The Abenaki Nation of Vermont celebrated on Wednesday after Gov. Gov. James Douglas (R) signed a bill recognizing the tribe.

Abenaki members said recognition was long overdue. "This is a proud day for our people," Chief April St. Francis Merrill said at the Statehouse, according to news reports.

The tribe applied for federal recognition through the Bureau of Indian Affairs but was denied last November. Some state officials were wary of granting state recognition out of fear that it would help the tribe's BIA case.

Get the Story:
Vt. Governor Signs Law Recognizing Abenaki (AP 5/3)
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Abenaki officially recognized by Vermont (The Barre Montpelier Times Argus 5/4)
Abenaki celebrate recognition (The Burlington Free Press 5/4)

Relevant Documents:
Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

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

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