A bill to grant state recognition to the Abenaki Nation of Vermont was approved by a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill after a legislative lawyer said state recognition would not help the tribe with its federal recognition effort. The attorney general and the governor are opposing the tribe for this reason.

The tribe has filed and completed its petition for federal recognition. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has put the tribe on the "ready" list for consideration.

Get the Story:
Senate panel endorses Abenaki recognition (AP 5/12)

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

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