I am basically reposting a letter I wrote to the Board of Indian Affairs in regards to federal recognization for Vermont's Abenakis.
I haven't mentioned but I happen to be a member of the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation. We were granted statewide recognition about 2 years ago and we have tried for federal recognition with no luck.
Supposedly, a letter writing campaign is underway and I, after years of frustration with the current "chief" and her efforts to minimize and divide members of our tribe, have decided to speak out. Certain parts of this letter have been blacked out for privacy reasons.
9/14/07
To whom it may concern,
My name is Brad. I am 25 years old. I am writing this letter because I believe strongly in federal recognition for the Missisquoi Abenaki Nation and because for years, I have wanted to express my thoughts and feelings on what it means to be Abenaki.
I am connected to the Abenakis through my mother. I first learned of my heritage when I was 15 years old. My mother brought me to my first ever pow-wow. I decided to study the history and culture of my ancestors not too long after. I have found that throughout the years, the Missisquoi Abenakis have struggled through one hurdle after another to continue to exist in modern times. It is through my mother and my family in general that I have learned of our struggle that has continued for generations.
I personally feel that I should not have to jump through hurdles to prove my heritage and who I am. In the 1930s, the University of Vermont took part in an eugenics survey. The purpose of eugenics is to identify and eliminate problematic genes by sterilizing people and sometimes committing outright genocide against people thought to be "inferior". It was because of this that my own grandmother will not talk about this horrible period in Vermont history. I blame events like this in history for driving the Abenakis underground, for demoralizing our people and relegating us to the status of second class citizens.
Eugenics is but one example of how the State of Vermont has held down the Abenaki for years. But, even though we went underground, we never completely disappeared. State recognition is not enough in my eyes. I personally do not trust the judgment of the State of Vermont on Abenaki matters. In 1975, Thomas Salmon granted Abenakis statewide recognition. In 1976, Richard Snelling revoked it. Even though Governor Douglas granted statewide recognition, I do not trust him or the judgment of his administration to uphold such a thing.
Some people say that Native American tribes only want recognition so that they can build casinos and file land claims and so forth. Some people say that Indians are up to no good when we demand equality and the right to protect the graves of our ancestors. I wholeheartedly believe that as an Abenaki, I do not want casinos and I have no interest in taking land from others. . I feel that recognition is legitimization in the eyes of the State or the Federal governments. No one wants to be known as illegitimate. No one wants to speak to others about their heritage and be laughed at and ridiculed.
I want my people to be able to stand proud with our friends of other tribes. I want Abenaki children to have pride and knowledge of their culture and heritage. I want Abenaki children to have the same privileges as other federally recognized tribes have. I want Abenaki children to be able to apply for special grants to get into college. I want our people to have a better standard of living than we are currently afforded.
To me, federal recognition may never make up for decades of racism and intolerance on the part of the State of Vermont. However, it will give my people pride and motivation to rise above and show the State of Vermont and show the Federal Government that we exist, that we are legitimate people and we deserve the right to shape our destiny, without the interference of non-tribal members. We are people, we have hearts and minds and we deserve to stand tall and proud of our heritage!
I am highly inspired by the American Indian Movement of the mid-1970s. However, times have changed to a point where education and eliminating poverty take higher importance over violence of any kind. Thankfully, the Abenakis in Vermont have not been relegated to reservations. However, we are still poor, we still face discrimination and there are a high percentage of Abenakis who are never able to realize their dreams because they do not have financial means or the motivation needed. This is simply not acceptable in my eyes!
So in conclusion, I ask you to look deep down inside of yourself and ask yourself what to feel like if you had the ancestral and cultural ties and the history to show that you were an Abenaki and no one believed you or recognized you as such, how would you feel? Would you feel like a second class citizen? Would you feel mocked, humiliated and left for dead?
I thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I am hoping you will understand where my people and I are coming from.