) Federal programs may be available to assist with educational and cultural opportunities for Vermont Abenaki and other Native Americans who reside in Vermont.

§ 852. VERMONT COMMISSION ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS ESTABLISHED; AUTHORITY

(a) In order to recognize the historic and cultural contributions of Native Americans to Vermont, to protect and strengthen their heritage, and to address their needs in state policy, programs, and actions, there is hereby established the Vermont commission on Native American affairs (the “commission”).

(b) The commission shall comprise seven members appointed by the governor for two-year terms from a list of candidates compiled by the division for historic preservation. The governor shall appoint a chair from among the members of the commission. The division shall compile a list of candidates’ recommendations from the following:

(1) Recommendations from the Missisquoi Abenaki and other Abenaki and other Native American regional tribal councils and communities in Vermont.

(2) Applicants who apply in response to solicitations, publications, and website notification by the division of historical preservation.

(c) The commission shall have the authority to assist Native American tribal councils, organizations, and individuals to:

(1) Secure social services, education, employment opportunities, health care, housing, and census information.

(2) Permit the creation, display, and sale of Native American arts and crafts and legally to label them as Indian- or Native American-produced as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 1159(c)(3)(B) and 25 U.S.C. § 305e(d)(3)(B).

(3) Receive assistance and support from the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Board, as provided in 25 U.S.C. § 305 et seq.

(4) Become eligible for federal assistance with educational, housing, and cultural opportunities.

(5) Establish and continue programs offered through the U.S. Department of Education Office on Indian Education pursuant to Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act established in 1972 to support educational and cultural efforts of tribal entities that have been either state or federally recognized.

(d) The commission shall meet at least three times a year and at any other times at the request of the chair. The agency of commerce and community development and the department of education shall provide administrative support to the commission.

(e) The commission may seek and receive funding from federal and other sources to assist with its work.

§ 853. RECOGNITION OF ABENAKI PEOPLE

(a) The state of Vermont recognizes the Abenaki people and recognizes all Native American people who reside in Vermont as a minority population.

(b) Recognition of the Native American or Abenaki people provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be for the sole purposes specified in subsection 852(c) of this title and shall not be interpreted to provide any Native American or Abenaki person with any other special rights or privileges that the state does not confer on or grant to other state residents.

(c) This chapter shall not be construed to recognize, create, extend, or form the basis of any right or claim to land or real estate in Vermont for the Abenaki people or any Abenaki individual and shall be construed to confer only those rights specifically described in this chapter.

Sec. 2. Effective Date; Appointments To Commission

(a) This act shall take effect on passage.

(b) The governor shall make appointments to the commission no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act.

Published by:

The Vermont General Assembly

115 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont

On April 19th, 2006; it was announced that S.117 Passed Both Houses in the Vermont State Legislature and then Jeff Benay, Chairman Of the Native Affairs Commission, announced that S.117 State Recognition of the Abenaki People would be signed by Governor Douglas on May 3rd, 2006 at 10 AM on the Steps of the State House.

Governor Douglas Signs S.117: State Recognition of the Abenaki People

on the Steps of the State House, May 3rd, 2006.
 S.117 Becomes Law
(AP Photo:Toby Talbot)

Presentation by Gov. Douglas

 

Drumming Celebration

 

 Native American Culture Week (NAWIHLA)