MONTPELIER, Vt. — The state of Vermont now formally recognizes two more bands of the Abenaki Indian tribe.
On the lawn of the Statehouse in Montpelier on Monday, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed two bills recognizing the Missisquoi, St. Francis Sokoki band and the Koasek of the Koas as Native American tribes in Vermont.
Shumlin said the two tribes recognized Monday were the third and fourth recognized during the just ended, two-year legislative session. He says the Commission on Native American Affairs has worked hard at reviewing all four applications.
Just over a year ago, the state recognized a band in Windham County and another in northeastern Vermont.
In the past, the state had been reluctant to recognize the tribes believing it could lead to land claims and casinos.
“In the past, the state had been reluctant to recognize the tribes believing it could lead to land claims and casinos.”
Well? What will it lead to?
Well let’s see here: “Abenaki” Wanabiak (that’s FAKE Abenaki) in Vermont and New England in general for one. Secondly, these people (led by Luke Willard) want Title V and VII Indian Education Funding for ALL of VT and especially Orleans County, VT and when they couldn’t get it, Willard intends to meet with ‘legal counsel’ and sue the State of VT for it. Thirdly, the “Land Claims” is being sought after by these group(s) through a campaign with the Sierra Club, in which Luke Willards DEMANDS the State of VT NOW grant and give their group(s) what he calls “Abenaki” “Tribal” Forests. So this concocted ‘recognition’ of FAKE Abenaki is not just about selling their artwork under Indian Arts and Crafts Laws. There are a few blogs out there that go into depth on how deceitful and dishonest this “Abenaki”
Recognition has been from beginning to end. It ain’t over yet, because the Koasek “Abenaki” Traditional Band has a petition pending, but Luke Willard and his ilk of the “VT Indigenous Alliance” (the 4 groups already now ‘recognized’ by VT’s Legislature) won’t let them in because their representatives SIT on that contemporary VCNAA (Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs)!