The Vermont Senate Economic Development Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday on a bill to recognize the Abenakis as a people.

State Sen. Julius Canns, a Republican who has Cherokee ancestry, sponsored JRS009. It states that the Legislature "recognizes the existence of the Abenaki people" but that the Abenakis don't have any "special rights" under state law

The Abenaki Nation has sought state and federal recognition for decades. The tribe fought former governor Howard Dean, the newly elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who said he feared gaming in his state.

The tribe's petition at the Bureau of Indian Affairs is "ready" for consideration but at least 10 others are ahead in the queue.

Get the Story:
Vt. Legislature faces busy week ahead (AP 2/14)

Relevant Links:
Abenaki Nation - http://www.abenakination.org

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